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Pandemic profiteers who stole millions through shady schemes and laundered the proceeds have been brought to justice in the Centennial State. Following news that the UK government has failed to secur...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new report from the Consumer Federation of America (CFA) projects that Americans are losing an estimated $119 billion every year to online scams. This “true” cost of scams is over...

[author: Dov Soloman] The fraud landscape in 2025 has consisted of investigations into investment, cryptocurrency, and other cyber frauds, as well as key enforcement changes in both the U.S. and UK. ...

Everyone has been told not to share personal information with strangers or give money for a scenario that seems too good to be true. Yet during 2024, scammers stole $12.5 billion from Americans, accor...

On a normal summer day in June, Manny Guerrero, a soft-spoken Vietnam War veteran living in Las Vegas, picked up the phone and was told he had beaten the odds and won. The voice on the other end claim...

Americans lost over $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with nearly $3 billion from government imposter scams where criminals pose as Social Security Administration officials to steal money or personal information. Seniors are deliberately targeted through threats of arrest or promises of benefit increases, with scammers demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. The key protection: legitimate government employees will never threaten you or demand immediate payment, so anyone receiving such communications should hang up, ignore it, and report it at ssa.gov/scam.

# Tax Scam Alert As the 2026 tax filing season begins, authorities warn that scammers are increasingly impersonating the IRS and tax preparers through phone calls, emails, texts, and fake websites to steal personal and financial information, with common tactics including phishing links, false refund promises, and threats of legal action. The scams disproportionately target people unfamiliar with IRS procedures, and the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media or demands immediate payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, file your taxes early, verify information directly through irs.gov, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and remember that legitimate IRS contact begins with a letter in the mail.

# Travel-Related Scams Summary As spring and summer travel approaches, consumers should be aware of two major scams targeting travelers: fraudulent passport websites that mimic official government sites and charge fees for free services, and fake TSA PreCheck enrollment schemes sent via email and text that steal personal information and money. To protect yourself, use only the official Travel.State.Gov website for passport services and apply for TSA PreCheck directly through legitimate enrollment centers found in airports and other locations. If you encounter fraud, report it to DSSCrimeTips.state.gov or contact the TSA directly.

People over 50 are particularly vulnerable to fraud, with over $11 million reported in scams during just a nine-month period in 2025, according to a presentation by Coastal Maine Regional Broadband and local police. Most scams involve impostors contacting victims through email, text, or phone with urgent messages designed to cloud judgment, sometimes building fake relationships over time to gain trust. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying unexpected contacts directly with the person, avoiding clicking links or sharing passwords, watching for language errors and mismatched email addresses, and declining friend requests from people already in your network.

Your Social Security number is highly valuable to criminals who can use it to commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts, and file fake tax returns, yet many Americans share it too freely without realizing the risk until damage occurs. Scammers use convincing tactics like impersonating government agencies through calls, creating fake emails and text messages that look legitimate to pressure people into revealing their SSN. To protect yourself, never share your Social Security number in response to unsolicited calls, emails, or texts—instead, hang up and call official numbers directly from verified sources, delete suspicious emails, and avoid clicking links from unknown senders.

Seniors need to urgently audit their Social Security records due to 2026 security changes, including a mandatory transition from legacy login credentials to new federal systems by March 8th and rising "redirection" fraud targeting retirees. The article identifies five critical data points that require verification—including updating outdated login credentials, setting up two-factor authentication, and designating trusted individuals through the "Advance Designation" feature to prevent account lockouts, unexpected tax bills, or benefits being diverted to scammers. Experts advise all beneficiaries to log in immediately, update their account information with proper identification verification, and proactively designate authorized representatives before the deadline to avoid losing access to their accounts and benefits.

