cbsnews.com
· 2026-02-05
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
▶ VIDEO
NBC New York
· 2024-02-16
The FBI issued a warning about online romance scams, reporting that in 2022 alone it received 19,000 complaints totaling $740 million in losses. Scammers troll social media and dating sites to build trust with victims before fabricating emergencies to solicit money, with seniors being of particular concern due to isolation and fixed incomes. The FBI recommends limiting personal information shared online, using established dating platforms, and being cautious of matches who avoid meeting in person or pressure you to communicate exclusively online.
▶ VIDEO
KTLA 5
· 2024-02-18
Scammers in Southern California are impersonating LA County Sheriff's deputies to extort money from residents by claiming they have arrest warrants and threatening immediate arrest or jail time. The scammers use caller ID spoofing technology to display official law enforcement numbers, obtain personal information from public voter records and online data brokers, and pressure victims to pay bogus fines via cryptocurrency or wire transfers, with at least one victim losing $1,200 before realizing the fraud. Law enforcement warns that legitimate agencies never call to demand payment and advises residents to hang up and verify claims by contacting the actual agency directly.
▶ VIDEO
KVUE
· 2024-02-19
Romance scams typically begin online through dating platforms, social media, or messaging apps, with scammers' goal being financial gain. Red flags include declarations of love very quickly, elaborate backstories (such as working in oil/gas or military deployment) to explain communication gaps, and reluctance to video chat; scammers may spend months or even years building trust before requesting money. People should recognize these warning signs early to avoid becoming victims of these prevalent scams.
▶ VIDEO
CTV News
· 2024-02-28
A Toronto woman lost $340,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam after seeing a YouTube advertisement promising fast returns. The scammer built trust by showing fake account growth and sending her $5,000 to purchase diamond earrings, convincing her to invest progressively larger amounts ($250, then $100,000, then $240,000), but when she attempted to withdraw funds, she discovered the account was fraudulent and lost her entire investment.
▶ VIDEO
WHNT News 19
· 2024-03-02
**Romance Scams: Protection Advice**
Romance scams, where online dating contacts request money, gift cards, or wire transfers, are on the rise according to the Better Business Bureau, with median losses increasing from $900 in 2021 to higher amounts by 2022. Scammers use emotional manipulation tactics like "love bombing" followed by fabricated emergencies (health issues, family deaths) to pressure victims into sending money, and elderly individuals should be particularly cautious. To protect yourself, avoid sending money through gift cards or wire transfers, never share credit card or banking information, and be skeptical of online contacts who quickly request financial assistance.
▶ VIDEO
8 News Now — Las Vegas
· 2024-03-01
Multiple women have accused Las Vegas reality TV star Liel Birch (also known as "Mocha Blast") of romance scamming them after initiating contact via Facebook with charming messages and promises of monogamous relationships. Birch, who appeared on the show "Life After Lockup," allegedly deceived these women out of money; the investigation emerged following a 2023 incident in which he fatally shot a man during a live YouTube interview, which prosecutors ruled self-defense in a love triangle dispute.
▶ VIDEO
19 News
· 2024-03-04
Kayoga County Prosecutor Michael Mali is conducting public education meetings during National Consumer Protection Week to warn seniors about increasingly common scams, particularly government impersonation schemes where fraudsters pose as law enforcement and claim a grandchild needs bail money. Mali, whose own mother was targeted by such a scam, emphasizes the widespread nature of the problem, noting that dozens of residents per hundred fall victim to these schemes. The educational initiative aims to help seniors recognize warning signs and stop scams before losing money.
▶ VIDEO
CityNews
· 2024-03-05
Fraudulent activity in Canada increased 133% in 2023, with common scams including Interac e-Transfer fraud, job scams, fake credit card transaction calls, and fraudulent Canada Post delivery messages that are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Those aged 18-24 are more vulnerable to online scams, while people over 45 are more susceptible to email and phone call fraud, with women reporting scams more frequently than men. The scams vary seasonally, with fraudsters adapting their tactics throughout the year.
▶ VIDEO
WION
· 2024-03-10
**Pig Butchering Scam Overview**
Pig butchering scams are a type of cryptocurrency investment fraud that targets victims globally through emotional manipulation and deceptive investment schemes. Scammers pose as romantic interests or long-lost friends on dating platforms to build trust, then convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency trading platforms controlled by the fraudsters, resulting in significant financial losses such as the $450,000 stolen from victim Shrea through an imposter posing as a French wine trader.
▶ VIDEO
FOX31 Denver
· 2024-03-11
Scams increased 34% year-over-year leading up to tax season, with the Colorado Public Interest Research Group warning consumers to remain vigilant. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics including calls, texts, and impersonation of family members, with an 81% of Americans expressing concern about personal data misuse. Consumer protection experts advise sharing minimal personal information, ignoring unsolicited urgent money requests, and placing credit freezes with the three major credit bureaus to prevent identity theft and fraudulent account creation.
▶ VIDEO
FOX59 News
· 2024-03-12
Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, a $1 billion increase from 2022, with investment scams being the costliest at $4 billion (averaging $7,000 per victim), followed by imposter scams at $2.7 billion and social media scams at $1.4 billion. The FTC is responding with increased enforcement actions, including 180 actions against telemarketers and new rules being drafted against impersonation fraud with tougher penalties. Consumers can protect themselves by guarding personal information, avoiding unsolicited links, and using unique passwords across accounts.
▶ VIDEO
wgaltv
· 2024-03-20
Scammers in the Susquehanna Valley are impersonating the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office, calling residents with spoofed caller IDs and claiming they have outstanding felony or misdemeanor warrants for failing to appear for grand jury duty, then demanding payment via gift cards or wire transfers while keeping victims on the phone to prevent verification. About half a dozen people have reported the scam, which exploits fear of legal trouble; the actual court system never requests payment over the phone, and residents should hang up and call their local sheriff's office directly to verify any legitimate legal matters.
Wire Transfer
Gift Cards
▶ VIDEO
CBS Mornings
· 2024-03-21
Job scams have become one of the fastest-growing frauds in the U.S., with over 100,000 reported cases and more than $500 million in losses in a single year, more than doubling over the past four years. Scammers pose as recruiters or companies offering lucrative positions for minimal work (such as secret shoppers or virtual assistants) using sophisticated fake websites and spoofed emails that mimic legitimate companies, then ask victims to pay upfront fees or download apps to proceed with the supposed job opportunity.
▶ VIDEO
News 19 WLTX
· 2024-03-21
The FBI warned South Carolinians about romance scams after 277 victims lost over $11 million in the previous year, though only 29 cases were reported to the State Department of Consumer Affairs. One victim, Sandra Sheely, was contacted on Facebook by a scammer who developed a fabricated relationship using photos and videos before defrauding her, and she continues working to repay the losses. The FBI emphasized the need for increased reporting of romance and confidence fraud, which are becoming an increasing threat in South Carolina.
▶ VIDEO
The Deshbhakt
· 2024-04-02
This video essay discusses political corruption allegations in India, focusing on how the BJP appears to avoid corruption charges while opposition parties face various scams and legal actions. The video then explains the 2G spectrum scam of 2008, where the Indian government allocated mobile spectrum to companies at artificially low prices through administrative allocation rather than auction, resulting in an estimated loss of 1.76 lakh crore to the national treasury—a controversy that contributed to the fall of the UPA government and led the Supreme Court to cancel 112 spectrum licenses in 2012.
**Note:** This is a political commentary/educational piece rather than a scam affecting individual elders, so it falls outside the typical scope of
▶ VIDEO
ABC News
· 2024-04-04
As tax day approaches, IRS Commissioner Danny Worle warns the public about increased tax scam activity and identifies common red flags in fraudulent emails impersonating the IRS. Key warning signs include references to expired programs (like 2021 economic impact payments), claims of first-time contact via email (the IRS initiates contact by mail), suspicious formatting, and requests to click links that are designed to steal personal information and funds.
▶ VIDEO
LOCAL 12
· 2024-04-07
Search engine poisoning is a fraud technique where cybercriminals manipulate search rankings to direct users to malicious websites designed to mimic legitimate businesses like banks and airlines. Criminals create fake websites, purchase ads for higher placement, and use spoofing tactics to appear credible; when victims click these links and provide personal information or call fraudulent phone numbers, their data is compromised. This scam can target anyone searching for common services, from banking to customer support, exploiting the assumption that top search results are trustworthy.
▶ VIDEO
WREG News Channel 3
· 2024-04-09
Tennessee has reimbursed over $933,000 to SNAP benefit recipients whose EBT cards were fraudulently used through skimming, cloning, and phishing scams that drained thousands of accounts. Nearly 8,000 people submitted replacement requests since the state began accepting them in fall 2023, with approximately 78% of reviewed claims approved. The USDA reported over 162,000 fraudulent SNAP transactions nationally in fiscal year 2023 totaling $30 million, prompting calls for federal solutions including microchip technology and enhanced security measures on EBT cards.
▶ VIDEO
12 News
· 2024-04-10
A Valley woman lost nearly $20,000 in an impostor scam where a fraudster impersonated Wells Fargo, sending her a fake fraud alert text about an unauthorized charge and then calling from a spoofed bank number to convince her to wire money from her savings account. The victim notes that despite knowing common scam red flags, the scammer's convincing approach—creating what appeared to be "green flags"—manipulated her judgment when large sums of money were at stake. Experts warn that scams are constantly evolving with increasingly sophisticated tactics designed to exploit vulnerable targets.
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Boston
· 2024-04-11
Suffolk County DA's office conducted a multi-agency fraud prevention presentation at the Boston Elks Lodge in West Roxbury to educate seniors about common scams, including romance, home repair, and government impersonation fraud schemes that cost consumers $8.8 billion in 2022. The "Fraud Fighters" workshop, led by DA Kevin Hayden, aimed to help older adults identify and avoid scams before they occur, emphasizing that prevention is more effective than intervention after fraud happens.
▶ VIDEO
CBC News
· 2024-04-12
Sunray Hot Tubs and Patio faces 49 counts of violating Alberta's Consumer Protection Act after Martin Duckworth and eight other customers were allegedly deceived about product delivery and availability between August 2020 and August 2021. Duckworth paid a $2,500 deposit in October 2020 for a hot tub promised within 4-6 months but did not receive it after more than 3 years, prompting charges against the company and its owner for misrepresentation, misleading advertising, and entering contracts knowing consumers could not benefit.
▶ VIDEO
WRAL
· 2024-04-18
An NC State University student lost approximately $41,000 USD (300,000 yuan) after falling victim to a global dating agency scam that began with contact through a dating app. The scam followed a typical pattern where fraudsters moved the conversation to encrypted messaging services and convinced the victim to make multiple bank transfers; federal authorities became involved after the student's family reported concerning behavioral changes during a welfare check in April. Experts note that these types of romance and dating agency scams are becoming increasingly common, with professional criminal organizations using established playbooks to manipulate victims.
