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CNN
· 2024-02-19
A financial columnist for New York magazine fell victim to an elaborate multi-stage scam in which fraudsters impersonating Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and a CIA investigator convinced her to withdraw $50,000 and hand it to them in cash over the course of a five-hour phone call. The scammers exploited her vulnerability by threatening her family and creating a false sense of urgency, using isolation tactics to prevent her from seeking help or verification. She came forward with her story to highlight that scam victims span all demographics and professions, and that sophisticated scammers are skilled at identifying and exploiting individual vulnerabilities.
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FOX 5 San Diego
· 2024-02-22
A couple fell victim to a spoofing scam when scammers impersonated Chase Bank, claiming suspicious account activity and convincing them to provide access codes to their accounts. Despite the victims' attempts to verify the caller and quickly seek help at multiple bank branches, a $49,500 wire transfer was initiated before their account was frozen 4.5 hours later; the couple is now working with the FBI and lawyers to recover the funds.
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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.
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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.
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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
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ABC News (Australia)
· 2024-04-29
A scam text impersonating HSBC Bank led Jenny's family to lose nearly $140,000 in life savings after criminals tricked them into revealing bank details. Record numbers of scams were reported in Australia last year, with losses totaling $2.7 billion and people over 65 most heavily targeted, though authorities note some progress through improved bank coordination and action. Consumer groups argue that meaningful industry obligations and victim compensation requirements are necessary to significantly reduce ongoing losses, facing resistance from banks on the compensation issue.
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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.
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FOX5 Las Vegas
· 2024-06-04
A North Las Vegas woman fell victim to a phone scam in which a caller impersonating her bank reported fraudulent charges on her account and convinced her to hand over her credit card to a courier who arrived at her door within 10 minutes. The scammer obtained thousands of dollars and demonstrated knowledge of security access codes to gain her trust. Police across the Las Vegas Valley are increasingly concerned about this evolving tactic where scammers escalate phone fraud by dispatching in-person couriers to collect victims' payment information.
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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.
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WFMY News 2
· 2024-08-02
A recent global cyber glitch that disrupted flights and businesses served as a reminder to protect against online scams, according to money expert Jana Adams. Phishing scams—fraudulent emails with malicious links—are among the most common threats, with scammers now impersonating banks, family members, friends, social media platforms, and employers to gain access to personal information and money.
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VICE
· 2024-08-05
A Northern Irish digital marketing entrepreneur discovered that scammers had created dozens of fake profiles impersonating him across multiple social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Bumble, Tinder, and others) using his photos and personal information to deceive people. After investigating the fraudulent accounts, he uncovered a larger criminal enterprise operating the identity theft and catfishing scheme, which involved fabricating romantic relationships and divorce scenarios to manipulate victims.
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WENY TV NEWS
· 2024-08-07
This educational episode of The Senior Notebook Show features Stacy Pierce, a member service specialist with Corning Credit Union, discussing fraud prevention for seniors. Pierce identifies seniors over 60 as primary fraud targets because they are more likely to be home, answer phone calls, and open mail, and emphasizes that fraud affects people of all races and backgrounds without discrimination. The discussion provides awareness about who is vulnerable to scams and encourages seniors to be informed about fraud risks.
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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.
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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.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-08-29
The FBI warns that scammers are targeting older adults by posing as police, the FTC, or bank representatives and convincing them to cash out retirement accounts like 401(k)s and convert the funds into gold or bitcoin. From May to December 2023, this scheme resulted in over $55 million in losses, with scammers either claiming to hold the gold for safekeeping or pressuring victims to convert it into cryptocurrency. Authorities advise verifying any urgent financial requests by independently contacting your bank and discussing suspicious calls with trusted family members.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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CBS News
· 2024-10-04
Overseas scammers defrauded a 92-year-old woman in Los Angeles of her life savings by impersonating IT experts and government officials, convincing her that her computer had been hacked and pressuring her to withdraw funds to purchase gold as a "safer investment." The scammers instructed the victim to keep the scheme secret, and despite her daughter's attempts to alert her bank (Charles Schwab) to the suspicious large transactions and wire transfers, the funds were lost. This case exemplifies a widespread epidemic affecting tens of thousands of Americans who fall victim to similar overseas fraud schemes operating through impersonation and deception tactics.
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CBS Evening News
· 2024-10-11
A 92-year-old woman in Los Angeles lost her life savings to overseas scammers who impersonated IT experts and government officials, convincing her that her computer had been hacked and pressuring her to withdraw funds to purchase gold as a "safer investment." The scam involved large wire transfers from her Charles Schwab investment account, and the perpetrators instructed her to keep the scheme secret from her family. This case exemplifies a broader epidemic of multi-million-dollar fraud targeting Americans by overseas criminals operating tech support and investment scams.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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25 News KXXV
· 2025-01-06
Woodway Public Safety Department is warning residents about a rising number of scams in the community, including imposter scams where callers pose as bank representatives to steal personal information and money, bank jugging (where criminals rob people leaving banks), and Facebook Marketplace fraud involving fake items. The department notes that scam frequency is increasing, particularly during the holiday season, with AI technology making imposter scams more sophisticated and harder to detect.
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WRSP/WCCU FOX 55/27 Illinois
· 2025-03-05
A USAA bank customer lost thousands of dollars to scammers who called impersonating the bank's fraud department. The scammers used legitimate personal information and caller ID spoofing to appear authentic, claiming to warn about fraudulent charges on the victim's debit card before tricking her into giving them access to her account. The incident is part of a growing trend of similar fraud cases targeting bank customers.
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KATVchannel7
· 2025-03-05
A USAA bank customer fell victim to scammers impersonating the bank's fraud department who called claiming to warn about suspicious charges on her account. The scammers, who had obtained her personal information, manipulated her into granting them access to her account and stealing thousands of dollars. The incident is part of a growing trend of bank customers being targeted by fraudsters using spoofed caller IDs and social engineering tactics.
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60 Minutes
· 2025-03-23
This 60 Minutes segment examines why investment fraud and Ponzi schemes continue to thrive despite public awareness of high-profile cases like Bernie Madoff's multi-billion dollar fraud. The piece features expert Ricky Jay discussing how con artists exploit human psychology—including greed and excessive trust—and identifies key warning signs such as dealings with well-established figures who rely on exclusive affiliations to build credibility. The segment highlights that despite financial disasters and skepticism, investors remain vulnerable to sophisticated scams, a phenomenon regulators refer to as "ponzi-monium."
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KPAX-TV
· 2025-04-11
A Helena, Montana resident nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam when a caller posing as a sheriff's office representative threatened arrest for missed jury duty and demanded $5,000 payment. The victim avoided losing money by contacting his bank, Opportunity Bank of Montana, whose employees verified the scam and confirmed the fraudster had spoofed the sheriff's department's phone number. The transcript emphasizes common tactics scammers use—fear and urgency—and recommends pausing to verify information before responding to suspicious communications.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2025-06-27
A new Better Business Bureau report examines sophisticated business scams where fraudsters impersonate vendors, access computer systems, and obtain sensitive data through breaches. The FBI reports $1.4 billion in losses from data breaches over three years, with IBM estimating average breach costs of nearly $5 million per business in 2024. The BBB recommends businesses implement multi-factor authentication, conduct cybersecurity training for employees, and establish unique passwords across all devices to protect against these increasingly complex attacks.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-08-04
Phishing scammers are increasingly using recognizable brand names—including EZPass, Microsoft, Steam, Facebook, Coinbase, Netflix, American Express, and others—to trick victims into clicking malicious links or visiting fake websites. Scammers exploit familiarity and artificial urgency to prompt impulsive action, with AI making fraudulent emails and websites look increasingly realistic; fake DMV scams saw a 700% increase in one quarter. The best defense is to never click links in unsolicited messages and instead navigate directly to official websites through your own search to verify any account issues.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-08-19
Imposter scammers are increasingly targeting seniors' life savings, with the number of older Americans reporting losses exceeding $100,000 increasing nearly sevenfold since 2020, according to FTC data. Scammers impersonating businesses and government agencies use three common tactics to create urgency and fear: claiming unauthorized account use, identity theft, or computer security problems, then instructing victims to move money to accounts they control under the guise of protection. The FTC advises never transferring money at a stranger's direction and instead hanging up and contacting trusted contacts or the agency directly to verify claims.
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WSOCTV9
· 2025-08-28
This educational piece from WSOC-TV features attorney Jason Stujeni's advice on how to discuss scam awareness with aging parents. He recommends teaching seniors to recognize red flags—including poor spelling, requests for unusual payment methods (gift cards, wire transfers), emotional manipulation, unsolicited contact from those claiming to represent banks or government agencies, and AI-enabled grandchild impersonation scams—and to avoid answering unknown contacts, clicking unfamiliar links, or sharing personal information with strangers.
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WUSA9
· 2025-09-08
DC's Attorney General filed a lawsuit against a major Bitcoin ATM operator after finding that 93% of deposits at these machines were linked to fraud, with victims having a median age of 71 and median losses of $8,000. The scam typically begins with a phone call from someone impersonating a bank, government official, or trusted company, who convinces seniors to deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs under false pretenses such as protecting their funds or assisting with a government investigation. Red flags include high-pressure tactics and artificial urgency in these calls.
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23ABC News | KERO
· 2025-09-08
A 2025 identity theft survey shows impersonation scams are on the rise, with scammers impersonating banks, law enforcement, and trusted contacts via text, calls, and emails—often using AI to target victims more precisely. Victims are increasingly sharing sensitive personal information including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, financial account details, and passwords, putting them at risk for financial and identity fraud. The Better Business Bureau and Identity Theft Resource Center urge consumers to be cautious about unsolicited contact and not share personal information, even if the message appears to come from someone they know.