Social Security beneficiaries need to audit their accounts now due to 2026 security changes, including a mandatory transition from legacy login credentials to new federally-mandated systems by March 8th, or risk losing access to their accounts. Seniors should verify five critical data points in their records—including the new "Advance Designation" feature that lets them pre-select trusted individuals to manage benefits if incapacitated—to prevent fraud, locked accounts, and unexpected tax bills. Experts recommend logging in immediately to update credentials, enable two-factor authentication, and complete necessary profile updates before the deadline to avoid server crashes and protect against the spike in elder fraud targeting Social Security beneficiaries.

Scammers are increasingly targeting consumers through fake versions of trusted brands—from K-beauty products to Social Security and Amazon—using sophisticated AI-powered schemes and creating false urgency to steal money and personal information. Anyone can fall victim to these scams, but you can protect yourself by being skeptical of unsolicited messages that create panic or demand immediate action, and by always verifying requests directly with companies using official contact information rather than clicking links in suspicious emails or texts.

A 23-year-old Australian man lost $23,000—his entire savings plus his brother's money—after falling victim to an elaborate fake job scam, highlighting a broader crisis where scam losses across Australia jumped 5% last year as criminals exploit emails, social media, and phone calls. While new "landmark" scam prevention laws are beginning to roll out from July 2024, they won't fully take effect until 2026 and leave significant gaps by not covering dating apps, cryptocurrency exchanges, and online marketplaces commonly used by scammers. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited job offers, verify employment opportunities directly with companies, never send money upfront, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.

Fake psychiatric hospitals in China have been fraudulently admitting vulnerable elderly and alcoholic patients under false pretenses to claim insurance reimbursements from the government, with some patients trapped in facilities offering poor conditions and abuse. The scam exploits gaps in China's elderly care system, particularly affecting rural seniors with minimal pensions whose families have migrated for work, leaving them isolated and susceptible to being lured by offers of free food and shelter. To protect themselves, vulnerable elderly people and their families should verify hospital legitimacy through official government channels, understand what insurance actually covers, and maintain regular contact with elderly relatives, especially those in rural areas.

A 79-year-old man from Donegal nearly fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam where fraudsters posing as a telecommunications provider called him about his internet speed complaints and convinced him to download a remote access app on his phone. The scammers used personal details about his recent complaints to build trust, then guided him through seemingly routine modem and speed tests before asking him to install the "Quick Support" app, which would have given them access to his bank details and mobile phone had he completed the process. Eamonn's advice for others is to be cautious of unsolicited calls, verify caller identity independently, and avoid downloading apps or sharing access codes with callers, especially if they initiate contact.

Scammers are increasingly targeting seniors with fraudulent Medicare calls to steal personal information and commit identity theft, with one woman discovering nearly $11,000 in fraudulent medical claims on her account. Rather than relying on third-party apps that may compromise your privacy, experts recommend using the built-in spam-blocking features on your phone (iPhone and Android) combined with your cell provider's call-blocking tools, which now use AI technology to effectively filter out scam calls. To maximize protection, make sure your phone's operating system is up-to-date before enabling these native blocking features.

# Article Summary A Maine couple lost their $1.3 million life savings in a 2022 scam after the husband liquidated investment accounts based on false claims about a "real estate opportunity" and transferred the money to a fraudulent bitcoin account he thought was SSA-protected. Their wealth management firm, R.M. Davis Inc., is being sued for failing to recognize and prevent the fraud despite employee training on elder financial exploitation warning signs. The case highlights vulnerabilities in financial oversight and underscores the importance of both financial advisers and customers remaining vigilant about suspicious requests, particularly regarding sudden large transfers or investments in unfamiliar assets.

An 80-year-old Maine man and his wife lost $1.3 million in life savings after being scammed into transferring funds to a fake bitcoin account they believed was protected by the Social Security Administration. Their financial adviser at R.M. Davis Inc. liquidated the accounts after Bruce MacMillan mentioned an "exciting real estate opportunity" but failed to intervene despite recognizing red flags commonly associated with elder fraud. The case is now before Maine's highest court to determine whether financial firms have a legal obligation to protect elderly clients from such scams, highlighting gaps in existing protections and the need for greater vigilance from both financial professionals and customers about this growing threat.

