Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
11,660 results
in Scam Awareness
abc15.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies three major Valentine's Day scams to watch: impostor websites that mimic legitimate retailers using fake photos and logos, romance scams where fraudsters build fake dating profiles to extract money after establishing emotional connections, and wrong-number ploys where scammers initiate contact to gather personal information. The article advises consumers to recognize red flags such as unrealistic discounts, requests for cryptocurrency payments, rapid relationship progression, and pressure for secrecy, and recommends reporting suspected fraud to the FTC, FBI, local law enforcement, or the Arizona Attorney General's office.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning about a rise in online romance scams, increasingly enhanced by AI technology, which cost victims over $1 billion in 2023. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media or dating apps, build relationships over months, then request money for emergencies or investments ("pig butchering scams"), using AI-generated images, voices, and messages to appear authentic and evade video calls or in-person meetings. Red flags include requests to move conversations off the original platform and consistent excuses to avoid video verification, with victims urged to report scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam artists are sending fake E-Z Pass text messages from Philippine numbers (+63) claiming recipients have unpaid tolls and requesting sensitive personal information. The legitimate E-Z Pass and Tolls by Mail services confirm they never request personal information via text or email, and this scam has been reported across multiple states including New York, California, Florida, and Texas.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Kate Kleinert, a 71-year-old widow, lost $39,000 over four months to a romance scammer posing as a UN surgeon named "Tony" who built trust by involving his supposed children and eventually requesting money for medical emergencies and legal bail. Romance scams cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023 across 64,003 reported cases, with scammers using sophisticated psychological manipulation to build emotional investment before exploiting targets for money, often via cryptocurrency which is difficult to recover.
about.fb.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day and other occasions by impersonating military personnel, celebrities, or fake dating agencies across social media and messaging platforms to build trust with victims before soliciting money via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. A tech company disrupted multiple romance scam networks operating across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and other platforms, with schemes originating from Nigeria and Kenya targeting users in the US, UAE, Japan, Africa, and other regions. The company recommends users verify identities, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and use platform safety tools to protect against these schemes.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
As Valentine's Day approaches, scammers are exploiting the holiday with malicious tactics: Check Point Software identified over 18,000 Valentine's-themed websites since early 2025, with approximately 1 in 72 being malicious, including phishing emails impersonating legitimate brands to steal money and personal information. North Carolina consumers lost over $16 million to romance scams in 2023 alone, with experts warning to verify sender addresses, avoid suspicious links, and reject requests for money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards from online romantic interests.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of increased romance scams around Valentine's Day, in which fraudsters build trust with victims through fake personas (sometimes impersonating celebrities) and social media research, then exploit that rapport to solicit money for fake investment opportunities, cryptocurrency schemes, or fabricated emergencies like medical bills or travel costs. The agency advises protecting yourself by limiting personal information shared online, using reputable dating sites, verifying profiles, taking relationships slowly, avoiding pressure to go offline, and never sending money to online-only contacts, particularly those claiming to be overseas.
engadget.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta has removed over 116,000 accounts in 2025 linked to romance scams where fraudsters impersonate celebrities or U.S. military members to build relationships and solicit payments via gift cards and cryptocurrency. The scams, which cost victims over $500 million in 2021 according to the FTC, often originate in West African countries and operate across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with AI technology making it increasingly easier for scammers to create convincing fake identities and deepfake videos.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are increasingly targeting younger age groups (people in their 20s and 30s), with reported incidents shifting from primarily affecting those aged 50-59 in 2019 to younger demographics by 2023. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams resulted in $469.9 million in losses across all age groups in 2023, more than double the $229.3 million lost in 2019. Scammers typically build emotional connections through dating sites and social media before requesting money or personal information, and victims should be wary of requests for financial help, unusual stories requiring assistance, and fake profiles or AI-generated images.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are causing the highest financial losses of all fraud types, with older adults particularly vulnerable due to isolation, loneliness, and being targeted by scammers who exploit their assumed wealth and lower tech-savviness. Key red flags include fake identities, rapid declarations of love, requests for money via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and pressure to move off public sites and keep the relationship secret. Victims can protect themselves by developing skepticism, researching potential romantic interests thoroughly, taking time before committing emotionally or financially, and reporting incidents to authorities or contacting the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
kingstonpolice.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kingston Police reported a significant increase in "grandparent" or "emergency" scams, with 15 reports received on February 11, 2025 alone. These scams target seniors by impersonating a grandchild in legal trouble and requesting $8,000-$9,000 in bail money via courier pickup, with scammers sometimes hiring legitimate courier companies unknowingly to transport the cash. Police emphasize that bail is never requested in cash and advise victims to verify caller identity through security questions, call back family members directly, and never send money to unknown persons.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Cody Lee Anderson, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud for his role in manipulating an 88-year-old Aiken woman into signing a will during the pandemic that left her approximately $20 million estate to co-conspirator Thomas Allen Bateman Jr., despite evidence she lacked mental capacity to make informed decisions. Anderson, who was designated as personal representative and stood to receive a 5% fee, faces up to 30 years in federal prison, a $1 million fine, and five years of supervision; his co-conspirator Bateman also pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing in March 2025.
thefintechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams have caused over $1.14 billion in losses, with victims losing an average of $2,000 each, and criminals are now using AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic identities to make these scams more convincing and personalized. Debbie Fox, a widow seeking companionship, was defrauded of $58,000 by a scammer using a fake identity who posed as a man named Russell and eventually requested money claiming to be in legal trouble. As generative AI becomes mainstream, fraudsters are increasingly exploiting the technology to automate romance scams, phishing attacks, and impersonation schemes, making them harder to
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Royal Thai Police established an investigative committee to examine alleged connections between senior officers in the border province of Tak and criminal activity in Myanmar, following the transfer of five officers pending investigation. The investigation focuses on whether police facilitated the disappearance of Chinese tourists who were lured by call centre scammers operating from Myawaddy into Myanmar for fraudulent work schemes. The government has simultaneously cut electricity and internet services to suspected scam centers along the border, resulting in the return of 261 foreigners from Myanmar to Thailand.
dnronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scammers target people of all ages and backgrounds, not just seniors, with Americans losing $10 billion to fraud in 2023, according to Park View Federal Credit Union officials. Common scam tactics include creating false urgency, impersonating legitimate organizations (banks, the IRS, Norton Antivirus), and using AI to mimic voices in grandparent schemes, though one customer recovered $250 after scammers gained access to her account. Key defenses include pausing before clicking links, recognizing red flags like grammar errors and mismatched email addresses, and remembering that legitimate financial institutions will never request passwords or usernames.
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old man from Delhi lost Rs 11 lakh in a work-from-home job scam that began with a WhatsApp message offering easy tasks and evolved into a fake trading scheme requiring prepaid investments. The scammers initially built trust by paying small amounts and commissions, then demanded increasingly larger payments under the guise of completing final tasks before allowing withdrawals. The victim filed a police complaint after realizing the fraud and the article advises verifying employer legitimacy, never paying upfront fees, and reporting suspicious offers immediately.
vernonmatters.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kelowna RCMP reported a surge in grandparent scams targeting local residents, with multiple victims losing over $20,000 combined. Scammers impersonated grandchildren or lawyers claiming the grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, then arranged to pick up the cash at designated locations or victims' homes. Police urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited money requests.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Romance scams represent the highest financial loss among all fraud types, with older adults particularly vulnerable due to isolation, loneliness, and lower tech awareness, according to an AARP presentation by Assistant U.S. Attorney Avi Panth. Red flags include scammers misrepresenting their identity, building trust quickly, requesting money via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and pressuring victims to keep the relationship secret. The best defense is skepticism, thorough research of online romantic interests, taking time before committing emotionally or financially, and reporting suspected scams to local authorities or www.ic3.gov.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, people lost $10 billion to fraud according to FTC data, but consumers can protect themselves by recognizing common banking scams. The article outlines ten prevalent scam tactics—including check-cashing schemes, phishing, fake websites, advance fee fraud, and government imposter scams—and provides specific protective strategies such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, using secure checks, and contacting official customer service lines to confirm requests.
poconorecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Skimming scams—where criminals install devices on ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and fuel pumps to steal card data—increased 96% in 2023 and cost U.S. consumers over $1 billion annually. Recent law enforcement operations have targeted organized crime groups, including a three-year FBI investigation resulting in 48 arrests and recovery of over 8,000 stolen credit card numbers. The FBI advises consumers to inspect card readers for tampering, use chip/tap-to-pay technology, pull at keypads for overlays, monitor accounts regularly, and choose fuel pumps visible to attendants.
