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Congressional Democrats are warning Americans about a surge in Super Bowl-related scams expected to coincide with record $1.8 billion in wagering this year. Criminals are deploying fake gambling websites using AI-enhanced graphics to mimic legitimate platforms like FanDuel and DraftKings, while scammers also target consumers through counterfeit ticket sales (cheapest seats ~$5,000) and fraudulent merchandise, with authorities having seized over $120 million in fake Super Bowl goods in recent years. Consumers are advised to verify sportsbooks are U.S.-based and state-licensed, purchase tickets only through official NFL channels or verified resellers, and use secure payment methods like credit

The AARP Hawaii organization is warning the public about online marketplace scams, citing an incident where an employee attempting to sell items on social media was targeted by a fake buyer requesting verification codes that would have granted access to her Google Voice account, email, and personal information. The organization advises consumers to conduct background checks on how personal information could be misused before sharing identifying details online and is offering an educational event on fraud prevention.

An 18-year-old named Maurice Verado was charged in an elaborate Facebook Marketplace scam in Dade Beach where he posted fake car rental listings using his neighbors' vehicles, collected rental deposits, and directed strangers to his neighbors' homes for pickup. The scheme created dangerous situations as unsuspecting homeowners were confronted by strangers claiming to rent cars they never offered, turning victims against each other and resulting in some violent incidents.

During Amazon Prime Day, scammers use over 1,200 fake Amazon copycat websites and fraudulent emails to steal login credentials and payment information from shoppers. To protect themselves, consumers should verify URLs carefully, use strong passwords, avoid sharing unnecessary personal information, and use credit cards instead of debit cards for online purchases due to stronger fraud protections.

The Better Business Bureau reports that three major scams are currently prevalent and have stolen millions of dollars since the start of the year: employment scams that promise work-from-home jobs with easy money but steal personal information or demand upfront payments; online purchase and rental scams involving unreliable merchants who access credit card data; and cryptocurrency/investment scams that exploit people seeking quick wealth. The BBB offers a Scam Tracker tool to report fraudulent businesses and scams affecting specific areas.

The Better Business Bureau reports that 18- to 24-year-old college students experienced the highest financial losses to scams of any age group for the second consecutive year. The most common scams targeting this demographic include online purchase frauds, fake employment schemes (particularly remote work with flexible hours and high pay), and cryptocurrency/investment scams, which can result in losses of thousands of dollars per victim.

Federal Trade Commission data shows American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with digital platforms making it easier for scammers to target victims. Common scams include romance/relationship scams on Facebook where perpetrators build trust before requesting money, "pig butchering" investment schemes promising fake returns, and grandparent scams, with reported losses ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Protection strategies include verifying urgent requests by hanging up and calling back the person directly, avoiding quick money transfers, researching websites and investment opportunities, and reporting scams to law enforcement and platforms to help track and recover stolen funds.

An elderly woman in Asheboro was defrauded of $25,000 after scammers used fear tactics and impersonation of law enforcement to manipulate her into withdrawing cash and purchasing gift cards. The suspect met the victim at a gas station to collect a large cash withdrawal before fleeing in a white van, and Detective Marcus Pierce is actively investigating the case while advocating for awareness of common red flags like requests for gift card payments.

This segment from WYFF News Four's "For the Record" series features Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride discussing the growing scam problem affecting community members of all ages, though elderly victims are particularly targeted. The sheriff highlights multiple prevalent scam types including Facebook Marketplace deposit schemes (where sellers request $250-$1,000 deposits for vehicles that don't exist), fake jury duty calls falsely claiming to be from law enforcement demanding payment or gift cards, and other phone and internet-based fraud tactics that exploit personal information obtained from legitimate people-search websites.

Halloween spending reached a record $12.2 billion last year, but experts warn consumers to beware of scams including fake sweepstakes texts and deceptive giveaways that trick people into sharing personal information. When purchasing costumes, consumers should buy from reputable retailers that verify products meet safety standards and are non-flammable, and should check tags for material listings to avoid allergen exposure, particularly latex allergies.