▶ VIDEO
CTV News
· 2024-04-19
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was scammed out of $115,000 after responding to a fake Walmart job posting on Instagram. The scammer posed as an employer, hired her for a work-from-home position that involved purchasing products online and taking screenshots, then promised reimbursement through a separate account that never materialized. The scam highlights how legitimate company names and social media platforms are exploited by fraudsters targeting vulnerable job seekers.
▶ VIDEO
WJZ
· 2024-04-22
Romance scams are crimes where scammers court unsuspecting victims online to deceive them into sending large sums of money. A CBS News investigation featured a victim who, after her husband's death in 2021, joined a dating site and was contacted by a man posing as a European engineer; within a month, the scammer created an emergency to manipulate her into sending money. The key to prevention is being cautious, conducting fact-finding to verify someone's legitimacy, and recognizing warning signs when new romantic interests suddenly request financial assistance.
▶ VIDEO
CBS News
· 2024-04-23
A 57-year-old retired healthcare executive from Illinois was defrauded of her life savings through a romance scam after meeting a man posing as a Swedish businessman on Match.com; the scammer used stolen photos of a Chilean doctor and manipulated her emotionally over an extended period. The case highlights a growing epidemic of romance scams in the United States, with 64,000 Americans losing over $1 billion to such scams in the previous year—more than double the $500 million lost four years prior. The victim's daughter is seeking answers from law enforcement about the circumstances surrounding her mother's death in connection to the fraud.
▶ VIDEO
CBS Chicago
· 2024-04-23
Romance scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence technology to create fake videos and images of themselves to deceive victims into sending money, a trend that experts warn will only worsen as the technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated. AI-generated content, including deepfake videos that cost as little as $2 to produce, makes it increasingly difficult for victims to distinguish real from fake interactions online. The scam leaves victims with significant financial losses and emotional trauma as perpetrators build false romantic relationships to exploit their targets.
▶ VIDEO
CBS News
· 2024-04-24
An Illinois woman, Laura Coall, lost $1.5 million in a romance scam and was later found dead in the Mississippi River; her daughter discovered that Laura had been coerced into becoming a "money mule" for the scammers, laundering stolen funds through her accounts. This tactic has become increasingly common among romance scam perpetrators, who manipulate victims so deeply that they unwillingly participate in money laundering and other crimes, often without initially realizing they are committing felonies. Federal agents have issued warnings about this evolution in romance scams, where victims are exploited beyond financial loss to become unwitting accomplices in criminal activity.
▶ VIDEO
13News Now
· 2024-04-27
The Norfolk FBI has issued a warning about the rising trend of cryptocurrency scams in the Hampton Roads region, where victims are tricked into sending thousands of dollars to purchase cryptocurrency or fake crypto investments. The FBI characterizes these schemes as "old tricks with a new look"—traditional fraud methods now facilitated through digital currency—with three common types including ransomware attacks, investment scams, and romance/advance-fee schemes. Victims can lose their life savings to these frauds, which are being reported with increasing frequency in the area.
▶ VIDEO
WHNT News 19
· 2024-04-30
Online romance scammers target people on dating sites like Zoosk using emotional manipulation tactics such as claims of illness or financial hardship to extract money. Red flags include rapid relationship escalation, requests to move conversations off the dating platform to less traceable channels, and requests for payment via untraceable methods like gift cards or wire transfers. The Better Business Bureau advises caution, noting that one Madison County victim lost $105,000 to a romance scammer.
▶ VIDEO
ABC News
· 2024-05-01
The Department of Justice charged 16 suspects in a multinational "grandparent scam" operating between the Dominican Republic and the United States, in which scammers called senior citizens claiming a loved one needed thousands of dollars for emergency expenses like car accidents, then collected cash via couriers or mail. Senior citizens lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, up from $3.1 billion in 2022, with this particular scheme stealing millions of dollars and highlighting the FBI's warning about the explosion of fraud targeting elderly Americans.
▶ VIDEO
CBS News
· 2024-05-01
A CBS News investigation explored romance scams targeting vulnerable adults on dating platforms. The report featured the case of Laura Coal, a 57-year-old retired hospital executive who fell victim to a scammer posing as "Frank," a Swedish businessman with a fake profile photo on Match.com; within days of initial contact, she professed deep emotional attachment to someone she had never met in person. The story illustrates how lonely individuals seeking companionship can be manipulated by sophisticated scammers who exploit emotional vulnerabilities through online dating platforms.
▶ VIDEO
CBS Evening News
· 2024-05-01
The FBI reported that elder fraud complaints among Americans over 60 jumped 14% last year with total losses ballooning 11%, resulting in $3.4 billion stolen across more than 100,000 complaints filed to federal law enforcement. Scammers use tactics such as fake computer warning messages to trick victims into transferring thousands of dollars, with organized criminal networks operating from West Africa and Asia driving much of the fraud. AARP estimates the actual annual losses from elder fraud may exceed $28 billion, prompting a nationwide public awareness campaign to protect seniors.
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2024-05-02
Tracy Davidson was contacted via social media in late February by a man posing as "James Williams," a military orthopedic surgeon working for the United Nations in Syria, who quickly professed romantic feelings and attempted to build trust by sharing personal details and photos. This case exemplifies a classic romance scam romance scams follow predictable scripts designed to earn victims' trust before eventually requesting money. The Secret Service investigative analyst confirms these scams are prevalent and typically escalate from relationship-building to financial exploitation.
▶ VIDEO
wgaltv
· 2024-05-05
Tech support fraud is the most commonly reported scam targeting older Americans, where scammers impersonate tech support to gain access to sensitive information, though investment scams result in the greatest financial losses (over $50 million reported annually). In Pennsylvania specifically, common scams include tech support fraud, personal data breaches, and delivery scams. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited contacts, never download attachments from unknown sources, refuse to share personal information or money with unverified people, and resist pressure to act quickly, as scammers use urgency to manipulate victims.
▶ VIDEO
Hawaii News Now
· 2024-05-09
Dan Machewski of Makaha lost $34,000 in March to a sophisticated phone scam in which a caller impersonated his bank Fidelity's fraud department. The scammer gained credibility by displaying specific details about Machewski's recent transactions and providing a legitimate-looking caller ID, ultimately convincing him to share a security code that allowed the thieves to transfer funds to fake accounts and cash them out through PayPal within hours. Machewski, who believed he was well-protected against such scams, is sharing his experience to warn others about this particularly convincing fraud scheme.
▶ VIDEO
KETV NewsWatch 7
· 2024-05-09
A middle school student named Parker Cusimano created an informational flyer about elder scams based on a school essay, which he initially distributed to five senior living homes in the Omaha metro area in late March. The Better Business Bureau was impressed with his work and partnered with him to expand the effort, planning to distribute his flyer to every senior living home throughout Nebraska to help protect seniors from fraud.
▶ VIDEO
FOX NASHVILLE
· 2024-05-11
In Tennessee, 1,577 seniors over age 60 lost a combined $43 million to fraud in one year, according to the FBI. A retired insurance salesman fell victim to a sophisticated impersonation scam where fraudsters posing as Amazon and Social Security Administration officials convinced him his identity had been compromised and involved in money laundering. Remarkably, this victim recovered his stolen money—an extremely rare outcome in elder fraud cases.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 5 New York
· 2024-05-12
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to clone voices and create fake audio and video impersonations to defraud victims, with AI impostor scams becoming the leading form of fraud in the past year, affecting over 850,000 people and causing $2.7 billion in losses. A common variant involves victims receiving frantic calls from AI-cloned voices of family members claiming to be kidnapped and demanding ransom money, as exemplified by an Arizona mother who testified before Congress after receiving a convincing call from her daughter's cloned voice begging for help. Experts warn this emerging fraud threat requires increased awareness and caution, as voice cloning technology has become easily accessible to bad actors worldwide
▶ VIDEO
News 4 (WOAI) San Antonio
· 2024-05-18
The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report reveals that Texas has the third-highest rate of elder fraud in the nation, with over 7,000 complaints from seniors age 60+ resulting in nearly $300 million in losses. One elderly couple lost approximately $170,000-$200,000 to a computer popup scam, and local authorities report that in the prior year nearly 300 elderly residents in Bexar County fell victim to various scams including identity theft, wire fraud, and forgery, with 91 additional cases reported in the current year.
▶ VIDEO
FOX31 Denver
· 2024-05-19
A Denver family had their bank account completely drained after their credit card information was stolen, though the method of theft remains unknown. Colorado law enforcement warns that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated skimming devices—including pinhole cameras and barely visible overlays on payment terminals—to capture card and PIN information at gas pumps and public payment stations. To protect themselves, consumers should shield their PIN when entering it, use contactless payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay, pay at staffed customer service desks rather than unattended terminals, and regularly monitor accounts for unauthorized charges.
▶ VIDEO
FOX59 News
· 2024-05-24
Elder fraud scams targeting seniors in Indiana have increased in sophistication, with over 1,100 victims age 60 and older reporting approximately $26 million in losses last year. Scammers are leveraging evolving technology—including AI-generated voices and deepfakes—alongside traditional techniques to make frauds more convincing, with common red flags including artificial urgency and unsolicited requests for personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details. The FBI Indianapolis and Citizens Academy Alumni Association are hosting a free workshop on June 10th at Westfield High School to educate the public on recognizing and preventing these scams.
▶ VIDEO
First Alert 6
· 2024-05-24
A Nebraska eighth grader partnered with the Better Business Bureau to raise awareness about senior scams after his grandmother fell victim to fraud. The student wrote an essay on the topic and created prevention flyers, which he distributed to local senior centers, inspiring a collaboration aimed at preventing others from experiencing similar scams.
▶ VIDEO
CBC News
· 2024-05-27
A New Brunswick woman's Facebook account was hacked and used to post a fake ad selling her deceased father's belongings, resulting in multiple friends losing thousands of dollars through e-transfer payments. Despite Lisa Lowry and her friends repeatedly reporting the scam to Facebook, the company took no action to stop it, and investigators found numerous identical scams running on the platform simultaneously. The incident highlights a broader problem: Canadians lost $174 million to social media scams in the previous year, prompting calls for Meta to strengthen its fraud prevention measures.
▶ VIDEO
Gulf Coast News
· 2024-05-31
Malvertising scams are rising in Florida, where cybercriminals purchase fake advertisements on search engines to trick users into clicking malicious links that redirect to fraudulent websites designed to install malware on devices. Florida's Attorney General warns that these deceptive ads mimic legitimate websites and are difficult to distinguish, with malware incidents peaking in February and March and showing a nearly 300% increase over the last three quarters. Protection measures include pausing before clicking suspicious ads, installing ad blockers, updating browsers, reviewing computer plugins, and using antivirus software.
