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in Government Impersonation
asiaone.com
· 2025-12-07
A pregnant DBS bank employee in Singapore prevented an elderly customer from withdrawing $190,000 in cash by recognizing signs of a scam, despite being verbally abused for nearly two hours. The woman, who had already withdrawn $12,000 from another branch, was being coached by scammers posing as bank and law enforcement officials who claimed they needed to examine her money. The employee's intervention, combined with police follow-up that same night, successfully stopped the fraud and protected the vulnerable elderly customer from losing her savings.
**Actionable advice:** Be wary if someone pressures you to withdraw large amounts of cash, especially if they claim to be from banks or law enforcement and insist on examining your money in person or over the phone.
sltrib.com
· 2025-12-07
U.S. Senators John Curtis and Richard Blumenthal introduced the QUIET Act, which would require AI-generated robocalls and text messages to disclose that artificial intelligence is being used and would double penalties for scammers using AI to impersonate humans. Older Americans are disproportionately targeted by these robocall scams, and organizations like AARP are backing the legislation. If you receive a call or text that seems suspicious, be cautious about sharing personal information, and remember that legitimate organizations will typically disclose upfront if they're using automated systems.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-07
A pregnant DBS bank employee in Singapore prevented an elderly customer from withdrawing S$190,000 in cash by recognizing signs of a scam and refusing the transaction despite the woman's verbal abuse and demands. The customer was being coached by scammers posing as bank and law enforcement officials who had already tricked her into withdrawing S$12,000 from another branch. The employee's quick thinking and willingness to protect a vulnerable customer—even at personal cost—prevented a significant financial loss and demonstrates the importance of banks implementing fraud detection measures and customers being skeptical of unusual withdrawal requests.
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
Recent cybercrime incidents across India reveal a surge in sophisticated scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly citizens and residents. Criminals are using intimidation tactics—including fake "digital arrests," SIM-blocking threats, false legal accusations, and impersonation of police and bank officials—to coerce victims into transferring substantial sums of money. To protect yourself, never share personal details (Aadhaar, OTPs) in response to unsolicited calls, verify requests by contacting official agencies directly using known phone numbers, and remain skeptical of threats demanding immediate payment or isolation.
latestly.com
· 2025-12-07
# India Immigration Fraud Summary
Police in Chandigarh arrested a former immigration company employee who defrauded approximately 809,000 rupees from clients by issuing fake work-permit visa offer letters and diverting their money to personal accounts. The accused, Neha Bhagotra, was apprehended following swift police action after a complaint was filed, with authorities now investigating to trace the misappropriated funds and identify other victims. To protect yourself from such scams, verify immigration services through official channels, avoid paying large sums upfront, and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-07
During the holiday season, scammers are targeting online shoppers through fake text messages, emails, and phone calls impersonating delivery companies like USPS, FedEx, and UPS, asking victims to click malicious links or share personal information. The schemes also include delivery fee scams and package theft, with thieves stealing over $18 billion in merchandise last year. To protect yourself, the Better Business Bureau recommends tracking your orders, avoiding unsolicited links, never providing sensitive information via text or email, and ensuring packages aren't left visible on your porch.
spokesman.com
· 2025-12-07
# Medicare Scam Summary
Tim Parkey, a 76-year-old man in Elk, receives 15-20 Medicare scam calls daily from fraudsters posing as benefits specialists, offering fake Medicare opportunities or rewards like $185. He feels forced to answer every call since his wife has Stage 4 lung cancer and is on home hospice care, so he can't risk missing critical medical calls from doctors or nurses. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited Medicare calls offering benefits or money, verify caller identity by hanging up and calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE, and report suspicious calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-06
New Hampshire's Attorney General is investigating four major voice service providers—Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Peerless, and Lumen—for allowing billions of illegal robocalls to flow through their networks despite years of warnings. These companies own the telephone infrastructure that carriers use to transmit calls, giving them the ability to block repeat scam offenders but failing to do so. Consumers can protect themselves by being cautious of unsolicited calls, not engaging with robocallers, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
islandernews.com
· 2025-12-06
Florida has launched Operation Senior Shield, a statewide initiative to protect senior citizens from scams and financial exploitation after numerous incidents this year, including cases where elderly victims lost over $100,000 to fake tech support alerts and pop-up scams. The program provides free, real-time scam alerts to families and coordinates cybersecurity experts with law enforcement to combat fraud targeting seniors. Seniors and their families should take advantage of the free alert system and educational resources being offered to learn how to identify and avoid common scams targeting their age group.