Black Friday scams are proliferating as holiday shopping season begins. Four major scam types to watch for include: fake social media ads (e.g., North Face offering 80% discounts), copycat websites designed to steal personal information or upload malware, phishing emails offering fake gift card surveys, and bogus delivery alerts via text claiming packages are being held. Consumers should navigate directly to official retailer websites, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, and verify tracking information through legitimate sources rather than responding to suspicious messages.

Cyber Monday shoppers should beware of fraudulent websites designed to mimic legitimate retailers like Amazon and Walmart. Common holiday scams include non-delivery, non-payment, auction fraud, and gift card fraud, with thousands of victims affected annually. Experts recommend verifying website URLs, checking reviews, understanding return policies, keeping purchase screenshots, and paying with credit cards rather than debit cards for better fraud protection.

The FBI in Little Rock warns consumers that scammers remain active during the holiday season, using online shopping scams, social media giveaway schemes, and fake charities to steal personal information and money. The FBI recommends verifying charity legitimacy, avoiding unsolicited messages and websites, not sharing personal or financial information, and reporting suspected scams to the FBI at ic3.gov or local financial institutions.

During the holiday shopping season, scammers are targeting consumers through fake social media ads and fraudulent text messages impersonating the U.S. Postal Service. One victim, Lisa Kirkpatrick, was defrauded through a counterfeit Old Navy Facebook ad advertising discounted pajamas; she paid for the item but never received it and was later sent threatening emails warning her against disputing the charge with her bank. The Better Business Bureau reported 53 holiday scams submitted to their tracker within a 30-day period, highlighting the prevalence of these schemes during peak shopping times.

Scammers target gift cards by tampering with them in stores using handheld scanners to capture card information, then checking balances and either creating counterfeit cards or using the information for unauthorized purchases. Consumers can protect themselves by inspecting packaging for signs of tampering (stickers on barcodes, opened packaging, scratched security codes), purchasing cards with minimal identifying information, buying directly from official retailer websites, and avoiding discounted gift card offers on social media that may direct them to fraudulent sites.

In 2024, scammers are targeting all demographics with increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, as reported losses reached $10 billion—the highest annual total on record. The most common scams include impostor schemes, online shopping fraud, fake job opportunities, and investment scams, with 80% of investment scam victims losing money. The piece highlights how scammers exploit personal information and worst fears, noting that artificial intelligence is making these schemes even more difficult to detect and avoid.

This educational segment from News 19 highlights increased scam risks during the holiday season when people shop online and donate to charities. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to verify website URLs carefully (scammers often alter one or two letters), use credit cards instead of debit cards for added protection, and research charities before donating to ensure legitimacy and proper fund disclosure. The BBB offers a free Scam Tracker tool with customized survival kits to help victims of identity theft and account compromise take appropriate next steps.

According to a 2024 Better Business Bureau report, Texans lost over $10 million to scams, with the top five being: cryptocurrency investment scams (averaging $4,600 loss, primarily affecting ages 55-64), employment scams ($1.6 million total loss to ages 25-34), online purchase scams ($1.5 million in losses), phishing scams ($550,000 in losses), and additional unreported scams on social media. The report highlights that different age groups face different fraud risks, with older adults targeted for investment schemes while younger adults are more vulnerable to employment-related fraud.

The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report identifies the five riskiest scams targeting consumers. Cryptocurrency investment scams rank first, with 80% of victims losing an average of $5,000 through pressure to trade or store funds on fake exchanges; other high-risk scams include employment fraud (fake job offers requesting personal information and payment for training), romance scams (where victims send money to fabricated relationships), and scams using fake checks or overpayment schemes. Scammers continually adapt traditional fraud methods with new twists to exploit victims.

Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from $10 billion in 2023, according to the FTC's annual report. While the number of fraud reports remained stable at 3.7 million, the percentage of reports resulting in actual financial loss increased from 27% to 38%, and median losses per victim rose significantly since 2020. The rise in fraud losses is attributed partly to AI-enabled scams, with government imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and email-based schemes being particularly prevalent, though notably young people are now losing more money than senior citizens.

Three prominent online fraud fighters—Jim Browning, Kitboga, and Pleasant Green—collaborated to infiltrate and disrupt scammer call centers targeting North American victims. Through real-time interception, they successfully prevented multiple fraud attempts including one targeting a woman threatened with legal trouble, coordinating with banks and law enforcement to protect victims from losing thousands of dollars. The operation demonstrated tactics used by scammers and highlighted how these vigilantes have collectively disrupted hundreds of scam centers and prevented hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses over nearly a decade.

