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973espn.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are warning residents about six prevalent scams: Facebook marketplace scams offering cheap duct cleaning or car detailing that harvest personal information; jury duty scams impersonating authorities and requesting driver's license or passport numbers; "brushing" scams involving unsolicited packages with malicious QR codes designed to access phone data; Medicaid/Medicare impersonation scams attempting to steal Social Security numbers and personal information; fake law enforcement scams threatening arrest and demanding bond payments; and additional schemes targeting victims through phone calls, emails, and in-person contact. The advisory emphasizes avoiding contact with suspicious offers, never scanning unknown QR codes, hanging up on callers imp
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers create fake websites mimicking legitimate streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ to steal login credentials and personal data through lookalike sites or malware downloads. To protect yourself, verify the official URL before entering any information, be skeptical of ads and "free trial" offers, and never provide passwords or payment details on third-party websites. Legitimate streaming service representatives will not request passwords via phone or email.
dig.watch
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned against a new wave of AI-powered text and voice message scams that use sophisticated deepfake technology to impersonate trusted contacts and officials, making fraudulent messages appear highly convincing to victims. The scams trick users into clicking malicious links by creating a false sense of urgency around official communications. The FBI recommends verifying messages through independent channels, avoiding clicking links from unknown sources, and scrutinizing speech patterns and visual anomalies in received communications.
en.cibercuba.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cuban woman in Brazil exposed a phishing scam involving fake messages claiming unpaid package fees from Correios (Brazilian postal service) that redirected to fraudulent payment pages. Multiple users on social media, predominantly Cubans and Venezuelans in Brazil, confirmed receiving similar messages, with some admitting they had already paid the fake fees. Experts recommend verifying package status directly through the official Correios website using tracking codes and never clicking links or sharing personal information from unsolicited messages.
databreaches.net
· 2025-12-08
Two men were indicted on six counts of wire fraud for a $1.6 million phishing scheme targeting Fresno County between September and October 2020, in which they compromised the email account of a nonprofit finance director to redirect ACH payments to accounts they controlled. Jafaar September Nyangoro, 52, of Tennessee, was arrested in May 2025, while Peter Bah Acha, 45, of Germany, remains at large; the fraudsters posed as the finance director to convince county officials that the nonprofit's banking information had changed and payments should be sent to Nyangoro's newly opened bank account instead.
local12.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate your request, but I don't have the actual article content to summarize. You've provided the webpage layout and navigation elements, but not the body text of the article itself.
To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide:
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- Any quotes or specific information about the fraud scheme
Once you share the article content, I'll provide a concise 2-3 sentence summary focusing on what happened, who was affected, the scam type, and any relevant outcomes.
gov1.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center issued a public service announcement on May 15 warning of a malicious text and voice messaging campaign active since April that impersonates senior U.S. officials and targets current or former federal and state officials and their contacts. The scheme uses "smishing" texts and AI-generated voice messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or sharing credentials, which attackers then use to compromise personal and work accounts. The FBI advises recipients to verify unsolicited messages through known phone numbers, inspect URLs carefully, enable multi-factor authentication, and report incidents to local FBI field offices or IC3.gov.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains why retirees are targeted for financial fraud and describes common scams affecting older adults. Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with victims aged 80+ reporting average losses of $1,450—nearly three times higher than younger victims. The piece identifies key vulnerabilities (accumulated wealth, lower tech familiarity, trusting nature, social isolation) and provides warning signs and protection strategies for imposter scams (posing as IRS, Medicare, Social Security) and tech support scams, emphasizing awareness as the primary defense against financial fraud.
digitaltransactions.net
· 2025-12-08
ThreatMark released ScamFlag, a generative AI service that banks can integrate into their mobile-banking apps to help consumers identify potential scams by analyzing screenshots or photos of suspicious content. The tool uses AI trained on fraud samples to detect phishing emails, romance scams, investment fraud, marketplace scams, and business email compromise with reported 99% accuracy, providing users instant feedback on identified threats and recommended actions. Banks implement ScamFlag through a software development kit with annual licensing fees starting in the lower tens of thousands of dollars.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams are increasing, with fraudsters posing as recruiters or companies through online postings and direct messages to steal personal information like Social Security numbers or banking details. Red flags include unsolicited job offers via text promising high earnings for minimal work, requests for upfront payment or bank account information, and fake signing bonuses that are later reversed. Job seekers should research companies and recruiters before applying, verify contact information directly with the company, and report suspected scams to the FTC.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Carolina resident received a terrifying scam call spoofing her mother's phone number in which a man claimed to be holding her mother hostage and demanded immediate payment via PayPal. The victim became suspicious when the scammer demanded she not call police and couldn't provide proof of her mother's location, ultimately refusing to send money and calling 911 to confirm her mother's safety. The incident highlights how scammers exploit emotional connections and personal data to manipulate victims, and authorities recommend hanging up immediately, verifying the person's safety through direct contact, and reporting such calls to police.