▶ VIDEO
THV11
· 2024-06-12
An 86-year-old North Little Rock, Arkansas woman lost nearly $10,000 in a tech support scam on May 8th after seeing a malware warning on her computer and looking up Microsoft's phone number herself. The scammer convinced her that a $150 refund had incorrectly processed as $115,000 and pressured her into sending back nearly $10,000 to "reverse the damage," exploiting her trust because she believed she had initiated the call to an official number.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-06-20
This educational piece from the Better Business Bureau provides prevention strategies for older adults and caregivers to protect against scams. Key recommendations include verifying requests with trusted contacts before sharing personal information, never voluntarily providing Social Security or Medicare numbers to unsolicited callers, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and being cautious of urgent language designed to pressure quick decisions. Caregivers should watch for warning signs such as increased junk mail, secretive behavior, unexpected account charges, or sudden financial difficulties, while also helping reduce solicitations by registering on do-not-call and do-not-mail registries and screening incoming calls.
▶ VIDEO
WGRZ-TV
· 2024-06-21
Phishing scams are increasing dramatically in Western New York and nationwide, with Upstate New York experiencing a 140% increase in reports last year and nearly 10,000 reports nationally. Scammers are using new technology including AI to target victims via email, text message, and voicemail, crafting increasingly sophisticated messages designed to trick people into revealing personal information. Experts advise not clicking suspicious links or entering personal information online, as compromised data allows scammers to access victims' accounts and sensitive information.
▶ VIDEO
NBC4 Columbus
· 2024-06-25
According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Complaint Center report, seniors over 60 reported approximately $3.4 billion in losses to fraud and scams in the past year. Common scams targeting older adults include tech support fraud, investment scams, and grandparent scams, which continue to exploit the nation's senior population. The article highlights the ongoing problem of elder financial exploitation and emphasizes the need for awareness and prevention strategies to help protect vulnerable seniors from becoming victims.
▶ VIDEO
News 4 Tucson KVOA-TV
· 2024-07-08
The FBI provides guidance on avoiding romance scams, recommending that individuals be cautious about what they share online, ask detailed questions about new acquaintances, and be alert to red flags such as profiles that seem too perfect, requests to move communication offline, or attempts to isolate them from friends and family. Additional safeguards include researching a person's photo and profile for authenticity and never sending money to individuals contacted solely through online platforms.
▶ VIDEO
12 News
· 2024-07-08
Americans lost over $1 billion to romance scams last year, with many Arizona residents targeted. The three most prevalent romance scam tactics involve deepfake video calls using face-swapping technology (employed by Nigerian crime groups), cryptocurrency investment schemes that promise high returns once trust is established, and celebrity deepfakes using artificial intelligence. Victims can protect themselves by watching for unnatural video call indicators like inconsistent blinking, mismatched skin tones, and words not synchronizing with mouth movements.
▶ VIDEO
WCBD NEWS 2
· 2024-07-09
The City of Charleston is hosting educational workshops to protect seniors from phone and online scams, which generate $36 billion annually in the United States with older adults as primary targets. The initiative focuses on teaching seniors to recognize common scams—such as lottery/prize winnings requiring upfront payments—and know what steps to take if targeted, as demonstrated by one senior who avoided losing money to a fake lottery scheme promising half a million dollars.
▶ VIDEO
WCBD NEWS 2
· 2024-07-09
The City of Charleston is working to protect senior citizens from phone and online scams through educational workshops that teach seniors to recognize common fraud tactics and warning signs. Scams targeting elderly people cost the United States $36 billion annually, with seniors being particularly vulnerable due to their trusting nature; the city's initiative focuses on raising awareness about scam types and advising victims on appropriate responses.
▶ VIDEO
FOX23 News Tulsa
· 2024-07-10
A scam targeting seniors uses fake romantic relationships to manipulate victims into making fraudulent investments. According to cybersecurity experts, crimes against seniors increased 11% in the past year, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, with victims averaging $34,000 lost each; scammers pose as wealthy individuals on dating sites, build trust over time, and eventually pressure victims to invest in fake schemes.
▶ VIDEO
News Channel 3-12
· 2024-07-11
Dozens of seniors attended an educational seminar hosted by the Galita Community Center in partnership with the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and Department of Justice to learn fraud prevention strategies. Senator Monique Leemon highlighted red flags including unsolicited calls and emails, and emphasized that seniors should verify callers by independently looking up official phone numbers rather than using contact information provided by the caller. The seminar advised victims or their advocates to report suspected scams to local police, the National Elder Fraud Hotline, or the Federal Trade Commission.
▶ VIDEO
NBC 7 San Diego
· 2024-07-11
San Diego seniors lost approximately $100 million to scams in the past year, with the District Attorney's office tracking nearly $98 million in elder-related fraud across the county—a figure that excludes unreported cases. Common scams target seniors' lifetime savings through tactics like fake tech support pop-ups on computers, and scammers exploit seniors' vulnerability and lack of technical knowledge. The San Diego County Elder Task Force reports a 70% increase in elder fraud cases and emphasizes that these scams devastate victims' ability to pay basic living expenses like rent, mortgage, and food.
▶ VIDEO
CBS4 Indy
· 2024-07-16
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.
▶ VIDEO
KRQE
· 2024-07-17
This New Mexico news podcast episode features an educational discussion on avoiding financial scams, hosted by Gabrielle Burkhart with guest Brian Watson, a former federal law enforcement officer who spent 28 years investigating financial crimes, including work as an IRS criminal investigator. The segment addresses how scams—particularly phishing and online fraud—affect people across demographics, including older adults, and aims to help listeners and their families recognize red flags and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams.
▶ VIDEO
CTV News
· 2024-07-25
A victim in Canada was defrauded of $14,000 after a four-year romance scam involving a man she met in person twice on a dating site who posed as a wealthy hedge fund manager before soliciting her for a fake investment opportunity. Romance scams are the third most common fraud affecting Canadians, with victims losing $52 million in 2023 and another $23 million already lost in the current year.
▶ VIDEO
WGN News
· 2024-07-31
A Chicago widow lost over $100,000 in an online romance scam after meeting a man named "Gregory" on a dating site who gradually requested increasing amounts of money under various pretexts, eventually stopping contact once she ceased sending funds. The victim, living on a fixed income, cashed out an annuity to meet his escalating demands despite growing suspicions, driven by fear of losing the promised relationship and money. The case highlights how romance scams—which reported nearly 1.3 billion in losses nationally in 2022—use emotional manipulation and increasingly sophisticated AI-altered photos and videos to deceive victims, with arrests remaining rare and funds rarely recovered.
▶ VIDEO
News 5 Cleveland
· 2024-07-31
Strongville United Methodist Church in Ohio became a target of phishing scams when cybercriminals impersonated Reverend Abby Almond in emails sent to congregation members, requesting money and gift cards. Phishing scams have nearly doubled to over 9,000 reports annually in the Better Business Bureau's Northeast Ohio region, ranking as the second-most common scam type locally.
▶ VIDEO
WHNT News 19
· 2024-08-02
The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments is hosting a Senior Fraud and Scam Summit on Thursday, August 8th at the Bob Harrison Wellness Center in Huntsville to educate seniors about common scams and fraud prevention strategies. The event features speakers from the Alabama Securities Commission, Huntsville Police Department, the Better Business Bureau, and a local attorney, with limited seating for 150 participants available by calling 256-830-0818. This educational initiative addresses the rising prevalence of identity theft and scams targeting seniors in the Tennessee Valley region.
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Boston
· 2024-08-05
Massachusetts residents lost $2.2 million to real estate scams last year, including rental fraud where scammers use sophisticated tactics to impersonate licensed agents. One victim, Caroline Newman, lost $500 when she submitted a security deposit to a fraudster posing as a realtor after seeing a listing posted on multiple platforms; she later learned the actual agent had no involvement in the transaction.
Wire Transfer
Cash
Payment App
▶ VIDEO
Lawfare
· 2024-08-07
This is a podcast introduction featuring Arun Rao, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ's Consumer Protection Branch, discussing the growing sophistication of fraud schemes targeting consumers and elders. Rao explains how technological advances such as robocalls, text, email, and social media have enabled fraudsters to refine their tactics and target victims with greater precision. The discussion covers the DOJ's consumer protection work, cybercrime, elder fraud, and data privacy issues.
▶ VIDEO
CBS Colorado
· 2024-08-07
A Denver couple lost $30,000 in a business email compromise scam days before closing on their home, when scammers impersonated their lender and title company to redirect closing funds. The FBI reports this real estate fraud scheme is increasingly common, with Colorado experiencing over $57 million in losses to similar business email compromise scams last year. The scammers obtained legitimate emails, inserted themselves into the couple's email chain, and conducted real-time conversations to convince them to wire closing costs to a fraudulent account.
▶ VIDEO
WNEM TV5
· 2024-08-08
A Senior Fraud Alert Protection Workshop was held at the Community Action Center where dozens of seniors received educational training from Huntington Bank on recognizing and avoiding scams, along with guidance from the CAC on saving money on Medicare. The event, supported by the Sagen Housing Commission's Family Self-Sufficiency department, aimed to help seniors protect their finances and understand available resources to prevent scammers from exploiting their hard-earned money.
▶ VIDEO
WHNT News 19
· 2024-08-08
Elder fraud reports to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center rose 14% in 2023, with the trend continuing upward. The Alabama Securities Commission held a fraud and scam summit to educate community members about common scams targeting seniors in the state, including utility scams offering discounts before requesting financial information and phone scams that have compromised bank accounts at alarming rates. Experts and law enforcement emphasized the importance of seniors sharing their experiences to help prevent others from becoming victims.
▶ VIDEO
WHNT News 19
· 2024-08-08
The Alabama Securities Commission held a Fraud and Scam Summit in Huntsville to educate seniors about common scams targeting older adults, with elder fraud reports rising 14% in 2023. A local woman, Theresa Hazard, shared her experience of losing $700 after clicking on a fraudulent Netflix phishing email and providing her credit card information, though her bank recovered the funds. The summit covered topics including cybersecurity, consumer fraud definitions, and legal implications, emphasizing the importance of seniors reporting scams to law enforcement to help authorities track perpetrators.
▶ VIDEO
FOX54 News Huntsville
· 2024-08-09
Elderly individuals remain primary targets for scams delivered through digital means including emails, text messages, phone calls, and computer popups. Law enforcement officials recommend avoiding clicking suspicious links, refusing to share personal information over the phone, and reporting incidents to police without embarrassment or delay.
▶ VIDEO
FOX54 News Huntsville
· 2024-08-10
This educational piece advises seniors on protecting themselves from scams through awareness and caution. Key recommendations include: never share personal information (Social Security numbers, Medicare details, bank information) over the phone or via unsolicited contact; avoid clicking links in suspicious text messages; and recognize that offers that sound too good to be true usually are. The resource notes that seniors are frequently targeted through digital means like phone calls, emails, texts, and pop-ups, and encourages people to contact local authorities or organizations like TAROG for guidance on unfamiliar scams.
