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timesfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam uses intimidating phone calls impersonating process servers, debt collectors, or police officers to pressure victims into immediate payment or provide personal information. The scam exploits common fears about legal consequences and debts to manipulate targets into compliance.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers sent fraudulent text messages to Pennsylvania drivers impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), claiming recipients had outstanding traffic tickets and threatening vehicle registration suspension and driving privilege revocation for 30 days, with an added threat of a 35% service fee if charges were transferred to toll booths. The messages contained a malicious link (since disabled and flagged) designed to collect payment for fines that do not exist, and multiple recipients reported the scam to local news outlets.
vertikal.net
· 2025-12-08
A fraudulent email scam impersonating UK contractor Balfour Beatty circulated within the lifting and access industry, requesting suppliers register as vendors and submit profiles to a fake email address (balfourbeatty-procurements[.]com). This incident follows a similar March 2025 fraud targeting Haulotte UK involving fake company impersonation, fraudulent documentation, and equipment theft, prompting industry suppliers to implement stronger verification procedures for vendor inquiries.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Newtown Township residents were scammed out of approximately $7,000 over a three-day period in late May through two separate gift card fraud schemes: one victim lost $3,500 after receiving a fraudulent call claiming their YouTube TV account would be canceled, and another victim lost $3,500 after receiving a phishing email about a Netflix billing increase. Police also warned residents of a circulating text message scam impersonating the Pennsylvania Court system demanding payment for alleged traffic violations, and reminded the public that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment via gift cards or electronic transfers.
cowboystatedaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Eloy Martinez nearly fell victim to a sponsorship scam by Elite Sports Promotions, which falsely claimed to represent East High School in Cheyenne and solicited $300 for advertising space on T-shirts. Martinez avoided the fraud by verifying directly with the school principal, who confirmed no affiliation with the company; police and the Better Business Bureau have received multiple complaints about Elite Sports Promotions, which holds an "F" rating with 38 complaints over three years and losses ranging from $300 to over $10,000, with victims reporting merchandise and promised items never materializing.
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
Sixteen foreign nationals (eleven Filipinos, two Chinese, one Malaysian, and one Indonesian) were sentenced in Lagos to one year in prison and fines of one million naira (US$629.50) each after pleading guilty to recruiting young Nigerians for identity theft and impersonation schemes. The international cybercrime syndicate used Nigerian accomplices to conduct phishing scams targeting victims in the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, with confiscated devices forfeited to the Nigerian government.
vieravoice.com
· 2025-12-08
Millions of older adults encounter harmful scams annually through phone calls, emails, and in-person interactions, with research showing approximately one in ten older Americans falls victim to abuse, neglect, or exploitation each year—though cases are vastly underreported. The Brevard Commission on Aging and local organizations are hosting a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event on June 13 in Viera featuring speakers who will provide information on protecting against internet and telephone scams, legal safeguards, and benefits for seniors over 65. The event emphasizes that enhanced community support services and awareness are essential to preventing elder mistreatment and ensuring all older adults can feel safe and secure.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Ohio's Division of Securities received 302 scam and fraud complaints from older residents, a 22% increase from 2023, with potential losses exceeding $60 million statewide. Most scams involved unknown individuals contacting seniors via email or text about cryptocurrency or compromised bank accounts, with warning signs including unexplained financial changes, new account additions, and uncharacteristic money transfers. Authorities recommend having conversations with seniors about red flags like urgency and secrecy, researching suspicious contacts independently, and reporting suspected exploitation to local law enforcement, the Division of Securities, or Adult Protective Services.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Threat group Hazy Hawk is hijacking subdomains of major organizations (including Bose, Panasonic, and the CDC) by exploiting abandoned cloud infrastructure and misconfigured DNS records, then redirecting victims to malware and scam sites including fake antivirus warnings and tech support cons. Users can protect themselves by rejecting push notification requests from unfamiliar websites, while organizations must implement DNS hygiene practices and automated monitoring to detect and prevent these subdomain takeovers.
crowdfundinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, cryptocurrency scams generated a record $12.4 billion in fraudulent revenue, with "pig butchering" romance and investment scams accounting for 33% of that total. Artificial intelligence has enabled scammers to operate at unprecedented scale through deepfakes, voice cloning, and automated phishing, with AI service vendors on illicit marketplaces earning $18 million alone. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Philippines-based Funnull Technology Inc. in May 2025 for facilitating scams that defrauded American victims of over $200 million by providing infrastructure to cybercriminals.
hccommunityjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kerrville Police Department sergeant conducted an internet safety presentation outlining major threats including identity theft, phishing, and romance/grandchild scams, which criminals use to steal sensitive information and money from victims. Key safety recommendations include verifying secure websites (https and lock icons), using strong passwords, enabling stricter social media settings, installing malware protection, and never responding to unsolicited requests for personal information from official agencies.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
Moving scams are on the rise, with consumers reporting a median loss of $754 to the Better Business Bureau in 2024, with common schemes including no-shows, unexpected price increases, stolen items, and belongings held hostage for additional fees. The BBB recommends protecting yourself by thoroughly researching moving companies, verifying their registration and insurance, getting all agreements in writing, and maintaining an inventory of belongings before hiring movers.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Blue Shield of California launched a Medicare Fraud Prevention Week campaign alerting seniors to common scams including unsolicited medical supplies, phantom billing, impersonation schemes, and AI-driven fraud, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals in 2024 for healthcare fraud involving over $2.75 billion in false claims. The health plan established a Special Investigations Unit and online reporting portal to detect fraud, and encourages members to review statements carefully, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity through their fraud hotline at (855) 331-4894.
wtvr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles warned residents of a text message scam in which fraudsters impersonating the DMV demand payment for fines and threaten license suspension, with links designed to steal personal information. The DMV emphasized it never sends unsolicited text messages requesting payment and advised residents to report and delete suspicious messages using their phone's junk reporting feature.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses how AI-enhanced social engineering attacks target human psychology rather than technical systems, with cybercriminals using deepfakes and personalized information to impersonate executives and manipulate employees into authorizing fraudulent payments. A notable example involved a finance employee at a multinational firm who transferred $25 million after a deepfake video conference call impersonating the CFO, and a 2024 survey found that 50% of companies experienced business payment fraud from human error in the past year. The article outlines five psychological tactics—authority exploitation, pressure and urgency, payment diversions, information gathering, and emotional manipulation—and recommends ongoing security training and process verification to counter these threats.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles warned customers about a text scam in which fraudsters impersonate the DMV and falsely claim money is owed for unpaid fines, directing recipients to click links that steal personal information. The DMV emphasized it never sends text messages demanding payment and advised customers to verify communications through official channels, avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, and report suspicious messages to authorities or the FTC.
northjersey.com
· 2025-12-08
Police across multiple states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey are warning of a DMV text scam impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles and threatening to suspend vehicle registration unless victims click malicious links to pay alleged fines immediately. The scam is designed to steal personal and financial information by creating panic and urgency. Authorities recommend not clicking links or responding to such messages, instead reporting them to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, contacting your state DMV directly through official channels, and forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to help wireless providers block similar messages.
news.blueshieldca.com
· 2025-12-08
Blue Shield of California launched educational initiatives during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week to combat rising healthcare fraud targeting seniors, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals in 2024 for schemes involving over $2.75 billion in false claims. The health plan highlighted prevalent scams including unsolicited medical supplies, impersonation schemes, phantom billing, and AI-driven fraud, and encouraged members to review statements carefully, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity to their health plan's Special Investigations Unit.
lycoming.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
Williamsport Police warned residents of a text message scam impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming enforcement penalties would begin on May 31 and directing victims to click a link to pay outstanding traffic tickets. The PA DMV does not contact individuals via text to request payment, and clicking such links can compromise personal and financial information. Residents are advised to independently verify the legitimacy of suspicious communications before providing information or clicking links.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals have evolved phishing tactics to create sophisticated subscription scam campaigns, with over 200 convincing fake online stores promoting products via Facebook ads to trick users into recurring credit card charges. These scams use tactics like mystery boxes, hidden fine print subscription terms, and layered add-ons (loyalty programs, VIP memberships) to confuse victims, with many sites traced back to a single Cyprus address linked to offshore entities. The fraudsters continuously rotate brands and product types—from counterfeit goods to fake supplements and investment schemes—while employing evasion techniques like rotating ad versions and image swaps to avoid detection.