newscentermaine.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered voice cloning technology is enabling scammers to create convincing replicas of trusted individuals to perpetrate fraud, with common schemes including family emergency scams targeting relatives and "vishing" attacks on businesses (one case involving a quarter-million dollar theft). Since AI voices are now difficult to distinguish from real ones by ear alone, experts recommend focusing on suspicious situations rather than voice authenticity, verifying callers through independent contact methods, and establishing family verification codes to confirm identity during unexpected calls requesting money.
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
College students face multiple scams during back-to-school season, including phishing emails impersonating school financial departments that trick students into revealing login credentials and personal information. The Better Business Bureau warns students to be vigilant against common schemes such as fake credit card offers, fraudulent apartment rentals, scholarship scams, ID theft, online shopping fraud, and test preparation blackmail scams that exploit their vulnerability as they prepare for the new academic year.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are exploiting confusion about new tariff policies by sending fraudulent "tariff payment request" emails and texts posing as retailers, delivery companies, or government agencies to steal consumers' financial information and money. The scam capitalizes on widespread public unfamiliarity with how tariffs work and consumers' expectation to pay higher prices, with cybersecurity researchers discovering approximately 300 tariff-related fraudulent domain registrations in early 2024. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited payment requests and verify directly with official sources before providing payment information, though some legitimate tariff and customs duty payments do exist.
deeside.com
· 2025-12-08
North Wales Police reported a surge in romance scams, receiving 11 cases in a single week involving victims who were manipulated through fake social media profiles and dating websites into sending money or gift cards to fraudsters posing as romantic interests. The scammers build emotional trust before making financial requests, with gift cards being particularly attractive to criminals due to their untraceable and easily redeemable nature. Police advised the public to verify identities, avoid sending money to people they haven't met in person, and report suspicions to Action Fraud.
elderlawanswers.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam is targeting Social Security beneficiaries with emails impersonating the Social Security Administration (SSA), tricking recipients into downloading fake Social Security statements that actually contain malware. Once downloaded, the ScreenConnect software gives hackers remote access to victims' computers and sensitive information such as bank account credentials and personal data used for identity theft. Older adults are particularly vulnerable, with Americans aged 60 and older reporting $3.4 billion in total fraud losses in 2023, and recipients should avoid downloading email attachments and verify that legitimate SSA communications come from .gov email addresses.
northplattebulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Lincoln woman lost more than $14,000 in a "smishing" scam (fraudulent text messages), according to Lincoln Police. The article highlights this incident as a notable case of elder fraud that received limited public attention in Nebraska.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers defrauded seniors of $4.8 billion, prompting the Mentor Police Department to increase anti-scam prevention workshops at senior centers and assisted living facilities across Ohio during Older Ohioans Month. Senior Jack Hines nearly fell victim to a phishing email but became an advocate after attending an awareness workshop, now helping educate peers about recognizing scams targeting vulnerable older adults, particularly those experiencing loneliness.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting new graduates, particularly those seeking remote work, have increased significantly in recent years, with the Better Business Bureau ranking them as the most dangerous scam type for ages 18-34. Scammers use fake recruiter profiles on legitimate job sites like LinkedIn and Indeed, communicating via email, text, or social media with red flags including incomplete profiles, vague job descriptions, requests for upfront equipment payments, or use of personal email addresses. Legitimate job searches involve multiple interviews, resumes, and reference checks rather than text-based transactions, and victims should report suspected scams to the BBB or FTC.
bridgemi.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan residents, particularly in the west, have received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Michigan Department of Transportation and toll companies like E-Z Pass, pressuring them to pay fake outstanding toll balances through malicious links to steal personal and financial information. The scam has spread nationwide with 60,000 complaints reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2024, originating from various area codes including overseas servers, making prosecution difficult. Residents should ignore these texts, never click embedded links, and verify toll obligations directly through official websites or by contacting MDOT at 517-241-2400, as legitimate toll bills in Michigan are sent by mail only.