▶ VIDEO
This Morning
· 2024-08-14
Scam expert Nick Stapleton discusses the growing sophistication and prevalence of fraud in the UK, where scams account for over 40% of all crimes but result in conviction in only 1 in 1,000 cases. Stapleton, who has spent 11 years investigating fraud through undercover work and ethical hacking, emphasizes the importance of personal awareness and education in protecting oneself from increasingly organized scam operations.
▶ VIDEO
News10NBC
· 2024-08-21
An 83-year-old woman lost $400,000 in fraudulent bank withdrawals over four months when her account was hacked, with no alerts triggered by her bank despite the large suspicious transactions. AARP is advocating for legislation that would allow banks to place holds on withdrawals suspected of fraud and protect banks from liability when doing so, as over $28 billion is stolen annually from Americans over 60. The proposed protection measure was removed from the state budget during negotiations but advocates are pushing to have it reinstated in the next budget cycle.
▶ VIDEO
FOX Carolina News
· 2024-08-22
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are increasingly using QR codes to execute fraud schemes, particularly by placing them in public locations like parking meters or including them in official-looking mail (such as fraudulent IRS letters) to deceive victims into scanning them and visiting malicious websites. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited QR codes in public places or suspicious correspondence, as these codes can be easily tampered with or designed to redirect users to fraudulent sites. Awareness and verification of QR code legitimacy before scanning are key to protecting oneself from QR code-based scams.
▶ VIDEO
ABC11
· 2024-08-23
Back-to-school shoppers should beware of counterfeit websites and social media ads offering popular clothing and shoes at steep discounts, and should verify websites are secure (look for https and lock symbols) before making purchases. Students should avoid fake scholarship applications requiring upfront payments or personal information like Social Security numbers, and should ignore unsolicited emails and voicemails claiming student loan eligibility—instead verify information directly through official sources like studentaid.gov.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-08-22
Bait-and-switch scams on social media exploit emotional posts about missing children or lost pets by using localized Facebook groups with minimal oversight. Scammers edit these posts to redirect users to sales listings, rental scams, job opportunities, or donation requests, then manipulate victims' social networks when they share the content. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to watch for red flags including urgent emotional language, disabled comments, missing contact information, and newly created profiles, and to report suspected scams to both the BBB Scam Tracker and Facebook directly.
▶ VIDEO
ABC7 News Bay Area
· 2024-08-24
The FBI launched a "Take a Beat" awareness campaign to educate the public about common fraud and scam tactics that exploit people's emotions through urgent phone calls, texts, and emails requesting money or passwords. The campaign highlights scams such as impersonation of bank fraud departments, with one victim losing $950 after a caller claiming to be from her bank convinced her to transfer funds and disclose banking information.
▶ VIDEO
News10NBC
· 2024-08-23
Advantage Federal Credit Union warned of a new phone scam targeting customers, particularly seniors over 60, that began in August. Scammers spoof the bank's legitimate phone number on caller ID and claim fraud has been detected on the victim's account, then trick customers into providing security codes that enable unauthorized transfers. The scam has proven effective, with one documented case involving a woman who lost $500,000 through 76 transfers over four months, illustrating a broader pattern in which approximately $28 billion is stolen annually from Americans over 60.
Bank Transfer
▶ VIDEO
Eyewitness News WEHT WTVW
· 2024-08-26
Crimes against senior citizens totaled over $3.4 billion in the past year, with family scams and identity theft being among the most common schemes. Family scams exploit seniors' emotions by impersonating relatives and requesting urgent money for car repairs, rent, tuition, or bail, while fishing scams use deceptive emails posing as legitimate vendors to steal personal information.
▶ VIDEO
NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2024-08-27
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is warning the public about emerging scam tactics including "smishing" (fraudulent text messages claiming to be from USPS requesting address confirmation through malicious links) and "vishing" (spoofed voicemails impersonating government employees with fake callback numbers). To protect themselves, recipients should avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead call official government phone numbers directly rather than using numbers provided in suspicious communications.
▶ VIDEO
11Alive
· 2024-08-27
The US Postal Inspection Service warns of emerging scams including "smishing" (fraudulent text messages impersonating USPS requesting address confirmation via malicious links) and "vishing" (spoofed voicemails from fake government employees asking consumers to call back). These scams aim to steal personal information and financial data from victims who interact with the fraudulent messages or call back the scammers' numbers rather than official government lines.
▶ VIDEO
NBC Bay Area
· 2024-08-28
The Better Business Bureau has reported a significant uptick in text message scams where fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies like retailers, utilities, and the Postal Service to trick victims into providing personal information or making payments, with over 250 reported cases of financial losses. To protect yourself, do not respond to or click links in suspicious texts; instead, report the message using the Better Business Bureau's free scam tracker tool and delete it from your device.
▶ VIDEO
KXAN
· 2024-08-29
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.
▶ VIDEO
WGN News
· 2024-08-31
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.
▶ VIDEO
WION
· 2024-09-02
Contrary to common assumptions, Gen Z (ages 18-24) loses the most money to online scams, averaging $155 per person in 2022, primarily through employment, online shopping, and investment/cryptocurrency scams. A Better Business Bureau report found that scammers are increasingly targeting even younger children (ages 7-18), with 16% of surveyed parents reporting their kids were targeted in the past year, up from 11% in 2022, while adults 55-64 lost the least at an average of $91.
▶ VIDEO
WFMJ
· 2024-09-03
U.S. seniors lost over $3 billion to scammers in the past year. Common scams targeting elderly individuals include relationship scams where fraudsters impersonate family members (grandchildren, nieces, nephews) claiming urgent financial needs such as bail, rent, or tuition, often using personal information gathered from social media to appear credible. Experts recommend awareness and education to help protect seniors from these emotionally manipulative schemes.
▶ VIDEO
FOX8 WGHP
· 2024-09-03
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.
▶ VIDEO
NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2024-09-05
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Maine announced the Maine RX Elder Fraud Program, an initiative to combat elder fraud by distributing informational brochures at 60 Hanford pharmacy locations across the state. The brochures, attached to prescription drug bags, educate seniors on recognizing common scams and reporting fraud, with the program beginning this month. According to the FBI, Maine residents filed 397 elder fraud complaints in the previous year, resulting in losses exceeding $7.1 million.
▶ VIDEO
NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2024-09-05
The US Attorney's office in Maine launched a new initiative to combat elder fraud, following FBI reports that 397 Maine residents aged 60 or older filed complaints reporting losses exceeding $7 million, with experts noting the actual number of victims is likely much higher due to underreporting. The program distributes informational brochures through pharmacy prescription bags statewide to educate older adults about common scam warning signs and how to report elder fraud, recognizing that sophisticated criminal networks conduct ongoing attacks against vulnerable populations.
▶ VIDEO
WYFF News 4
· 2024-09-09
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.
▶ VIDEO
Dare County
· 2024-09-09
The Dare County Sheriff's Office presented an educational overview of common scams affecting their community, including an explanation of "pig butchering" scams that operate through dating apps. In this scam type, perpetrators use VPNs to hide their location, create fake glamorous personas, and systematically contact potential victims through dating platforms with the goal of manipulating them into financial schemes. The presentation aims to help community members recognize and avoid falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics.
▶ VIDEO
WJZ
· 2024-09-12
Cryptocurrency scams cost Maryland residents nearly $94 million in 2023, according to an FBI report, with romance-based schemes being particularly prevalent. Though representing only 10% of financial fraud complaints to the FBI, cryptocurrency scams account for 50% of total money stolen, with approximately 1,400 Maryland complaints among nearly 58,000 nationwide. The scams exploit emotional manipulation and leverage the online nature of cryptocurrency to easily access victims' financial and personal information.
▶ VIDEO
KREM 2 News
· 2024-09-13
Job recruiting scams have surged 118% in 2023, with scammers posing as recruiters via text and social media to lure victims with lucrative work-from-home positions paying up to $1,000 daily. Red flags include requests to communicate on encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and fake job postings on legitimate employment sites, with artificial intelligence enabling scammers to refine their pitches and appear more credible. Victims are typically directed to complete applications or provide personal information that can be used for identity theft or further fraud.
▶ VIDEO
CBS Chicago
· 2024-09-13
Job scams targeting seekers have increased 118% in 2023, with fraudsters using text messages, encrypted apps like WhatsApp, and fake postings on legitimate employment sites to lure victims with promises of work-from-home positions paying up to $1,000 daily. Red flags include recruiters requesting communication through encrypted messaging apps rather than official channels, and scammers are using AI technology to make their pitches sound more legitimate. The identity theft resource center reports this is one of their biggest concerns as con artists continue to refine their tactics to deceive job seekers.
▶ VIDEO
LOCAL 12
· 2024-09-14
This educational piece warns renters about rental scams while clarifying a legitimate-seeming but valid payment process. When booking through Vrbo, renters may receive separate payment requests from property management companies after paying an initial fee to the platform, which is a legitimate procedure—unlike Airbnb, which processes all payments through its website and offers fraud protection. The key advice is to always verify payment requests directly with the booking platform before sending money to avoid scams.
▶ VIDEO
KVUE
· 2024-09-16
A new study shows investment scams are rising, with median losses increasing from $1,000 in 2021 to $6,000 currently, as scammers coerce victims into withdrawing funds from retirement and savings accounts. These scams typically begin on social media or instant messaging platforms, where perpetrators research victims' profiles, establish rapport (sometimes romantic), and pitch fraudulent investment opportunities promising high returns on small initial investments. The Better Business Bureau advises awareness of these tactics to help people avoid falling victim to such schemes.
▶ VIDEO
Which?
· 2024-09-15
I cannot provide an accurate summary of this article. The text appears to be a garbled or poorly OCR-scanned transcript of a consumer advice program introduction that repeatedly duplicates phrases and lacks coherent content about specific scams or fraud prevention tips. While it mentions that scams are becoming more sophisticated and references a discussion about ticket scams, the actual substantive advice or details about scams are not clearly present in the provided text. A proper summary would require a clearer, complete version of the source material.
▶ VIDEO
Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-17
Senator Tim Scott discusses South Carolina's fraud prevention efforts with an expert, highlighting a partnership between the state and the Department of Aging that distributes scam prevention education materials alongside meal deliveries to seniors, a program that began in 2015. The initiative represents an innovative approach to reaching vulnerable populations, particularly homebound seniors, with financial literacy and scam awareness information during a time when they are most receptive to learning.
Cryptocurrency
▶ VIDEO
Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-17
Senator Katie Britt discusses the surge of financial scams targeting seniors, noting that nationwide elder fraud losses exceeded $1 billion last year, with Alabama experiencing $74 million in losses (up from $55 million the previous year). She highlights that elder fraud cases in Alabama have increased dramatically, from 23 cases in 2016 to over 250 cases in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, and emphasizes the need for better education about common scams including romance schemes, sweepstakes scams, and impersonation fraud.