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ABC News
· 2025-10-09
An 85-year-old woman, Fran Bates, lost tens of thousands of dollars of her life savings to a cryptocurrency scam over two days when a scammer convinced her that her bank account had been hacked and instructed her to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM for safety. The scam was caught on camera at the ATM, where the victim deposited at least $23,000 before intervention occurred, highlighting how sophisticated criminal networks are increasingly exploiting Bitcoin ATMs—of which over 45,000 operate across the country—to defraud Americans.
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Good Morning America
· 2025-10-09
An 85-year-old woman named Fran Bates was scammed over two days by criminals who convinced her that her bank account had been hacked and persuaded her to deposit tens of thousands of dollars of her life savings into a Bitcoin ATM for "safety." This scam is part of a larger trend in which sophisticated criminal networks are increasingly exploiting the over 45,000 Bitcoin ATMs across the country to separate Americans from their money.
capecodtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Robert Tobey, a Connecticut man with early-stage dementia, lost at least $5,000 to phone scammers between late 2018 and early 2019 who posed as friends, manipulating him into sending gift cards and money transfers and compromising his Social Security account. The article reports that scams affecting Cape Cod residents include romance scams, government impersonation schemes, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-jail scams, with the National Council on Aging estimating five million older Americans lose $36.5 billion annually to fraud. Law enforcement warns that scams are constantly evolving and advise victims to hang up on suspicious calls
theweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK government launched the "Stop! Think Fraud" campaign to address the £6.8 billion annual cost of fraud, which accounts for 40% of crime and 3.2 million offenses in England and Wales. The campaign consolidates fraud prevention advice from multiple agencies and directs victims to support resources, while highlighting key scams including parcel delivery tricks, loan fee fraud, and authorised push payment (APP) scams that stolen £239.3 million in the first half of 2023.
collegiatetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Virginia Tech has experienced an influx of phishing scams targeting university email accounts, primarily using social engineering tactics rather than system vulnerabilities to trick recipients into sharing personal information, money, or clicking malicious links. While misinformation claims the scams are new or that Outlook's security is ineffective, officials report the scams have persisted for years and Outlook has strong protective tools; notably, most victims have been students rather than older individuals. University officials recommend marking suspicious emails as phishing, verifying sender addresses through official staff lists, and reporting compromised accounts immediately.
seattletimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Cowles, a finance advice columnist at New York Magazine, fell victim to a $50,000 scam involving fraudsters impersonating Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and the CIA who convinced her to withdraw money for "safekeeping" due to alleged identity theft and fraudulent accounts. The article debunks the scammers' tactics by confirming that Amazon never transfers customers to the FTC, the FTC never provides badge numbers or asks for financial information, and the CIA does not conduct domestic fraud investigations. The piece serves as an educational guide highlighting red flags and advising consumers to hang up on suspicious calls and contact companies directly through official channels.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A New York nurse, Avalon Grimes, lost over $20,000 from her Chase bank account after receiving a call from someone impersonating the bank who claimed fraud had been detected on her account. The scammer used a spoofed phone number matching her Chase card and tricked Grimes into wiring money and revealing a security code sent to her phone. Chase is working to help recover the funds and has warned customers about increasingly sophisticated scams involving voice cloning technology and impersonation of banks and government agencies.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers reported losing a record $10 billion to fraud and scams—a 14% increase from 2022—according to FTC data, with 2.6 million fraud reports filed nationwide and approximately 700,000 people reporting financial losses. Common scams included romance fraud, fake bank and tech support calls, and impersonation schemes, with criminals exploiting digital payment methods including bank transfers ($1.86 billion) and cryptocurrency ($1.41 billion). Michigan consumers alone lost $151.7 million to fraud in 2023, with a median loss of $410 per victim.
baltictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Approximately 350 romance scam cases were recorded in Lithuania in 2023, with victims attempting to transfer over 1 million euros to fraudsters, though banks were able to stop some transactions. Vulnerable victims included lonely individuals and those with poor digital hygiene skills, particularly elderly women seeking relationships online who were targeted by scammers impersonating military personnel. Banks report that recovery is difficult because victims often delay reporting due to shame and embarrassment, and experts recommend vigilance against money transfer requests from online contacts as a key prevention measure.
candgnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will host a free educational presentation on February 26 at the Madison Heights Active Adult Center to address common scams targeting senior citizens. The discussion covers imposter scams where con artists pose as relatives, utility workers, government officials, or romantic interests, often using artificial intelligence and creating false urgency to pressure victims into sending money via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Authorities recommend seniors verify caller identities through independent contact information, never share personal financial details without confirmation, and report suspected scams to local police or the Federal Trade Commission.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Katie Little of Orlando received a call from someone impersonating an Orange County Sheriff's deputy threatening arrest, but she refused to comply with demands for a money order. However, approximately one hour later, $900 disappeared from her bank account, which Little believes the scammer obtained through voice verification used for fraudulent transfers. The Orange County Sheriff's Office warns that law enforcement and courts never demand money over the phone and advise residents to protect their personal information.
lrt.lt
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers in Lithuania defrauded hundreds of people of over 1 million euros in a coordinated scheme targeting lonely individuals, particularly elderly women, who believed they were communicating with military officers or sailors online. Banks recorded 350 confirmed cases last year, with victims losing significant amounts across multiple financial institutions (Swedbank: 300,000 euros from 148 customers; Luminor: 380,000 euros; SEB: 154,000 euros from 45 customers). Many victims delay reporting due to shame and embarrassment, allowing fraudsters to retain stolen funds, and banks emphasize that money requests from online romantic contacts should be treated as a major warning sign.
coshoctontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers lost a record $10 billion to scams—$1 billion more than the previous year—with approximately 2.6 million reports filed to the FTC, including one in four people experiencing losses with a median of $500 each. The top three scam types were imposter scams ($2.7 billion in losses), investment scams (with median losses rising from $5,000 to $7,700), and social media scams ($1.4 billion total losses). Consumer protection agencies like the FTC and Ohio Attorney General's Office educate the public on recognizing scams targeting specific groups—such as older adults, college students, an
citizensadvice.org.uk
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide describes common scams affecting people in Scotland, including phishing emails and texts impersonating TV Licensing, HMRC, PayPal, banks, and Ofcom, as well as dating and romance scams. The advice emphasizes verifying sender information, avoiding clicking suspicious links, never providing personal or financial details to unsolicited contacts, and immediately contacting your bank and police (101) if details have been compromised. Key prevention strategies include checking official websites for legitimate communication, using trusted contact methods, and consulting trusted friends or relatives when suspicious of a scam.
montereyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational column outlines four prevalent scams targeting seniors: elder financial abuse (where trusted individuals gain unauthorized access to finances), romance scams (where online/phone relationships lead to requests for money), tech support scams (fraudulent calls claiming computer or banking problems), and bereavement scams (scammers targeting grieving family members by posing as funeral homes). The article estimates that over 10% of U.S. elderly are victimized annually and recommends protective measures including adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, establishing estate plans, verifying unexpected calls by contacting organizations directly, and reporting fraud to law enforcement.
timesleader.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Forty Fort residents were victimized in a cryptocurrency scam where scammers impersonated their banks, falsely claiming their accounts were hacked and instructing them to withdraw funds and open Bitcoin accounts at local gas stations while threatening them not to contact their banks. Police are warning residents to contact local law enforcement immediately if they receive similar demands involving money transfers or cryptocurrency accounts.
Cryptocurrency
Bank Transfer
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
A Hong Kong company lost HK$200 million (A$40 million) when an employee was deceived by scammers using deepfake technology to impersonate senior officials in a video conference call and direct a funds transfer. The article explains that current legislation does not clearly establish liability for deepfake fraud victims seeking compensation from social media platforms, banks, or AI tool providers, though regulatory frameworks in jurisdictions like Australia and the UK are beginning to address these gaps. Legal responsibility remains unclear, with potential future requirements for platforms to remove fraudulent deepfakes, banks to reimburse victims, and AI providers to implement safeguards against misuse.
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Generation Z falls for online scams at more than three times the rate of baby boomers, with a 2023 Deloitte report highlighting younger adults' vulnerability to social media-based investment scams and get-rich-quick schemes tailored to their platforms. Consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023—a 14% increase from 2022—with experts warning that risks will intensify as scammers employ more sophisticated tactics, including AI-generated impersonations and exploitation of younger adults' greater trust in online information and reliance on digital banking.
unmc.edu
· 2025-12-08
SMiShing is a text message-based phishing scam where fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations like banks and government agencies to trick people into revealing personal or financial information or clicking malicious links, with recent attacks specifically designed to bypass multi-factor authentication like DUO. The scam is particularly dangerous because it bypasses email security filters and exploits people's trust in text messages, using urgency and familiarity to manipulate victims into responding without verification. To protect yourself, delete suspicious messages without clicking links, verify sender authenticity through official channels, change passwords for potentially affected accounts, monitor financial activity, and report the message to your carrier or the FTC.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Generation Z is more than three times as likely to fall for online scams compared to baby boomers, according to a 2023 Deloitte report. Younger adults are particularly vulnerable to social media-based scams and get-rich-quick schemes because they tend to trust online information more, lack financial vetting skills, and conduct more of their finances online, making them susceptible to credential spoofing and account breaches. In 2023, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud—a 14% increase from the prior year—with experts warning that AI-enhanced scams will likely increase victimization rates among younger generations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Noel Chimezuru Agoha, age 40, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for orchestrating business email compromise (BEC) and romance scams that defrauded victims of over $1.5 million between 2015 and 2018. Operating with co-conspirators, Agoha used fraudulent emails impersonating business contacts and fake dating profiles to trick victims into transferring funds to drop accounts he controlled, personally obtaining approximately $111,242 in BEC proceeds and over $1 million in dating scam proceeds, and was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution.