unionrayo.com
· 2025-12-08
consumerfed.org
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $16 billion to online scams in the past year, with seniors accounting for nearly $5 billion of that total, according to FBI statistics. Losses increased 33% from the previous year, driven by surges in tech support scams (58% increase), extortion (91% increase), phishing (273% increase), and identity theft (38% increase). The report found that generative AI tools—including text, image, voice, and video generation—are enabling scammers to create more convincing and personalized fraud schemes at scale, while underregulated data brokers, payment platforms, and communication tools continue to facilitate scams across multiple points in the fraud pipeline.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
SuperCard X is an Android malware distributed via fake bank text messages that uses NFC relay technology to remotely copy card data and conduct unauthorized contactless payments or ATM withdrawals without requiring the physical card or PIN. Victims are tricked into installing a fraudulent security app through social engineering, where attackers impersonate bank representatives and instruct them to tap their card against the infected phone. The malware operates as a Malware-as-a-Service model, targets any cardholder regardless of bank, and remains difficult to detect due to minimal permissions and stealthy design.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Travel fraud increased significantly in 2024, with scams rising 18% during summer and 28% during winter peak seasons, with travel agency and tour company bookings experiencing fraud rates four times higher than other industries. Common scams include tours that never occur or differ drastically from promises, taxi and car rental overcharges, credit card theft at restaurants, and trip-planning fraud involving fake confirmations and doctored photos. Travelers can reduce risk by using digital wallets, purchasing travel insurance, booking with fraud-protected credit cards, and avoiding suspiciously low prices, with fraud rates varying considerably by destination.
en.cibercuba.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cuban woman on TikTok exposed a common advance-fee scam where a fraudster posed as an art client offering to pay $1,000 for a portrait, with the victim expected to receive $300 and send back $700 for materials—a scheme designed to use bounced checks to defraud victims. The scammer operates multiple social media profiles and uses variations of this tactic for jobs, study materials, and vehicle sales; multiple other users reported falling victim or nearly falling victim to similar schemes, with losses ranging up to $8,000. The incident highlights the prevalence of social engineering fraud targeting Spanish-speaking communities across multiple platforms and countries.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A Northeast Ohio senior named Jack Hines nearly fell victim to a phishing email scam but used the experience to become an advocate for elder fraud prevention in his community. The Mentor Police Department has launched anti-scam workshops at senior centers across the city, responding to a 22% increase in fraud complaints from older adults in Ohio and the FBI's report that seniors lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024. Hines now works as an awareness ambassador at his local senior center, helping peers recognize and avoid common scams targeting vulnerable seniors.
chadronradio.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Nebraska woman lost over $14,000 in a "smishing" (text message scam), exemplifying a growing crisis where Americans aged 60+ lost $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, averaging $83,000 per case. Social isolation significantly increases seniors' vulnerability to fraud, as those with limited in-person contact are more likely to conduct transactions online and engage with scammers. The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance recommends preventing financial exploitation through regular contact with older relatives, educating seniors about common fraud tactics, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities through their "Make Cents Make Sense" initiative.
newschannel5.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP reports that $12.5 billion was lost to scams and fraud, with financial advisor David Globke providing guidance on identifying warning signs of fraudulent schemes. The segment offers practical tips for recognizing potential fraud before victims lose money.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns of a scam involving robocalls claiming recipients have been pre-approved for an unspecified offer and requesting they press a number to verify personal details. Victims report receiving 5-20 calls daily from different numbers using identical messaging, with callers attempting to extract sensitive information if called back. The FTC advises hanging up without engaging, avoiding pressing numbers to unsubscribe, and using call-blocking features rather than providing personal information to unknown callers.
thenews-gazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Between May 1 and May 15, Lexington Police received reports of multiple scams including someone impersonating the Planning Commission chair, a fake lost cat emergency surgery scheme, a deputy sheriff impersonation demanding $400 in gift cards for jury duty non-appearance, an EBT card fraud, and a Publisher's Clearinghouse scam that defrauded a Rockbridge County resident of over $4,200. Police Chief Angela Greene advised residents not to provide personal or financial information to unsolicited contacts, never to purchase gift cards for fines or legal matters, and to independently verify emergency claims involving loved ones or pets.
umassd.edu
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting students and job seekers involve impersonation of real employers offering unrealistic pay, requiring upfront payments, and requesting sensitive personal information through unprofessional communication channels. Common scam types include fake check/money mule schemes, remote data entry tasks requiring software purchases, phishing, and company impersonation. Job seekers can protect themselves by researching companies on official sites, verifying recruiter identity through official phone numbers, never sharing SSN or financial information upfront, and requesting detailed written job descriptions and formal offers before proceeding.
