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Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
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in Robocall / Phone Scam
iecn.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Redlands man was scammed out of $25,000 by Quan Lin, 53, who impersonated an FBI agent and threatened the victim with arrest for alleged child pornography possession. Lin returned the next day attempting to collect an additional $35,000, but was arrested before completing the second transaction when police intervened. Lin faces charges including elder abuse, grand theft, and theft by false pretenses, and has been linked to similar scams in other communities.
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old El Monte man, Quan Lin, was arrested in Redlands for posing as an FBI agent and defrauding a 73-year-old resident of $25,000 while attempting to extract an additional $35,000 by threatening the victim with arrest for child pornography. The victim became suspicious on the second day of the scam and alerted police, who intercepted Lin at the residence; he is being held on $250,000 bail and faces charges including elder fraud, grand theft, and theft by false pretenses. Investigators suspect Lin may be connected to similar scams in other communities.
cknxnewstoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
During March Anti-Fraud Month, the Ontario Provincial Police reported 72 fraud calls in the Grey Bruce area from January through early March 2024, with romance scams, grandparent scams, cryptocurrency schemes, gift card scams, and e-transfer fraud being the most common types. Constable Krista Linthorne advised the public to avoid acting under pressure, never share financial information via unsolicited communications, and verify requests by contacting institutions directly. Victims should immediately contact their bank and credit bureau to freeze accounts, report losses to police, and those who identify attempted scams should contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
cknxnewstoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
During the first two months of 2025, the Grey Bruce OPP received 72 fraud reports, with romance scams, grandparent scams, cryptocurrency schemes, gift card scams, and e-transfer fraud being the most common. Constable Krista Linthorne advises the public to avoid pressure to act quickly on money requests, never share personal or financial information via unsolicited calls or texts, and remember that legitimate government agencies and banks will never contact citizens requesting such information. Those who suspect fraud or lose money should immediately contact their bank and credit bureau, while confirmed victims should report to police and use the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for additional resources.
billingsgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
This article explains two types of online scams: catfishing and phishing. Catfishing involves creating fake online personas to deceive victims emotionally and financially, often starting as romance scams that lead to requests for money or gifts. Phishing attacks use fraudulent links, emails, and websites impersonating trusted organizations to steal personal information like passwords, bank details, and Social Security numbers for identity theft or financial exploitation.
ccpc.ie
· 2025-12-08
This Global Money Week awareness article outlines common scams targeting young people, including money mule schemes (where individuals are tricked into laundering illegal funds through their bank accounts), fake ticket sales for sold-out events, and risky cryptocurrency and forex investments that often operate as scams through romance schemes or phishing. The piece emphasizes protective measures such as never sharing bank details with untrusted parties, purchasing tickets only from official sources, and verifying investment legitimacy before committing funds.
northernvirginiamag.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Connecticut residents were arrested for a year-long prize scam that defrauded a Woodbridge elderly woman of $130,000, during which they convinced her she had won a car and money but needed to pay fees to claim the prizes. Local authorities are warning residents of rising phishing text scams falsely claiming toll debt and fraudulent document shredding events, advising people to avoid urgency-driven communications, verify unexpected contacts through established channels, and never provide financial information or click links from unidentified sources.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Bank impersonation scams via text, email, and phone calls increased dramatically in 2024, with the FTC reporting these scams accounted for nearly half of all reported frauds and resulted in losses exceeding $1.1 billion—more than triple the 2020 total. Criminals use spoofing technology and sophisticated replicas of bank communications to trick victims into revealing PINs, passwords, account access codes, or moving money to "safe" accounts by creating false urgency around account security threats. Consumers should never provide account credentials or personal information to unsolicited contacts; instead, they should hang up and call their bank directly using verified contact information from official websites or statements, an
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
A PYMNTS and Featurespace study reveals that scammers are increasingly personalizing financial scams based on individual consumer vulnerabilities rather than using generic approaches, with 3 in 10 U.S. consumers (approximately 77 million people) reporting financial losses to scams over the past five years, typically exceeding $500 per victim. While scams affect all demographics, specific groups face higher risks from tailored schemes—younger consumers are three times more likely to fall victim to job search scams, while older adults are over three times more frequently targeted by fake eCommerce schemes. The research underscores the need for financial institutions to implement advanced analytics, behavioral monitoring, and consumer
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers nationwide are sending fake text messages claiming recipients have unpaid tolls in a scam known as "smishing," where fraudsters impersonate toll agencies and other billing companies to trick people into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. This increasingly common scheme exploits the rise of smartphones and cashless payment systems, with some fraudsters even impersonating legitimate scam warnings.