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Boston
· 2024-09-17
Bitcoin ATM scams are increasing at an alarming rate, with fraud losses exceeding $65 million in the first half of 2024 according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers use government impersonation, business impersonation, and tech support tactics to trick consumers into depositing cash into Bitcoin ATMs by claiming it will protect their money or resolve fake security problems, with one victim losing $34,000. Consumers should hang up suspicious calls, verify contacts independently, and be cautious of these sophisticated schemes.
▶ VIDEO
Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-17
Senator Helmy discusses the urgent problem of elder fraud with committee experts, noting that New Jersey seniors reported over $1 million in losses to scams and fraud according to the FBI's IC3 Elder report. He raises concerns about a major data breach at background company National Public Data that exposed approximately 2.9 billion personal records containing names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, which he believes was underreported and could facilitate further fraud targeting vulnerable elderly populations.
▶ VIDEO
WTAJ News
· 2024-09-17
Representative Mike Armanini is hosting two Senior Scam Jam educational events for older adults—one at Parkside Community Center in Dubois and another at Ridgeway Senior Junction in Elk County, both from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The seminars will teach older Pennsylvanians and their families how to protect themselves from scams and how to report suspected fraud cases.
▶ VIDEO
Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-18
The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on romance confidence scams (also called "pig butchering"), examining this multi-billion dollar fraud scheme that targets everyday Americans. The scam operates by building trust with victims over weeks or months before exploiting that confidence to extract money, with text-based contact attempts increasing dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic.
▶ VIDEO
Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-19
Senator Bob Casey led a Senate Aging Committee hearing on fraud targeting older Americans, during which the committee released its annual "Fighting Fraud" resource book. The hearing addressed multiple scam types affecting seniors including grandparent scams, investment fraud, government impostor schemes, lottery scams, and tech support scams, while noting that scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics over recent years. The committee discussed both fraud prevention strategies and how federal law enforcement agencies respond to fraud reports.
▶ VIDEO
KGUN9
· 2024-09-20
Scammers stole over $100 million from older Americans last year, with Arizona ranking sixth nationally for elder fraud according to the FBI. A 77-year-old Arizona woman hired a landscaper who worked one day, then disappeared after she gave him a check and gift card—he never completed the job and she had to stop payment at her bank. Experts note that older adults are vulnerable because they tend to trust people who make promises, and it's difficult to change that mindset, making them targets for financial scams involving home services and other schemes.
▶ VIDEO
KMOV St. Louis
· 2024-09-23
This educational piece explains "spoofing" scams, where fraudsters impersonate authority figures like bosses via email or text to trick victims into quick actions such as purchasing gift cards. The Better Business Bureau highlights a reported case where someone lost $1,000 after receiving a text appearing to be from their boss requesting five $200 gift cards as a surprise reward, with a promise of reimbursement that never materialized. The key advice is to verify requests independently through official channels rather than responding directly to the suspicious message.
Gift Cards
▶ VIDEO
WGN News
· 2024-09-23
AARP Illinois launched "Fraud-Fighting Fraudlettes," a collaborative awareness initiative featuring AARP representatives Theresa Jones and Courtney Herman to educate seniors about prevalent scams. The program aims to increase fraud prevention awareness among older adults, who are identified as particularly susceptible targets for scams.
▶ VIDEO
WKBW TV | Buffalo, NY
· 2024-09-24
Phishing scams are reaching record numbers, with reports doubling between 2022 and 2023, according to the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York. Common scams include fraudulent text messages about unpaid tolls (the "Throughway text scam") that trick victims into providing credit card information, and extortion emails claiming to have compromising pictures and threatening to release them unless payment is made. Victims are advised to verify requests directly with official sources, never click links in unsolicited messages, and report suspicious communications to authorities.
▶ VIDEO
FTCvideos
· 2024-09-24
This educational piece encourages victims of international scams to report them at econsumer.gov, a partnership of global consumer protection agencies. Reporting provides vital information to authorities worldwide to combat fraud and investigate cases involving common scams like non-delivery of online purchases, sweepstakes/prize schemes, and advance-fee job offers.
▶ VIDEO
KOAA 5
· 2024-09-25
Romance scams rank among the top 20 most reported scams in the US, with victims losing $652 million nationally in 2023 and $10 million in Colorado alone. Scammers create fake online dating profiles to build relationships with victims and manipulate them into sending money under false pretenses. Experts recommend using established matchmaking services as a safer alternative to online dating apps.
▶ VIDEO
KEZI 9
· 2024-09-26
A Springfield couple lost $110,000 in an artificial intelligence voice cloning scam in which they received a call from someone using AI-recreated audio of their son's voice claiming he was in jail and needed money for bail following a car accident. The scammers used the convincing deepfake audio combined with a woman posing as a public defender to pressure the parents into sending money, though their actual son was not involved in any incident. This case demonstrates how AI technology can be weaponized to create highly convincing impersonation scams targeting vulnerable family members.
▶ VIDEO
KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
· 2024-09-29
In 2023, nearly 1,000 Oklahomans aged 60 and older lost over $22 million to fraud, with scams targeting seniors increasing 15% in Oklahoma compared to 11% nationally. Tech support scams and sweepstakes prize frauds are among the most common schemes, with one Oklahoma couple nearly falling victim to a $500,000 sweepstakes scam before becoming suspicious of personal questions. The FBI emphasizes the importance of reporting scams without shame and advises seniors to be cautious about unsolicited contacts and requests for personal financial information.
▶ VIDEO
WCIA News
· 2024-10-01
Courtney and Teresa, fraud prevention specialists with AARP Illinois, have partnered together as "the Fraud-Fighting Fraudlets" to expand their fraud awareness and prevention efforts across Illinois, combining resources from Springfield and Chicago. The duo emphasizes that scams are constantly evolving and criminals continuously target people of all ages to steal money and personal information, making ongoing education and awareness efforts essential.
▶ VIDEO
KHON2 News
· 2024-10-02
Employment scams in Hawaii have cost job seekers over $86,000 in losses since the beginning of 2027, with the Better Business Bureau warning of fake job opportunities that increasingly impersonate legitimate companies. Common scam tactics include fake onboarding processes that steal personal information, fraudulent reshipping jobs involving stolen goods, and "task optimization" schemes where victims pay upfront fees for tasks and are tricked into depositing increasingly larger amounts before losing access to their accounts. To protect themselves, job seekers should avoid any employer requesting payment, verify company legitimacy through official websites and BBB.org, and be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
▶ VIDEO
WSBT-TV
· 2024-10-03
**Summary:**
Following Hurricane Helen, scammers are exploiting people's charitable impulses by posing as legitimate charities or disaster victims through unsolicited calls, texts, and social media posts to solicit donations via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. To avoid disaster relief scams, the Better Business Bureau and GoFundMe advise verifying charities through give.org or official websites, avoiding pressure tactics that demand immediate payment, and being cautious of unsolicited contact.
Cryptocurrency
Wire Transfer
Gift Cards
▶ VIDEO
WQAD News 8
· 2024-10-08
Amazon Prime Days shopping events create opportunities for scammers, with FTC-reported Amazon-related scams resulting in $19 million in losses last year. Consumers should protect themselves by reading verified reviews, avoiding suspicious links, ignoring promotions that require payment, and remembering that Amazon customer support never requests personal details or passwords.
▶ VIDEO
CFPBLive
· 2024-10-09
This is an introductory webinar hosted by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on payments industry practices for combating elder financial exploitation. The session provides participants with access to slides, resources, and a discussion platform to explore strategies and tools for preventing elder financial abuse within the payments sector.
▶ VIDEO
11Alive
· 2024-10-10
Thousands of people are being targeted by "grandparent scams" where callers impersonate distressed family members claiming to need emergency money. One grandmother nearly lost $99,000 after receiving a frantic call from someone claiming to be her grandson who said he was in a car accident and needed bail money, though she later realized it was a scam. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to mimic loved ones' voices by extracting audio from social media and other online sources, making these frauds more sophisticated and convincing.
▶ VIDEO
CTV News
· 2024-10-11
A Newfoundland senior lost $20,000 in gift cards to a romance scam after a man contacted her on Facebook, claimed to be a widow her age, expressed his love, and gradually requested money. The victim was particularly vulnerable as a recent widow undergoing cancer treatment. Romance scams remain among Canada's top three frauds, with Canadians losing over $52 million annually, often targeting lonely individuals through social media.
▶ VIDEO
WPRI
· 2024-10-10
According to the FBI, scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from over 100,000 seniors in 2023, with Rhode Islanders age 60+ losing $7.4 million. Common tactics include creating a sense of panic or urgency, impersonating government agencies like the IRS, and using AI technology to clone the voices of loved ones. State leaders emphasize that public education and awareness are key prevention strategies, advising seniors to verify unexpected calls independently rather than responding to urgent requests.
▶ VIDEO
WCPO 9
· 2024-10-14
The Justice Department warned consumers about fraudulent charity scams emerging in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, noting that scammers often impersonate legitimate organizations like the Red Cross and FEMA to solicit donations. Experts advise people to avoid clicking links in unsolicited text messages or emails requesting donations; instead, they should manually type the charity's website into a browser or search for it directly to verify legitimacy before donating.
▶ VIDEO
News 5 Cleveland
· 2024-10-15
A 70-year-old woman in Berea was scammed out of approximately $20,000 in a tech support fraud scheme that began with a fake Microsoft pop-up warning on her computer. After calling the number provided, a scammer gained remote access to her laptop and then coordinated with a accomplice who convinced her that her money was in jeopardy, directing her to withdraw cash from multiple bank locations while remaining on the phone with her throughout the process. The case illustrates how scammers systematically manipulate vulnerable seniors by creating false urgency and overriding their judgment.
▶ VIDEO
WKRN News 2
· 2024-10-17
Senior fraud represents a $3 billion problem, with scammers primarily targeting individuals aged 55-64 through contractor scams, Medicare fraud, Bitcoin investment schemes, romance scams, phone fraud, and phishing attacks. Phishing scams work by casting a wide net through texts, emails, and social media to trick victims into clicking malicious links or participating in fake surveys and contests that download malware and compromise personal information.
▶ VIDEO
NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted an educational presentation titled "Unmasking Fraud" featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to address senior fraud targeting older adults in Louisiana. The event emphasized that fraud against seniors impacts not only financial security but also causes lasting emotional and psychological harm, and provided practical strategies for protection. AARP directs people to its Fraud Watch Network resource for current scam information and personal data protection guidance.
▶ VIDEO
NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted a fraud awareness townhall event featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to educate seniors about scams targeting older adults. The event aimed to provide practical protection strategies and highlight how fraud impacts seniors beyond financial loss, including emotional and trust-related consequences. AARP encourages seniors to utilize resources like their FraudWatch Network to stay informed about emerging scams and safeguard personal information.
▶ VIDEO
Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2024-10-18
From 2021 to 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported that people lost $2.7 billion in social media scams. One common Instagram scam involves scammers contacting users with images from their posts and offering payment for using their photos, then requesting personal information (email, phone number, bank details) before claiming they will send money and asking the victim to forward funds to an "artist." Red flags include unsolicited contact, requests for personal information, and offers that seem too good to be true—recognizing these warning signs can help protect users from becoming victims.