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-06
Americans lost over $16 billion to scams last year, with seniors being disproportionately targeted by increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes using AI and voice deepfakes. Senator Gillibrand introduced bipartisan legislation requiring the FBI to develop a coordinated national strategy to combat scams, as currently 13 different federal agencies work independently on anti-fraud efforts without unified coordination. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, verify requests through official channels before sharing personal information, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-06
A DBS bank employee in Singapore prevented an elderly woman from withdrawing $190,000 in what turned out to be a scam, despite the customer's angry protests and verbal abuse lasting nearly two hours. The assistant service manager, Fionice Teoh, recognized red flags including the customer's evasiveness, inconsistent explanations, constant phone contact with someone coaching her, and reluctance to make eye contact. To protect vulnerable customers from scams, banks recommend listening to staff concerns about large withdrawals, being cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, and verifying requests directly with trusted contacts rather than following instructions from unknown callers.
gillibrand.senate.gov
· 2025-12-05
Americans lost $16.6 billion to scams in 2024, with seniors particularly vulnerable—losing $4.8 billion of that total. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tools like AI and voice deepfakes to target victims, prompting Senator Gillibrand to introduce legislation requiring the FBI to develop a coordinated national strategy to combat scams. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contacts requesting money or personal information, verify requests through official channels, and consider using call-screening tools on your phone.
pagosadailypost.com
· 2025-12-05
# Holiday Scams Targeting Seniors Rise This Season
During the holiday season, scammers are increasingly targeting older adults through convincing fake emails, calls, and mailings that impersonate charities, delivery services, and government agencies to steal personal information or money. Seniors and their families are urged to verify all communications directly with official organizations, avoid sharing financial details with unsolicited callers, and be skeptical of urgent payment demands—remembering that legitimate businesses never pressure people into immediate decisions. Staying alert and discussing common fraud tactics with elderly relatives can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to these sophisticated scams during the holidays.
crr.bc.edu
· 2025-12-04
Seniors ages 60+ lost nearly $5 billion to scams in 2024, with over 140,000 complaints filed to the FBI, and experts believe actual losses are even higher. Scammers specifically target older adults because they typically have more savings, may be less tech-savvy, and are less likely to report fraud, using tactics like impersonating grandchildren claiming emergencies or posing as financial institutions. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails and calls asking for personal information or urgent payments, verify requests by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, and never send money via gift cards or wire transfers to unknown parties.
pagosasun.com
· 2025-12-04
# Holiday Scams Targeting Older Adults on the Rise
During the holiday season, scammers are increasingly targeting senior citizens through convincing fake emails, calls, and mailings that impersonate legitimate organizations and pressure victims into sharing personal information or sending money quickly. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to these schemes because fraudsters exploit the increased volume of holiday communications, charity appeals, and special offers to make their scams seem legitimate.
To protect themselves and their loved ones, families should verify all unexpected communications directly through official channels, remind seniors that legitimate organizations never demand immediate payment or confidential information over the phone, and encourage older relatives to hang up on unsolicited callers requesting financial details.