Tulane University quarterback TJ Finley was arrested and charged with felony illegal possession of stolen property over $25,000 after being found with a Dodge Ram truck stolen from Atlanta. Finley's attorney claims he was a victim of a Facebook Marketplace scam, believing he had legitimately purchased the vehicle from what appeared to be an authorized seller. Tulane suspended Finley pending the outcome of the investigation.

Millions of elderly Americans fall victim to financial scams annually, with the most common targeting seniors being investment/cryptocurrency scams, home improvement scams, romance scams, and online purchase scams. Phone fraud is also prevalent, where scammers impersonate government agencies or bank officials, using either polite or threatening tactics to manipulate victims into sending money. To protect seniors, awareness of these common scam types and verification tactics is essential.

Online shopping scams surge during major sales events like Amazon Prime Day and retailer promotions, with over 30% of scam reports involving online purchases and 87% of victims losing money. Scammers create fake websites mimicking legitimate retailers' logos and professional appearance to deceive shoppers. To protect yourself, avoid clicking social media links and ads, navigate directly to official websites, and use credit cards for purchases to enable dispute protection.

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In 2023, scam victims lost over $10 billion—a 14% increase from 2022 and a new record—with the FTC receiving 2.6 million fraud reports where one in four people lost money (median loss of $500). Investment scams caused the largest losses at $4.6 billion (21% increase), followed by imposter scams at $2.7 billion, with the FTC advising consumers never to share private information with unsolicited callers and to be skeptical of unrealistic financial promises.

Financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to a sophisticated phone scam in which callers impersonated Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and the CIA, using personal information to convince her to withdraw cash and hand it to an undercover "CIA agent." The scammers obtained her Social Security number and family details, and instructed her not to tell anyone, ultimately leading her to place $50,000 in a shoebox and hand it through a car window. Cowles publicly shared her experience to raise awareness about how scams can target anyone, regardless of financial literacy or expertise, and to help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.

According to Experian's 2024 fraud report, AI-generated deepfakes, identity theft, and fake charity schemes are among the year's biggest scams targeting consumers and businesses, with nearly 70% of businesses reporting increased fraud losses and over half of consumers feeling more vulnerable to fraud than the previous year. The report identifies five major fraud threats: AI scams and deepfakes, weaker in-person bank identity verification, retail return fraud, synthetic identity fraud, and fake charitable campaigns—with deepfakes particularly empowering fraudsters to conduct more accessible and convincing attacks.

In 2023, scam cases in Singapore surged 49.6 percent to 50,376 total cases, with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram identified as the primary platforms used by scammers to contact victims. Job scams became the most prevalent type with 9,914 cases (up 52.7 percent from 2022), followed by investment scams, while adults aged 30-49 represented the largest victim demographic; notably, despite increased case numbers, total losses decreased slightly to S$651.8 million (down 1.3 percent) and average loss per case dropped 32.8 percent to S$13,999.

In 2023, consumers reported losing a record $10 billion to fraud and scams—a 14% increase from 2022—according to FTC data, with 2.6 million fraud reports filed nationwide and approximately 700,000 people reporting financial losses. Common scams included romance fraud, fake bank and tech support calls, and impersonation schemes, with criminals exploiting digital payment methods including bank transfers ($1.86 billion) and cryptocurrency ($1.41 billion). Michigan consumers alone lost $151.7 million to fraud in 2023, with a median loss of $410 per victim.

Military personnel, veterans, and their families can protect themselves from scams by using strong passwords, password managers, two-factor authentication, and separating work and personal accounts. The most rapidly growing scams targeting this population are confidence and romance scams, along with online impersonation accounts (often impersonating high-ranking officials), credit repair schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, social media account takeovers, and extortion attempts involving compromised photos. Awareness of common tactics—such as requests for gift cards or money from supposed military officials via text, fake investment opportunities posted from hacked accounts, and suspicious website URLs—can help individuals avoid becoming victims.

