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in Scam Awareness
countryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting online daters are increasing across Illinois, with scammers employing tactics such as rapid relationship escalation, requests for money via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and avoidance of in-person meetings. The Illinois State Police warned residents to watch for red flags including suspicious links, isolation from loved ones, and pressure to communicate on private apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and contact their financial institutions if they have suffered monetary losses.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A woman named Mary lost £10,000 to a romance scam involving a fake AI-generated US Army Colonel named "Mike Murdy" on Tinder who used deepfake videos and sent physical gifts to build trust. The scammer claimed to have a £607,000 life insurance payout and convinced Mary to pay £10,000 for an access code to unlock a briefcase allegedly containing the funds, but she received only blank papers. The case illustrates how modern scams use AI-generated images and videos to impersonate romantic interests and exploit victims who are often reluctant to report due to shame.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A UK woman in her 60s lost approximately $25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a US Army colonel named "Mike Murdy" on Tinder, using hyperrealistic AI-generated videos and messages to build trust before requesting money for a fake life insurance payout scheme. The scammer sent convincing video messages personalized with the victim's name and details from their conversations, along with physical gifts, before ultimately delivering an empty briefcase filled with blank paper. This case represents an emerging threat as fraudsters increasingly leverage sophisticated AI technology to create deepfakes that are difficult for victims—especially those unfamiliar with AI—to distinguish from authentic communications.
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong police arrested nearly 30 members of a criminal organization that used AI-generated deepfake profiles of attractive women to defraud approximately 400 middle-aged men across Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India in a romance scam totaling $46 million. Victims were lured into fake romantic relationships, manipulated into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, and unable to withdraw their funds. The article advises victims to watch for red flags such as investment solicitation from new online contacts and signs of manipulated media including unnatural body postures, flat-toned audio, and mismatched facial features.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Phone scams exploiting voice calls remain highly effective because scammers leverage human psychology and social engineering techniques, with callers having less time to verify legitimacy compared to written communication. In 2023, approximately 28% of unknown calls globally were fraud or spam, affecting 16% of consumers who lost an average of $2,257—a 527% increase from the previous year—while scammers obtain phone numbers through data breaches, social media scraping, and data brokers. Common phone scams include impersonation of authorities (vishing), remote access/tech support fraud, investment schemes, and prize draw scams, with consumers advised to heed "scam likely" warnings from their
coned.com
· 2025-12-08
Con Edison, joining over 150 energy and water companies for Fraud Awareness Week, warns customers to recognize and avoid utility scams that use pressure tactics and fake payment methods like prepaid cards, Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle. Scammers impersonate company employees, manipulate caller IDs, and use digital tactics including fake payment websites and QR codes to steal personal information and money, with some victims losing thousands of dollars after being told transactions failed and paying repeatedly.
kens5.com
· 2025-12-08
Holiday and travel scams spike during the final quarter of the year, with travel scam losses reaching $43 million in Q4 2023—nearly double the previous year. Common scams include fraudulent travel deals, suspicious charities, QR code phishing schemes, and counterfeit gift cards; consumers should verify websites directly, avoid public Wi-Fi for transactions, purchase gift cards from authorized registers, and be cautious of unsolicited packages with QR codes that may direct them to phishing sites.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Federal Reserve research paper warns that even vigilant consumers face increasing risk from authorized push payment (APP) scams, as criminals use advanced technology to create increasingly realistic fraud schemes on platforms like Zelle. In 2023, Zelle customers disputed over $206 million in fraudulent transactions, with consumers bearing 80% of the costs and having little recourse once payments are executed. The Fed recommends that instant payment networks adopt more sophisticated fraud-fighting strategies, while scammers continue to evolve their tactics through methods such as fake accounts, mule schemes, and potentially AI-generated personas.
paymentsdive.com
· 2025-12-08
As scammers increasingly use advanced technology to create realistic fraud schemes, authorized push payment scams—where criminals persuade consumers to voluntarily send money through instant payment networks like Zelle—pose a significant threat even to vigilant consumers. In 2023, Zelle customers disputed over $206 million in fraudulent transactions, with consumers bearing the costs of 80% of those disputes, and the paper notes that once payment is authorized, victims have little to no recourse since transactions are often irrevocable. The Federal Reserve recommends that financial institutions adopt artificial intelligence and machine learning to assess scam risk and alert customers before high-risk transactions are executed.
25newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Black Friday online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with 41% of all scams reported to the Better Business Bureau in 2023 originating from online purchases, affecting people of all ages through fake websites, deepfake influencer endorsements, and phishing tactics on social media. To protect themselves, consumers should verify website addresses, read reviews, avoid clicking suspicious links, never share private information via email or text, use credit cards instead of gift cards or cryptocurrency, enable multifactor authentication, and be cautious with peer-to-peer payment apps that lack consumer protections.
entergynewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies ten common impostor utility scams, including disconnection threats demanding prepaid card payments, fake billing routing numbers, bogus equipment fees, overpayment refund requests, and post-disaster power restoration charges. The article notes that the Better Business Bureau reported a median loss of $463 per victim in 2023 and advises customers that legitimate utilities send written disconnection notices, offer multiple payment methods, handle equipment upgrades proactively, process refunds via mail or account credits, and do not charge for disaster-related power restoration.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old retired engineer in Delhi lost over Rs 10.3 crore in a "digital arrest" scam that spanned 19 days, beginning in late September 2024. Scammers posing as courier company staff and a Mumbai Police officer manipulated him by claiming a banned substance parcel contained his Aadhaar details, then convinced him to transfer money to "safe accounts" under threat of arrest. Police managed to freeze Rs 60 lakh of the stolen funds, with recovery efforts ongoing.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Dipika Maurya, a woman from Lucknow, lost Rs 1.75 lakh in a work-from-home scam that began in September when she received an unsolicited call offering easy money for liking and commenting on social media posts. After initially seeing returns, she was persuaded to invest Rs 1.75 lakh with promises of significant profits, but the scammers refused to allow withdrawals and demanded additional deposits. The case highlights common red flags: legitimate employers do not require upfront investments, offer jobs via cold calls, or promise high returns for minimal effort.
belfasttelegraph.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Northern Ireland takeaway businesses lost over £200,000 since December 2022 to phishing scams targeting their Just Eat partner accounts, with 15 businesses reporting concerns to the platform by last month. Criminals impersonated Just Eat to trick restaurant owners into sharing banking information and manipulate account details, though Just Eat disputes the total loss amount and says its security systems were not breached. Ards and North Down Borough Council passed a motion calling on Just Eat to urgently engage with affected businesses to resolve the issue and prevent further incidents.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Panchkula resident named Kiran lost Rs 4.9 lakh to a fraudulent Amazon application scam after responding to a part-time job advertisement on Instagram, downloading a fake Amazon app, and sharing her banking details with scammers who then added her to a Telegram group for fake tasks. The article also documents similar scams affecting victims across India, including a woman in Karnataka who lost Rs 1.94 lakh to a fake Amazon job scheme and actress Karuna Pandey who transferred Rs 2.75 lakh after being targeted by impersonators posing as Mumbai Police officers.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer impersonated a woman's real boss through email and text messages, claiming to need her to purchase gift cards (Apple, eBay, and Visa cards totaling hundreds of dollars) for a supposed business meeting, with instructions to send card images and receipts for "reimbursement." The victim's bank ultimately blocked the fraudulent transactions, but the Better Business Bureau warns this "boss scam" is increasingly common and advises employees to verify unusual money-related requests directly with their actual boss, especially if the request involves purchasing gift cards or if the sender's email address is not from a legitimate company domain.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-something UK woman lost approximately $25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a US Army colonel on Tinder using AI-generated videos, images, and voice messages to build trust before requesting money for a supposed life insurance payout and briefcase delivery scheme. The scammer, claiming to be "Mike Murdy," sent hyperrealistic AI videos personalized with the victim's name and details from their conversations, along with physical gifts, to convince her of his legitimacy until she discovered a briefcase filled with blank paper. This case represents an increasingly sophisticated form of romance fraud that combines AI technology with traditional romance scam tactics to exploit vulnerable individuals.
mosselbayadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using AI and fake social media giveaways to deceive victims who may lose thousands of dollars with little chance of recovery. The article outlines three key protective measures: avoiding unsolicited links and phishing attempts, recognizing "too good to be true" offers that exploit emotions, and strengthening online accounts through strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Keletso Mpisane, head of Blink by MiWay, emphasizes that pausing before responding to suspicious messages and contacting companies directly can help people avoid falling victim to these increasingly common scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The Louisiana Attorney General's Office hosted a free public seminar on fraud awareness in Natchitoches on November 20, led by North Louisiana Outreach Manager Laura Seabaugh. The educational event covered how to recognize different types of fraud, identify red flags in online scams, protect personal and financial information, and respond if victimized by fraud.