Ten individuals have been indicted in connection with government impersonation scams that targeted Montgomery County residents and hundreds of people nationwide, resulting in over $48 million in losses. Senior citizens like an 82-year-old Rockville woman were deceived by fraudulent emails claiming to be from the Social Security Administration, pressuring victims to transfer their savings to overseas accounts or convert funds into gold, cryptocurrency, or cash. To protect yourself, authorities advise being skeptical of unsolicited government communications, never transferring money based on urgent threats, and verifying requests directly through official government channels rather than using contact information provided in suspicious emails.

Police have arrested 24 people aged 16-51 for acting as money mules in various scams—including impersonation, job, e-commerce, investment, romance, and sexual services frauds—that caused over $3.1 million in losses to victims. The suspects allegedly facilitated scams by selling their bank accounts, transferring stolen funds, registering fraudulent SIM cards, and disclosing personal credentials to criminal syndicates. To protect yourself, never share banking passwords, never allow others to use your bank account or identity, and be cautious about unsolicited job offers or romantic advances online.

India experienced over Rs 22,800 crore in digital scam losses in 2024, with scams succeeding primarily by manipulating human behavior rather than exploiting technology flaws—victims are persuaded to authorize payments, open accounts, or transfer funds under pressure rather than being hacked directly. The article identifies five common scams (including UPI fraud that exploits convenience and routine bias) that prey on psychological vulnerabilities, with criminals using coercion and persuasion to repeatedly extract funds from victims. To protect themselves, consumers should verify requests cautiously, avoid acting under pressure, monitor accounts for unauthorized activity, and remain aware that scammers rely on psychological manipulation rather than sophisticated hacking.

China-linked scam networks operating from compounds in Southeast Asia stole over $4.8 billion from Americans in 2024, with seniors being particularly targeted through romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other sophisticated schemes that exploit vulnerable retirees' life savings. U.S. senators are pushing bipartisan legislation to crack down on these criminal enterprises, which they characterize as a national security threat allegedly enabled by the Chinese government and often staffed by human trafficking victims. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited romantic advances online, never transfer retirement funds to cryptocurrency, and verify unexpected requests for money by contacting institutions directly through official channels.

Scammers are increasingly impersonating government agencies and financial institutions through emails, texts, and letters to trick people into sharing personal information or money, making their fake messages nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications. During the cost-of-living crisis, these scams are particularly effective because people are actively seeking financial assistance and may respond quickly to what appears to be official help, especially when messages create artificial urgency or appeal to emotions like fear or hope. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages offering government aid or warning of financial problems—verify any claims by contacting official organizations directly through their known phone numbers or websites rather than using contact information in suspicious messages.

The Trump administration announced plans in January 2026 to create a new DOJ division focused on fighting fraud affecting government programs, businesses, and citizens, led by a presidentially appointed Assistant Attorney General reporting directly to the White House. However, officials have provided conflicting details about the division's structure, resources, and how it will avoid duplicating existing DOJ fraud enforcement efforts, leaving significant questions unanswered. While the administration emphasized recent prosecutions of immigrants accused of benefit fraud in Minnesota, consumers should remain vigilant about fraud targeting them directly and report suspected fraud to the FTC or their local law enforcement.

Romance scams are targeting Welsh people ahead of Valentine's Day and Dydd Santes Dwynwen, with scammers exploiting the Welsh language and cultural trust to deceive victims—over £11 million was lost to scams in 2025, with an average loss of £17,785 per person. The Money and Pensions Service is urging people to stay vigilant and remember that scammers can operate in any language, including Welsh, and that being scammed is not something to feel ashamed about. If targeted, victims should report the fraud and seek free, confidential support through MoneyHelper or Report Fraud rather than suffering in silence.

