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berkshireeagle.com
In 2023, Americans lost over $1.1 billion to romance scams, with more than 64,000 reported cases, affecting people across all demographics. Romance scammers build elaborate fake identities over months or years to establish trust with victims who seek companionship online, eventually manipulating them into financial or emotional harm. Effective intervention requires patience, detailed planning, emotional restraint, and often involves trusted third parties rather than confrontational approaches that risk alienating victims further.
lovellchronicle.com
Scams are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated, and successful, with law enforcement reporting a notable uptick in impersonation schemes where scammers pose as government officials or law enforcement to threaten arrest and extort money. Phishing—the collection of personal information through unsolicited communications—is being used as an initial phase to make scams appear legitimate, with one recent Big Horn County victim losing over $20,000 after being convinced by a scammer posing as a government agent that they owed money. The FBI reported that online fraud complaints doubled from 2019 to 2023, with financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, and law enforcement advises citizens to verify suspicious
cnbctv18.com
Bitcoin has been plagued by a series of major scams and security breaches costing billions globally, including the BitConnect Ponzi scheme ($2.4 billion), the FTX exchange collapse (billions lost), and over $3.7 billion in crypto-related scams in 2022 alone through phishing attacks and romance scams. The United States, United Kingdom, and Australia have been prime targets for Bitcoin fraud, particularly fake investment opportunities exploiting the cryptocurrency's pseudonymous nature. Beyond fraud, Bitcoin's decentralized structure has facilitated illicit activities on the dark web, while its extreme price volatility and energy-intensive operations present additional risks to investors and the environment.
fox17online.com
The Better Business Bureau of West Michigan reported that online purchase scams were the top scam of 2024, followed by phishing and employment scams, with victims losing significant money particularly when attempting to buy pets online. The BBB advises consumers to research companies before purchasing, be skeptical of prices that seem too good to be true, and use credit cards for transactions, noting that even small individual losses accumulate across hundreds of victims statewide.
atlantanewsfirst.com
Georgia Power is warning customers about escalating scams as tax season and new year bills arrive, including fake calls, emails, and door-to-door visits impersonating utility representatives demanding immediate payment or personal financial information. The utility also flagged fraudulent Cash App accounts, cryptocurrency payment demands, and fake websites mimicking Georgia Power's official site to steal billing and credit information. Customers should verify any communication by calling Georgia Power's official customer service line at 888-660-5890 and use only legitimate payment methods through the company's official website at www.GeorgiaPower.com.
aarp.org
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and over filed over 101,000 internet crime complaints resulting in losses exceeding $3.4 billion, with fraud remaining significantly underreported. AARP's hearing center provides practical defense strategies, emphasizing that scam vulnerability is universal regardless of intelligence or education level, and recommends adopting practices such as radical skepticism toward unsolicited contacts, pausing when pressured emotionally, being wary of requests for secrecy, monitoring accounts regularly, and educating oneself about fraud threats.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts on travel club and health club memberships as part of her 2024 holiday scam campaign, warning consumers to carefully review contracts before signing, understand cancellation and refund policies, and avoid long-term prepaid agreements that may result in financial loss. The guidance recommends consumers budget carefully, inquire about additional fees, request month-to-month payment options when possible, and review all contract terms including fine print before committing to memberships.
laist.com
A text message scam circulating in California falsely claims recipients owe FasTrak toll fees and directs them to click a link to pay, threatening late fees or legal action. California Attorney General Rob Bonta warns that FasTrak and The Toll Roads never request payment via text messages with website links, and advises recipients to avoid clicking the link, report the scam to the FBI and FTC, and verify any account information directly through official websites.
ky3.com
The Better Business Bureau's 2025 Scam Tracker Risk Report identifies investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest for consumers, followed by employment and online purchase scams, with online-based scams comprising nearly 70% of all reports and social media scams increasing over 56% year-over-year. The BBB recommends consumers adopt fraud-prevention resolutions including avoiding money transfers to strangers, researching businesses before shopping, being cautious with unsolicited emails, protecting personal information, using strong passwords, employing social media privacy settings, keeping computers secure with antivirus software, monitoring financial accounts regularly, obtaining written agreements, and staying informed about current scams.
wgal.com
Shipping text scams rank as the second most common scam of 2024, with scammers impersonating services like the US Postal Service to trick recipients into clicking malicious links via text messages. Clicking these links can download malware or direct users to websites designed to steal personal information, credit card numbers, or cryptocurrency. The recommended protection is straightforward: do not click links in or respond to unsolicited text messages.