citizensbank.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, cybercrime losses exceeded $12.5 billion across over 800,000 FBI complaints, representing a 22% increase from the prior year. The article provides guidance on identifying common scams including impersonation calls from fake banks requesting passwords or transfers, phishing emails and texts with malicious links or requests for personal information, and fraudulent messages from fake charities or financial institutions. Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through official bank numbers, hovering over links to check URLs before clicking, and refusing to share confidential information via email or text.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece describes the widespread "scam-demic" of computer fraud, emphasizing that intelligent, trusting people fall victim to scams daily through sophisticated social engineering rather than technical hacking. Common scams include fake refund/receipt emails (impersonating companies like Amazon) and fraudulent tech support calls (posing as HP, Microsoft, or other companies), where scammers trick victims into providing financial information or remote computer access. The author stresses that scammers succeed by manipulating human psychology rather than exploiting computer security, comparing their tactics to convincing someone to unlock their front door rather than picking the lock.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dodge County warned residents about social security scams delivered via text messages and phone calls, in which fraudsters impersonate Social Security offices to steal sensitive financial information. The Social Security Administration will never threaten legal action, demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers, promise benefit increases for payment, or request personal information through email or text. Residents who suspect fraud should contact their local Social Security field office or the ADRC at 920-386-3580 rather than responding to suspicious communications.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A San Francisco woman lost $3,500 through a Zelle imposter scam where fraudsters, using spoofed Wells Fargo caller ID and a real employee name, convinced her to make eight transfers under the guise of protecting her account from unauthorized charges. Zelle acknowledged that half a billion dollars in fraud occurred on its platform last year but has pledged only vague reimbursement for "certain imposter scams," with banks arguing victims technically authorized the transfers even though they were deceived.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
An identity fraud victim lost $11,300 when someone impersonated them at a bank branch and withdrew funds from their checking account. Despite taking standard security precautions—strong passwords, credit freezes following the Equifax breach, and account alerts—these safeguards did not prevent the fraud, as the perpetrator used personal information already circulating on the dark web from past data breaches. The victims recovered their full loss within 36 hours, filed a police report (resulting in a Class D felony classification due to the amount stolen), and learned that recovering from identity fraud requires significant time and effort beyond prevention alone.
thepointsguy.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC received 2.6 million fraud reports totaling $10 billion in losses, with imposter scams being the most common type, and AI technology is rapidly enabling new fraud methods including voice cloning, deepfakes, email spoofing, and credential stuffing attacks. Scammers use AI to impersonate loved ones, clone voices, generate fake images, mimic writing styles, and create convincing fraudulent communications to steal money and loyalty points, with the technology expected to advance further to include convincing deepfake video calls. Protection strategies include awareness of these AI-enabled tactics, verification procedures beyond video calls, and regulatory efforts like the FTC's
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting people with elaborate fraud schemes involving fake claims of suspicious account activity, pressuring victims to transfer money to "protect" their savings and requesting verification codes—tactics that result in significant financial losses. Key protective measures include never transferring money based on unsolicited calls, never sharing verification codes, independently verifying caller identity using official account statements, and reporting incidents to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, as banks typically do not reimburse funds lost to these scams.
wbur.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to a phone scam in fall 2023, handing cash through a car window to an unknown person after being deceived by fraudsters impersonating legitimate entities. According to survey data, 68.4 million Americans lost money to phone scams in 2022, highlighting the widespread vulnerability of victims despite common warnings about such fraud. The segment explores how these scams operate and provides guidance on avoidance tactics.
fcpdnews.wordpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Fairfax County police reported over a dozen cryptocurrency ATM scams since early 2024, with victims losing between $3,000 and $31,100 per incident. Scammers impersonated law enforcement, banks, and government agencies via phone calls to pressure victims into depositing money into Bitcoin ATMs or purchasing gift cards. The Fairfax County Police Department advises seniors to hang up on unsolicited calls, verify caller identities through official contact information, and consult trusted family members before making financial decisions involving unfamiliar technologies or large sums.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Cleveland are warning about a sophisticated scam targeting Northeast Ohio residents where fraudsters send fake court documents via email, mail, text, or pop-ups claiming victims are being investigated for PPP fraud and must pay cryptocurrency to lift an arrest warrant. The scam combines government impersonation with tech-support fraud tactics, with criminals also posing as law enforcement or federal agencies to pressure victims into sending money, and authorities urge the public to verify communications directly with official agency phone numbers and report suspected scams to the FBI at ic3.gov or the National Elder Fraud Hotline.
nbcbayarea.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in El Granada, California was victimized by a phishing scam in which she received a fraudulent email impersonating a money exchange company, instructed her to withdraw cash, and met with a courier who took her money and fled. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking an Asian male suspect, approximately 6 feet tall and 200 pounds, last seen wearing a blue sweatshirt and dark pants, and urges the public to avoid sharing banking information with unsolicited online or phone contacts requesting money.
elkhornmediagroup.com
· 2025-12-08
Eastern Oregon is experiencing an uptick in scams targeting older adults and tech-illiterate individuals, with scammers increasingly impersonating law enforcement, the IRS, banks, and retailers to create panic and pressure victims into sending money or revealing personal information. According to Kai Nichols, an Older Adult Behavioral Specialist, these scams are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, with common tactics including phone calls claiming legal action, account compromises, or utility shutoffs, as well as fraudulent links and voice-sampling schemes. Residents are advised never to rely on caller ID, to resist being rushed, and to remember that legitimate law enforcement and the IRS do not demand immediate payment over the phone
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines major fraud trends affecting consumers in 2024, noting that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion in 2023 with a 14% increase year-over-year. It describes five prevalent scam types targeting older adults: grandparent scams (impersonating distressed relatives), romance scams (building false relationships to extract money), SIM swap scams (hijacking phone numbers to access financial accounts), investment scams (promoting unrealistic opportunities with high-pressure tactics), and mail theft scams (stealing personal information from physical mail). The article provides practical prevention strategies including using family code words, conducting background checks, enabling voice authentication with banks, avoiding unsolicite
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Phil Keeve lost several hundred dollars to an imposter scam when he attempted to purchase a laptop from a seller in a private college fraternity online group; the seller never delivered the item and subsequently disappeared. According to FTC data, imposter fraud—where scammers pose as banks, government agencies, relatives, businesses, or tech support—was the top fraud category in 2024 with $2.7 billion in reported losses, a significant increase from the previous year. Experts emphasize that raising awareness about these scams through public disclosure is critical to prevention, and Zelle's parent company recently implemented a reimbursement policy for certain imposter scam victims.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
South Carolina state Rep. Brandon Guffey's teenage son Gavin died by suicide after falling victim to a sextortion scam in which criminals posing as a young female on social media demanded money after he sent explicit photos. Guffey filed an 81-page wrongful death lawsuit against Meta, alleging the company failed to prevent the scam and contributed to mental health crises among young people, while the FBI reports sextortion cases in Georgia increased 700% since 2021. In response to his son's death, Guffey passed "Gavin's Law," making it a felony to target minors or at-risk adults in sextortion schemes.
fcpdnews.wordpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Bank imposter scams, ranked by the FTC as the top scam of 2022, involve fraudsters posing as banks via unsolicited calls or texts to request personal and banking information, with a median reported loss of $3,000 from 2019-2022. The Fairfax County Police Department advises against sharing financial information with unsolicited callers, recommends independently verifying bank contact information through official channels, and warns that legitimate institutions never request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or remote computer access.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
Diane Peltier fell victim to the phantom hacker scam when a pop-up falsely claiming her computer was hacked prompted her to call a fake Microsoft number; the scammer then posed as a bank fraud department employee and convinced her to withdraw money and deposit it into a cryptocurrency machine, resulting in total financial loss. The FBI reports this scam affected over 51,000 Americans and cost them more than $1.3 billion in 2023, with more than half of victims over age 60, including one victim in El Paso County who lost $99,000. The FBI recommends never clicking unsolicited pop-ups, downloading software from unknown contacts, or sending money via cryptocurrency or gift
elkhornmediagroup.com
· 2025-12-08
An uptick in phone and online scams targeting older adults in Eastern Oregon uses sophisticated impersonation tactics—including fraudulent claims from law enforcement, the IRS, banks, and retailers—to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information. According to Kai Nichols, an Older Adult Behavioral Specialist, scammers exploit elderly individuals' unfamiliarity with technology and bureaucracy by creating panic through threats of legal action or account compromise. Key protections include never trusting caller ID, refusing to be rushed, and remembering that legitimate law enforcement and the IRS do not demand phone payments or threaten immediate action.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The "courier scam" has affected at least 390 people in two months, with one Chennai businessman losing ₹6 crore after being threatened by fraudsters posing as police officers. Scammers contact victims claiming a parcel with drugs or contraband was found in their name, then connect them via video call to fake police officers who threaten legal action and coerce money transfers by promising account protection through a new Aadhaar card and KYC update.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in El Granada, California fell victim to a phishing scam in which she received a fraudulent email impersonating a money exchange company and was instructed to withdraw cash and meet a courier in person. She handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the courier, who then fled the area; the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking the suspect and urging residents to avoid sharing banking information or sending money in response to unsolicited online or phone requests.