▶ VIDEO
WPLG Local 10
· 2024-10-18
A Pinecrest woman received a threatening extortion email from a scammer who claimed to have compromising photos and videos of her and demanded payment. The scammer demonstrated access to personal information including her address, phone number, family members' names, and a photo of her neighborhood, which alarmed her into contacting police. The FBI is encouraging victims of this extortion scam to report it to them.
▶ VIDEO
CBC News
· 2024-10-22
Montreal police reported a resurgence of scams targeting seniors involving gold and jewelry in the North End. One scheme involved a couple with a child offering gold or jewelry deals, defrauding a victim of $1,000, while an 87-year-old woman was approached by a woman in an SUV who distracted her with conversation before stealing her gold chain containing a cherished photo of her deceased son.
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Boston
· 2024-10-22
More than half of Americans have been targeted by election-related scams ahead of the 2024 election, with young voters experiencing the highest rates of fraud involving fake polls, donation scams, and disinformation. Common scams include political donation fraud where money does not reach intended campaigns, and election survey scams where fraudsters pose as legitimate news organizations to collect personal information and voting preferences. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of donation requests and survey contacts before providing personal information or financial contributions.
▶ VIDEO
WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7
· 2024-10-23
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about the "card declined scam," where fraudsters create fake websites mimicking legitimate retailers and display card declined error messages to trick consumers into entering their payment information. In one reported case, a Troy woman attempting to purchase shoes on a counterfeit Nike site had her card information stolen, which scammers then used to attempt a $48 fraudulent charge (caught by her bank). Consumers are advised to verify retailer URLs for misspellings and stop transactions if they encounter declined messages, as these may indicate phishing attempts rather than legitimate payment failures.
▶ VIDEO
FSAOutreach
· 2024-10-23
This is an introductory webinar by the Federal Student Aid (FSA) office's Awareness and Outreach team that provides resources on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and educates participants on how to recognize and avoid financial aid scams. The presentation, hosted by Fred Stennis and presented by Isaiah Ellis, offers guidance to students and families navigating financial aid while protecting themselves from fraud, with live representatives available to answer questions and recordings made available for future reference.
▶ VIDEO
CNBC-TV18
· 2024-10-31
Online trading scams have swept across India, affecting unsuspecting investors lured by social media ads and messaging apps that promise huge profits, resulting in losses exceeding 1,400 crore rupees. Scammers use fake photos of stock market experts and fake news articles to build trust, then direct victims to unregistered trading apps where they deposit funds that are never actually invested—instead, scammers show fake profits in the app wallet before eventually disappearing with the money. To protect themselves, investors should verify that trading apps are registered with SEBBI (the stock market regulator) and be wary of "insider tips" offered through social media and messaging groups.
▶ VIDEO
FOX31 Denver
· 2024-10-31
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.
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Boston
· 2024-11-01
During Medicare open enrollment season, scammers impersonate Medicare representatives and insurance agents to trick people into revealing personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking details, and Medicare ID numbers through unsolicited calls, texts, and phishing emails. The BBB has received frequent reports of these fraudulent schemes, which target millions of people seeking insurance plans and can result in identity theft or sale of personal data on the black market. Consumers should verify contacts by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, be wary of anyone offering limited-time enrollment offers, and avoid sharing personal information with unsolicited callers.
▶ VIDEO
WIRED
· 2024-11-05
This WIRED article features "Scammer Payback," a YouTube scam-baiting channel, answering audience questions about common fraud tactics and red flags. The content identifies three major warning signs of scams: scammers pressuring victims to make quick decisions (especially involving gift cards or Cash App transfers), requests for remote access to computers or phones, and demands for untraceable payment methods like Bitcoin or wire transfers. The educational piece emphasizes that time pressure is a deliberate tactic scammers use to prevent victims from consulting family members or others who might intervene.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-11-07
**Summary:**
Scammers target veterans by impersonating government representatives and fraudulently offering loan forgiveness, mortgage aid, or grants in exchange for upfront processing fees. Veterans and their spouses experience higher median losses to scams than average consumers, particularly through employment scams that exploit frequent military relocations. The BBB advises veterans to never pay upfront for loans or grants, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, and remember that the government communicates via mail only—never by phone, email, or social media.
▶ VIDEO
11Alive
· 2024-11-10
Veterans Day provides scammers an opportunity to target service members and veterans through financial fraud, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting over $350 million in losses to veterans from fraud in the past year alone. To protect veterans, recommendations include enrolling in free credit monitoring services to detect identity theft early, using official sources for scam alerts, and consulting the National Veterans Financial Resource Center for financial guidance and protection strategies. Those suspecting scams should report them to the Federal Trade Commission.
▶ VIDEO
12 News
· 2024-11-11
Fake job offers are among the fastest-growing scams in the U.S., with fraudsters using text messages and encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp to lure job seekers with attractive work-from-home positions promising up to $1,000 per day. Scammers target vulnerable individuals, particularly those who have lost jobs or are in desperate situations, and attempt to collect personal credentials or financial information. To protect yourself, be wary of recruiters who contact you through encrypted messaging apps rather than official employment platforms or standard business communication channels.
▶ VIDEO
Hawaii News Now
· 2024-11-13
State officials warned of a real estate scam in which fraudsters sent letters impersonating government entities to individuals and businesses, using false information to solicit investments in non-existent properties. The scammers also impersonated actor Jason Momoa to obtain funds, prompting the actor to publicly deny any association with the schemes. The state's consumer protection agency urged the public to report suspected scams by calling 808-587-4272.
▶ VIDEO
WREG News Channel 3
· 2024-11-13
Three Nigerian men in their 40s were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating romance and investment scams that targeted victims across America from 2017 to 2021, including a Western Tennessee resident who lost $400,000. The perpetrators used fake identities on social media and dating sites, posing as romantic partners and repeatedly requesting emergency financial assistance from victims. Law enforcement urges scam victims to report incidents to police, as victims of romance scams often face additional risks including identity theft when they unknowingly share personal information with fraudsters.
▶ VIDEO
moneycontrol
· 2024-11-16
**Cybercrime Risk During Diwali Shopping Season**
India's National Crime Record Bureau reported over 1.1 million cyber fraud cases last year, with incidents rising significantly during high-spending periods like Diwali, particularly targeting elderly individuals. Common scams include customer support fraud (using screen-sharing apps to hijack mobile devices), virtual arrest scams (impersonating law enforcement to extort payments), and Aadhaar-enabled payment system fraud. To protect oneself, stay vigilant during shopping seasons, verify legitimacy of support contacts independently, avoid sharing remote access to devices, and be skeptical of unsolicited law enforcement threats.
▶ VIDEO
FOX59 News
· 2024-11-18
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.
▶ VIDEO
TheStreet
· 2024-11-19
Cryptocurrency and other online scams targeting Americans aged 60 and older reached alarming levels, with the number of seniors defrauded of $100,000 or more tripling between 2020 and 2023. The FTC reported $1.9 billion in confirmed fraud losses for this age group in 2023, though estimates suggest the actual figure may reach $62 billion when accounting for unreported cases. Common scams include romance schemes, impersonation of family members or government agencies like Social Security, lottery schemes, and cryptocurrency investment fraud.
▶ VIDEO
KOIN 6
· 2024-11-19
This educational piece highlights common holiday shopping scams that target consumers during the peak spending season, including fake charity donations, pet deposit schemes, and gift card fraud. The Financial Technology Association's president advises consumers to pause before making any online purchases or payments, verify legitimacy when offers seem too good to be true, and avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources. The key takeaway is that scammers exploit holiday generosity and urgency, making skepticism and caution essential when shopping online during this period.
Gift Cards
Payment App
▶ VIDEO
WCPO 9
· 2024-11-19
**Holiday Shopping Scams Summary:**
Scammers exploit increased online shopping and package deliveries during the holiday season using tactics like fake delivery texts claiming incomplete address information and fraudulent "missed delivery" tags left on doors to trick recipients into calling numbers or clicking links. Consumer experts advise shoppers to track their orders, avoid responding to unsolicited delivery texts, and refrain from clicking unknown links, as these actions can compromise personal information and device security.
▶ VIDEO
First Alert 6
· 2024-11-21
This educational segment highlights that older adults face increased financial scam risks during the holiday season because they typically have savings, home equity, and good credit—making them attractive targets—while also experiencing social isolation and loneliness that scammers exploit. Three common holiday scams targeting seniors include charity fraud, where scammers impersonate legitimate organizations soliciting donations via calls, emails, or texts.
▶ VIDEO
NewsChannel 9 WSYR Syracuse
· 2024-11-22
Online purchase scams rose 125% in 2023, with scammers targeting busy holiday shoppers through fake websites and social media ads. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to scrutinize websites for awkward phrasing, unprofessional design, and tampered logos, and to avoid engaging with suspicious text messages requesting shipping or payment updates, as these are common tactics used to steal personal and financial information.
▶ VIDEO
WION
· 2024-11-25
Pig-butchering scams, which have stolen over $75 billion globally, are long-term confidence schemes that combine romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency deception. Scammers initiate contact through unsolicited text messages, pose as old friends or romantic interests to build trust, and then convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms controlled by the fraudsters before disappearing with the money. To protect yourself, never share personal information with online-only contacts and avoid sending money or cryptocurrency to anyone you have not met in person.
▶ VIDEO
FOX10 News
· 2024-11-26
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to avoid Black Friday scams during the expanded holiday shopping season, which now begins a week earlier with increased online sales. Key protective measures include reviewing return policies and warranties, checking shop reviews before purchasing, and setting a shopping budget beforehand to avoid falling for deals that seem too good to be true.
▶ VIDEO
News 4 Tucson KVOA-TV
· 2024-11-27
**Summary:**
This article provides holiday season cybersecurity awareness, warning that scammers and hackers actively target online shoppers during peak shopping periods. Experts recommend three key protective measures: keep devices and passwords up-to-date, shop only through trusted sources while being cautious of suspicious email links and social media ads, and carefully consider what personal information is being shared before responding to communications or making purchases.
▶ VIDEO
FOX31 Denver
· 2024-11-27
A Denver man lost thousands of dollars after scammers gained access to his Venmo account by using a phishing email to change his password, exploiting his recent grief over his father's death. The hackers transferred funds from his linked checking account before he regained access, and while PayPal later confirmed the breach and pledged to make things right, the incident highlights vulnerabilities across cash transfer apps including Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App. Experts recommend users enable two-factor authentication, transfer money to bank accounts promptly, change passwords regularly, and remain vigilant against common scams like "paid by mistake" schemes and pyramid schemes on these platforms.