wkyc.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers reported losing $470 million last year to text message scams, according to FTC data. A viewer received fraudulent texts impersonating Facebook, claiming account suspension and requesting personal information to verify ownership—a common phishing tactic that uses urgency and threats to family members to manipulate victims. The Better Business Bureau advises ignoring unsolicited texts from unknown numbers and using reverse image searches to verify suspicious content before responding.
media.srpnet.com
· 2025-12-08
SRP (Salt River Project) and AARP issued a joint warning about utility scams targeting older adults, particularly around the Memorial Day weekend, noting that Arizona has the highest fraud rate against seniors in the country at 289 cases per 100,000. Common scams include fake payment websites, phishing texts/emails impersonating utility companies, and fraudsters posing as utility workers, all designed to create urgency and pressure immediate payment. Customers should protect themselves by calling SRP directly to verify account status, avoiding suspicious links and unusual payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency), and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a sophisticated scam involving AI-generated text and voice messages impersonating senior U.S. government officials, targeting current and former federal and state officials and their contacts. Scammers use realistic voice cloning and malicious links designed to steal login credentials and personal information, which could then be used to impersonate victims and target other officials or their associates. The FBI advises verifying sender identity through independent contact, scrutinizing details for subtle alterations, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive information with unverified contacts.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Lisa Nock, a 44-year-old woman with autism from Staffordshire, was scammed out of £11,000 over 18 months by a romance fraudster posing as TV vet Dr Chris Brown on Instagram. The scammer used "love bombing" tactics, claiming to love her and proposing, then requesting money for flights, visas, and cryptocurrency payments, which Lisa transferred while sacrificing her own activities and disability allowance. The scam ended in December 2024 when Lisa could no longer afford to send money and the fraudster ceased contact.
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
"Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" is a Hulu documentary series following three women from Connecticut, Ontario, and Frankfurt who were defrauded by the same anonymous romance scammer using stolen photos and multiple fake identities (Scott Donald Hall, James Richards, Michael Silver). The scammer exploited each woman's emotional vulnerability through social media and private messaging, eventually extracting thousands of dollars under false pretenses, with one victim losing over $30,000 and another compromising her Social Security information. Despite the victims' collaborative investigation, the scammer's true identity remains unknown, illustrating how AI technology and deepfakes enable modern romance fraud, which resulted in $16.6
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Tom Grauburger of Lakin, Kansas lost $30,000 to a sophisticated tech support scam that used fear tactics and constant phone monitoring to manipulate him over three weeks. The scammers posed as Microsoft Defender and the FTC, falsely claiming illegal activity was occurring on his computer and demanding cash sent to Boston as "proof of assets," while threatening him with a fake non-disclosure agreement to prevent him from telling family members. His bank ultimately prevented a larger loss by flagging a $100,000+ wire transfer attempt to his retirement fund, but Grauburger and his family are still fighting to recover the initial $30,000.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old retired urban planner named Brian Ketcham lost significant money to romance scammers on the dating website Dream Singles, communicating with profiles of women (primarily one named "Vasilisa") who likely did not exist in real life. After his death in 2024, his children discovered hundreds of printed chat transcripts and documented evidence of the scheme, which required him to purchase credits for each message sent to the fake profiles. The article explores how his initial skepticism gradually eroded as the scammers built emotional connections with him, ultimately resulting in financial loss before his death.
easyreadernews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Type:** Grandparent scam using AI voice mimicry and emergency impersonation
**What Happened:** Kayla Smith's grandmother lost $4,000 after receiving a call claiming her son was held hostage and demanding Target gift cards; the caller used AI or similar technology to mimic her son's voice, exploiting her maternal concern. Inspired by this incident and her grandparents' subsequent experiences with other scams, high school student Kayla Smith created SeniorSafe, an educational awareness program to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting their population.