wbng.com
· 2025-12-04
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing for stronger protections against holiday scams targeting seniors, who lose an average of $83,000 each to fraudsters using tactics like impersonating grandchildren or posing as government agencies. More than 40% of Americans have lost money or personal information to scams, with seniors being particularly vulnerable because they often rely on fixed incomes like social security. The senator is promoting her bipartisan National Strategy for Combating Scams Act and notes that over a dozen federal agencies are working together to crack down on these schemes, while seniors are advised to be cautious about unsolicited calls and requests for money, especially from those claiming to be family members.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-04
# Two men have pleaded guilty to defrauding an elderly Carlsbad resident of $1.49 million through an elaborate scam in which they impersonated government, bank, and tech support officials, convincing her to purchase gold bars under the false premise they would be secured by the U.S. Treasury. Xilin Sun and Alexander Charles James admitted to participating in a scheme that targeted elderly victims across the United States, with the victim in this case sending approximately $1.335 million in three wire transfers over two months before handing over the purchased gold to individuals claiming to safeguard it. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups or calls claiming your computer or accounts have been compromised, verify requests by contacting institutions directly using official phone numbers, and remember that legitimate government agencies never ask you to purchase precious metals or other items for security purposes.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-04
Attorney General Kris Mayes has launched Phase 2 of Operation Robocall Roundup, targeting four major voice providers (Inteliquent, Bandwidth, Lumen, and Peerless) that have been transmitting hundreds of millions of suspected illegal robocalls, including imposter scams impersonating Amazon, Apple, Social Security Administration, and the IRS. The crackdown affects millions of Americans who have been bombarded with these illegal calls, following earlier warnings sent to 37 smaller providers in August. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from major companies or government agencies—legitimate organizations typically won't call demanding personal information or immediate payment, and you can report suspicious robocalls to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
fredericksburgfreepress.com
· 2025-12-04
Gift card scams are rapidly increasing in Fredericksburg, with scammers impersonating government officials, relatives, or legitimate organizations to pressure victims—particularly seniors—into purchasing gift cards or using cryptocurrency ATMs. Residents should never share gift card numbers or personal information with unsolicited contacts and should always verify urgent requests by calling a trusted family member or official source directly, as legitimate government agencies never demand payment via gift cards. Anyone suspicious of a scam can report it to local police at (540) 373-3122 or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-04
The IRS is warning millions of Americans about a surge in tax-related scams and identity theft during the Christmas season, when holiday shopping and the approach of tax filing season create opportunities for fraudsters to steal personal information and file false tax returns to claim refunds. The fraud affects taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses nationwide, with losses mounting as scams become increasingly sophisticated. The IRS recommends that people take extra precautions to protect their financial and tax information during this high-risk period, particularly by being cautious about sharing sensitive personal data with unfamiliar sources.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-03
Millions of Walmart customers were targeted in a large-scale scam involving AI-generated robocalls impersonating Walmart employees claiming unauthorized PlayStation 5 purchases of $919.45 on their accounts. The FCC ordered the voice service provider SK Teleco to stop these calls immediately or face being cut off from U.S. networks, as online scams have reached record levels with Americans losing $16.6 billion to internet crimes in 2024. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls about purchases you didn't make, never press buttons or call back numbers provided by unsolicited callers, and verify any claims by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers or websites.
wjhl.com
· 2025-12-03
# Article Summary
Three individuals—two from New Jersey and one from Washington—have been sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that targeted elderly Americans, including a Tennessee man who lost his entire $86,900 life savings and later died by suicide. The scammers impersonated celebrities and government officials online to convince victims they were in romantic relationships, then extorted money by posing as law enforcement claiming investigations were underway. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online, never send money to people you haven't met in person, and verify claims by contacting official organizations directly through their published phone numbers rather than using contact information provided by the scammer.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-03
Love Island star Amy Hart lost £5,000 to scammers impersonating her bank's fraud department in May 2022, and is now warning the public about Christmas scams after research showed nearly 50% of English people have been targeted this year. Hart emphasized that scams affect everyone regardless of technical knowledge, and that scammers use psychological tactics like creating a sense of urgency and panic to manipulate victims. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls even if the number appears legitimate when you search it online, never share account access codes with callers claiming to be from your bank, and stay extra vigilant during busy periods like Christmas when distractions make you vulnerable to fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-03
Three individuals—two from New Jersey and one from Washington—were sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded a Tennessee victim of nearly $87,000 in 2023, ultimately contributing to his suicide. The scam involved criminals in Nigeria impersonating celebrities and government officials online to trick elderly victims into sending money, with U.S.-based conspirators receiving the funds and using harassment tactics to extract additional payments. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected romantic connections online, never send money to someone you haven't met in person, and report suspicious communications to authorities immediately.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-03
Fraudsters target shoppers during Christmas by creating fake websites and social media ads that mimic legitimate retailers, offering counterfeit or non-existent products at unrealistically low prices. Consumers should be wary of suspicious web addresses, pressure tactics like limited-time offers, and deals that seem too good to be true, as scammers use social media, email, text, and WhatsApp to steal money and personal information. To protect yourself, verify store URLs carefully, avoid urgent "flash sales," and shop only on verified legitimate websites.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-03
A Carlsbad woman lost $1.3 million in a nationwide gold scam where two men convinced her over several months that converting her savings to gold bars would protect her money in a U.S. Treasury locker—when in fact they were stealing the gold. Two suspects, Xilin Sun and Alexander Charles James, have pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges after an FBI sting operation caught them red-handed. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected pop-up warnings on your computer, never wire money to strangers claiming to be government or bank officials, and remember that legitimate agencies will never ask you to convert savings to gold or other valuables for "safekeeping."