nbcbayarea.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam falsely claiming to be from Costco targeted consumers with emails offering a free Ninja CREAMi Ice Cream Maker in exchange for completing a survey, with the intent to steal financial information or gain unauthorized computer access. The fraudulent emails originated from "@handtoneed.net" rather than an official Costco domain, and the Sonoma County District Attorney's office advised consumers to verify sender email addresses and avoid clicking suspicious links.
fox10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission launched the "Dating or Defrauding" awareness campaign to warn Americans about relationship investment scams, in which fraudsters use fake dating profiles and text messages to trick victims into converting money to cryptocurrency under the false promise of investment returns. These scams caused reported losses exceeding $4 billion to the FBI in 2023 and target people of all ages, particularly those who live alone or spend significant time on social media. The campaign advises never sending money to people you haven't met in person and recommends reporting suspected fraud through the CFTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scams Warning for Valentine's Day**
New York's Department of Consumer Protection warned residents about romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, noting that New Yorkers lost over $25 million to such scams in 2024, with older adults—particularly widows, widowers, and recent divorcees—being commonly targeted. Scammers use fake online profiles and build trust over weeks or months before requesting money for various pretexts, often starting with small amounts and escalating to larger sums. Effective February 19, 2025, a new state law requires online dating platforms to notify users who have been targeted by banned scammers and to delete user
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams using stolen photos are expected to surge around Valentine's Day 2025, with fraudsters building fake relationships to extract money from victims. The FTC reported Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with California accounting for $100.6 million in losses across 2,024 victims; scammers now use AI technology to create increasingly convincing deepfakes and video impersonations. Experts recommend using reverse image searches, insisting on video verification, avoiding quick declarations of love, and never sending money to online acquaintances.
wtol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and confidence scams are rising in Ohio and nationwide, with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust before requesting money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or valuable items under false pretenses such as medical emergencies or legal fees. Ohioans lost over $15.3 million to these scams in 2023, while nationwide losses exceeded $652 million in romance fraud complaints and $823 million in 2024, with scammers primarily targeting women over 40 who are divorced, widowed, elderly, or disabled. The FBI and Ohio Department of Commerce advise the public to remain vigilant online, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and verify investment tips through
columbiatribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are increasing their efforts targeting Missourians around Valentine's Day by posing as military personnel, overseas businesspeople, or professionals on dating apps and social media, then requesting money for emergencies or travel under false pretenses. The Missouri Secretary of State warns that these emotionally and financially devastating scams build trust gradually before exploiting victims, and recommends skepticism of quick declarations of love, avoiding money transfers to unmet contacts, conducting reverse image searches, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated with the use of generative AI and deepfake technology, with scammers using AI-crafted personalized messages and realistic videos to deceive victims. Over $46 million has been stolen across Taiwan, Singapore, and India through these scams, which particularly target vulnerable groups including the elderly, former military members, and those seeking financial connections, often through tactics like fake investment schemes ("pig butchering") that build trust over weeks before requesting money. Recovery of stolen funds is extremely difficult, especially with cryptocurrency, and victims are cautioned to verify identities and never send money to people they haven't met in person who request payment.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
New York's StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their February fraud alert, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue new cards annually and scammers exploit this by calling to collect personal medical information or promoting fraudulent "upgraded" cards. Seniors should verify suspicious calls directly with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) and protect their Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards, reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.
mylethbridgenow.com
· 2025-12-08
Lethbridge County FCSS is hosting an educational session in Coaldale on scams and fraud prevention from a banking perspective, following positive reception from a previous session in Barons where seniors requested additional information on this topic. The program aims to help older adults protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated scams through community awareness and education. The session is part of an ongoing Senior Speakers Series held monthly across the county's communities.
mynorthwest.com
· 2025-12-08
Seattle Police issued a Valentine's Day warning about romance scams, where perpetrators build fake relationships to trick victims into sending money or personal information. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scam victims lost over $1 billion in 2023 and $800 million in 2024, with older Americans particularly vulnerable; the FBI and SPD recommend using reputable dating sites, moving slowly in relationships, never sending money to online contacts, and reporting suspected scams to authorities immediately.