afp.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
From January 2024 to January 2025, Australian authorities received 150 reports of cryptocurrency ATM scams resulting in $3.1 million in losses, with an average loss of $20,000 per victim; however, officials warn this likely represents significant under-reporting, as approximately $275 million moves through crypto ATMs annually in Australia. The victims were predominantly women (68%) and people over 51 years old (48%), who were targeted through investment scams, extortion emails, and romance scams that pressured them to deposit cash into crypto ATMs. Australian authorities are implementing educational campaigns near crypto ATMs to warn the public about common warning signs, including unsolicited deposit
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment and cryptocurrency scams remain the riskiest threat for adults 55+, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams for specific age groups, according to the BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides practical prevention strategies including: avoiding unsolicited callers (especially those claiming to be government agents or bank employees), recognizing red flags like pressure to act or unusual payment requests, hiring only licensed contractors through verified sources, remaining alert to emergency/grandchild scams, and hanging up on calls about "free" medical equipment or government impersonations. Key advice emphasizes registering with the National Do-Not-Call Registry, verifying unexpected claims through official sources, and maintaining healthy
expressvpn.com
· 2025-12-08
The Nigerian prince scam (also called a 419 scam) is an advance-fee fraud where scammers pose as foreign royalty or wealthy individuals and convince victims to pay upfront "processing fees" or "taxes" for access to promised large sums of money. Originating from 19th-century Spanish prisoner schemes and proliferating via email in the 1990s, the scam continues to victimize people daily despite widespread awareness, sometimes escalating to using victims as money mules for stolen funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers claiming to need financial help, verify identities through official channels, never send money upfront, and avoi
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-08
A text message scam is targeting Maryland drivers by impersonating the State Department of Motor Vehicles and demanding immediate payment for alleged traffic violations, threatening suspension of vehicle registrations and driving privileges. Maryland DMV officials confirmed this is a scam and clarified they never demand payment via text or request suspicious links. Recipients are advised to avoid clicking links, delete the messages, and report them to the Maryland Attorney General's Office or FTC.gov.
whbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio officials report that elder fraud complaints among older residents increased 20% in 2024, with over 300 cases filed, as scammers continue to target seniors through emails, texts, and phone calls to obtain fraudulent payments or account information. The state's Division of Securities urges affected individuals to report suspected financial scams immediately to law enforcement or the Division at 614-644-7381, and provides multiple resources including an investor protection hotline, Adult Protective Services, and an Elder Justice Unit to assist victims.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Nirav B. Patel, a 44-year-old illegal immigrant from India, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for his role in an imposter scam that defrauded elderly victims across Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana of over $400,000. Patel served as a cash collector for the scheme, which involved fraudsters posing as federal agents and convincing elderly victims that their accounts were compromised, then pressuring them to withdraw life savings into fake government trust accounts; in one instance, he collected $177,000 in gold bars from an elderly woman using a walker at an assisted living facility. The scammers, based in India, use
sandiegouniontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Digital thieves increasingly exploit phishing tactics through three emerging methods: HTML email attachments that trigger fake login pages designed to steal credentials, manipulation of multifactor authentication systems, and deceptive calendar invites. Experts recommend users avoid clicking links or opening unfamiliar HTML attachments, verify requests directly with organizations through official phone numbers or in-person visits, and remain cautious even when using security tools like multifactor authentication, which scammers are learning to circumvent.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
A multi-state text scam impersonating the North Carolina DMV claimed recipients had unpaid traffic tickets or toll charges and threatened vehicle registration suspension or required payment of $6.99 within hours. The fraudulent texts included links to fake websites mimicking official DMV sites, designed to steal personal information or payment card details from drivers across North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Florida. The NC DMV advises recipients not to respond, to block the sender, and to report the messages to the FTC via text to 7726.
linncountyiowa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Linn County Treasurer's Office received multiple reports of phishing text messages impersonating the Iowa DMV, claiming recipients owe tolls or fees with threats of enforcement penalties. Recipients should not click links or share personal information, and should instead verify through official .gov websites, report the messages as spam, and delete them.
fox11online.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Department of Transportation is warning residents of a phishing scam where fraudsters send unsolicited text messages impersonating WisDOT/DMV officials, claiming unpaid traffic violations or issuing "final notices" to trick recipients into sharing personal information. The scam has surged in recent weeks, with the DMV experiencing an influx of customer inquiries; residents are advised to ignore unsolicited messages, avoid clicking links, and sign up for official eNotify alerts to monitor account activity. Victims should report incidents to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission, or IC3.gov.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
The Connecticut Department of Vehicles and multiple state police departments warned residents against clicking links in fraudulent text messages falsely claiming to be from the DMV regarding traffic violations or toll fees. The phishing scam attempts to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that could compromise personal data or lead to financial loss, and can be identified by red flags such as strange sender addresses, false urgency, and references to non-existent state codes.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia's financial crime watchdog (AUSTRAC) announced a crackdown on cryptocurrency ATM scams, which have cost victims an estimated $3.1 million in reported losses over 12 months, with the actual figure likely much higher. Criminals exploit the machines to pressure victims—predominantly women over 50—into sending cryptocurrency through investment swindles, extortion, and romance scams; once sent, the crypto is nearly impossible to recover. New industry-wide controls are being implemented, and authorities warn people to be suspicious of urgent requests to use crypto ATMs, promises of guaranteed high returns, or any unsolicited pressure to deposit cash.
explodingtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, scams affect billions globally: approximately 608 million people fall victim to scams annually worldwide, while in the US alone, 34% of adults experienced scams in the past year with losses exceeding $12.5 billion (a 25% increase year-over-year). The most common scam methods are phone calls and SMS messages, followed by email, with romance scams causing the highest average losses at $2,000 per victim, while identity theft remains the most prevalent scam type in the US.
wilcosun.com
· 2025-12-08
The Williamson County Sheriff's Office warned residents about imposter scams where fraudsters falsely claim to be law enforcement, using real employee names and fake local phone numbers to appear credible. Legitimate sheriff's offices never request money, threaten arrest, or demand personal information via phone; scammers commonly use pressure tactics, robocalls, and request payment through untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or bitcoin. Residents should hang up on suspicious calls immediately and contact the sheriff's office directly, and should be alert to common scam variations including debt collection fraud via text, sweepstake scams, and emergency schemes involving fake relatives.
wbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
A Catawba County woman lost over $160,000 to a government impersonation scam after being deceived by someone posing as a Department of Justice investigator who claimed she was under a gag order. Government impersonation crimes affected 17,367 people in 2024 with losses exceeding $405 million, while romance scams resulted in over $670 million in losses that year. U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson emphasized the importance of reporting fraud quickly to enable money recovery and highlighted his office's success in prosecuting scammers, including cryptocurrency fraud cases, with recent convictions resulting in lengthy prison sentences and millions of dollars recovered.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Treasury Department sanctioned Philippine tech firm Funnull Technology Inc. and Chinese administrator Liu Lizhi for providing infrastructure that supported over 332,000 domains used in "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scams that defrauded victims of approximately $200 million total, with individual losses averaging $150,000 each. The scams used fake cryptocurrency platforms to systematically target vulnerable individuals, with internal documents showing the company deliberately distributed domains to cybercriminals for fraudulent schemes including phishing and online gambling.
newtownpanow.com
· 2025-12-08
Between May 27-29, Newtown Township and Wrightstown Township police reported multiple scams targeting residents. Two gift card scams resulted in losses totaling $7,000—one involving a fake YouTube TV account cancellation threat and another using a fraudulent Netflix billing increase email. Additionally, residents received text messages impersonating the Pennsylvania Court system demanding payment for alleged traffic violations through a scam URL. Police emphasized that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment via gift cards or unsolicited electronic transfers, and advised residents to verify contact through official channels before providing any payment information.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
Medicare loses $60 billion to $80 billion annually to fraud, with common scams including callers requesting Medicare numbers under the pretense of issuing new cards, unsolicited medical equipment deliveries, and strangers offering fraudulent free services like house cleaning that are billed to the government. The Senior Medicare Patrol advises beneficiaries to regularly check their Medicare summary notices on MyMedicare.gov and remain vigilant for red flags such as charges for services never received or from unfamiliar providers, and warns that some scammers trick people into unknowingly enrolling in hospice care, which can result in Medicare denying essential surgeries or medications.
wndu.com
· 2025-12-08
Residents of South Bend, Indiana received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming unpaid traffic tickets and threatening vehicle registration suspension unless recipients clicked a link and paid a "fine" by June 6. The scam can be identified by several red flags: it comes from a suspicious email address, references nonexistent agencies ("Indiana Department of Vehicles" and "North Indiana State Administrative Code"), and promises an illegal 35% service fee. Police advise recipients not to click the link and note that legitimate DMV issues are handled through official mail, not text messages.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
A new scam targeting drivers claims they owe money for unpaid traffic tickets via text message, threatening suspension of driving privileges if payment is not made immediately. Motor vehicle departments across multiple states, including Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey, have issued warnings that they never send unsolicited texts demanding payment for tolls or tickets. Consumers are advised to delete such messages without clicking links and to contact state agencies directly using official phone numbers if they need to verify any legitimate traffic violations.