duanemorris.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS's annual 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list warns taxpayers about prevalent tax scams that use both sophisticated and simple social engineering tactics to steal sensitive financial information. The most common scams include phishing and smishing attacks (fake IRS emails and texts designed to trick people into sharing personal data) and social media tax scams promoting false credits and loopholes. The IRS emphasizes that awareness alone is insufficient—taxpayers must proactively protect themselves by verifying communications directly through official sources and consulting trusted tax professionals rather than relying on unsolicited messages or unverified social media advice.
theverge.com
· 2025-12-08
Google filed a lawsuit against a scam network and removed 10,000 fake business listings from Google Maps that were being sold for profit, after a Texas locksmith reported being impersonated on the platform. Scammers use fake listings to deceive victims through phony services, upcharging, or routing callers to fraud call centers, sometimes padding listings with artificial reviews and engagement to appear legitimate. Google blocked 12 million fraudulent business profiles in 2023 and continues implementing restrictions against deceptive practices globally.
newstalk870.am
· 2025-12-08
Washington State has experienced a surge in text message scams impersonating Good To Go!, the state's toll billing system, which direct victims to fake websites and threaten legal action to collect payment information. A victim described losing access to her accounts after providing her driver's license and credit card number through a fraudulent link. WSDOT advises that legitimate Good To Go! communications never request payment via text or direct users to external websites; customers should only log into the official Good To Go! account to address toll issues.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
An Ontario senior was nearly scammed in what may have been the first known AI voice-cloning case in Canada, when fraudsters impersonated her grandson and demanded $9,000 claiming he had been arrested. The "grandparent scam" uses AI-generated deepfake voices harvested from social media to impersonate family members in crisis situations, with Canadians reporting nearly $3 million in losses to this scheme in 2024. Experts recommend establishing code words with family members to verify callers' identities, as scammers only need three to five seconds of voice samples to create convincing AI replicas.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
CBC's Marketplace partnered with three prominent "scambusters" (combined 10 million social media followers) to create a fraud-fighting centre that infiltrated criminal networks overseas, rerouted 62 active scam call centres, and intercepted fraudulent calls to protect Canadian victims. The article also highlighted a grandparent/emergency scam targeting an Ontario senior who lost $9,000 after receiving a call mimicking her grandson's voice (possibly using AI voice cloning) claiming he was arrested and needed bail money; Canadians reported losing nearly $3 million to this scam type in 2024.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Over four years, Montreal police arrested at least 50 people involved in three elaborate grandparent scam networks that defrauded elderly victims out of millions of dollars, with investigations requiring hundreds of hours of surveillance, wiretaps, and stakeouts. Major operations like Project Sharp in 2024 led to 14 arrests of suspects accused of defrauding Canadian seniors of over $1.2 million, and police report that increased enforcement action is beginning to reduce scam cases, with reported losses to Canadian victims dropping from $11.6 million in 2023 to $3.2 million in 2024. However, prosecuting these cases takes years due to court delays
messagemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
The Senior LinkAge Line offered a free virtual presentation on April 9 covering health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for older adults, featuring information from the Senior Medicare Patrol federal education program. The presentation provided guidance on detecting, preventing, and reporting fraud and scams to protect personal information and safety.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Over the past four years, Montreal police have arrested at least 50 people involved in three elaborate grandparent scam networks that defrauded elderly victims out of millions of dollars. Law enforcement built cases through hundreds of hours of surveillance, stakeouts, and wiretaps, with major operations like Project Sharp resulting in 14 arrests in 2024 for defrauding Canadian seniors of over $1.2 million. Police report that increased enforcement and arrests are beginning to reduce grandparent scam incidents, with reported losses to Canadian victims dropping from $11.6 million in 2023 to $3.2 million in 2024.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Pleasant Community Education Outreach Service (CEOS) in Point Pleasant, West Virginia held a meeting on March 13 where member Elaine Matheny presented an educational lesson on scams targeting senior citizens, covering ten types of fraud including telephone scams, IRS scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and lottery scams, along with prevention tips. The lesson, written by Gina Taylor and Carter Taylor, was designed to educate the community on how to recognize and avoid common elder fraud schemes.