wktv.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service warns consumers about romance scams that intensify around Valentine's Day, in which fraudsters create fake online identities to build trust with victims over weeks or months before fabricating financial emergencies and requesting money, gift cards, or checks sent through the mail. These scams cause both financial and emotional harm, with victims often unable to recover their funds once the fraud is discovered. USPS recommends avoiding rapid online relationships without in-person or video contact, never sending money to people you haven't met, and reporting suspicious behavior immediately.
ag.state.mn.us
· 2025-12-08
Brandon Michael Ferguson and his asphalt company, Community Blacktop LLC (operating under multiple aliases), defrauded consumers across Minnesota and nationwide by quoting low prices for asphalt work, then delivering substandard results and demanding inflated bills multiple times the original quote—with one victim quoted $2,000-$3,000 charged $17,000 instead. The Minnesota Attorney General reached a settlement requiring the company to dissolve and pay $100,000 in restitution to victims, with Ferguson admitting to procuring work through fraud and violating consumer protection laws. The AG urges victims to contact his office to help identify affected consumers, as poor recordkeeping makes tracking
mystratfordnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A West Perth resident lost $3,000 to a text scam on February 7 after receiving a message from someone impersonating their daughter requesting urgent financial help. Perth OPP launched an investigation into the fraud and advises the public to verify requests through direct contact with family members, be wary of urgent demands, and never send money to unverified persons.
greatyarmouthmercury.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Great Yarmouth Police organized a scam awareness event following an incident in which an elderly woman lost a large sum of money to courier fraud, where scammers impersonated police, bank officials, and other authority figures to trick her into withdrawing cash over several weeks. The educational event, held at Age Connected on February 12, aims to help the public recognize and avoid similar fraudulent schemes.
racq.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, RACQ Bank identified marketplace scams, remote access scams, and investment scams as the most prevalent threats to its members, with investment scams causing the largest financial losses; Queenslanders reported over $51 million lost across 46,734 scams during the year. Scammers primarily used phishing tactics via text, phone calls, pop-ups, and social media, with one in four Queenslanders contacted by suspected scammers yet 86% unaware of reporting options. RACQ Bank recommends members practice "stop, check and report" protocols and access the Be Connected program, an Australian Government initiative offering free online courses to help older
news24.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams and cyber threats targeting couples are increasing around Valentine's Day, with 43% of people in committed relationships feeling pressured to share logins and passcodes. The article details cautionary tales like Nkateko Dladla's experience with investment fraud via a dating app, highlighting how scammers use "love-bombing" and social engineering to exploit trust and manipulate victims into financial schemes. Experts recommend couples maintain individual accounts and passwords, avoid sharing sensitive information, use password managers, and prioritize open communication about online safety to protect themselves from these threats.
readwrite.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used AI-generated deepfake audio to impersonate Italy's Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and target wealthy professionals, including fashion executives and billionaires, claiming money was needed to secure the release of journalists kidnapped in the Middle East. At least one victim, billionaire Massimo Moratti, confirmed transferring an unspecified sum before discovering the deception. The scheme represents a growing trend of AI-generated deepfake audio being used to defraud high-profile individuals and executives out of substantial sums.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
Harmish Patel, 26, of Illinois was indicted for his role in a multi-state gold bullion scam targeting an elderly couple in Brunswick, New York, between December 2023 and March 2024. Patel allegedly conspired with others to transport fraudulently obtained gold bullion across state lines from New York to New Jersey on multiple occasions. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grandparent Scam is a fraud scheme where criminals pose as a relative—typically a grandchild—claiming to need immediate financial assistance to exploit seniors' emotional attachments and trust. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting, have financial resources, and may be reluctant to report fraud due to shame or fear of losing family confidence. To protect themselves, seniors should resist pressure to act quickly, verify caller information with family members, never wire money based on phone or email requests, and report suspicious calls to local police or the FBI.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Fabrisio Arias was sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution to 22 victims for his role in an international sweepstakes scam that operated from November 2020 to September 2022. Scammers in Costa Rica used spoofed phone numbers to impersonate IRS and FTC officials, convincing elderly victims (many in their 70s-90s) that they'd won prizes and needed to pay fees; Arias received the victims' checks and money orders at his California home, laundered the funds through his bank accounts, and transferred over $237,000 to co-conspi
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of rising romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day, with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023 according to the FTC. Scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, build trust quickly, and manipulate victims—sometimes impersonating celebrities or military personnel—to send money or invest in cryptocurrency, with one victim losing $850,000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt. Red flags include requests for money, reluctance to meet in person or video chat, and inconsistent stories; prevention through identity verification and caution about rapidly escalating relationships is the best defense.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Houston issued a Valentine's Day safety guide warning about romance scams, in which fraudsters quickly build fake online relationships and eventually request money by claiming emergencies or business expenses abroad. The guide advises potential victims to be cautious about what they share online, verify profiles through reverse image searches, watch for excuses to avoid in-person meetings, and never send money to people they've only met online. Victims are encouraged to cease contact with scammers and report incidents to the FBI immediately.