techbullion.com
The Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested 792 people involved in cryptocurrency romance scams, including 148 Chinese nationals, 40 Filipinos, and local accomplices, following a raid on a suspected fraud operation. The arrests came after authorities charged a Nigerian man with defrauding 139 Australians of $5 million through crypto schemes that used phishing links to steal victims' login credentials and drain both fiat and cryptocurrency accounts. The operation targeted citizens worldwide, primarily from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe, with foreign kingpins recruiting Nigerian accomplices to prospect for victims online.
maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk
This educational article from Citizens Advice East Berkshire identifies common New Year scams and prevention strategies, including romance/personal scams (where fraudsters build relationships to request money), sales scams (fake discounts and disreputable websites), and delivery/official message scams (fraudulent package delivery notifications). The advice emphasizes that scams affect approximately one in three adults, cause significant emotional impact, and can often be prevented by verifying requests through known contact numbers, being skeptical of unrealistic discounts, and never sending money to people you haven't met in person.
ncsl.org
Fraudsters steal over $10 billion annually from Americans through evolving scams including identity theft, impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, with scammers increasingly using targeted tactics across email, text, social media, and chatbots rather than indiscriminate methods. Federal agencies including the FTC, FCC, and CFPB are responding with stronger enforcement tools, such as new rules against impersonation scams and data breach settlements, while increasing collaboration with state officials and emphasizing consumer education. Key initiatives focus on combating medical debt exploitation and financial crimes targeting older Americans.
rotary.org
Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with impostor scams and email impersonations being increasingly common threats to individuals and organizations like Rotary clubs. Scammers are leveraging artificial intelligence tools and multiple communication channels (text, email, social media) to impersonate trusted contacts and request money, making fraud harder to detect and investigate. To protect yourself and your network, verify suspicious requests through alternative contact methods, report fraud promptly, and share alerts with your community, as most fraud goes unpunished and victims rarely recover their money.
identityweek.net
**Summary:**
Phishing attacks targeting senior executives at major companies like eBay and Beazley are increasing in sophistication, with attackers using AI-generated personalized communications that leverage scraped employee data to bypass basic security filters. These scams impersonate trustworthy entities and exploit human error among high-level employees to gain access to sensitive company and customer data. The use of generative AI makes fraudulent emails more convincing and harder to detect, creating significant security breach risks for large organizations and their customers.
wgal.com
Shipping text scams ranked as the No. 2 scam of 2024, with scammers impersonating services like the US Postal Service to trick recipients into clicking malicious links via text messages. These links can download malware or direct users to phishing websites designed to steal personal information, credit card numbers, or cryptocurrency. The best protection is to avoid clicking links or responding to unexpected text messages from unknown senders.
blog.ssa.gov
This educational article provides best practices for protecting against scams in 2025, recommending that individuals safeguard social media privacy settings, avoid scanning suspicious QR codes, use strong passwords and passkeys, verify unexpected requests for personal information before responding, and stay informed about current fraud trends through reliable sources. The article emphasizes that scammers increasingly use social media, fake QR codes, and phishing emails impersonating trusted organizations to access personal data, and encourages readers to contact organizations directly through official channels to verify requests.
co.lincoln.or.us
This educational tip sheet warns that scams increase at the start of the year through emails, texts, and phone calls, often impersonating legitimate agencies and threatening immediate payment via gift cards, Bitcoin, or money orders. The advice emphasizes verifying agency legitimacy through independent contact information lookup, bookmarking official websites, avoiding suspicious links, and remembering that legitimate agencies will not request passwords or demand payment through non-traditional methods. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office specifically clarifies it does not contact people about jury duty or solicit payments by phone or unconventional payment types.
southbendtribune.com
The Better Business Bureau recommends adopting ten fraud-prevention resolutions for the new year to protect against scams, which include being cautious with emails, avoiding sending money to strangers, researching online retailers before purchasing, protecting personal information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, being cautious on social media, monitoring financial statements, and staying informed about emerging scams. Online purchase scams rank as the third riskiest scam type, and the BBB urges consumers to report suspected scams to BBB.org/ScamTracker and the FTC to help protect other consumers.