longisland.com
· 2025-12-08
Older New Yorkers lost over $203 million to scams in 2023, with more than 4,300 victims age 60 and older experiencing an average loss of $47,000 each, prompting AARP New York and state legislators to call for consumer protection measures in the state budget. Governor Hochul's proposed safeguards include training bank employees to identify signs of financial exploitation and place holds on suspicious transactions, with the "grandparent scam" identified as one of the most common schemes targeting seniors. The coalition is urging financial institutions to work with state leadership to implement fraud prevention measures that would help protect older New Yorkers' retirement savings from increasingly sophisticated sc
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article uses a cautionary legal case (Dowling v. Uriostegui) to illustrate estate plan fraud targeting elderly individuals. A woman systematically befriended an elderly man, isolated him from family, and exerted undue influence to redirect his $1.8 million estate to herself and her gambling-addicted son (a lawyer) instead of his biological son, while the scammer's son flaunted ill-gotten assets including a Corvette and 12 racehorses. The article advises families to protect vulnerable elderly relatives through regular communication and vigilance against potential scammers seeking to manipulate estate planning documents.
actionnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The California Franchise Tax Board issued a warning during tax season about persistent scams targeting taxpayers, particularly text message schemes directing victims to fraudulent FTB website replicas designed to steal personal and banking information. State Controller Malia M. Cohen advised taxpayers to guard sensitive information and verify any communications from tax agencies directly rather than clicking links or downloading attachments from suspicious messages. The FTB recommends contacting them at (800) 852-5711 or the IRS at (800) 892-1040 if taxpayers receive suspicious correspondence.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
ICE impersonators and other scammers are increasingly targeting immigrant communities, capitalizing on fears related to deportation policies, according to California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The article provides protective guidance including: verify federal officials through official identification and government channels only, never sign documents or provide personal/financial information to unsolicited callers, understand that legitimate ICE agents will not contact you via personal social media or request money, and be aware that "notario" or notary public titles do not indicate legal expertise in the United States. Impersonating a federal officer is illegal and punishable by fines or imprisonment.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Texas man lost $5,000 to a bitcoin ATM scam after receiving a false call claiming his son was in jail; according to FTC data, bitcoin ATM scams targeting seniors over 60 increased nearly tenfold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023, with victims three times more likely to be older adults. Scammers exploit the speed and irreversibility of cryptocurrency transactions by directing victims to deposit cash at bitcoin ATMs using QR codes that transfer funds directly to criminal accounts. Most states lack regulations on bitcoin ATMs, making recovery difficult, though some jurisdictions have successfully returned funds when caught quickly
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article highlights two prevalent scams and prevention strategies: a deepfake video impersonating Warren Buffett offering investment tips through a fake "assistant" (exploiting AI technology to create convincing but false endorsements), and phishing emails falsely claiming to be from Social Security. The article advises readers to verify links by hovering over them to check their actual destinations, use link expansion services for shortened URLs, and independently log into official websites rather than clicking embedded links in suspicious emails.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Reports of individuals impersonating ICE agents have increased across the United States, with scammers contacting victims by phone, email, or in person to demand payment via cash, wire transfers, or gift cards while threatening arrest or deportation. Authorities advise immigrants to verify agent identities through official ICE field offices, avoid sharing original documents without verified government requirements, seek help only from licensed lawyers and accredited representatives, and report suspicious activity to local authorities, as legitimate federal agencies never demand payment over unsolicited contact.
fhtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are evolving with AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake relationships, with scammers targeting Arizonans of all ages—particularly isolated seniors—to extract thousands of dollars through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated hospital images, exemplifying how scammers build trust over months before requesting wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited contact with urgency, requests for personal information, upfront payment demands, and suspicious grammar, and can verify photos through reverse image searches.