fox26houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with cybersecurity experts warning of a rise in AI-deepfake-assisted schemes, particularly around Valentine's Day; McAfee blocked over 321,000 malicious romance-related URLs between December 2024 and January 2025, and one victim in France lost $850,000 to a scammer using deepfake images of Brad Pitt who posed as the actor over 18 months. Texas ranks third nationally for romance scam losses at over $114 million from 2022-2023, and experts advise being cautious of suspicious online profiles, overly quick declarations of love, requests for money, and fake Valentine's shopping ads with
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scams reappear seasonally with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail to pressure victims into paying fake debts or divulging personal information for identity theft. Common schemes include threatening arrest for unpaid taxes, claiming refunds are owed, using fake IRS logos and spoofed caller IDs, and sending phishing emails directing victims to bogus websites. To protect yourself, file taxes early, remember that the IRS initiates contact by mail only, never accepts prepaid debit cards or wire transfers for payment, and verify any IRS communication directly with the agency.
cftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The CFTC and multiple federal, state, and nonprofit organizations launched the "Dating or Defrauding?" awareness campaign to alert Americans to relationship investment scams, which caused nearly $4 billion in reported losses to the FBI in 2023. These scams, also called "pig butchering," use fake profiles on dating apps, social media, and messaging platforms to build false relationships and convince victims to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency or trading platforms. The campaign identifies red flags including requests for payment, inability to meet in person, and pressure to move conversations to encrypted apps, urging the public to be skeptical and share warnings with friends and family.
sahanjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
In October 2023, Dennis from Maplewood lost $20,000 in a grandparent scam when callers impersonated his grandson and a public defender, claiming he needed bail money for a car accident, followed by a second request for $15,000 for a manslaughter settlement. The article reports that fraud victimizes billions of dollars annually from U.S. consumers, with Minnesota alone receiving over 22,000 fraud reports totaling nearly $103 million in losses during the first three quarters of 2024, and notes that recovery options remain limited. AARP Minnesota is advocating for a state Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund financed by civil penalties
spdblotter.seattle.gov
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over $1 billion in 2023 and $800 million in 2024, with scammers using fake personas and social media information to build trust before requesting money, cryptocurrency, or personal information. Older Americans are particularly vulnerable, with seniors losing an estimated $28.3 billion annually to financial exploitation. The FBI recommends verifying online identities, taking relationships slowly, never sending money to online-only contacts, and remaining cautious of requests to move communication offline or claims of overseas emergencies.
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have surged significantly, with BBB reporting a 13% increase in 2021 and more than double the cases in early 2022 compared to the prior year. Scammers create fake dating profiles using stolen photos and fabricate elaborate backstories (often claiming military or overseas work) to build fake relationships, eventually requesting money with increasingly persistent demands. The BBB advises potential dating app users to watch for red flags such as reluctance to meet in person, rapid declarations of love, requests to move off dating platforms, suspicious language patterns, and hard luck stories before money requests are made.
cullmantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns about romance scams, which exploit people seeking companionship by building trust online before requesting money through mail, wire transfers, or gift cards. The article outlines how scammers create fake identities and fabricate emergencies to solicit funds, and provides protective measures including avoiding rapid online relationships, verifying identities through in-person meetings, and never sending money to strangers. Victims are advised to report scams to USPIS, local law enforcement, and the Federal Trade Commission.
recordnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers intensify their tactics around Valentine's Day, using social media research and emotional manipulation to build trust with victims before requesting money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers employ various schemes including fabricated emergencies (medical bills, travel costs, equipment damage) and increasingly sophisticated methods like Bitcoin transactions, while also resorting to blackmail and threats. Experts advise vigilance across all communication channels and recommend contacting local law enforcement if victimized, noting that while elderly individuals were traditionally targeted, younger people are now also vulnerable to these evolving scams.