portal.ct.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Connecticut DMV warned residents on June 3, 2025, about a scam involving text messages and phone calls falsely claiming unpaid traffic violations or toll bills and threatening vehicle registration suspension by June 5. The DMV clarified that it does not contact residents via text or phone about outstanding issues and advised recipients to delete such messages without clicking links.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a CNET survey, 96% of U.S. adults receive at least one scam email, text, or phone call weekly, with Americans losing $470 million to text scams alone in 2024. Scammers use urgent messaging tactics around bills, packages, and banking to trick victims, and their tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI. To protect yourself, experts recommend filtering messages to known senders only, using carrier spam-blocking tools, and never responding to or clicking links in suspicious messages.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes in real-time video calls to conduct romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other schemes, with experts reporting a dramatic rise from approximately 4-5 cases monthly in 2023 to hundreds per month currently. Notable victims include a Hong Kong finance worker who lost $25 million to a deepfaked CFO impersonation and a New Zealand retiree defrauded of $133,000 through a cryptocurrency scam using a deepfaked government official. As AI tools become more accessible and capable of creating realistic faces and voices, deepfake fraud is expanding to encompass job interview scams, identity theft for banking and housing
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Cybercriminals use "smishing" (SMS phishing) to send deceptive text messages impersonating legitimate organizations like the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, attempting to extract sensitive personal information from recipients. Scammers create fake accounts on text message servers to send mass messages using phone numbers obtained through predictable patterns or internet scraping, and experts advise recipients to avoid clicking on suspicious links in text messages.
blog.google
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 survey conducted with Morning Consult reveals that U.S. consumers are increasingly aware of rising online scams, with over 60% perceiving an increase in scam attempts and one-third having experienced a data breach, while the FBI reported online scams reached a record $16.6 billion in losses the previous year (up 33% annually). The study found that security practices vary significantly by generation, with older Americans (Gen X and Baby Boomers) relying on traditional passwords and two-factor authentication, while Gen Z is adopting more modern authentication methods like passkeys and social sign-ins that offer better protection against phishing and data breaches.
newscop.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Women aged 50 and older account for the majority of crypto ATM scam victims in Australia, with 150 reports received over 12 months (January 2024-2025) totaling $3.1 million in losses, averaging over $20,000 per report. The most common scams involved investments (63 cases), extortion emails (35), and romance scams (24), with authorities warning that actual losses are likely significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment or lack of awareness. The AFP recommends vigilance against common warning signs including unsolicited requests to use crypto ATMs, promises of guaranteed high returns, and pressure from new romantic partners or strangers to invest
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Australian police warned of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams, with 150 reported incidents in 2024 resulting in approximately $3.1 million in losses, averaging over $20,000 per scam. Investment scams were the most common type, with 72 victims aged over 51, and one elderly man lost $1.4 million in a romance scam involving crypto ATMs. In response, financial watchdog AUSTRAC implemented new regulations including $5,000 transaction limits, mandatory scam warnings, and enhanced customer due diligence requirements for crypto ATM operators.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A Google and Morning Consult survey found that over 60 percent of Americans report increased scam attempts in the past year, with email and text being primary channels; the FBI has documented a 33 percent year-over-year spike in online scams. Google is combating this threat with AI-powered detection tools that block 99.9 percent of phishing attempts, expanded scam flagging on Android, and safer login options like passkeys and two-factor authentication. Consumers can further protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, using password managers, and learning to identify red flags such as urgent language and suspicious links.
theaustraliatoday.com.au
· 2025-12-08
The Australian Federal Police reported a sharp rise in cryptocurrency ATM scams between January 2024 and January 2025, with 150 reported cases resulting in losses exceeding $3.1 million (averaging over $20,000 per victim), though authorities suspect significant under-reporting. Investment scams were most common, followed by extortion and romance scams, predominantly affecting women and people over 51. The AFP, AUSTRAC, and JPC3 have launched a joint taskforce and are placing warning materials at crypto ATM locations, urging the public to avoid sending cryptocurrency to strangers and to report suspicious activity.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A travel expert nearly fell victim to a Booking.com phishing scam when scammers impersonating a "guest relations manager" contacted him via WhatsApp, claiming to verify his card details after a security flag. According to UK Action Fraud, this scam has resulted in 532 reports and £370,000 in losses between June 2023 and September 2024, with incidents reportedly increasing 500-900% across the travel market. The vulnerability stems from Booking.com's reliance on third-party hosts with weak security measures and minimal vetting requirements, which allowed hackers to access customer information through compromised host websites.