The Federal Trade Commission's 2023 databook reveals that Florida experienced significant fraud activity across multiple metropolitan areas, with Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach reporting the highest number of cases at over 108,000 reports, followed by Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater with 51,074 cases. Imposter scams were the most common fraud type statewide, though online shopping and negative review scams were close behind, with Sebastian-Vero Beach showing the highest fraud rate per capita at 2,268 cases per 100,000 people.

Georgia residents lost $234.3 million to fraud in 2023 across 65,825 reported incidents to the FTC, ranking the state 15th most defrauded nationally. The three most common scam types were Credit Bureaus/Information Furnishers (25% of reports), Identity Theft (23%), and Imposter Scams (9%), with victims advised to monitor credit reports, avoid sharing personal information unsolicited, and never send money to unknown parties.

Financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to an elaborate scam in which fraudsters impersonated Federal Trade Commission and CIA officials; she withdrew the cash from her Bank of America account before realizing the scheme later that day. Banks have limited tools to prevent such scams, with policies varying by institution—some tellers may offer alternatives like cashier's checks or wire transfers, while others simply warn customers—and the FTC reported consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022, a 30% increase from the previous year.

The Federal Trade Commission held a February 2023 media briefing highlighting key findings on national scams and fraud trends, with experts emphasizing that consumer reporting, public education, and awareness are critical tools in combating fraudulent activities. FTC officials stressed the importance of a two-way communication approach where individuals must stay informed through reliable sources and report scams, while the FTC uses reported data to take enforcement action and raise public awareness. The agency outlined its commitment to reaching diverse and vulnerable communities through multilingual resources and ethnic media outreach to equip consumers with knowledge and tools to identify and report scams effectively.

The Better Business Bureau warns of phishing scams where fraudsters impersonate major retailers with fake emails and texts offering to redeem shopping reward points. Scammers create convincing fake links and replicate company logos and colors to deceive recipients. The BBB recommends verifying URLs carefully, avoiding clicking links or downloading attachments from unsolicited messages, and instead visiting retailer websites directly to check account activity.

A 38-year-old woman from Vasanthnagar lost Rs 48,000 in an online shopping scam where fraudsters impersonated legitimate brands to offer unrealistic discounts on household products. The incident highlights how scammers target online shoppers through deceptive pricing tactics and brand impersonation.

A 38-year-old woman in Bengaluru lost Rs 48,199 to an online shopping scam after clicking on a fraudulent email advertisement offering discounted eggs from a well-known brand. The scammers redirected her to a fake payment page where they debited her credit card before she could enter the OTP, transferring funds to an account named 'Shine Mobile HU'. A timely verification call from her bank prevented further losses, and police have registered a case under the IT Act with investigation underway.

This educational article provides guidance on protecting oneself from delivery scams, which exploit the prevalence of online shopping and home deliveries. Common delivery scam tactics include fraudulent emails or messages impersonating delivery services (with phishing links), fake delivery personnel demanding payment for non-existent packages, and credit card data breaches. The article recommends four key protective measures: verify delivery notifications through official tracking information, use official communication channels to confirm suspicious messages, request and validate official identification from delivery personnel, and shop only on reputable online marketplaces with robust security measures.

Two victims in Singapore lost approximately $1,500 total to online ticket scams for concerts by Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift, and Coldplay. A 19-year-old Nanyang Polytechnic student lost $400 after a Telegram seller took a 50% deposit and blocked her, while an 18-year-old foreign student fell victim twice on Carousell—first losing money for Coldplay tickets and then $800 as a deposit for Taylor Swift tickets—when sellers misrepresented their authenticity and disappeared after payment. Both victims have filed police reports, highlighting the risks of purchasing tickets from unauthorized resellers despite apparent legitimacy indicators like reasonable pricing and seller reviews

In 2024, cybercrime losses exceeded $12.5 billion across over 800,000 FBI complaints, representing a 22% increase from the prior year. The article provides guidance on identifying common scams including impersonation calls from fake banks requesting passwords or transfers, phishing emails and texts with malicious links or requests for personal information, and fraudulent messages from fake charities or financial institutions. Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through official bank numbers, hovering over links to check URLs before clicking, and refusing to share confidential information via email or text.