whyy.org
Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania rank among the nation's most vulnerable states for identity theft and fraud in 2025, with Delaware ranking second nationally due to high complaint rates and substantial financial losses, while Pennsylvania reported over 314 theft complaints per 100 residents and average losses of $8,228 per case in 2024. The vulnerability is attributed to rising data breaches from major companies, with U.S. consumers facing an estimated $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, and Pennsylvania's large senior population (2.6 million people aged 65+) identified as particularly susceptible to scams. State officials recommend public education initiatives, strong passwords, verification of websites, and family
timeslive.co.za
KwaZulu-Natal police issued a warning after tourists visiting the Ilembe district municipality (including Ballito, Isithebe, and Zinkwazi Beach) fell victim to online scams involving fake accommodation bookings, counterfeit tour packages, and phishing schemes designed to steal personal and financial information. Police and local tourism authorities are investigating the fraudulent websites, social media pages, and email campaigns, and advise tourists to verify bookings through reputable platforms, avoid unrealistically cheap deals, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
abc11.com
In 2025, scammers are expected to escalate their targeting of consumers' money and identities, with the Global Anti-Scam Alliance reporting over $1 trillion in losses during 2024. Key emerging threats include AI-generated scams creating increasingly realistic fake websites and impersonation content, cryptocurrency investment scams using manipulated websites to simulate earnings, and text-based impersonation scams posing as job recruiters, banks, or family members—all made harder to detect as AI improves grammar and personalization. The FBI advises consumers to avoid quick reactions, scrutinize images for imperfections, and never send money via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash apps, as
outlookbusiness.com
Artificial intelligence has become a powerful tool for fraudsters in India, with 64% of respondents reporting increased fraud and 67% struggling to keep pace with evolving threats. Scammers use AI techniques including voice cloning, deepfakes, synthetic identity creation, and personalized phishing to impersonate trusted figures and extract money from victims across all demographics, though senior citizens are particularly vulnerable; notably, 83% of voice scam victims in India have lost money to cloned voice fraud. Financial institutions and individuals must implement more sophisticated detection systems, as the combination of AI with social engineering and offline techniques proves especially dangerous by exploiting human psychology and bypassing traditional security measures.
bedfordbulletin.com
**Summary:**
The Bedford County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a scam targeting lost dog owners via text messages. Scammers claim to have found the missing dog through a "neighbor" and demand payment before revealing the dog's location, alleging the neighbor needs reimbursement for care costs.
yahoo.com
This article provides four cybersecurity recommendations for protecting against increasingly sophisticated online scams and hacking in 2025. The key strategies include: using unique, strong passwords with secure storage methods; recognizing social engineering tactics that build false relationships to steal information; establishing family code words to verify AI-generated voice calls; and remaining vigilant against improved phishing scams. The expert notes that while these practices require effort, they make individuals less attractive targets for cybercriminals.
businessinsider.com
Scammers and hackers are employing increasingly sophisticated methods, including social engineering schemes and AI-generated voice/content, to target individuals in 2025. A cybersecurity expert recommends four key protections: using unique strong passwords stored securely, remaining vigilant against social engineering tactics on social media and professional platforms, establishing "secret word" protocols with family and friends to verify AI-generated calls, and staying alert to AI-enhanced phishing emails that are now grammatically correct and harder to identify.
wtxl.com
Scammers are exploiting cash-sharing apps like Venmo and PayPal by using stolen login credentials from data breaches or password-cracking technology to access accounts, then attempting to reset passwords before victims do by calling with untraceable numbers to extract security codes. Online fraud cases have nearly doubled since 2019 with losses reaching $12.5 billion last year, with tech support impersonation scams growing 175% year-over-year. The FTC recommends enabling two-step authentication on money-sharing accounts and never sharing security codes with anyone, as fraudsters commonly impersonate legitimate companies to trick users into revealing sensitive information.
lexology.com
DeepFake technology—AI-generated audio, video, and images that convincingly impersonate real people—has already caused an estimated $12 billion in fraud losses and can be created for under $15 in less than 10 minutes. Scammers use DeepFakes to impersonate executives for financial fraud (one employee transferred $25.6 million after a fake CFO video call), manipulate employees via fake voice calls to access company data, and spread political misinformation. Users should verify online connections before sharing personal or financial information, as the technology makes traditional visual and audio verification unreliable.
kfdi.com
Sedgwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett warns citizens about phishing emails designed to deliver malware, which falsely claim account issues like pending expiration, unauthorized purchases, or large deductions and urge recipients to click malicious links. The scams target users by impersonating legitimate services like streaming platforms, with investigators receiving fraudulent Paramount+ expiration notices despite having no subscription to the service. Bennett advises against clicking any links or buttons that appear to be from banks or financial institutions in suspicious emails.