A 66-year-old Scottish pensioner named Karen Lawrence defrauded mortgage and pension companies of £100,000 by impersonating her husband over the phone using a fake deep voice, stealing approximately £55,000 from a mortgage company and £45,000 from his pension without his knowledge. Lawrence claimed she had been manipulated into the scheme by an online romance scammer who emotionally exploited her vulnerability and isolation, leading her to commit the fraud between 2019 and 2020. This case highlights the dangers of online romance scams and the importance of being cautious about unsolicited romantic connections online, especially for vulnerable people, as well as protecting access to sensitive financial accounts and documents.

Romance scams are surging in Wales, with over £11 million reported lost in 2025 and an average loss of £17,785 per victim, particularly ahead of Dydd Santes Dwynwen and Valentine's Day. Scammers operate in any language, including Welsh, exploiting the perceived trustworthiness of Welsh speakers and accents to target victims. Those affected are urged to seek free, confidential support through MoneyHelper and report crimes to Report Fraud, without shame, as victims have been targeted by criminals rather than at fault.

The House passed the Veteran Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act, which creates a new office within the Department of Veterans Affairs to combat scams targeting veterans and seniors by providing prevention guidance, monitoring fraud, and protecting VA benefits. Veterans and their families are increasingly vulnerable to scammers using sophisticated tactics to steal benefits and personal information. The legislation aims to give the VA better tools to detect and prevent fraud, helping ensure veterans don't lose hard-earned benefits to criminal schemes.

# Romance Scam Summary A 67-year-old woman from Wisconsin lost £60,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a construction worker online, promised her high-return investment opportunities to pay off her debts, then disappeared with her money. The victim has since had to remortgage her home and now works at a supermarket while warning others about the dangers of romance scams. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from people you've only met online, especially those who quickly build emotional connections and promise guaranteed financial returns.

A 67-year-old widow from Wisconsin lost £60,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man online who posed as a construction worker and promised her high-return investments to solve her financial problems. After she invested the money, the scammer disappeared and cut all contact, forcing her to remortgage her home and take additional work to recover from the loss. The victim is now warning others to be cautious of romance scams and to verify investment opportunities through official channels, particularly when meeting new romantic partners online who quickly discuss financial matters.

Scams spike dramatically in January as criminals exploit people focused on taxes and finances, using updated personal data from data brokers to craft convincing fraudulent messages about account verification and benefits. U.S. consumers received 4.7 billion robocalls in January 2025 alone, with scammers impersonating government agencies and banks to pressure people into sharing sensitive information. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate government agencies and banks never request personal information via unsolicited emails or texts, and you should always verify requests by contacting the organization directly through official channels.

Steve, a 39-year-old Army veteran, became a victim of identity fraud when scammers stole his photo from the internet and used it in romance scams globally, leading his girlfriend Jennifer to receive approximately ten messages weekly from people worldwide—including jealous threats and accusations—who believed they were in relationships with him and some of whom had lost significant money to the scammers. The scammers exploited Steve's public appearances on survival shows like Bear Grylls Wild Reckoning and Discovery's Naked & Afraid to make their fake profiles seem more credible. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests, especially if they avoid video calls, ask for money, or their stories seem inconsistent—and verify someone's identity through multiple channels before developing an emotional or financial connection.

Vermont saw a 12% increase in scam reports in 2025, with 3,982 reports filed to the state Attorney General's office, with computer tech support scams continuing to dominate (over 25% of cases) alongside rising debt collection and government imposter scams, particularly targeting SNAP benefit recipients. Vermont residents should never respond to unsolicited calls, emails, or texts—especially those threatening legal action—and should instead verify suspicious requests by contacting trusted contacts or the Attorney General's Consumer Assistance Program directly. Free protection resources are available through the VT Scam Alert System, which has already enrolled roughly 9,000 residents to receive scam warnings.