mylondon.news
· 2025-12-08
Roberto Mobile, 53, fell victim to an elaborate pickpocketing scam in South London in February where a man pretended to return his stolen phone to a bar, then observed his passcode while standing nearby—a ploy that allowed the thief to steal the phone again moments later and drain nearly £10,000 from his account through contactless payments and casino bets. The victim's bank delayed freezing his account for over 24 hours despite his early morning alert, and seven other phones were reportedly stolen the same night, suggesting organized crime involvement. Mobile eventually recovered his funds after three weeks but experienced significant emotional distress and financial hardship while waiting for reimbursement.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Fei Liang was arraigned in Queens on charges related to a scheme that defrauded senior citizens across the United States of $628,278 through impersonation calls claiming to be from the Social Security Administration, banks, or vendors requesting fund transfers for "safekeeping." The 39-year-old Flushing resident faces multiple counts of criminal possession of stolen property and could receive up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
interpol.int
· 2025-12-08
INTERPOL's Global Financial Fraud Assessment reveals that organized crime groups are increasingly using AI, large language models, cryptocurrencies, and phishing-as-a-service models to conduct sophisticated fraud campaigns targeting vulnerable people worldwide at relatively low cost. Key fraud trends include investment fraud, romance baiting (which combines romance and investment schemes), advance payment fraud, and business email compromise, with human trafficking networks increasingly forced into call centers to execute these schemes. The report emphasizes the urgent need for international law enforcement cooperation, data sharing, and public-private partnerships to combat this escalating global threat; since 2022, INTERPOL's I-GRIP mechanism has helped intercept over $500 million in criminal proceeds
wsmv.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to scams, with imposter scams being the leading fraud category at $2.7 billion in reported losses, followed by social media scams ($1.4 billion) and investment scams (with median losses rising to $7,700). Tennessee ranked 16th nationally for fraud reports, with email being the scammers' primary contact method and bank transfers and cryptocurrency the most common payment methods exploited.
courierjournal.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A scam technique called "smishing" (SMS phishing) targets people by spoofing legitimate company phone numbers and sending text messages claiming suspicious account activity, then requesting victims to share their two-factor authentication codes. The scammer already possesses the victim's username and password and uses this social engineering tactic to gain full account access. The advice provided warns that legitimate companies never request 2FA codes, victims should change their passwords immediately if they receive such messages, and using authenticator apps instead of SMS-based authentication provides better security.
businessjournaldaily.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, fraud losses nationwide reached a record $10 billion (a 14% increase from 2022), with Ohio residents alone losing over $154 million to scammers. Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation, with common tactics including imposter schemes (posing as government agencies, banks, or family members), romance-crypto scam hybrids, and employment scams; cryptocurrency investment scams averaged losses of over $3,000 per victim, while employment scams affected young adults (ages 18-44) with average losses of $2,000. Consumers can report suspected fraud to the FTC online or by calling 877-382
valleybreeze.com
· 2025-12-08
The Burrillville Police Department warned residents about the "grandparent scam," in which callers impersonate grandchildren in distress to convince seniors to withdraw and send money, often instructing victims not to tell bank tellers about the transfers. An elderly couple in Burrillville was recently targeted, and the FBI reports seniors lost over $3 billion to online scams in 2023. Police Chief Stephen Lynch recommends residents slow their response, verify claims with family members, and report suspicious calls to local authorities.
fmins.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines how increased social media usage has created opportunities for scammers to target users through phishing, identity theft, and financial fraud schemes. The piece provides 10 practical prevention tips including recognizing suspicious account activity and poor grammar, using multi-factor authentication, setting accounts to private, avoiding oversharing of personal details, and verifying sellers before making in-app purchases. The advice emphasizes that users should trust their instincts when something seems off and take proactive measures to reduce their vulnerability to social media scams.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Actress Mishmee Das nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam where callers falsely claimed to represent a transportation company and threatened her with arrest, alleging illegal substances were being sent to Taiwan in her name to pressure her into providing personal information and filing a fake police report. Das recognized the scam when the callers attempted to connect her to a fake "Mumbai crime branch," but she also revealed that her mother had previously been victimized when someone used her mother's Aadhar card details to fraudulently obtain a bank loan. Das urges the public to be cautious with unknown callers and to recognize that scammers use threats and false authority to manipulate victims into divul
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
During October-December 2023, Australians aged 65 and over reported 16,901 scams totaling $20.49 million in losses, with investment and online dating scams being major contributors. Seniors represented 30 percent of all social media scam losses—a 57 percent increase from the previous quarter—primarily through WhatsApp (47 percent of losses), Facebook (20 percent), and online dating sites (9 percent). The report emphasizes verification of contact sources, checking business registration, and reporting scams to authorities or contacting IDCARE for support.
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Graham Police Department issued a warning about phone scams targeting seniors in their community, in which callers impersonate Federal Trade Commission or Department of Homeland Security agents to coerce victims into withdrawing large sums of cash from their bank accounts. The scammer has used various phone numbers, including spoofed numbers mimicking the police department's main line, with calls coming from the 336 area code. Police advised residents not to share personal or financial information over the phone, not to comply with demands to withdraw money, and to report suspicious calls to authorities or the FBI's Cybercrime Reporting Page at ic3.gov.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Between January 1 and March 12, 2024, at least 960 people in Singapore lost over $538,000 to Taylor Swift concert ticket scams, with victims primarily being women aged 30 and below who purchased fake tickets from resellers or were contacted by scammers who disappeared after receiving payment. Police identified e-commerce ticket scams as a growing threat, noting that scammers operated across multiple platforms including Carousell, Facebook, X, Telegram, and Xiaohongshu, and expressed concern that this trend could become the top scam type in Singapore for the first half of 2024 as more major concerts are hosted.
thetimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Maria Woodhouse, a 34-year-old job seeker, lost £2,655 to a recruitment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp by a fake recruiter offering remote work for £13 per hour. The scammer created a false job using a cryptocurrency platform (OKX) as a payment method, tricking Woodhouse into depositing money for each "task" while the scammer redirected her funds out of the wallet. Recruitment scams are the third most commonly reported fraud type, with cases rising 156% year-over-year and averaging £3,000 in losses per victim.
nvdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Virginians lost $205 million to scammers in 2023, with 54,602 fraud reports filed to the FTC, making Virginia the 12th most defrauded state. Identity theft and imposter scams are the most common fraud types, often involving criminals stealing personal information from social media profiles to create fake accounts, impersonate victims, or execute romance scams requesting money and gifts. Law enforcement recommends making social media accounts private, avoiding profile pictures, monitoring credit scores regularly, and reporting suspected scams to local police immediately.
the-daily-record.com
· 2025-12-08
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old woman and her 91-year-old husband lost $1.46 million over six months in a sophisticated scam involving fraudsters impersonating a Wells Fargo representative and U.S. Marshal who claimed their accounts were compromised and placed them in a witness protection program. The scammers isolated the couple by threatening legal consequences if they contacted family, directing them to liquidate savings into Bitcoin and gold supposedly held in a Federal Reserve account; the couple realized the fraud in October 2023 after losing contact with the scammer, and one arrest has been made in connection with the crime.
chvnradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Southern Manitoba continues to experience widespread fraud, including bogus speeding text messages, romance scams, and impersonation scams targeting utility and tax payments, with scammers typically demanding cash, gift cards, or Bitcoin transfers. Access Credit Union reports that the most common fraud involves compromised online credentials through phishing, malware, and social engineering, though the institution uses multi-factor authentication and transaction alerts to protect members. In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recorded over 66,000 fraud reports totaling $554 million from 44,111 victims, with experts advising awareness during peak scam seasons like tax time.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in Modesto lost thousands of dollars to fraud in 2022, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting a 30% increase in fraud losses nationwide and 3,500 reported incidents in the county. Three prevalent scams targeting seniors locally are romance scams (exploiting social isolation), banking scams (where fraudsters pose as bank IT to gain phone access), and solar scams (linked to the unregulated PACE program). The average loss for victims age 80 and over is $1,500, more than six times the average loss for younger victims, with scammers specifically targeting vulnerable populations including the recently widowed, lonely, or isolated.
fox29.com
· 2025-12-08
A Delaware County family lost $24,557.89 in a bank impersonation scam when a fraudster called posing as a Wells Fargo representative, claimed suspicious activity on their account, and tricked the victim into repeating text codes that actually authorized a wire transfer rather than stopping one. The sophisticated scheme, completed in 12 minutes with three text messages, exploited the victim's trust in the caller's knowledge of his legitimate transactions and familiarity with banking procedures. Despite reporting the fraud to police and the state attorney's office, Wells Fargo held the victim responsible for the authorized transfer, and the money was deemed irretrievable.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Mrs. Gupta, a 70-year-old retiree, fell victim to a phishing scam when she clicked a fraudulent email link that mimicked her bank's website and unknowingly surrendered her login credentials. The article notes that seniors are increasingly vulnerable to online scams as they adopt technology without the digital literacy of younger generations, and cybercriminals exploit this knowledge gap through fear and urgency tactics. Key protective measures include: scrutinizing email senders and suspicious links, avoiding sharing sensitive information with unknown callers, independently verifying bank contacts by calling official numbers, and seeking help from family members rather than remaining silent about potential fraud.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old retiree, Mrs. Gupta, fell victim to a phishing scam when she clicked a fraudulent email link impersonating her bank and unknowingly entered her login credentials on a fake website. The article uses her case to illustrate how older adults are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals who exploit their unfamiliarity with technology, and provides key protective measures including: being cautious about clicking suspicious links, not sharing sensitive information with strangers, independently verifying bank contacts, and seeking help from family without shame.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Canadian fraudsters targeted thousands of people, with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre processing over 62,000 fraud reports affecting more than 41,000 individuals and resulting in $554 million in losses. Common scams include the "Bank Investigator" scam, where fraudsters impersonate bank officials or law enforcement to trick victims into wiring money or revealing banking credentials, and the CRA scam. To protect yourself, never provide banking information or remote device access to unsolicited callers, verify the legitimacy of calls by contacting your institution directly, and remember that financial institutions will never ask you to withdraw money or share security codes for investigations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Clinton Chukwudi Uchendu, 26, of Georgia, was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering, mail fraud, and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business for his role in a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $600,000 between February and October 2018. As a "picker," Uchendu provided U.S. bank accounts to receive funds from romance scam victims who were deceived by "Yahoo Boys" operating from Nigeria posing as soldiers, businessmen, or celebrities, then laundered the money to Nigeria while retaining a portion. He received funds from dozens of victims across the United States, several of whom testified to losing hundreds of
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines three spring scams targeting homeowners: fake wire transfer requests from scammers impersonating lenders or realtors during home closings (which are difficult to reverse once sent), fraudulent home warranty solicitations claiming coverage is expiring or expired, and scams involving fake home cleaning or lawn service companies. The article advises homeowners to verify payment instructions directly with lenders using known phone numbers, avoid high-pressure urgency tactics, and confirm legitimacy of companies through official websites and trusted reviews before engaging services or sending money.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Spring's increased home buying and selling activity creates opportunities for scammers to exploit homebuyers and sellers through fake wire transfer requests, impersonation of lenders and realtors, and fraudulent home warranty solicitations. Consumers are advised to verify payment instructions directly with their lender or agent using known phone numbers, avoid wire transfers under pressure, consider certified checks as alternatives, and research home warranty companies through trusted sources like Consumer Reports before making any payments.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Spring's busy home-buying and home-improvement season creates opportunities for scammers to target homeowners through three main schemes: fake wire transfer requests impersonating lenders or realtors to intercept down payments and closing costs, fraudulent home warranty solicitations claiming policies are expiring or offering fake coverage, and home improvement scams. Homeowners can protect themselves by verifying payment instructions directly with lenders through known phone numbers, avoiding high-pressure tactics, using certified checks when possible, and purchasing warranties only from legitimate companies verified through Consumer Reports or trusted referrals.
nwfdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article discusses common scams targeting the public, particularly elderly individuals. It covers traditional fraud like the "grandchild in jail" scheme where scammers pose as a relative needing bail money, as well as modern digital scams including fake package delivery notifications requesting payment and credit card information, and fraudulent refund offers designed to exploit victims' greed by asking for financial details.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Last year, New Zealanders reported losses of nearly $200 million to scams, though actual losses may exceed $2 billion when unreported cases are considered, with two-thirds of Kiwis encountering scams monthly. ASB Bank is spearheading a multi-sector anti-scam initiative with telcos, police, and social media companies, while launching an awareness campaign that outlines common scam types—including phishing, marketplace fraud, investment schemes, and romance scams—along with protective measures such as verifying contacts directly, inspecting goods in person, researching investments thoroughly, and guarding personal information.
cyberdaily.au
· 2025-12-08
During Ramadan and Eid Fitr celebrations, scammers targeting Saudi Arabia and other regions have stolen between $70-$100 million through various fraud schemes, with the criminal group known as the Smishing Triad primarily responsible. The scams employ multiple tactics including fake logistics delivery notifications (impersonating companies like Aramex), romance scams, fake charities, and phishing sites mimicking banks and bill payment platforms, often using personal data from previous breaches to appear legitimate and bypass security measures like two-factor authentication. Victims are directed to counterfeit websites where their financial information, banking credentials, and personal data are harvested for unauthorized charges, identity theft, and recruitment
floridadaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Taufiq Mohammed Kailani of Daytona Beach was arrested for using a business email imposter scam to defraud two construction companies of $60,725 by posing as an employee and sending a counterfeit bank letter to trick one company into wiring funds. Kailani exploited an elderly victim he met through a romance scam to open a fraudulent bank account and withdraw the stolen money, which the victim unwittingly facilitated. He was charged with organized fraud, fraudulent use of personal identification information, and money laundering, with bail set at $1.5 million.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals, Anil Mangukia, 39, and Yash Navadia, 25, were indicted on money laundering conspiracy charges for their roles in an elder fraud courier scam targeting older Americans, including a victim in Warren, Ohio. The defendants and coconspirators stole more than $127,000 and attempted to steal an additional $650,000 by posing as bank employees and government agents, falsely claiming victims' accounts were compromised and instructing them to transfer money, purchase gold, or meet in person to hand over cash and valuables. The perpetrators employed multiple deception tactics including cryptocurrency transfers, direct bank transfers, and physical courier exchanges of
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued consumer alerts warning residents about disaster-related scams and government imposter scams ahead of severe weather forecasts in March 2024. The alert advises homeowners to avoid price-gougers and fraudulent contractors who exploit storm damage situations by recommending verification of contractor credentials, consultation with insurance companies, obtaining written contracts, and avoiding cash payments or upfront full payment. Residents were also encouraged to report power outages to help the Attorney General's office advocate for consumers regarding utility service reliability.
news8000.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau issued an alert about "can you hear me?" phone scams, where callers immediately ask that question to record a "yes" response for fraudulent purposes. Scammers use the recorded affirmation to authorize unauthorized purchases, target consumers with future scams, or extract personal information by impersonating banks, government agencies, and insurance companies. The BBB recommends screening calls with caller ID, hanging up on unfamiliar callers, joining the Do Not Call Registry, and monitoring financial statements.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are a sophisticated investment fraud scheme in which scammers create fake online identities to build trust with victims before stealing their money, often through fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. The scams use social engineering, AI-generated content, and emotional manipulation to exploit victims' vulnerabilities, with billions of dollars in global losses reported. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited messages, verify financial advice independently, and immediately report any suspected scam to your bank and law enforcement.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
During election season, scammers exploit increased political communications by impersonating legitimate candidates and political action committees to solicit donations from voters, with particular targeting of older Americans. The Better Business Bureau and AARP warn against providing personal information via unsolicited emails, texts, and phone calls, and advise verifying organizations through trusted sources before donating. Suspicious activity can be reported to the BBB's Scam Tracker or the FBI.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A 22-year-old man named Zhi Gao was sentenced to two years of probation for his role in defrauding a 65-year-old San Diego woman of over $200,000 in life savings through a multi-stage scam. The scam began with a fake Microsoft pop-up message on her computer, escalated to fraudulent Chase Bank calls claiming account fraud, and resulted in the victim making multiple cash withdrawals of $20,000-$30,000 that she handed to couriers; Gao was arrested during a sting operation while attempting to collect a final $30,000 payment, and has paid $30,000 in restitution
kstatecollegian.com
· 2025-12-08
A recent study found that Generation Z members experienced more financial losses and data theft from online scams than older adults, contradicting the common perception that scams primarily target seniors. The article provides practical fraud prevention advice including using secure payment methods, verifying caller identities by calling back directly, avoiding suspicious links and remote access requests, and being cautious of impersonators posing as banks, retailers, landlords, and tech support providers.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing (text message phishing) scams are widespread, with about one in three Americans having received such texts and roughly one-third falling victim without immediately realizing it. The FBI reported 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 resulting in nearly $19 million in losses, with cybercriminals increasingly using AI to craft convincing fraudulent messages. To protect yourself, verify you've opted into bank text notifications through your official bank account settings, watch for red flags like requests for personal information or urgent calls to action, and always contact your bank directly using the number on your card rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Wells Fargo customer Julia Gibson lost $2,500 through a Zelle scam after fraudsters impersonated bank employees and convinced her to transfer funds; she initially received a provisional credit but the bank later reversed it, leaving her account at $0 with overdraft fees. The article notes that scammers use Zelle and similar money-transfer apps because transactions cannot be reversed once sent, and banks often fail to reimburse victims since customers technically authorize the transfers themselves. Key prevention advice includes being skeptical of urgent requests, never sending money to unknown contacts, and knowing that legitimate banks will never ask customers to send funds via Zelle or to overseas accounts.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
East Haven, Connecticut residents were warned about a lottery scam sent via mail claiming they won $500,000 from "Global Link Lottery Inc." and enclosing a fraudulent $6,985 check supposedly for taxes and fees. The scam instructed recipients to call a number to claim their winnings, but police warned that the check is fraudulent and cashing it would make the recipient liable for the lost funds, while calling the number could result in identity theft.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell established a new Elder Justice Unit to combat the frequent and pervasive fraud targeting older residents, with director Mary Freeley coordinating resources across multiple bureaus to enhance prosecution and education. In 2023, Massachusetts consumers reported over 87,000 fraud cases resulting in $142.3 million in losses, though experts note significant underreporting due to shame and lack of awareness. Common scams include impostor fraud targeting bank and government agency impersonation, grandparent scams, and cryptocurrency schemes, with prevention experts recommending victims slow down and avoid emotional reactions that bypass logical thinking.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Illinois State Police Trooper Jason Wilson and AARP Illinois are working to combat fraud in the state, where consumers reported $244.7 million in losses to fraud in 2023. Wilson highlights common scams like phishing emails and fake refund schemes, and recommends preventative measures including not engaging with unknown callers, avoiding suspicious links, using two-factor authentication, and reporting crimes despite potential embarrassment. AARP Illinois is offering a five-part online fraud prevention series with expert speakers to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding elder fraud.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
A new Federal Trade Commission rule targeting government and business impersonation scams took effect, as data revealed these frauds generated $1.1 billion in reported losses in 2023—more than three times 2020 losses. The five most common tactics include fake account security alerts, phony subscription renewals, bogus giveaways, fabricated legal threats, and false package delivery issues, with scammers increasingly using text and email rather than phone calls and preferring bank transfers (40% of losses) and cryptocurrency (21% of losses) as payment methods.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, impersonation scams cost victims approximately $1.1 billion—more than triple the 2020 losses—according to FTC data reporting 330,000 business impersonation cases and 160,000 government impersonation cases. The delivery method has shifted, with text messages and emails now accounting for 40 percent of reported scams compared to phone calls (32 percent), and scammers increasingly impersonating multiple organizations within a single fraud targeting fake account alerts, subscription renewals, prizes, and law enforcement impersonation.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, impersonation scams targeting consumers reported more than 330,000 business and nearly 160,000 government impersonation cases to the FTC, resulting in combined losses exceeding $1.1 billion—more than triple the losses from 2020. Scammers have evolved their tactics, shifting from phone calls to text and email communications, increasingly requesting payment through bank transfers and cryptocurrency, and often impersonating multiple organizations within a single scam. The five most common impersonation scams include fake account security alerts, bogus subscription renewals, fraudulent giveaways or government money offers, false legal threats, and fake package delivery notifications—all designed to
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
A 54-year-old Lancaster County woman lost $25,000 in a cryptocurrency scam after clicking on a fraudulent Microsoft security pop-up that directed her to a fake credit union website; she was told to transfer money to Bitcoin to prevent alleged Russian theft from her account, and the scam was reinforced by a caller impersonating the sheriff with a fake case number. The funds were irretrievable once transferred. Lancaster County authorities reported a similar scam in which another victim lost $8,000 and recommend people hang up and contact their bank or law enforcement directly rather than following instructions from unsolicited pop-ups or callers.
thereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, people aged 60 and older filed 88,262 fraud complaints with the FBI resulting in $3.1 billion in losses. Solano County launched the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) to combat a spike in scams targeting local seniors and provide resources for victims and their families. The center offers prevention tips including verifying government communications, identifying fake social media identities and sweetheart scams, skepticism toward prize offers, caution about urgent account compromise notices, and regular financial monitoring, along with reporting resources and assistance from Adult Protective Services.
marketplace.org
· 2025-12-08
The FTC enacted a new rule to prohibit impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as trusted institutions like banks to steal money or personal information, equipping the agency with enhanced enforcement tools. Consumers lost over $1.1 billion to impersonation scams—more than triple the 2020 amount—primarily through email, text, and phone calls, with scammers often leveraging personal data from breaches to appear credible. Experts recommend never responding to unsolicited communications or clicking links, as victims rarely recover their funds.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines two prevalent online scams and how to avoid them. The first involves fraudsters sending fake wire instructions via spoofed email addresses during real estate transactions, causing victims to transfer hundreds of thousands or millions to criminal accounts; the second uses spoofed phone calls or emails impersonating legitimate banks to trick people into logging into fake websites or revealing two-factor authentication codes, compromising their accounts. The article recommends countering these scams by enabling two-factor authentication, confirming wire instructions verbally rather than via email, and never responding to unsolicited calls or emails—instead calling the official number on your card or account statement.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, scammers commonly target taxpayers through identity theft, impersonation, and fake tax preparers, exploiting fear, urgency, and promises of money to trick victims into sharing personal information or paying fees. The IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, with affected taxpayers waiting an average of 19 months for refund processing. To protect yourself, recognize scammer tactics, verify that contact from the IRS comes only via physical mail, research tax professionals through official directories, and avoid sharing information with unknown callers.
ny1.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common tax season scams and protection strategies. Scammers typically use fear, urgency, and financial incentives to trick taxpayers into sharing personal information or money, with identity theft being particularly prevalent—the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, leaving victims waiting an average of 19 months for refund processing. Experts recommend verifying the legitimacy of tax professionals, remembering that the IRS contacts people only via official mail and websites, and avoiding sharing personal information with unsolicited callers.
dailyrepublic.com
· 2025-12-08
Solano County launched an online Senior Fraud Prevention Center to address increasing scam reports targeting local seniors. The county's public education campaign recommends seniors verify government communications, watch for fake social media identities and sweetheart scams, scrutinize investment offers, avoid urgent account compromise notices without proof, monitor finances closely, and protect Power of Attorney documents. The center provides resources, reporting strategies, and contact information for regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and Adult Protective Services through SolanoCares.org.
soyacincau.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old Malaysian civil servant nearly lost her life savings of RM150,000 to a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated Maybank and government officials, instructing her to withdraw cash for alleged unauthorized transactions and mule account activities. A quick-thinking Maybank branch manager recognized the scam during the withdrawal and froze the victim's accounts, preventing the loss. The incident highlights the importance of bank staff vigilance and customer awareness of common scam tactics, particularly unsolicited calls requesting personal banking information or fund transfers to unknown accounts.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, seniors aged 60 and older filed 88,262 fraud complaints resulting in $3.1 billion in losses, according to FBI data. Solano County responded to this spike by launching the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) to educate residents and provide resources for fraud prevention and reporting, offering guidance on identifying government impersonation, social media scams, prize schemes, and urgent account compromise claims. The center provides contact information for filing reports with Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies to help victims respond and protect their finances.
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common tax season scams and protection strategies. Scammers typically use fear, urgency, and money as tactics to trick taxpayers into sharing personal information or paying for fraudulent services, with identity theft being particularly prevalent—the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, and victims wait an average of 19 months for resolution. Experts recommend verifying that contacts are genuinely from the IRS (which communicates only by mail), researching tax professionals through official directories, and avoiding unsolicited phone calls to prevent falling victim to these scams.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
A Naperville woman lost $2,000 to a sophisticated spoofing scam where fraudsters used caller ID technology to impersonate Chase Bank with the bank's actual phone numbers. The scammers claimed to protect her from fraud, obtained her trust by referencing her transaction history, and convinced her to share authentication codes sent to her phone, which they used to transfer $2,000 through the Zelle app. Banks never request personal information or authentication codes via unsolicited calls, and customers should hang up and call their bank directly using the number on their card if they suspect fraud.
connexionfrance.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes multiple fraud schemes targeting people in France, including overpayment scams where fraudsters pose as robbery victims to trick people into withdrawing cash on their behalf, and text message phishing scams impersonating official agencies like ANTAI (driving fine collection) and La Poste with fake links to fraudulent websites. The article also mentions that French authorities detected over 40,000 home renovation fraud cases in 2024 and notes that scammers often exploit victims' desire to help others or comply with authority by creating artificial urgency.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In Greater Manchester, 15,623 fraud cases were reported to Action Fraud in the past year, with online shopping/auction fraud being most common (3,100 cases), followed by advance fee fraud (1,500 cases). Notable cases included serial fraudster Cieran McNamara, who manipulated four women into sending over £300,000 through romance scams before being sentenced to seven years in prison, and a separate case where a man defrauded a woman of £50,000 on a widows' dating site. Other scams included pet fraud, concert ticket fraud, and designer goods schemes targeting victims through emotional manipulation and online platforms.
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides educational guidance on protecting yourself from tax season scams. Common scams include identity theft (where scammers file false returns in victims' names to claim refunds) and IRS impersonation schemes that use fear, urgency, and promises of money to trick people into sharing personal information. To protect yourself, verify that communications are genuinely from the IRS (which contacts people only by mail), research tax professionals through official directories, and avoid sharing information with unknown callers.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting vehicle owners with fraudulent e-challan (traffic fine) notifications via text messages, tricking them into downloading malicious APK files that compromise their phones and financial data. A businessman from Mumbai lost Rs 3 lakh through unauthorized credit card charges after installing a fake app called 'vahanpalivahann.apk' to pay counterfeit traffic fines. Experts recommend downloading apps only from official sources like Google Play Store, using reputable antivirus software, and verifying the authenticity of unsolicited messages before taking action.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2020 and December 2023, investment fraud cost UK victims more than £2.6 billion across 98,525 cases, with an average loss of £26,773 per victim. Boiler Room fraud and Ponzi schemes were the most prevalent scams, stealing £553 million and £499 million respectively, with 2023 recording the highest number of victims (26,740) losing £527 million that year alone. The FCA recommends vigilance against red flags including unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, and promises of unusually high returns.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Remote access scams initiated by phone, text, email, or social media cost Australians $15 million in 2023, with nearly half of 8,975 reported cases beginning via phone calls impersonating banks or service providers. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics—including spoofed numbers, fake social media profiles, and urgent requests for personal information or device access—to install malware, steal data, or make unauthorized purchases. Protection requires verification through official channels, refusing unsolicited requests, and immediately contacting your bank and reporting to Scamwatch if compromised.
nbcnewyork.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals, Rong Chen and ZhenSheng Yu, were arrested for a tech support scam that defrauded an 83-year-old Long Island man of $31,000 in January. The scammers displayed a fake popup warning on the victim's computer, impersonated Microsoft support, and convinced him that his accounts were compromised and federal crimes were being committed, resulting in two cash withdrawals of $16,000 and $15,000 respectively that were collected in person. This case is part of a recent pattern of similar scams targeting Long Island residents, with multiple arrests made for variations of the same fraud scheme.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security number impersonation scams are among the most common government impostor fraud, with criminals stealing over $100 million annually by pretending to be government officials and requesting personal or banking information. Scammers employ sophisticated tactics such as fake documents, fraudulent letterhead, and threatening calls claiming account suspension or benefit loss to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive data. The Federal Trade Commission recommends never trusting caller ID, never verifying personal information to unsolicited callers, and remembering that the SSA will never demand upfront payment via wire transfer, cash, or gift cards.
longisland.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old victim in Saddle Rock was defrauded of $31,000 in a tech support scam after receiving a fake Microsoft notification on his computer claiming his device and bank account were compromised. Two men, Rong Chen, 47, and ZhenSheng Yu, 46, were arrested in April 2024 after collecting the cash withdrawals on behalf of the scammers, with Chen and Yu charged with Grand Larceny. The victim avoided additional loss by refusing a third request and contacting police.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old man from Saddle Rock, New York, was defrauded of $16,000 in a tech support scam in January after receiving a computer notification claiming his device was compromised; scammers impersonating Microsoft representatives told him suspicious activity was detected and instructed him to withdraw cash, which an unknown man collected. Two men, Rong Chen, 47, and ZhenSheng Yu, 46, were arrested and charged with grand larceny after the victim contacted police when a third call attempted to collect an additional $15,000.