siasat.com
In 2024, India experienced a surge in digital scams targeting individual citizens, with reported losses of approximately Rs 1,750 crore (about $210 million USD) across over 740,000 complaints, according to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre. Major scam types included digital arrest fraud (affecting 92,323 victims who were threatened by impersonators claiming to be law enforcement), TRAI fraud calls, online investment scams, and dating fraud schemes that exploited victims through social media and dating apps. The Indian government predicts losses could reach Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($14.4 billion USD) in 2025
abc7.com
Scammers are sending phishing text messages to Los Angeles-area residents claiming they owe toll road fees for FastTrak Lane usage, threatening late penalties and license suspension to pressure payment through fraudulent websites. The Toll Roads authority clarifies it does not text non-account holders and advises recipients to disregard such messages, or verify authenticity by logging into their official Toll Roads account.
nbcbayarea.com
Scammers sent fraudulent text messages to Bay Area residents claiming they owed FasTrak toll fees and threatening late fees and legal action, with the goal of stealing credit card information for larger fraudulent purchases. The bogus messages originated from Philippine phone numbers and directed victims to fake payment websites, while FasTrak confirmed the company never requests payment via text. Residents can report these toll scams to the FBI at ic3.gov.
wilx.com
A text scam circulating in Michigan falsely notifies recipients of unpaid parking violations with threatened $35 late fees, impersonating Detroit's Park Detroit app but originating from fraudsters. Red flags include incorrect area codes, .com website endings instead of .gov, and spelling errors; officials urge recipients to ignore and delete such messages immediately. Police also warn drivers against scanning QR codes placed on parking meters, advising them to report any suspicious codes to local authorities.
seattletimes.com
A Toronto-Dominion Bank employee in New York used her access to customer data to distribute sensitive information to criminals on Telegram, a pattern that reflects a broader vulnerability in US banking where low-paid staff members are selling customer details to fraudsters. The scheme is particularly concerning given that US retirees face over $28 billion in estimated annual elder fraud losses, and con artists with insider information about wealthy customers can more effectively target victims. Banks have resisted stronger regulatory requirements to protect customers despite years of warnings about insider data breaches, with some cases involving sophisticated fraud rings operating on the dark web and social media platforms.
thestar.com.my
A Toronto-Dominion Bank employee in New York used her access to customer data to distribute sensitive information to criminals via Telegram, a case that exemplifies a broader pattern of low-paid bank employees selling customer details to fraudsters across the United States. Detectives found images of 255 customer cheques and personal information on approximately 70 others on her phone, with similar schemes documented at major financial institutions and credit unions. This insider vulnerability is particularly concerning given that US retirees face record elder fraud losses exceeding $28 billion annually, as scammers with inside knowledge of customers' finances can target victims more effectively.
foxbangor.com
Janet D. fell victim to a tech support scam when a fake Windows Defender pop-up with audio alarms froze her computer and directed her to call a displayed number. The scammer instructed her to download UltraViewer, a legitimate remote access tool commonly exploited by fraudsters to gain control of victims' systems. The article outlines key warning signs of this scam type—unsolicited pop-ups claiming to be from Microsoft, urgent audio/visual cues, and requests to install remote access software—and provides protective steps including refusing to call displayed numbers, uninstalling suspicious software, updating passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication.
kktv.com
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser warned residents about emerging AI-enabled fraud schemes that use voice recordings to create convincing fake calls claiming victims or loved ones need money, often impersonating law enforcement or creating "grandparent scam" scenarios. Common red flags include requests for gift cards or wire transfers, and Weiser advised victims to verify calls by contacting official numbers from organizations' websites rather than using numbers provided by callers. Coloradans who suspect they've been targeted by these scams can file complaints with the attorney general's office.
toronto.citynews.ca
During the holiday season, common scams include fake merchandise, phishing emails and texts, charity fraud, romance scams, and gift card scams where fraudsters place stolen barcodes on unpurchased cards. As of October 2024, Canada reported over 40,000 fraud incidents totaling $500 million in losses, with experts recommending shoppers verify merchants, check gift card barcodes, and avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources. Recovery of fraudulent funds is difficult, particularly when cryptocurrency is involved, and authorities estimate only 5-10% of fraud victims report incidents.
wcbi.com
The Lee County Sheriff's Office warned the public about scams targeting seniors in which scammers contact victims via unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls directing them to fake websites resembling legitimate financial institutions. The scammers falsely claim account issues and pressure victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin or ATMs, threatening financial or criminal consequences if they refuse. The sheriff's department advised residents to ignore unsolicited communications, never send funds to unknown recipients, and verify any account concerns directly with their bank through official channels.
paymentsjournal.com
A 2025 Javelin Strategy & Research report examines the TikTok-fueled check fraud scheme—where individuals deposited fraudulent checks and withdrew funds before verification—within the broader context of "friendly fraud" (first-party fraud), where consumers dispute legitimate charges to obtain refunds. The study emphasizes that many perpetrators, particularly younger consumers, don't perceive their actions as crimes and recommends that financial institutions use clear, appropriately-toned communications (tailored by age group and delivery method) and improved transaction descriptions to educate consumers about fraud while avoiding making victims feel accused.