In 2025, cybercriminals defrauded Nagpur residents of ₹45.77 crore (approximately $5.5 million USD), with senior citizens making up 60% of victims through schemes involving fake investments, cryptocurrency scams, and "digital arrest" tactics that exploited fear and greed. The cyber police registered 125 FIRs from 15,000 complaints and arrested 42 accused persons, but the rapid psychological manipulation used in these scams—particularly digital arrest schemes involving impersonated government officials—allowed fraudsters to drain lifetime savings in minutes. Residents should verify any investment opportunities independently, never transfer money under pressure or threats of legal action, and report suspicious contacts to local cyber police rather than complying with demands from unknown callers claiming government authority.

Journalist Snigdha Poonam's new book "Scamlands" reveals that fraud operations in India, China, and Cambodia are not isolated incidents but rather massive, organized industries with sophisticated labor systems and capital structures that rival legitimate businesses. These transnational scam networks significantly interact with formal economies through banking systems and digital infrastructure, affecting vulnerable populations including young workers who are often recruited through false promises. The book examines how scam operations are embedded in specific Indian states like Jharkhand, Assam, and Tamil Nadu, highlighting that individuals seeking economic opportunity should be wary of unsolicited job offers, verify employment through official channels, and understand that scam networks deliberately exploit aspirations and economic desperation.

# Fraud Alert Summary Scammers are using a clever typosquatting trick where they replace the letter "m" in "microsoft.com" with "rn" (rnicrosoft.com), which appear nearly identical in most fonts, to create fake phishing emails that steal login credentials from unsuspecting users. The attack is particularly effective on mobile phones where URLs are shortened and hard to read carefully, and the fraudulent emails mimic Microsoft's legitimate branding to build false trust before tricking victims into entering passwords or downloading malware. To protect yourself, carefully examine domain names in the address bar before entering any login information, be suspicious of unexpected Microsoft emails asking for credentials, and consider enabling multi-factor authentication on your accounts.

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# Year-End Scams Summary Scammers are targeting people with fake IRS tax deadline calls and unclaimed benefits schemes as 2025 approaches, pressuring victims to pay money immediately or share sensitive financial information like bank account numbers. To protect yourself, verify any IRS claims directly through the IRS website or with a trusted financial advisor rather than responding to unsolicited calls, and never share personal banking details with callers you haven't independently verified. If you receive a suspicious call, report it to the IRS immediately to help protect others from falling victim to these costly scams.

Scammers are sending fake Netflix suspension emails that exploit holiday confusion about billing and subscriptions to trick people into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. The fraudulent emails mimic Netflix's legitimate branding but contain telltale spelling errors like "valldate" instead of "validate" that reveal them as scams. To protect yourself, verify any account suspension alerts by calling the company directly rather than clicking links in emails, and stay alert to these phishing attempts especially during busy holiday seasons.

Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to clone people's voices from social media videos and YouTube, then impersonating loved ones in fraudulent calls to extract money. According to recent research, about one-third of people in North America and Europe encountered deepfake voice scams in 2024, with victims losing an average of $1,479 in Canada and over $6,000 in the U.S. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing videos online, verify unexpected requests for money by calling the person directly using a known number, and alert your bank if someone pressures you to withdraw cash for an "emergency."

A sophisticated phone fraud wave is targeting older adults, particularly during winter when seniors spend more time indoors and rely heavily on phone communication. Scammers are using spoofed local phone numbers and impersonating government agencies (Medicare, IRS, Social Security) or medical providers to manipulate seniors into sharing personal information or sending money through high-pressure tactics. Experts advise older adults to remain skeptical of unexpected calls, verify caller identity independently by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, and never provide personal or financial information over the phone.