fox5sandiego.com
· 2025-12-03
Two men pleaded guilty to a sophisticated fraud scheme that defrauded a Carlsbad woman of $1.49 million over two months. The scammers posed as government, bank, and tech support employees, initially luring the victim through a fake computer hack warning, then convincing her that gold bars purchased through a precious metals company could be "secured" at the U.S. Treasury. To protect yourself, never respond to pop-up warnings or unsolicited tech support calls, be skeptical of anyone claiming you need to move money for "safekeeping," and always verify requests through official channels before sending funds.
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-03
Two men, Xilin Sun and Alexander Charles James, pleaded guilty to their roles in a sophisticated scam that defrauded a Carlsbad resident of $1.49 million by impersonating government, bank, and tech-support employees and convincing her to purchase gold bars under the false pretense of protecting her savings. The victim was initially targeted through a pop-up warning about a hacked computer, and over two months was tricked into making three wire transfers totaling over $1.3 million to buy gold that was never actually secured. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups or calls about computer problems, never wire money based on pressure from supposed government or bank officials, and contact your bank directly using a verified phone number if you have concerns about your accounts.
news10.com
· 2025-12-03
New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie introduced the "RIPOFF Act," a bill that would allow judges to strip large corporations (making over $100 million annually) of stock shares when convicted of financial crimes like fraud, bribery, and money laundering, with proceeds going to crime victims. The legislation aims to close legal loopholes that have allowed white-collar criminals to avoid serious punishment and to modernize fraud laws that haven't been updated in decades as criminal tactics have become increasingly sophisticated. Myrie emphasized the need for stronger state-level enforcement since federal agencies may scale back financial crime investigations, urging residents to stay vigilant about protecting their hard-earned money from corporate scams.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-02
# Cyber Monday Fraud Alert
This Cyber Monday is expected to generate over $14.2 billion in online sales, but scammers are actively targeting shoppers with fake websites, phony delivery notifications, and fraudulent job offers to steal personal information and money—Americans have already reported $7 billion in fraud this year. To stay safe, verify website URLs carefully for typos, avoid clicking links in unsolicited text messages about package deliveries, be cautious of too-good-to-be-true job postings, and monitor your credit card statements closely for unauthorized charges. When shopping, trust your instincts if something seems off, shop only on verified retailer websites, and use secure payment methods whenever possible.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-02
# Phishing Scam Summary
Scammers are using real Apple Support tickets to conduct a sophisticated phishing scam that tricks users into surrendering their Apple accounts. The scheme exploits a flaw in Apple's support system that allows anyone to create legitimate support tickets without verification, which then triggers official Apple emails that appear trustworthy; victims receive fake security alerts and convincing calls from impersonators posing as Apple agents who guide them through account reset steps. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected Apple alerts and calls, verify support requests directly through Apple's official channels before taking action, and never share passwords or follow links from unsolicited communications.
saltwire.com
· 2025-12-01
Charles Gillen, 25, defrauded over $130,000 from seniors in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, with three victims providing emotional impact statements describing trauma, sleepless nights, financial devastation, and lasting psychological harm. The victims, aged 74-87, lost their savings and spoke of feeling vulnerable, embarrassed, and anxious, with some unable to afford planned trips or recover from recent losses. Anyone suspicious of unsolicited contact offering financial opportunities or requests for personal information should verify the caller's identity through official channels and remember that legitimate organizations never pressure people into immediate decisions or ask for upfront payments.