wgem.com
According to the Better Business Bureau, online purchase scams represent nearly one-third of all reported scams since 2019 and remain the most common fraud reported. Scammers increasingly use cell phones and digital communications—including emails, texts, and phone calls—to target victims. The BBB regional director advised consumers in 2025 to think critically about unfamiliar online messages and help one another identify scams to reduce fraud success.
marbleheadcurrent.org
Two elder fraud attempts were reported in Marblehead during December 5-17, 2024. On December 5, a resident received a fraudulent DocuSign/Norton Antivirus email and granted scammers remote computer access; they fabricated fake subscription charges ($299.99 and $399.99) and a false $3,999.99 credit to pressure the victim into buying CVS gift cards, but the resident recognized the scam before losing money. On December 13, another resident fell victim to a fraudulent travel documentation scheme via a fake "UK-ETA.com" website, submitting passport information before realizing the site was fraudulent; the victim pro
kwch.com
The Sedgwick County District Attorney's Office issued a warning about two types of email scams designed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that could introduce malware into computers. The first scam impersonates a bank and claims unauthorized funds were deducted, prompting victims to click a "Refund your money" button, while the second falsely claims a subscription (Paramount Plus) has expired and urges clicking an "Extend for Free" button—both tactics commonly used to harvest personal information or deploy malware.
rnz.co.nz
Sarah and Laine Robinson lost $252,000 of their home deposit in a "spear phishing" scam after unknowingly transferring funds to a fraudulent account based on forged emails appearing to be from their conveyancer—the scam was only discovered the day before their property settlement when the funds failed to appear. The scammers had impersonated their conveyancer with near-perfect detail, including correct fee amounts, but used an email address missing the ".au" domain extension; ANZ Bank recovered only $82,000 of the lost amount, and the case was transferred to Victoria Police after discovering a Melbourne university student owned the recipient account. This attack exemplifies a shift
colitco.com
Sarah and Laine Robinson lost $250,000 of their home deposit in a spear phishing scam when fraudsters impersonated their conveyancer via a fake email address (missing ".au" at the end) and redirected their funds to a scam account. Although their bank ANZ recovered $82,000, the couple faced devastating financial and emotional consequences as they prepared to purchase their dream home on the Gold Coast. The case highlights the growing sophistication of targeted phishing attacks, which leverage personalized details and AI technology to deceive victims during high-value transactions.
motorbiscuit.com
Scammers in Southern California have been sending fake text messages impersonating FasTrak (California's toll road payment system) with threats of legal action and financial penalties to trick drivers into clicking malicious links and entering sensitive banking and personal information. Despite obvious errors in the messages (misspelled "FasTrak" and fake URLs), many drivers have fallen for the scam due to panic about potential fines, with some victims having their phones compromised and personal data stolen. FasTrak officials warn that government agencies never contact customers via text and recommend deleting suspicious messages, verifying charges
macaubusiness.com
Five Macau residents fell victim to human trafficking orchestrated by criminal groups who lured them with fake job advertisements and promises of high salaries to Taiwan and Cambodia; four victims were forced into telecommunications and Internet fraud operations before being detained, while the fifth, a 38-year-old woman, escaped from Cambodia. The trafficking occurred as part of a larger regional scheme where hundreds of thousands of people, primarily Chinese nationals, are trafficked to Southeast Asia to conduct online fraud against compatriots, with at least 120,000 trafficked to Myanmar and 100,000 to Cambodia. Macau experienced a significant surge in telecom and Internet scams in 2023, with 1,306
latimes.com
Scammers sent phishing text messages to Southern California Metro ExpressLanes users and non-users, threatening legal action and excessive late fees to coerce payment of fake FasTrak tolls through malicious links. The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority confirmed no customer data was compromised and warned the public never to respond to, click links in, or use contact information from such messages. Similar phishing campaigns targeting FasTrak users have been reported across California since at least March.
lbwatchdog.com
Scammers are sending text messages to Southern California FasTrak users demanding payment for toll lane usage, threatening excessive late fees and legal action to pressure victims into clicking malicious links. Metro officials confirmed the ExpressLanes system was not hacked and customers will never be contacted via text for payment, urging residents to ignore phishing attempts and report suspicious messages. The California Attorney General's office advises residents to verify toll charges through official websites or phone numbers, use their phone's spam reporting feature, and share warnings with others to prevent victimization.