▶ VIDEO
CityNews
· 2024-11-28
Edmonton Police reported four e-transfer scam incidents in November resulting in over $6,700 in losses, primarily targeting buyers on online marketplaces like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. From January to August, the police received more than 600 e-transfer scam reports totaling $10.8 million, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated fake websites and pop-ups to trick victims into sending payments.
▶ VIDEO
This Morning
· 2024-11-27
Gift card scams are a major fraud threat during the holiday season, with Action Fraud reporting losses of £13.5 million to gift card scams in the previous year. Scammers target these popular gifts through various methods including impersonation fraud via WhatsApp, Facebook, email, and text messages, with elderly people being particularly vulnerable. Gift cards are attractive to fraudsters because of their high monetary value and ease of transfer, making it essential for consumers to be cautious when purchasing or gifting them.
▶ VIDEO
13News Now
· 2024-11-29
Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping increases vulnerability to several common scams: fraudulent social media ads with fake URLs, phony websites selling deactivated or counterfeit gift cards to harvest personal information, and phishing emails with suspicious links. Consumers should verify ad sources and URLs, purchase gift cards only from official retailers, check for spelling errors and https security on websites, and avoid clicking email links unless the sender's address is confirmed legitimate.
▶ VIDEO
WCHS Eyewitness News
· 2024-12-01
Scammers are impersonating county sheriff's office staff and calling victims about missed jury duty, claiming a warrant exists for their arrest and demanding payment of a fine. The scam uses spoofed local phone numbers, real deputy names, and personal information to appear legitimate, though red flags include requests for case information before appearing in court and pressure to pay fines immediately. Victims are advised to recognize that legitimate jury duty notifications do not include advance case packets or fine demands via phone calls.
▶ VIDEO
KHON2 News
· 2024-12-02
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.
▶ VIDEO
5NEWS
· 2024-12-04
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.
▶ VIDEO
Denver7
· 2024-12-04
A 92-year-old pastor in Highlands Ranch and his wife nearly fell victim to a sophisticated scam after a pop-up appeared on their computer warning of a problem; when the pastor called the number in the link, scammers falsely claimed his credit card was used to purchase child pornography in China and pressured him to transfer money to a new bank account. The incident illustrates the heightened fraud risk during the holiday shopping season, with the FBI reporting $39 million in consumer losses to scams in 2023 and an additional $173 million in credit card fraud losses.
▶ VIDEO
CBS LA
· 2024-12-06
A 77-year-old widow lost over $20,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man in a Facebook Christian group who posed as a wealthy oil rig worker. The scam had devastating family consequences—her daughter lost her relationship with her mother and learned during the investigation that her mother had sold the family home for $130,000 below market value, likely funneling most of those proceeds to the scammer. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams caused over $1 billion in losses last year, affecting not just finances but also family relationships and homes.
▶ VIDEO
KVUE
· 2024-12-06
As holiday shopping moves online, fraud experts warn consumers—particularly older adults with significant assets—to be vigilant against scams, as approximately one-third of consumers fall victim to online fraud during this season. Key risks include fraudulent social media ads, fake package delivery texts with links to copycat websites, and tech support scam pop-ups; experts recommend shopping only at trusted retailers, avoiding suspicious links, and going directly to carrier websites to check package status rather than clicking links in messages.
▶ VIDEO
WHAS11
· 2024-12-06
Fraud experts warn consumers to avoid online shopping scams during the holiday season, particularly fake ads on social media and fraudulent package delivery texts from scammers impersonating carriers like UPS and FedEx. To protect themselves, consumers should shop directly through trusted retailers they already use, verify package status by visiting carrier websites directly, and report any scams to police. According to AARP, approximately one-third of consumers are affected by online scams annually.
▶ VIDEO
WTVC NewsChannel 9
· 2024-12-08
A Texas woman lost $2,000 in a utility scam when she received a call from someone impersonating CPS Energy, threatening to cut off her electricity and demanding immediate payment via gift cards purchased at multiple stores. The scammer used social engineering tactics—including knowing the victim's account number—to build credibility, and the victim only realized she'd been defrauded after contacting CPS Energy directly, which confirmed they never call to demand payment or threaten same-day disconnection.
Gift Cards
▶ VIDEO
ABC11
· 2024-12-09
Fraud experts warn consumers that approximately one-third of online shoppers fall victim to scams during the holiday shopping season, with older adults at particular risk despite being statistically less likely to be defrauded than younger adults—a concern because seniors typically have more assets to lose. Key scam tactics include fraudulent social media ads, fake package delivery texts from carriers like UPS and FedEx that direct users to copycat websites, and tech support scam alerts that appear on computer screens. Experts recommend shopping directly from trusted retailers' websites, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and going directly to carrier websites to check package status rather than clicking notification links.
▶ VIDEO
WTVR CBS 6
· 2024-12-10
A Virginia woman nearly lost $22,000 in a holiday-season scam, though the amount was ultimately not transferred after a bank questioned the suspicious withdrawal. The Central Virginia Better Business Bureau warns of prevalent phishing scams during the holidays, including fraudulent messages impersonating delivery services and the IRS that attempt to steal personal information or download malware through malicious links. The BBB advises consumers not to click suspicious links, never pay with Bitcoin or gift cards, and remember that legitimate offers that seem too good to be true probably are.
▶ VIDEO
TODAY
· 2024-12-10
During the holiday season, when Americans are expected to spend over $240 billion online, scammers are exploiting increased shopping activity through fraudulent websites and online shopping schemes. Online fraud costs approximately $12 billion annually according to the FBI, with thousands of fake websites appearing during peak shopping periods to steal personal information. Consumers should protect themselves by checking for security padlocks on websites, scrutinizing URLs and website content for typos or errors, and being cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 5 New York
· 2024-12-13
Amazon Prime customers are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated lookalike scams during the holiday season, with scammers impersonating Amazon through text messages and emails that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications. Over 1,000 Amazon scam sites were registered in just two months, and cybersecurity experts report that one in five adults are clicking on these fraudulent messages. Consumers are advised to be cautious of unsolicited Amazon communications and delete suspicious messages immediately.
▶ VIDEO
LOCAL 12
· 2024-12-15
Criminals are increasingly using fraudulent QR codes to scam victims through emails, text messages, social media, and physical locations like parking lots and websites. Unlike clickable URLs, QR codes cannot be previewed before scanning, making it difficult for users to identify malicious links that lead to phishing pages, credential theft, money scams, or malware installation. Scammers often disguise QR codes with legitimate branding (such as Microsoft logos) to appear trustworthy and trick users into scanning them.
▶ VIDEO
FOX31 Denver
· 2024-12-16
Scammers are placing counterfeit QR codes on Denver parking meters and street signs that direct users to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information or install malware. The Federal Trade Commission warns that these fake codes can capture login credentials, financial data, or automatically compromise devices before users realize the threat. To protect themselves, users should only scan QR codes that are official city-branded and use the authorized Pay by Phone app, avoiding any codes that redirect to websites or third-party applications.
▶ VIDEO
KTVB
· 2024-12-16
"Don't Click December" is an awareness campaign aimed at protecting consumers from online fraud during the holiday shopping season, when scammers exploit increased internet usage for gift purchases and charitable donations. U.S. Attorney Josh Hert advises consumers to be cautious of suspicious emails, text messages, and popups that use fear tactics to trick people into clicking malicious links or providing personal information.
▶ VIDEO
WTVC NewsChannel 9
· 2024-12-15
A Chattanooga couple lost $800 in an online puppy scam after purchasing a Boston Terrier from a seller they believed was legitimate based on their presence as an admin in a Facebook breed-specific rehoming group. Despite sending payment, the couple never received the puppy and law enforcement confirmed they were victims of a scam. The couple is sharing their experience to warn others to trust their instincts when something feels off during online pet purchases.
Gift Cards
▶ VIDEO
wgaltv
· 2024-12-18
Nigeria's anti-fraud agency arrested nearly 800 people, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a raid on a Lagos office building as part of a large-scale romance scam operation. The suspects used social media and messaging platforms to contact and deceive victims in North America and Europe, building romantic relationships before offering fraudulent investment opportunities. Investigators seized over 400 SIM cards, mobile phones, and dozens of computers, and are investigating potential connections to organized international fraud networks.
▶ VIDEO
KHON2 News
· 2024-12-18
The Better Business Bureau identified 12 common holiday scams, with misleading social media ads and imposter websites being the most prevalent. The list includes phishing emails, fake charities, puppy scams, unsafe holiday apps, and counterfeit product sales. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid interacting with unsolicited messages, only shop from trusted businesses, verify website authenticity, report scams to the BBB and financial institutions, and contact local law enforcement if money is lost.
▶ VIDEO
13 ON YOUR SIDE
· 2024-12-18
Law enforcement agencies are warning the public about "brushing" scams, where victims receive unexpected packages with QR codes prompting them to scan and discover the sender's identity. While authorities warn that scanning these codes can lead to drained bank accounts, cybersecurity experts clarify that the scams typically involve sellers shipping cheap items to random addresses to post fake positive reviews, with QR codes more commonly directing users to phishing websites that steal personal information rather than directly accessing phone data. Authorities recommend recipients of unsolicited packages verify their existing accounts and change passwords as a precaution.
▶ VIDEO
WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore
· 2024-12-19
Delivery scams are the most prevalent business impersonation fraud, with over 330,000 cases reported nationwide last year, half involving shipping. Scammers send fraudulent emails and texts impersonating delivery companies like USPS, FedEx, or DHL, claiming package delivery problems and requesting payment or personal information, with tactics becoming more convincing due to AI. To protect yourself, verify communications by visiting carrier websites directly rather than clicking links, watch for urgent language and suspicious email addresses, and if compromised, reset login credentials and place a fraud alert on your credit report.
▶ VIDEO
FOX4 News Kansas City
· 2024-12-20
During open enrollment season, scammers are targeting people with unsolicited robocalls and text messages offering free incentives like groceries or housing to enroll in health insurance, then requesting personal and financial information to "confirm eligibility." KC Care warns consumers to avoid these scams by only initiating enrollment themselves and working with licensed, trained insurance navigators rather than responding to unsolicited contacts, with free navigator services available through official channels like GetCovered.org (Kansas) and ShowMeCoverage.org (Missouri).
▶ VIDEO
FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-12-20
Local police departments in Bridgeton and Kirkwood issued warnings about an evolving "brushing scam" that combines unsolicited package shipments with QR codes included in the packaging. In brushing scams, online sellers ship random products to real addresses and post fake positive reviews to boost sales, but this new variation includes QR codes that, when scanned, may direct recipients to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information. Authorities advise consumers to avoid scanning QR codes on unsolicited packages, monitor credit annually, and exercise caution with any unexpected shipments requesting online engagement.
▶ VIDEO
Scripps News
· 2024-12-22
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.
▶ VIDEO
CBS Mornings
· 2024-12-23
**Summary:**
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers that scammers can steal gift card numbers and PINs before purchase, with gift cards being the most requested holiday item at 53% of shoppers' wish lists. Shoppers should inspect gift cards for signs of tampering such as removed protective stickers or scratched barcodes, and alert store managers if found, as scammers may tamper with cards in batches and drain funds loaded onto them.