A scammer in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania impersonated a Social Security Administration representative and convinced two residents their Social Security numbers had been compromised, persuading them to liquidate retirement accounts and buy over $1.3 million in gold under the false promise of protecting their money. Older adults appear to be at highest risk for this type of fraud. To protect yourself and loved ones, verify any unexpected calls about benefits or legal issues by contacting family members or official agencies directly, and have conversations with elderly relatives about these common warning signs.

# Medicare Scams Summary Criminals are impersonating Medicare officials year-round to trick seniors into sharing personal information through phone calls, emails, texts, and mail—sometimes using spoofed phone numbers and threatening to cancel coverage. Medicare beneficiaries should know that legitimate Medicare never calls unexpectedly asking for your Medicare number or financial information; if contacted, hang up and call Medicare directly using the number on your card. Recent cases show scammers are increasingly bold, with fraudsters submitting hundreds of millions in false claims, so it's critical to report suspected fraud and watch for warning signs of medical identity theft.

During the holiday season, scammers increasingly target senior citizens through charity fraud, fake online shopping websites, and phone impersonation schemes, exploiting the elderly's trust and less familiarity with modern technology while people are distracted by festivities and shopping. West Virginia's Secretary of State warns that fraudsters use emotional appeals and urgency to manipulate victims into donating to fake charities or providing credit card information for nonexistent purchases. To protect yourself, verify charities using the official list at erls.wvsos.gov, be cautious of unsolicited donation requests, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never share payment information without independently confirming the legitimacy of the organization or seller.

Over 800,000 people lost money to financial scams in the past year, prompting the UK's Financial Conduct Authority to launch a free "Firm Checker Tool" that allows consumers to verify whether financial companies are legitimate and properly regulated before investing. Scammers have increasingly targeted people through social media by impersonating well-known companies and offering unauthorized financial products like investments and pensions. The FCA advises anyone considering a financial transaction to use the Firm Checker Tool to confirm a company is authorized and regulated, and to seek independent financial advice when in doubt.

A new Social Security scam targets seniors by impersonating Social Security Administration officials through phone calls, texts, and emails, claiming victims must verify their details to receive Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) benefits or face account suspension. Scammers use pressure tactics and threats of benefit loss to extract personal information like Social Security numbers and bank details, or to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The SSA never initiates unsolicited contact requesting sensitive information; legitimate COLA notices are delivered by official mail or through secure online accounts, and victims should hang up, verify the caller independently, and report suspicious contact directly to the SSA.

A widespread scam targets Social Security recipients, particularly vulnerable seniors living alone and dependent on benefits for survival. Scammers impersonate Social Security Administration officials via phone calls, texts, or emails, falsely claiming account problems or requesting verification of information to obtain personal data (Social Security numbers, bank details) or money directly through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The key warning signs include unsolicited contact, payment demands, pressure tactics, and suspicious links or misspellings; the legitimate SSA communicates only by postal mail and does not solicit sensitive information unsolicited.

Retired Navy Rear Admiral Brian E. Luther, president and CEO of Navy Mutual, nearly fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam in which fraudsters spoofed his credit union's number and claimed to be fraud prevention staff investigating a suspicious charge on his shared credit card. The scammers escalated urgency through multiple contacts and eventually requested his account password, but Luther recognized the illegitimacy when told no legitimate financial institution should ask for passwords; he immediately contacted his actual credit union, which confirmed no such call had occurred and proactively changed his account numbers. Luther's experience illustrates that military consumers reported losing $584 million to fraud in 2024, and he now advises service members to

In July 2025, XPS Group's Scam Flag Index revealed that 94 percent of pension transfer cases reviewed showed at least one scam warning sign, marking a sharp 6 percent increase from June and indicating persistent vulnerabilities in the pension transfer process. Meanwhile, the average pension transfer value held relatively stable at £139,000, with transfer activity remaining elevated compared to 2024 levels. Industry experts emphasize the need for stronger safeguards and member protections against scams, even as regulatory reviews note that most firms complete transfers within reasonable timeframes.