gbtribune.com
· 2025-12-01
# Holiday Shopping Scams Summary
AI-generated phishing emails are making holiday scams increasingly difficult to detect, as fraudsters now create convincing fake messages and websites that closely mimic legitimate retailers like Amazon and Walmart. To protect yourself, experts recommend never clicking links in unsolicited emails—instead, go directly to the retailer's website or app to verify any alerts, research sellers before purchasing, and pay with credit cards when possible so you can dispute fraudulent charges. If a seller insists on payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency, it's likely a scam, so trust your instincts and report suspicious activity to the FTC.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-01
# Charity Scam Prevention Summary
Washington state officials have launched a "Pause. Check the Cause." campaign to help residents avoid holiday donation scams, which commonly include impostor charities mimicking legitimate organizations, phishing emails with fraudulent links, and fake organizations created on social media after disasters. Before donating, pause to research the charity's legitimacy by verifying its tax-exempt status with the Secretary of State, requesting its employer identification number (EIN), and visiting the organization's official website directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts. Consumers should search for the charity's exact name along with terms like "scam" or "fraud" to spot red flags and donate only through official channels.
kolotv.com
· 2025-11-30
Nevada experienced a significant surge in senior fraud reports, with a 52% year-over-year increase and seniors losing over $21 million in 2024 alone, making it one of the hardest-hit states alongside New Hampshire and Arizona. Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults through phishing emails and fake delivery schemes, particularly during holiday shopping seasons when seniors are shopping online more frequently. To stay safe, seniors should verify sender information before clicking links, shop only on secure websites, and be cautious of unexpected delivery notifications or requests for personal information.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-11-30
Cybercriminals in Bhopal are using terror-related threats to scam elderly people, falsely claiming their bank accounts funded terrorist attacks and demanding money to avoid legal consequences. The scam has already caused at least one suicide and defrauded several victims of significant sums, with incidents increasing rapidly over recent weeks. Authorities advise citizens—especially families with elderly members—to verify caller identities through official channels, report suspicious calls to police immediately, and educate older adults about these digital scams.
newsx.com
· 2025-11-30
# Digital Arrest Scam Summary
A 71-year-old retired man in Hyderabad lost nearly ₹2 crores (approximately $240,000) to scammers who posed as courier service and police officials, threatening him with legal action and "digital arrest" via video call. The fraudsters used psychological manipulation—including fake documents, threats of imprisonment, and isolation from family—to coerce the victim into transferring money in installments over several days. To protect yourself: never trust unsolicited calls about seized parcels or legal issues, verify any official claims directly with authorities using known phone numbers, and always consult family members before making large financial decisions, as scammers often demand secrecy.
iberkshires.com
· 2025-11-30
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is warning residents about text message scams claiming they owe money for traffic violations and threatening license suspension if payment isn't made immediately. The RMV never contacts people via text about payment and only accepts payments in person or through its official website at mass.gov/RMV. Anyone receiving such texts should delete them immediately, avoid clicking any links, never share personal information, and report the scam to warn others.
atg.wa.gov
· 2025-11-30
As Washington State enters the giving season and Giving Tuesday approaches, residents are being warned about charity fraud and scams that could divert donations from legitimate organizations. The Washington State Attorney General's Office is promoting a "Pause. Check the Cause" campaign that advises donors to verify charities before giving by checking their tax-exempt status, asking for an employer identification number (EIN), and verifying registration with the Secretary of State or IRS databases. To protect themselves, donors should avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts, navigate directly to charity websites, and be cautious of unfamiliar organizations or those requesting donations through unexpected channels.
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WFXR NEWS
· 2025-10-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of increased scam activity during government shutdowns, particularly government impersonation scams where criminals pose as federal agencies to steal money or personal information. Common shutdown-related scams include fake passport expedited services, fraudulent messages claiming benefits are at risk unless payment is made, and impersonation of the IRS, Social Security, or law enforcement. The shutdown makes these scams more effective because confusion about which services remain open allows criminals to exploit victims, and official fraud reporting websites like the FTC's are offline, preventing victims from easily reporting incidents.