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
National Seniors Australia's "Keep Scam SAFE" campaign, in partnership with CommBank, provides educational resources and workshops to help older Australians protect themselves from rising scams and fraud online. The campaign highlights common scam tactics including fake emails with urgent language, parcel delivery text messages (affecting 75% of scam targets), and voice cloning calls, while recommending protective strategies such as the "Stop, Check, Reject" approach, using Confirmation of Payee technology, regularly changing passwords, and accessing free digital literacy training through the Be Connected initiative.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft and fraud affect Americans at alarming rates, with the FTC estimating true losses at $137 billion in 2022 despite only $9 billion being officially reported, prompting AARP to urge stronger consumer protections before Capitol Hill lawmakers. Veterans face particular vulnerability, with one in three targeted by scammers who impersonated the VA or pitched fraudulent investments, resulting in $477 million in reported losses in 2023. The article provides practical prevention advice for common scams including holiday shopping fraud, solar panel schemes, and veteran-targeted impersonation scams, recommending consumers type website addresses directly, verify offers through trusted sources, and research companies before providing personal information or
fox13memphis.com
· 2025-12-08
An educational meeting was held in Memphis where the Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairs taught seniors about common scams targeting older adults. Key advice included being skeptical of unsolicited calls, never sharing personal or financial information with unknown callers, and hanging up on suspicious contacts. The top scams affecting seniors include government imposter calls (especially during Medicare enrollment), fake tech support, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-distress schemes, with scammers exploiting emotional manipulation and targeting older adults for their typically greater assets.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams remain the highest risk for adults over 55, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides consumer protection guidance including: avoiding unsolicited calls (especially from spoofed numbers), recognizing red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, hiring only licensed contractors after thorough vetting, being alert to emergency scams targeting grandchildren, and avoiding Medicare fraud schemes involving "free" medical equipment.
mariettatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Washington County Sheriff's office warned senior citizens about a sweepstakes scam in which fraudsters contact victims claiming they won the "American Senior Citizen Association Sweepstakes" and demand payment via cashier's check to claim their prize. The sheriff's office urged seniors not to provide money or personal information to the scammers and provided resources for reporting the fraud to the Ohio Attorney General's Fraud Division or the sheriff's office directly.
thereflector.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted by phone scams, particularly those using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones and request money or personal information. In 2023, the FBI reported over 101,000 elder fraud victims aged 60+ lost an average of $33,915 each, with Battle Ground police documenting an 85.3% surge in fraud cases between October 2023 and October 2024. Experts advise seniors to hang up on any unsolicited caller requesting money or sensitive data, verify requests independently through official phone numbers, and avoid untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday shopping season, scammers are sending text messages impersonating delivery services with urgent-sounding claims about package issues (invalid zip codes, delivery problems) to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that install spyware or malware. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to avoid clicking links in suspicious texts and instead verify package status directly with the retailer or carrier, noting that legitimate services like USPS do not send unsolicited texts with links.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that young adults aged 18-44 are particularly vulnerable to holiday employment scams, with reshipping scams being especially prevalent during this season. The BBB recommends applying directly through company websites, conducting interviews (even virtual ones), and never paying upfront fees to apply for or set up a job, as victims of these scams typically lose out on promised paychecks.
kold.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a general awareness piece alerting readers to holiday season scams and fraud threats. The article identifies three specific fraud concerns: gift card draining scams, deed and probate court fraud affecting families, and scams targeting service members, while directing readers to detailed resources and InvestigateTV coverage for protection strategies.
ksat.com
· 2025-12-08
San Antonio police warn residents that holiday season scams spike during the giving season, with common schemes including fake package delivery texts with malware links, fraudulent social media ads and phishing websites, fake charities, "secret shopper" job scams involving bounced checks, and impersonation scams from criminals posing as banks or law enforcement. Authorities recommend shopping from reputable sources only, researching organizations before donating, verifying suspicious communications by calling companies directly, and remaining vigilant across all communication channels including texts, emails, and social media.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7), scammers impersonate Medicare representatives to steal personal information and money by falsely claiming beneficiaries need to provide Medicare, Social Security, or bank account numbers for new cards or medical equipment claims. Medicare never unexpectedly contacts beneficiaries by phone, email, text, or social media to request personal information, sell coverage, or collect payment for cards. Beneficiaries should hang up on suspicious calls, verify directly with Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE, and report scams to the same number or their local Senior Medicare Patrol.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
An AARP Fraud Watch Network survey of 1,869 U.S. consumers found that 82 percent experienced or were targeted by holiday-related scams in the past year, with similar rates among adults 65 and older (80 percent), including delivery fraud notifications (up to 56 percent from 29 percent in 2022), online shopping scams, fake charity requests, and gift cards with no balance (29 percent). Only 28 percent of survey respondents answered seven or more of ten fraud-prevention knowledge questions correctly, indicating that while fraud remains rampant, consumer awareness and protective knowledge are not improving.
villagelivingonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identified twelve holiday season scams consumers should avoid, including misleading social media ads, social media gift exchanges (pyramid schemes), fraudulent holiday apps, phishing emails offering free gift cards, fake job postings, and impostor scams. The BBB advises exercising caution with unsolicited messages and payment requests via wire transfer, third parties, or prepaid cards, and recommends verifying business legitimacy through BBB.org before making purchases or sharing personal information.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
"Scam yourself" attacks, where fraudsters use social engineering to trick people into downloading malware themselves, have increased 614% between the second and third quarters of this year, affecting millions globally. Common tactics include fake software updates, misleading tutorials, fake CAPTCHAs (with over 2 million targeted last quarter), and "click fix" schemes that prompt users to run malicious commands. To protect themselves, users should verify update sources directly through settings menus, avoid following online instructions to run command prompt text, check website URLs carefully, and take time to verify suspicious requests before acting.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman has become deeply engaged in messaging four purported musicians through Telegram, with two promising to visit her, and she is suspected of sending them money. The advice columnist and FTC data indicate this is likely a romance scam, which accounted for over 64,000 reported cases and $1.14 billion in losses in 2023. Friends and family should educate her about common scam tactics, express concern for her financial safety, and establish clear boundaries such as requiring video verification from the supposed celebrities before any money changes hands.
adn.com
· 2025-12-08
The article addresses concerns about a friend who is messaging individuals posing as celebrities on Telegram and may be sending them money—a pattern consistent with romance scams, which the FTC reported numbered over 64,000 cases in 2023 with losses totaling $1.14 billion. The advice recommends warning the friend about these common scam tactics while emphasizing concern for her financial and personal safety, and suggests implementing verification methods like video calls before any money changes hands.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam that defrauded at least 71 victims of nearly $5 million, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seeking to seize $4.99 million in recovered Tether cryptocurrency. Scammers posed as romantic interests on social media platforms using fake identities to lure victims into fake investments on a fraudulent exchange called Bitkanant, then froze accounts and demanded additional fees; two victims alone lost $2.75 million. The operation targeted seniors, particularly those over 60, reflecting a broader trend of crypto scams that exceeded $5.6 billion in losses during 2023.
africa.businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI targeted a romance scam operation linked to $5 million in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes affecting approximately 71 victims, including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota. Scammers used fake identities on social media to build romantic relationships with victims before directing them to invest in a counterfeit cryptocurrency platform called Bitkanant, after which they cut off contact and disappeared with the funds. The U.S. Attorney's office seized nearly $5 million in Tether cryptocurrency in August, with one victim losing an entire retirement account, and the FBI is working to identify perpetrators and return assets to victims.
nairametrics.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam ring responsible for up to $5 million in fraud, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seizing approximately $4.99 million from suspicious Tether wallets linked to the operation. The scammers, known as "pig butchering" schemes, built trust with at least 71 victims (including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota) before luring them into fraudulent investments on a fake exchange called Bitkanant, where victims were then blocked from withdrawing funds unless they paid additional taxes and fees. Two victims lost over $2.75 million combined, and the scam rings
brobible.com
· 2025-12-08
A Canadian family lost $15,600 CAD ($22,000 total) when they purchased 28 Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets from an independent broker in August, only to discover the tickets were fraudulent. The scam affected hundreds of victims across Ontario, with reported losses exceeding $300,000 and approximately 200-450 people defrauded by the same operator. The high demand for Taylor Swift concert tickets created an opportunity for scammers to exploit consumers through fake ticket sales.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Facebook scammer posing as a ticket reseller named "Denise" defrauded over 200 residents in the Burlington, Ontario area of more than $300,000 by promising Taylor Swift Eras Tour tickets that were never delivered. The scammer gained trust by claiming access to corporate tickets and citing mutual acquaintances as references, leaving victims without tickets or refunds as the November 15 concert date approached. Halton Regional Police are investigating the scam and authorities advise the public to verify ticket sellers through official channels.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 31-year-old woman in Bengaluru lost ₹1.1 lakh after being falsely accused of uploading child pornography in a "digital arrest" scam. Scammers impersonated a mobile service provider and then a Mumbai cybercrime officer, threatening her with arrest and demanding money for a fake "virtual investigation." Police registered a case under the Information Technology Act and warned the public about similar scams, with authorities noting that legitimate investigative agencies never conduct inquiries via phone or video calls.