In 2023, the FTC reported over 2 million fraud cases in the U.S. resulting in $10 billion in losses, with the most common scams being imposter calls, online shopping fraud, prize/sweepstakes scams, investment schemes, and fake job listings. The FTC advises consumers to watch for red flags such as unsolicited requests for money, promises of guaranteed or unusually high investment returns, and notifications about winnings from contests never entered, and recommends verifying contacts by calling them directly rather than using numbers provided by callers.

Undercover video obtained by software engineer Jim Browning reveals a "pig butchering" scam operation based in Dubai employing hundreds of people, including real models, to pose as glamorous individuals on dating apps and romance-bait victims into fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. The scammers use VPNs, multiple messaging platforms, and scripts to target victims globally across countries ranging from South America to Central Asia, with workers operating from eight-story buildings under exploitative conditions. The operation, run primarily by Chinese nationals using migrant workers from North Africa and Southeast Asia, commits romance and investment fraud to extract large sums of money from unsuspecting victims worldwide.

Singapore's Minister of State for Home Affairs criticized Meta for repeatedly refusing to implement government-recommended safety features on Facebook, despite the platform accounting for nearly half of the 9,783 e-commerce scams reported in 2023, which resulted in S$13.9 million (US$10.3 million) in losses—more than double the prior year. Meta has rejected recommendations including government ID verification and secured payment options for Marketplace users, causing Facebook to rank lowest (one tick) in Singapore's E-commerce Marketplace Transaction Safety Ratings for the second consecutive year, while competitors like Shopee and Carousell have cooperated and seen scam reductions of up to 71

Two young music fans in Singapore lost nearly $1,500 combined to ticket scalping scams in early 2024: a 19-year-old Nanyang Polytechnic student lost $400 to a seller on Telegram who provided fake Bruno Mars concert tickets, while an 18-year-old foreign student lost $300 on Coldplay tickets and $800 as a deposit on Taylor Swift tickets through fraudulent Carousell sellers. In response to the spike in ticket scams, Carousell suspended all ticket sales for Swift's concerts from February 23 to March 9, 2024, removing existing listings and blocking new ones during that period.

Since January, at least 334 people in Singapore fell victim to Taylor Swift concert ticket scams, losing a combined S$213,000 after being directed to pay via PayNow, bank transfers, or virtual credits on platforms like Telegram and Facebook. Scammers either failed to deliver tickets or provided invalid ones that were rejected at venue entry. Police advised the public to purchase only from authorized sellers like Ticketmaster, pay only after receiving tickets, and avoid payment methods like gift cards.

In late February, scammers uploaded fake versions of popular Steam games, including Helldivers 2, offering steep discounts (50-75% off) to deceive players into purchasing them. Multiple users fell victim to the scam before Steam identified the fraudulent accounts, issued refunds to affected customers, and banned the developers responsible. While the scammers' primary motive remains unclear—particularly since Steam typically withholds developer payments—concerns arose that the fake games may have contained malware or other malicious software beyond the financial fraud.

The 2024 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report found that investment and cryptocurrency scams remained the highest-risk scam type, with over 80% of victims reporting losses averaging $5,000, while romance/friendship scams rose to third place with the highest median loss of $6,099. Financial grooming scams—where perpetrators build relationships with targets over weeks or months before encouraging investment—accounted for significant losses, with the overall reported median dollar loss rising 30% from 2023 to 2024. Seniors age 65+ experienced the highest median losses ($160), and victims engaged via social media were more likely to lose money, with nearly 30% reporting

The Better Business Bureau released its 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, identifying investment scams (including cryptocurrency fraud) as the riskiest in the U.S., with over 80% of victims experiencing losses and a median loss of $3,800 per person, particularly affecting those aged 45 and older. The report also found that employment scams ranked second with a median loss of $1,995 and a 54.2% increase in reports, while romance scams quadrupled in losses, with vulnerability spanning multiple age groups including 35-44-year-olds experiencing the highest risk.

West Michigan seniors attended a Better Business Bureau educational session at Portage Senior Center to learn fraud prevention tactics, including how to identify online shopping scams, identity theft schemes, and other common scams targeting older adults. The presentation included real-life examples and resources to help participants recognize and avoid scams, with one attendee noting she nearly fell victim to a scam requesting personal numbers before recognizing the warning signs.