**Key Findings:** Seniors lost $4.9 billion to sc
brooklyneagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez hosted an Older Americans Month event in Canarsie on May 20, 2025, with over 100 seniors in attendance to raise awareness about scams, fraud, and elder abuse targeting seniors. Presenters from the DA's office discussed various scam types including phone/text scams, cryptocurrency fraud, grandson scams, gift card schemes, and deed theft, while noting that the office had taken down over 300 fraudulent websites in the previous 18 months and assisted thousands of scam victims. The event provided resources and encouraged seniors to report abuse and fraud without shame, emphasizing that scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics and that victims should contact
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam expert discusses the rising threat of elder fraud, noting that nearly 4 million people have reported scams with average losses of $19,000, with criminals increasingly using AI and voice spoofing technology to impersonate grandchildren and celebrities. Key protective measures recommended include securing mailboxes, installing video doorbells, regularly monitoring financial statements, enabling two-factor verification on accounts, using biometric identification on smartphones, and establishing secret passcodes with family members to verify identities during unexpected calls.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting low-income renters across the U.S. with fraudulent Section 8 housing voucher schemes, using fake websites, phishing emails, social media ads, and "expedited processing" offers to steal personal information and application fees. Victims should only apply through official .gov websites verified through HUD's directory, never pay application fees, and report suspected scams to the FTC, HUD's Office of Inspector General, or local law enforcement.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cuyahoga County Scam Squad released a 23-page guide to help residents identify, prevent, and report scams by explaining how fraudsters manipulate emotions and what information they target. The guide includes an action plan section where people can pre-plan responses to suspicious calls, texts, emails, or letters—such as verifying bank contacts independently rather than following caller instructions. Paper copies are available at local libraries and online.
ladailypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing email scam targeting Social Security recipients claims to offer new Social Security statements but actually installs remote access software (ScreenConnect) that gives cybercriminals full control of victims' computers to steal banking details, personal information, and commit identity theft or financial fraud. The emails appear legitimate by using compromised domains and embedding content as images to evade email filters, making them difficult to detect. Users are advised to verify unsolicited emails independently, avoid clicking links, and use updated antivirus software to protect themselves.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of an ongoing malicious campaign using text and AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior US officials, targeting government officials and their contacts with the goal of stealing login credentials and sensitive information through malicious links and vishing (voice phishing) attacks. To protect themselves, individuals should independently verify caller identity through alternative methods, examine message origins carefully, listen for voice inconsistencies, and report suspected incidents to the FBI or IC3. As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, staying vigilant and contacting security officials when in doubt is critical.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-08
Since April, scammers using AI-generated voice messages have impersonated senior U.S. government officials to target individuals through smishing and vishing schemes, attempting to steal personal account information and money by sending malicious links and directing victims to credential-harvesting websites. The FBI warns that compromised accounts could be used to target other officials and associates, and advises victims to verify caller identity independently, examine communications carefully for subtle imperfections, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never share sensitive information or send money to unfamiliar online contacts.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target older adults through technology-based fraud schemes, exploiting their perceived financial stability, trusting nature, and potential unfamiliarity with digital threats. Common scams include phishing/smishing/vishing (deceptive emails, texts, and calls), skimming and shimming (card data theft at terminals), tech support scams (fake computer virus alerts), and grandparent scams (impersonation of family members). Protection strategies include ignoring unsolicited contacts, enabling spam filters, inspecting payment terminals for tampering, using contactless payments, and never granting remote computer access to unknown parties.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a public service announcement warning of an ongoing scam campaign that began in April 2025, in which malicious actors impersonate senior U.S. government officials through text messages (smishing) and AI-generated voice calls (vishing) to target current and former federal and state officials and their contacts. The scammers attempt to establish rapport and trick victims into clicking malicious links to gain access to personal or official accounts, which can then be used to compromise other government officials or their associates. The FBI recommends verifying sender identity independently, scrutinizing messages for subtle imperfections and spelling errors, listening for signs of AI voice cloning, and never sharing sensitive information or clicking links from
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old disabled woman from Staffordshire lost £11,000 to a romance scammer who impersonated Australian TV vet Dr Chris Brown on Instagram, extracting money over 18 months through love bombing, fake proposals, and cryptocurrency transfers funded partly from her disability allowance. The scammer convinced her to send funds for flights and visas, with the largest single payment being £7,000, before she recognized red flags in January 2025 and reported the case to West Midlands Police and Action Fraud. Lisa Nock shared her story publicly to warn vulnerable people, noting she never received a phone or video call from the fraudster and had sacrificed social activities and lessons
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
"Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" is a documentary series examining how AI and deepfake technology have made romance scams more sophisticated and harder to detect, following three women who were victimized by a scammer using fake personas and stolen photos. The victims suffered significant financial losses (including one woman who wired over $30,000) and psychological harm, while scammers exploit these technologies to create realistic video calls, voice messages, and convincing personas that build trust quickly. The series highlights that romance scams comprised an increasing portion of the $16.6 billion in online fraud losses reported in 2024, and demonstrates how these technologies enable criminals to evade law enforcement identification.