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NowMedia Group
· 2025-10-03
Police in Kelowna issued a warning about a grandparent scam in which a fraudster called elderly victims claiming to be a lawyer, stating their grandchild had been arrested, and demanding $5,000 in cash to secure their release. The suspect then visited homes in person to collect the money, with two successful visits occurring on the same day in the 600 block of San Michelle Road and 1300 block of Cao Road. The RCMP urged the public to discuss scam awareness with elderly family members and provided a description of the suspect: a light-skinned male approximately 6 feet tall with dark slicked-back hair, long sideburns, and not
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NBC Bay Area
· 2025-10-02
During government shutdowns, scammers capitalize on the crisis by impersonating government agencies and contacting people via phone or email with threats to revoke benefits or offers of emergency funds, demanding personal data or payments in exchange. Security experts warn that any unsolicited government contact during a shutdown should be treated with suspicion, as legitimate agencies are unable to reach out during closures. Common scams include threats to withdraw Social Security and other government benefits.
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NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-09-30
The National Cyber Security Alliance warns that scammers may impersonate government agencies like Social Security, Medicare, and SNAP through unsolicited texts, emails, or phone calls to solicit personal and financial information from victims. The government does not initiate contact to request such information, and people should hang up on suspicious calls and instead contact agencies directly or verify information through official channels.
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NBC News
· 2025-09-25
The FBI reports a growing scam involving fake apartment listings on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where scammers impersonate real estate agents and repost legitimate property videos with artificially low rental prices to lure renters into paying upfront application fees. A 28-year-old victim paid a $350 application fee for what appeared to be a Manhattan apartment advertised at $1,100 monthly when the actual rent was $12,000, losing money to fraudsters who misrepresented licensed agents' credentials and photos. Renters are advised to be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true and to verify listings directly with licensed real estate agents.
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ABC15 Arizona
· 2025-09-22
Medicare scams are flooding seniors with phone calls and emails, with the Department of Justice estimating $60 billion in annual Medicare fraud losses. Scammers impersonate Medicare representatives and use threats (such as losing coverage) or offers of new Medicare cards to extract seniors' Medicare numbers, which they then use to fraudulently bill the program. Experts advise that Medicare will not contact beneficiaries by phone requesting personal information or offering to mail new cards.
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FOX Carolina News
· 2025-09-13
South Carolina ranks disproportionately high in scam calls and texts compared to other states and previous months, according to TrueCaller's monthly data tracking. Scam activity shows seasonality patterns, with increased fraud attempts during severe weather events like hurricanes and coastal damage. The caller ID and spam-blocking service provider attributes the targeting to both predictable seasonal trends and state-specific vulnerabilities.
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Atlanta News First
· 2025-09-06
Fulton County launched a free online training program called "Avoid Cyber Threats" to help seniors recognize and avoid digital scams, following FBI data showing seniors suffered approximately $5 billion in financial losses last year. The program was created in response to the vulnerability of older adults to cyber fraud, illustrated by a resident's experience losing $2,000 to a phishing scam, and addresses the fact that Georgia ranks seventh nationally for internet crime losses.
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KJRH -TV | Tulsa | Channel 2
· 2025-09-02
The "phantom hacker" scam, which has stolen over $1 billion from seniors, uses a three-part scheme: fraudsters impersonating bank support alert victims to suspicious account activity, then fake government officials offer to help protect the money, and finally scammers gain remote computer access by claiming someone is stealing funds, allowing them to drain accounts while instructing victims to tell no one, especially their bank. Key warning signs include urgent threats and demands for secrecy.
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Gulf Coast News
· 2025-08-30
A Cape Coral man fell victim to a text message scam impersonating the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, claiming he owed $6.69 for a toll violation with threats of license revocation. In Florida alone, there have been over 12,000 reports of government impostor scams in the current year totaling more than $26 million in losses. Experts advise verifying communications directly with government agencies through official contact information and never clicking links or providing financial information in unsolicited messages.
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WWMT-TV
· 2025-08-26
Scammers are exploiting Social Security cost of living increase announcements through phishing messages that trick recipients into clicking malicious links and providing their Social Security numbers. The Federal Trade Commission and Better Business Bureau warn that the Social Security Administration never requests SSN verification and automatically applies COLA increases—no application is required. Victims should be wary of messages claiming fraud has occurred on their account or demanding personal information to access benefits.