▶ VIDEO
CNN-News18
· 2024-12-26
Cyber crimes in India surged dramatically in 2024, with the tech-driven region of Hyderabad experiencing a 64% rise in overall crime and an 882% increase in digital arrest scams, reaching losses of 80 crores compared to 6.2 crores the previous year. Cyber fraud cases accounted for 11,900 incidents (23% of all crimes in the region), with citizens losing over 700 crores to fraudsters through job scams, trading frauds, and SMS phishing schemes. The segment emphasizes the importance of avoiding calls from unidentified numbers and highlights ongoing efforts to combat the escalating digital crime problem across the nation.
▶ VIDEO
Hawaii News Now
· 2024-12-26
Honolulu police warn that romance scams are increasingly targeting elderly seniors, particularly during the holiday season when isolation increases vulnerability. Scammers create fake dating or social media profiles to build emotional connections with seniors, eventually claiming to be in love while requesting money. The scheme became especially prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic when seniors were homebound and lonely.
▶ VIDEO
WSBT-TV
· 2024-12-27
The Better Business Bureau's Northern Indiana chapter warned holiday shoppers about gift card scams, where fraudsters tamper with cards in stores, steal card information, and return them to shelves undetected. According to the Federal Trade Commission, gift card fraud accounted for $27 million of the $10 billion in scams reported nationwide in 2023. Consumers can protect themselves by inspecting cards for damage, checking for stickers over barcodes, alerting employees to suspicious packaging, and researching store-specific gift card terms and conditions.
Gift Cards
▶ VIDEO
WCPO 9
· 2024-12-31
In 2025, the most common scams targeting everyone include impostor scams (posing as banks), online shopping fraud, fake job opportunities, and investment schemes, with reported losses reaching $10 billion in the most recent year. A woman lost nearly $10,000 to a banking impostor scam, while others have fallen victim to work-from-home scams involving fraudulent check deposits. Artificial intelligence is making these scams increasingly difficult to detect, and individuals should be more cautious about sharing personally identifiable information like names and addresses.
▶ VIDEO
ABC11
· 2025-01-01
**Summary:**
Experts warn that scammers are increasingly using generative AI in 2025 to create more realistic fraudulent websites, deepfake videos and audio, and fake social media content, making scams harder to detect. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, consumers lost over $1 trillion to scams in 2024, and the FBI has issued alerts about criminals exploiting AI to commit fraud at larger scales and increase the believability of their schemes. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant in protecting their money and personal information as scam tactics continue to evolve.
▶ VIDEO
We Are Iowa Local 5 News
· 2025-01-04
Iowa Attorney General Brena Bird warned of a rising trend of "grandparent scams" targeting older adults, in which scammers impersonate grandchildren and claim to be in accidents, hospitalized, or jailed, then request money. Bird advised seniors to hang up and verify such claims directly with trusted family members and to report suspected scams to local law enforcement.
▶ VIDEO
PBS NewsHour
· 2025-01-04
Pig-butchering investment scams have cost victims worldwide an estimated $75 billion over the past four years, with Americans alone losing $4.6 billion in 2023, through fake romantic relationships that manipulate targets into investing in cryptocurrency on fraudulent platforms. The scams typically begin with a wrong-number text leading to conversation with a fake attractive persona who builds trust over 90 days before pressuring victims to invest increasingly large sums until they lose their life savings. Beyond the financial victims, the scammers themselves are often human trafficking victims forced by Asian organized crime syndicates (primarily Chinese, but including Yakuza and Korean groups) operating from compound cities built specifically to run these
▶ VIDEO
IRSvideos
· 2025-01-06
This is an educational webinar presented by the IRS and FTC during National Tax Security Awareness Week that covers common identity theft and tax-related scams, methods for identifying and reporting fraud, the IRS Identity Protection PIN program, and resources for protecting against identity thieves. The 75-minute presentation includes technical guidance for participants and a live Q&A session to address audience questions about fraud prevention and recovery.
▶ VIDEO
News4JAX The Local Station
· 2025-01-06
Following the New Orleans New Year's Day attack, scammers created fake charity websites to solicit donations, prompting the Better Business Bureau to issue warnings about charity fraud. To protect yourself, verify charities through the BBB's give.org database, research crowdfunding sites and confirm user verification, and use credit cards or checks rather than cash to enable easier refunds if fraud occurs.
▶ VIDEO
ET Now
· 2025-01-06
Digital arrest scams are rapidly proliferating in India, with victims including influencer Ankush Bahuguna (held virtually for 40 hours), a 50-year-old businesswoman (lost 1.6 crore rupees), and a 65-year-old woman (lost 46 lakh rupees). In 2024 alone, Indians lost approximately 120 crore rupees across multiple states, with Karnataka reporting 109 crore rupees in losses from 641 cases. The scam operates through video calls where criminals impersonate authorities and coerce victims into believing they are under digital arrest, demanding payment to resolve fabricated legal issues.
▶ VIDEO
WGN News
· 2025-01-07
The Better Business Bureau released its top 10 local scams of 2024, with online purchases through fake websites ranking as the #1 threat, followed by phishing scams, employment scams, debt collection scams, and social media shopping scams involving counterfeit products. Consumers are advised to verify companies through the BBB before providing personal or financial information, avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or social media ads, be wary of unsolicited urgent requests, and recognize that legitimate debt collectors must notify in writing before taking action.
▶ VIDEO
WKBW TV | Buffalo, NY
· 2025-01-09
New York State enacted legislation requiring dating apps to notify users when they interact with fake or scam accounts, following reports that approximately 7,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams in 2022. The law addresses concerns about the prevalence of fraudulent profiles on platforms like Tinder, with some users reporting that roughly one in five profiles may be fake or bot accounts designed to deceive online daters.
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Boston
· 2025-01-09
Hundreds of Massachusetts residents received fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass (Easy Drive MA), requesting payment for tolls, in what authorities are investigating as a "smishing" scam with FBI involvement. One victim clicked the malicious link and was directed to a fake payment page; the scam messages originated from a Philippines phone number and contained spelling errors that revealed their fraudulent nature. Cybersecurity experts advise users not to click links in unsolicited text messages and to verify directly with official sources before providing payment information.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 17 WXMI
· 2025-01-09
Following major disasters like wildfires, scammers exploit people's generosity through imposter and phishing scams, impersonating legitimate organizations, government officials, or trusted contacts on social media to solicit donations and personal information. Red flags include deals that seem too good to be true, overly emotional imagery, vague organizational descriptions, and unclear donation processes; the Better Business Bureau recommends using credit cards for donations, which offer greater fraud protection than debit cards.
Gift Cards
Cash
▶ VIDEO
Irish Independent
· 2025-01-14
Romance scams (also called "pig butchering") are surging in Ireland, primarily targeting middle-aged women through dating apps where scammers build emotional relationships over time before requesting money for bills, fees, and expenses. Detective Superintendent Michael Crry of Ireland's National Economic Crime Bureau explains that these online fraud schemes rely on social engineering, manipulation, and exploitation, with recent arrests highlighting law enforcement efforts to combat the crime, which is particularly prevalent during vulnerable winter months when people seek connection.
▶ VIDEO
WWMT-TV
· 2025-01-14
During wildfire relief efforts on the west coast, the Better Business Bureau warns of scammers using social media to collect donations fraudulently by creating fake websites with URLs nearly identical to legitimate disaster relief organizations. To avoid being victimized, donors should research organizations carefully, verify URLs for subtle misspellings, check for grammar errors, and navigate directly to websites rather than clicking links from emails or texts.
▶ VIDEO
Firstpost
· 2025-01-15
A 53-year-old French woman lost over $1 million to a romance scam between February 2023 and an unspecified later date, after being approached online by someone impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated videos and romantic messages. The victim, going through a divorce, believed she was in a long-distance relationship with the actor and was gradually manipulated into sending money, with the scammer using excuses about Pitt being busy to avoid video calls. This case illustrates how romance scams combined with AI technology and celebrity impersonation can exploit vulnerable individuals seeking emotional connection.
▶ VIDEO
TaiwanPlus News
· 2025-01-15
A Taiwanese man was rescued from a scam ring operating in Myanmar after being lured by a fake job advertisement promising work as a dance instructor in Thailand; he is one of over 1,500 Taiwanese citizens freed from trafficking and scam centers in Southeast Asia over the past three years. Criminal groups use fake job postings to kidnap victims and force them to work in detention centers where they conduct scams against people back home, with rescue efforts often requiring NGO negotiators and sometimes involving ransom payments. These schemes have proliferated across Southeast Asian countries as criminals seek to recoup losses and exploit vulnerable job seekers.
▶ VIDEO
WETM 18 News
· 2025-01-14
The Steuben County Sheriff's office is warning residents about two active scams in the county: one involving calls from scammers impersonating law enforcement who demand bail or court-related payment via digital transfer services like PayPal, Venmo, or MoneyGram, and another involving door-to-door solicitors offering home improvement services. Sheriff Jim Allard emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement will never call demanding money and will always conduct official business in person.
▶ VIDEO
WHNT News 19
· 2025-01-21
Utility scammers pose as energy companies and create urgency by threatening immediate power shutoffs unless customers pay bills over the phone, a tactic that increases during cold winter months when people fear losing heat. Legitimate utility providers never demand immediate phone payments and will confirm account issues if you call them directly using a number you know; if forced to pay a scammer, use a credit card rather than debit or gift cards to make fraud charges easier to dispute.
▶ VIDEO
WBNS 10TV
· 2025-01-21
"Mule scams" targeting job seekers are rising in central Ohio, with scammers posing as legitimate companies to recruit workers for fake remote positions. A 30-year-old single mother in Toledo lost nearly $5,000 after being hired by a fraudulent company called "Skyline Deliveries" that promised $4,000+ monthly for shipping label work, then failed to pay her after four weeks of labor. The Better Business Bureau warns consumers applying for online remote work to verify company legitimacy before providing personal information or completing unpaid work.
▶ VIDEO
13WMAZ
· 2025-01-26
This educational segment from the Better Business Bureau of Central Georgia provides fraud prevention advice for 2025, emphasizing identity theft as a persistent threat. The key recommendation is to monitor credit reports two to three times per year (utilizing the free weekly access available since COVID-era policy changes) to quickly detect unauthorized accounts and address identity theft before significant damage occurs.
▶ VIDEO
CBC News
· 2025-01-25
Fake advertisements impersonating CBC News stories are circulating on X (formerly Twitter), claiming Canadian politicians like Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh were sued or arrested, directing users to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme called "Quantum AI." The scam uses realistic-looking fake news sites and investment platforms to lure victims into depositing money with fake account managers, with documented losses of at least $80,000 from one victim in Australia, and involves infrastructure traced to locations in Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, and Russia.
Cryptocurrency