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle warned the public about WhatsApp hijacking scams after his relative became a victim when she shared a verification code with someone posing as a friend, resulting in account takeover and the scammer impersonating her to contacts. The scammer further compromised the account by changing group settings and backup email information, though Meta eventually helped restore access. Bhogle shared educational resources emphasizing that people should never share verification codes or OTPs and should remain vigilant about protecting their WhatsApp accounts.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A man lost ₹1.2 lakh after being deceived by a fake work-from-home scheme promoted through WhatsApp, where scammers posing as HR representatives promised unrealistic monthly earnings of ₹4.4 lakh for simple online tasks. The victim was manipulated into making multiple deposits under the false promise of refunds, with payments conducted only in cryptocurrency (USDT) to prevent recovery. Red flags included the extremely high salary offer, requests for upfront money, and foreign contact numbers despite claims of representing a local company.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghiovanna Dennis, co-owner of Coterie Lounge & Cafe in West Chester, Ohio, lost nearly $1,000 to a utility scam when someone impersonating Duke Energy called her business and demanded immediate payment under threat of service disconnection. The scammers directed her to pay via money transfer at a local Walgreens, using account information similar to her actual Duke Energy account to appear legitimate. Dennis later discovered the fraud when the real Duke Energy shut off her electricity due to unpaid bills, and she advises others to hang up and call businesses directly to verify any payment demands.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office highlighted nine trending scams affecting Northern Colorado residents in March 2025, including "neighbor in trouble" calls requesting bail money, stolen/altered checks, fake PayPal fraud alerts, door-to-door sales schemes, tech support scams impersonating Microsoft and Apple, and cryptocurrency investment frauds. Seniors are frequently targeted and often listed on "sucker lists" shared among scammers, making compassionate reporting and victim support critical. The advisory recommends verifying requests independently, using secure payment methods, and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FTC.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
"Digital arrest" scams in Mumbai involve fraudsters posing as police or CBI officers via video call to coerce victims into isolation and payment through psychological manipulation and fabricated legal threats. In 2023, Mumbai police registered 195 such cases, with victims ranging from senior citizens to high-earning professionals (bankers, doctors, IT professionals, MNC directors), who lost amounts ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 32 lakh after being threatened with drug trafficking charges, harm to family members, or travel bans. Scammers exploit authority bias, create artificial urgency, leverage stolen personal data (Aadhaar, PAN numbers), and use AI-generated videos
mesquitelocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security imposter scams remain prevalent across the U.S., with scammers using deceptive tactics to obtain sensitive information or money through fraudulent letters, texts, emails, and calls. The Social Security Administration clarifies that it will never text/email ID images, suspend Social Security numbers, threaten arrest, demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers, or promise benefits in exchange for fees. Individuals should report suspected Social Security fraud to the Office of Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov/report and verify suspicious communications through official channels.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are evolving to incorporate AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake online relationships, with scammers targeting people of all ages but particularly vulnerable seniors who feel isolated. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster claiming to be Brad Pitt who used AI to fabricate hospital photos and impersonate the actor, requesting money for medical treatment. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited urgent contact, requests for personal information, and demands for upfront payments, and can verify suspicious photos through reverse image searches.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
CBC's Marketplace partnered with three prominent "scambusters" to create a fraud-fighting call center that has rerouted 62 active scam call centers and intercepted fraudulent calls targeting Canadian victims. The article highlights a recent AI voice-cloning grandparent scam in which an Ontario senior was nearly defrauded of $9,000 after receiving a convincing call claiming to be her grandson in legal trouble, exemplifying a scheme that cost Canadians nearly $3 million in reported losses in 2024. The piece serves as a public awareness resource about various scams and fraud prevention efforts.
outerbanksvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dare County Sheriff's Office warned of two active phone scams targeting residents: scammers spoofing the Clerk of Courts' office number to solicit money for document services, and fraudsters impersonating a non-existent lieutenant to request financial information. Both agencies stressed they never call residents requesting payment or financial details over the phone, and urged the public to verify suspicious calls directly with official office numbers.
pattayamail.com
· 2025-12-08
A 31-year-old Chinese man was arrested at Chiang Mai Airport for using dating apps to lure male tourists to hotels, where he robbed them of cash, credit cards, and valuables; he had committed similar crimes across Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Thai authorities reported that between March 2022 and March 2025, dating app fraud cases totaled 1,415 incidents with losses exceeding 350 million baht, and warned the public to avoid sharing personal information with strangers online and to be suspicious of overly attractive profiles requesting money.
13wmaz.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Carolina man, Bhargav Patel, was arrested in Jones County, Georgia after attempting to defraud an elderly couple of their life savings through a courier scam, in which he convinced them their bank deposits were unsafe and arranged to pick up their withdrawn money for "safekeeping." The couple's family intervened before the theft was completed, obtained the suspect's license plate, and authorities tracked and arrested Patel, charging him with exploitation of the elderly and two counts of criminal attempt to commit theft. The sheriff's office emphasized that such fraud cases are among the highest-volume crimes they handle and advised residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls, especially from those impersonating government agencies
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
A 59-year-old Houston woman nearly fell victim to a "grandparent scam" when she received a call from someone impersonating a police officer claiming her daughter had been in an accident and demanding personal information. She avoided losing money by independently verifying her daughter's safety through a separate phone call, recognizing red flags like vague details and requests for personal information. FBI Houston confirmed the scam is common and advised the public to stay calm, ask questions, and verify loved ones' safety directly if they receive suspicious calls about emergencies.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Arielle Burton received a suspicious email claiming to be from TD Bank about a doubling maintenance fee, which contained broken links and red flags despite appearing legitimate, prompting her to question how to distinguish real bank communications from phishing scams. The article explains four legitimate reasons banks contact customers—identity verification, suspicious activity alerts, low balance warnings, and data breach notifications—and advises that banks never request sensitive information via unsolicited calls, texts, or emails, only through secure channels like physical mail or the bank's official app.