wtkr.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting Navy Federal customers in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area involves criminals asking to borrow victims' phones in public locations, then using their Navy Federal app to take out loans and cash advances in their names before transferring the funds elsewhere. One 19-year-old victim, Angel Taylor, lost $4,000 in March 2023 when a man she lent her phone to in a Walmart parking lot obtained a personal loan and cash advance; despite reporting it to Navy Federal within minutes, she was held liable for repayment. Dozens of similar cases have been reported across the region, with police citing insufficient evidence to pursue charges despite having the recipient's account information.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wichita woman lost over $8,400—most of her savings—to an Apple Security scam, leaving her uncertain about her financial future. After her story was shared by local media, approximately 100 strangers donated to a GoFundMe campaign that ultimately raised more money than she had lost, restoring her faith in humanity.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
The Fair Lawn Police Department held an educational session at the local Senior Center to teach older residents how to identify and avoid common scams, with officers highlighting tactics such as urgent money requests, demands for gift cards or wire transfers, and attempts to obtain personal information. The department advised seniors never to share financial or personal information unless certain of the caller's identity, and encouraged residents to verify suspicious requests by contacting police at 201-796-1400.
drippingspringsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A panel of Hays County experts presented on fraud tactics to the Wimberley Chamber of Commerce, covering telephone scams (including fake sheriff's office calls and "grandma scams" using AI voice cloning), financial fraud schemes (fake bank employee calls, cryptocurrency conversion scams, and romance scams targeting elderly people on social media), and phishing/computer threats. The experts advised listeners to hang up and verify directly with legitimate institutions, use strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication, avoid clicking suspicious links or popups, and be wary of requests for immediate payment or sensitive information.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
AARP Minnesota is advocating for legislation (SF 447/HF 1392) to establish a Consumer Fraud Restitution Fund that would redirect civil penalty payments from fraud cases won by the state Attorney General's office to compensate fraud victims, particularly older adults. Minnesotans reported losses totaling $144.6 million in fraud cases in 2024, and the proposed fund would be especially crucial for cases where perpetrators are overseas or bankrupt, while incentivizing both law enforcement action and crime reporting.
southeastiowaunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Senior Citizens Targeted by Technology Scams: How to Identify and Protect Against Fraud" by Beth Swift, Washington Evening Journal
Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by technology scams including impersonation fraud, prize/sweepstakes schemes, tech support scams, charity fraud, and IRS threats, with older adults disproportionately victimized because they typically have savings and good credit. The article identifies key warning signs—unsolicited contact, artificial urgency, requests for money or personal information, unrealistic offers, and poor communication quality—and advises seniors to verify caller identity independently, never share sensitive information, consult trusted contacts before responding to requests
tech.co
· 2025-12-08
Venmo, while convenient for peer-to-peer money transfers, poses significant fraud risks through scams such as fake payment links (phishing), online purchase fraud where sellers never deliver items, and duplicate profile scams where fraudsters create accounts mimicking legitimate users. Users can protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, verifying recipient information before sending money, using the app's native payment features for purchases, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing login credentials.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee launched the "Scam Free HC" initiative to combat a surge in holiday-season fraud, warning that thousands of Houston residents fall victim annually to scams including gift card schemes, spam calls, and contractor fraud. A notable case involved former police officer Julia Marino, who lost $16,200 in a deposit to A & L Sheds, a company accused of defrauding over 100 victims totaling $1.1 million; the company postponed her shed project 27 times without delivering services or refunds. The initiative provides educational resources and a reporting platform as Texas ranks as the 4th most scammed state in the country with $
catcountry1073.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents about two holiday scams: romance scams, where criminals use fake online identities to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money or gifts; and ransomware attacks, which lock computer files and demand payment for their return, often triggered by clicking suspicious emails or links about package deliveries. Both scams exploit holiday season vulnerabilities, and the FBI advises victims to verify identities, never send money to strangers online, and avoid clicking on unsolicited messages about packages or purchases.