indianasenaterepublicans.com
· 2025-12-08
A smishing scam targeting Indiana residents falsely claims consumers owe unpaid toll road fees via text message, using urgency and threatening language to pressure victims into clicking malicious links and entering personal financial information. The Indiana Toll Road Concession Company warns that it never requests sensitive information by text or phone, and advises recipients to report scam messages to the FBI at www.ic3.gov, verify account status directly with the company, and contact their bank immediately if they clicked any links or shared information.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly widow who had accumulated significant wealth through early Coca-Cola investments lost her entire fortune to an online scammer despite family warnings and police intervention; she now lives in assisted living on a $5,000 monthly VA pension with only $1,000 remaining after care costs. The article documents this case alongside similar romance scams targeting affluent seniors, including a 73-year-old Boeing retiree who lost over $20,000 to a scammer posing as an MSNBC anchor, and notes that banks typically cannot reimburse authorized transfers to scammers. Prevention strategies emphasized include skepticism of online offers, resistance to pressure tactics, verification of contacts, an
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old retired lawyer lost $740,000 in retirement savings to con artists who posed as federal investigators, convincing him he was helping with a fraud investigation. The article notes that retirees are frequent targets due to presumed savings, trust, cognitive vulnerabilities, and isolation, and outlines common scams including phishing emails, phone impersonations, and fake online sales, while recommending verification of unexpected requests, strong passwords, and reporting fraud rather than remaining silent due to embarrassment.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore police arrested 25 individuals and placed 65 others under investigation during an island-wide anti-scam operation from mid-February to early March, seizing approximately S$1.9 million in suspected scam proceeds. The crackdown targeted government official impersonation, investment, and job scams, resulting in the freezing of over 300 bank accounts used for money laundering and the deactivation of more than 1,700 phone lines associated with scam activities. Singapore recorded record scam losses of S$1.1 billion in 2024, with these three scam types accounting for more than half of total losses.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
On March 21, 2025, the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office arrested suspects in an ongoing phone scam targeting an elderly male customer who was instructed to withdraw $50,000 from Wells Fargo in Oakdale. A vigilant bank teller alerted law enforcement after the victim attempted a second large withdrawal, prompting detectives to coordinate an undercover operation that successfully apprehended the scammers at a pre-arranged collection point. The case highlights the importance of reporting suspicious requests for large cash withdrawals to authorities immediately.
news-herald.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mentor Senior Center Recreation Manager highlighted increased inquiries from seniors about turnpike toll collection scams, emphasizing the importance of educating older adults about various fraud schemes conducted through phones, computers, and other methods. The article underscores the critical need for senior awareness programs to combat evolving scam tactics across multiple communication platforms.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams remain the most prevalent fraud scheme in Canada, with over $310 million in reported losses in 2024 and more than $1 billion since 2021, often employing artificial intelligence and deepfake videos featuring public figures to appear legitimate. Scammers typically lure victims through social media ads, fraudulent Google search results, and fake endorsements, initially providing small returns to build trust before preventing withdrawals once larger sums are invested. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Royal Newfoundland Constabulary advise victims to avoid pressure tactics, conduct due diligence before investing, and report incidents to authorities, noting that fraud networks operate as sophisticated criminal enterprises targeting vulnerable
news-press.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to financial scams, with common schemes including grandparent scams, fake financial institution impersonations, tech support fraud, government impersonation, and romance scams that exploit older adults' trust and emotional vulnerabilities. The article advises seniors to be wary of anyone demanding immediate payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, and to verify requests through official channels before sending money. These scams cause not only significant financial losses but also lasting emotional and psychological harm to victims.
consumerfinance.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Zelle's operator Early Warning Services for failing to implement adequate fraud prevention safeguards on the peer-to-peer payment network, resulting in over $870 million in losses to customers of the three banks over seven years. The banks rushed Zelle to market to compete with apps like Venmo and CashApp without proper protections, leaving hundreds of thousands of consumers vulnerable to fraud schemes and denying many victims legally required reimbursement when they filed complaints.
mobileidworld.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a nationwide alert about a fourfold increase in "smishing" attacks (fraudulent SMS messages) targeting U.S. smartphone users since January 2025, with over 2,000 complaints received regarding fake toll payment and delivery service notifications. Cybercriminals operating from China have registered more than 10,000 domains and use sophisticated phishing kits to steal personal and financial information, with Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orlando being the most heavily targeted cities. The FBI recommends users delete suspicious texts without clicking links and verify payments directly through official websites.