f-secure.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational resource from F-Secure promoting their scam protection service. It highlights that U.S. citizens lost an estimated $12.5 billion to cybercrime in the previous year (a 12% increase), and provides prevention advice across common scam vectors including phishing emails, SMS "smishing," fake delivery alerts, contact spoofing, and fraudulent online shopping sites. The resource emphasizes that legitimate organizations do not request sensitive information via email or text, and recommends verification through separate trusted channels before responding to suspicious communications.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
Joan Salcido of Surprise, Arizona lost nearly $20,000 to an imposter scam in which a fraudster posing as Wells Fargo sent her a text fraud alert, then called using a spoofed bank number to convince her to wire money to a separate account for "protection." The scammer used smooth, convincing tactics and had ready answers for her concerns, eventually persuading her to complete the wire transfer despite her initial hesitation. Experts warn that requests to move money to protect it and pressure to act quickly are major red flags, and that banks typically cannot recover funds lost to imposter scammers.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
**Gift Card Scams Overview**
Gift card scams are increasingly prevalent, with fraudsters posing as grandchildren, IRS agents, or bank employees to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards and sharing the numbers. Scammers prefer gift cards because they are difficult to track once the card number and PIN are compromised, making them an "easy depletion method" for accessing funds. Common variants include bank investigator scams, IRS impersonation scams, grandparent scams, and lottery scams, all of which exploit urgency, authority, or emotional appeals to manipulate victims into sending money via untraceable gift cards.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Bank manager Andrea Nicole Hopkins stole $328,273 from four elderly customers (ages 80-95) at Commerce Bank in St. Louis between February 2020 and May 2021 by transferring funds into cashier's checks and prepaid cards, forging signatures, and altering account statements to fund her personal expenses and debts. Hopkins pleaded guilty to four counts of bank fraud and was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison in May 2023; Commerce Bank returned all stolen funds to the victims.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Solano County launched the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) through its Older & Disabled Adult Services division to help residents prevent financial elder abuse and report scams. The center provides resources and five key prevention tips, including verifying government communications, watching for fake social media identities, being skeptical of prize/investment offers, avoiding suspicious account compromise notices, and monitoring finances and Power of Attorney documents. Victims can call ODAS for assistance filing reports and contacting law enforcement.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating local banks sent SMS messages to at least 12 victims offering fixed deposit promotions with high interest rates, resulting in losses of at least S$650,000 since January. The fraudsters posed as bank agents, collected personal information, and instructed victims to transfer money into fake accounts created under their names, with some victims receiving forged bank statements and facing delayed discovery through claimed "activation periods." Additional phishing scams targeting bank customers through spoofed SMSes resulted in 103 victims in December and 219 DBS customers losing about S$446,000 in the first two weeks of 2024.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old German language teacher in Chennai lost Rs 2.26 lakh in a courier scam when a caller impersonating a Mumbai police officer falsely claimed she had sent a package containing drugs, then manipulated her into transferring money to a fraudulent account and unknowingly authorizing a loan in her name. In a similar incident, a Bengaluru lawyer was defrauded of Rs 15 lakh over 36 hours by scammers posing as courier service representatives, Mumbai police, and a CBI officer who coerced her into a video call under false pretenses and extracted sensitive financial information.
en.as.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Medicare Patrol warns that Medicare scams are increasing, with fraudsters exploiting beneficiaries' failure to review account statements by charging for unrequested items like urinary catheters, diabetes supplies, and COVID-19 test kits. To protect themselves, Medicare beneficiaries should carefully review their monthly Medicare Summary Notices (MSN) or Explanations of Benefits (EOB), treat their Medicare card like a credit card, and report suspected fraud to the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-877-808-2468 or 855-613-7080. Medicare will never contact beneficiaries unsolicited by phone to issue new cards or other services.
bigfuture.collegeboard.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource advises students and families on recognizing and avoiding financial aid scams. Key recommendations include avoiding hiring consultants (since free advice is available from school counselors and aid officers, and consultants cannot increase aid amounts), protecting personal information from unsolicited phone or email contacts, and being wary of two common scams: fraudulent "grant offers" that request processing fees (which the federal government never charges) and identity theft schemes where scammers pose as government or financial representatives. The piece emphasizes that suspicious activity should be reported to the U.S. Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General.
udel.edu
· 2025-12-08
University of Delaware Police warned the campus community about phone scams in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement and university employees, calling students and threatening arrest or disciplinary action unless they transferred money via wire transfer, bank transfer, gift cards, or payment apps like Venmo or Cash App. Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never calls to threaten legal action or request payment, and advised students to hang up on suspected scams, report incidents to UD Police at 302-831-2222, and monitor their financial accounts for unauthorized activity.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams are prevalent, with identity theft being one of the most common, where fraudsters file tax returns in victims' names to claim refunds—the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, and victims wait an average of 19 months for resolution. Scammers typically use tactics based on fear, urgency, and financial incentives to trick people into sharing personal information or money, often impersonating the IRS or tax professionals. Experts recommend verifying IRS contact through official channels (mail or their website), researching tax professionals through reputable directories, and avoiding unsolicited phone calls to protect against tax-related fraud.
10news.com
· 2025-12-08
San Diego small business owner Tara Cornett fell victim to an elaborate bank scam in which fraudsters, posing as her bank via phone call, obtained her personal information (likely from a previous data breach) and took out a $6,000 loan in her name by tricking her into accepting push alerts they initiated. After recognizing suspicious email notifications, Cornett called her bank directly and discovered the fraud; her bank's fraud department refunded the money within days. Cybersecurity experts advise hanging up on unexpected calls and calling your bank directly using the number on your card, as phone numbers can be spoofed, and recommend using physical password managers and credit freezes for additional security.
heraldmailmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Maryland woman lost $86,000 in a tech support scam that began with a fake iPad security alert. After being directed to call a fake "Apple Support" number, scammers convinced her that her bank accounts were compromised and persuaded her to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards to "secure" her money. The scam was interrupted when a bank security officer at F&M Trust recognized the suspicious $62,500 withdrawal and alerted authorities, leading to the arrest of two New York men who arrived at her home to collect the cash.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identifies the top 10 scams targeting small businesses, which are attractive to scammers because business owners are often distracted and lack robust cybersecurity support. Common schemes include phony invoices for unordered supplies, stolen identity/brand hijacking through fake websites, directory listing scams, phishing emails, office supply fraud, and vanity award scams (which charge fees for worthless honors). Small business owners should be aware of these tactics to protect themselves from financial losses.
wibc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating U.S. Marshals Service officials and law enforcement are making phone calls claiming victims' identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then instructing them to withdraw money and purchase gift cards under the false promise of opening new bank accounts and providing new social security numbers. The FBI and USMS warn that these fraudulent calls have been reported nationally and in northern Indiana, often targeting elderly victims who lose thousands of dollars; authorities urge recipients to hang up, report the calls to the FTC, and contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 if victimized.
wowo.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are warning of a surge in sophisticated phone scams where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials, using real badge numbers, officer names, and spoofed government phone numbers to appear credible. Victims in the Northern District of Indiana and across the nation have been deceived into withdrawing cash, purchasing gift cards, and transferring funds under false claims that their identities were stolen or bank accounts compromised, with losses reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Authorities urge victims to report incidents to the FBI and FTC, and remind the public never to share financial information with unsolicited callers or send money to anyone claiming to be law enforcement.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are impersonating U.S. Marshals, judges, and police officers in phone scams targeting the elderly and others, claiming their identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then convincing victims to withdraw money and place it on gift cards. The scammers use fake badge numbers and caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate, with some victims losing tens of thousands of dollars; the U.S. Marshals Service urges recipients to report such calls to the FBI and FTC, noting that legitimate agencies never request money over the phone.
cnhi.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes programming and social activities at the 127 Senior Center in Crossville, highlighting their Friday morning gatherings that include bingo, meetings, and entertainment. Members Linda Kondrach and Lynda Ennis raised awareness about common scams targeting seniors, specifically warning about fraudulent computer messages and telephone scams where callers record victims saying "yes." The center also hosts weekly Thursday evening live music events open to the community.
ocnjdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Scamwatch reported that almost $500 million was lost to scams in 2023, with paid survey scams being a particularly common employment fraud targeting job seekers. The article identifies four prevalent paid survey scam methods: stealing personal data through fake platforms, requiring upfront payments to register or access "premium" surveys, requesting payment card details, and creating unrealistic earnings expectations to exploit vulnerable people seeking income. Legitimate survey platforms never charge fees and only request basic demographic information, not personally identifiable information like social security numbers.
wimsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are alerting the public to widespread imposter scams in which callers falsely claim to be law enforcement officials, telling victims their identities have been stolen and instructing them to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards—tactics that are entirely fraudulent. The Marshals Service has received daily inquiries from victims nationwide who have lost tens of thousands of dollars, and emphasizes that it never requests money, financial information, or monetary instruments by phone. Victims are urged to report suspected scams to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, or contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
which.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An Age UK survey found that nearly 4.9 million people over 50 fear answering the phone due to scam risks, with 2.8 million also anxious about opening their doors, leading some to withdraw from society by avoiding the internet, smartphones, or going outside. Analysis of ONS data indicates approximately four people over 50 are scammed every minute, with older adults particularly vulnerable to doorstep scams (90% of victims aged 65+), postal scams (average victim age 75), and phone scams involving impersonation and number spoofing technology. Age UK recommends five prevention steps: stop and avoid on-the-spot decisions, check credentials,
tucsonlocalmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Oro Valley residents are being heavily targeted by scammers who initiate contact via phone, email, text, and online, then exploit fear, greed, or isolation to request payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or payment apps. Attendees at a local "Outsmarting Scammers" presentation shared losses ranging from $15,000 to half their fortunes, with common scams including romance schemes ("pig butchering"), tech support fraud, and grandparent impersonation scams. Law enforcement emphasized that scams follow predictable patterns and are nearly impossible to recover from, advising residents to verify suspicious emails, avoid providing remote computer access, and remain skeptical of unsolicite
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old active-duty Army servicemember stationed at Fort Bragg, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars from romance scams. Frimpong and co-conspirators impersonated romantic interests, military personnel, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims—including seniors and military veterans—before funneling the illicit proceeds through his bank accounts across state lines and contacts in Ghana. He was ordered to pay substantial restitution to the victims of these elaborate fraud schemes.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment service owned by major U.S. banks and launched in 2017, has experienced hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer losses due to fraud since its inception. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Early Warning Services (Zelle's operator) in December alleging the platform failed to safeguard against fraud, with scammers exploiting the service's instant, irreversible transfers and minimal verification requirements through social engineering tactics like phishing and impersonation of banks and utilities. Protection strategies include avoiding responses to unsolicited messages and verifying requests independently by calling official bank numbers.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Carlsbad retiree was defrauded of $1.335 million over several months by a multinational scam operation that began with a fake pop-up warning about a hacked computer. The scammers, posing as tech support, bank, and government employees, manipulated the victim into purchasing Bitcoin and gold bars under the false premise of securing her assets, with perpetrator Xilin Sun arrested in February 2024 during a controlled FBI delivery attempt when he was caught receiving a package meant to contain $100,000 in gold.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation between 2022 and 2023, according to FinCEN's analysis of Bank Secrecy Act reports. The majority of cases involved elder scams with unknown perpetrators (80% of reported activity), particularly account takeovers using unsophisticated methods like password guessing, while elder theft by known perpetrators—most frequently adult children—comprised the remainder. Banks filed 72% of all elder exploitation-related reports, demonstrating their critical role in identifying and preventing such financial abuse.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Wendy Falconer, 63, lost £400 to a phone scammer who spoofed her bank's phone number in Wales; the fraudster emotionally abused her during the call, mocking her with the words "you're so thick," which traumatized her more than the financial loss itself. Police warn that scammers commonly impersonate banks, Amazon, utilities, tech companies, and even healthcare providers using caller ID spoofing, and advise people never to give personal information or take financial actions based on incoming calls, regardless of the displayed phone number.
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP identifies four emerging scams to watch for in 2024: check cooking (using software to digitally alter stolen checks rather than chemical washing), voiceprint scams (using deepfake technology to impersonate victims' voices for financial fraud), delayed-action sweepstakes scams (collecting personal information for identity theft that may be exploited gradually), and virtual celebrity scams (exploiting fans' connection to online celebrity presence). Prevention strategies include using safer payment methods, avoiding phone calls from unknown numbers, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
taskandpurpose.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, an E-4 soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, orchestrated multiple online romance and fraud schemes between December 2019 and February 2022, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars by impersonating romantic interests, military personnel, and officials. One victim lost over $150,000 after being convinced by a fake soldier to send money for gold and diamond transfers, while another victim sent over $7,000 after being targeted with a romance scam involving fake inheritance claims. Frimpong was arrested in 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to 40 months in
housingwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Between June 2022 and June 2023, FinCEN reported over $27 billion in suspicious activity across 155,000 filings related to elder financial exploitation (EFE), with account takeovers being the most common typology and adult children perpetrating nearly 40% of documented cases. Perpetrators primarily used unsophisticated methods like compromised passwords and phishing emails to avoid in-person detection, while financial institutions also reported increases in tech support and romance scams targeting seniors. FinCEN emphasized the critical role of financial institutions in identifying, preventing, and reporting suspected EFE to protect older adults' financial security and well-being.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The Metropolitan Police contacted 25,000 UK residents via text and email on April 18 after shutting down "Labhost," an online platform used by over 2,000 criminals since 2021 to create phishing websites impersonating banks, healthcare providers, and postal services. Around 70,000 people in the UK fell victim to the scams, having their card numbers, PINs, and passwords stolen before the operation was dismantled. Recipients of the police notification should verify its authenticity, change passwords on sensitive accounts, monitor for suspicious activity, and report any confirmed fraud to Action Fraud or their bank immediately.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This compilation covers six major elder fraud and scam cases: Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" used AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams causing $650 million in losses (2021), with recent cases totaling $25 million and a Salt Lake City jury indicting seven members for laundering $8 million; a Montreal woman lost $25,000 to a crypto scam featuring a fake Elon Musk deepfake; Greek police arrested nine individuals who defrauded victims of €305,789 through phone impersonation scams; a Myanmar trafficking operation forced victims into romance scams via torture and exploitation; and a UK survey found 22% of young adults
jaxtoday.org
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams in Florida have increased 84% per capita over the past five years, with scammers posing as IRS agents, FBI officials, court representatives, and other trusted entities to defraud victims. In 2023, impersonation scams were the third most frequent fraud in the U.S., resulting in over $1.3 billion in losses, often involving organized crime groups with international connections that pressure victims into sending money or personal information through urgent threats. To protect themselves, people should verify caller identities by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, avoid sharing personal information when pressured, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A couple aged 71 and 68 in Lancaster County, Nebraska lost $115,000 to scammers who used fear tactics after the couple's computer shut down, falsely claiming the FBI had connected them to child pornography and theft. The scammers convinced the couple to withdraw $115,000 from their bank, purchase gold bars, and hand them over to a man in a silver Ford Explorer who promised to deliver them to Washington D.C. for safekeeping; police believe the gold bars have likely left the country. This represents the largest fraud case Lancaster County Police Department handled in 2024, highlighting how sophisticated scams now involve in-person collection of funds rather than traditional wire transfers
kpcw.org
· 2025-12-08
Utah residents lost over $55 million to financial scams in 2023, with impostor scams being the most commonly reported type, according to the FTC, which received 2.6 million fraud reports that year. Investment-related scams caused the greatest financial losses at over $4.6 billion nationally, often involving pressure to act quickly and demands for payment via money transfer or gift card. The FTC advises verifying financial concerns by contacting institutions directly using numbers on official statements and filing reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if victimized.
12news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Phoenix detailed a sophisticated "Phantom Hacker" scam targeting elderly Arizonans that has resulted in multiple victims losing their life savings. The scam typically begins with a fake pop-up warning of computer compromise, followed by scammers posing as representatives from legitimate companies and banks who gain remote access to victims' computers, monitor their banking activity, and then direct them to transfer funds to cryptocurrency ATMs. FBI officials indicate the scammers, often operating from overseas locations like Russia and China, are successful in returning victims' funds approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the time when reports are made within one to two days of the transaction.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Chicago worker lost over $19,000 in a wire transfer scam after a fraudster impersonating a Chase Bank representative gained remote access to his computer through a phishing email about an unauthorized credit card. The scammer deposited $20,000 into his account, then manipulated Thomas into transferring back $19,450 of his own money by claiming it was an error and using emotional manipulation. Chase Bank denied his refund claim, stating he had compromised his account by sharing sensitive information, despite multiple similar cases affecting Chase customers.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
Generation Z Americans are falling victim to online scams at significantly higher rates than older generations, with a 2023 Deloitte survey showing Gen Z is three times more likely to be scammed than baby boomers and twice as likely to have social media accounts hacked; social media scams accounted for 38% of reported losses among people aged 20-29 in 2023. Scammers increasingly use text, email, and social media impersonation rather than phone calls, and exploit victims' familiarity with technology and inadequate cybersecurity education. To protect themselves, people should enable two-step authentication, avoid upfront payment job offers, be skeptical of guaranteed returns
in.mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost approximately $50,000 (Rs 41.5 lakh) to a scam involving an impersonator posing as Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Instagram. The fraudster built trust by sharing fake identification documents, fabricating details about Musk meetings with South Korean officials, and conducting deepfake video calls before convincing the victim to transfer funds to a bank account allegedly belonging to a Musk employee. The victim initially suspected the impostor but was gradually deceived through increasingly sophisticated social engineering tactics.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A Facebook phishing scam using posts with messages like "It Won't Be The Same Without Him" is circulating in Minnesota and Wisconsin, tricking users into clicking malicious links by exploiting emotions and the assumption that a friend has died. When clicked, the scam compromises Facebook accounts, allowing scammers to steal personal information and spread the scam to the victim's friends through fraudulent posts and tags. Users who fall victim should immediately reset passwords, check privacy settings, remove suspicious friends, run antivirus software, and report the malicious links to Facebook.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost 70 million won (approximately ₹41 lakh) in a romance scam after being deceived by a scammer impersonating Elon Musk using deepfake video technology. The scammer built trust over Instagram by sharing fabricated details about Musk's life, conducting a deepfake video call to appear authentic, and then convincing the victim to transfer money to a Korean bank account with promises of investment returns. This incident reflects a growing trend of scammers exploiting the identities of high-profile figures like Musk to defraud vulnerable targets.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Renato Calalang, a 60-year-old Australian warehouse worker, lost nearly $150,000 in life savings to an inheritance scam after receiving an email from someone claiming to be a Philippine bank owner offering him a €3.8 million inheritance from a deceased cousin. The scammer, posing as "Steve Golds," provided forged documents including a death certificate and instructed Calalang to open a new bank account and deposit funds to facilitate the transfer, exploiting Calalang's family ties to the Philippines and his trust in his existing bank. After months of transfers and communication, Calalang realized he had been defrauded and lost his retirement
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Common online scams in India include UPI fraud, credit/debit card theft, and "FedEx" extortion schemes, all using social engineering to trick victims into authorizing payments or revealing sensitive information. A Bengaluru banking executive lost Rs 25,000 after a friend's WhatsApp account was compromised by a hacker who impersonated a telecom operator to intercept account registration codes. To protect themselves, victims should immediately report fraud to their bank and police within an hour of discovery, file cybercrime complaints, and remember that "digital arrest" is a scammer tactic—police cannot arrest or interrogate people online.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams impersonating the U.S. Postal Service generate traffic volumes nearly equal to the legitimate USPS website, particularly during holiday shopping seasons, according to Akamai research. Scammers use "combosquatting" techniques—adding keywords to fake domain names—to deceive victims into revealing personal information or sending money, with smishing (SMS phishing) attacks impersonating delivery services ranking among the top three most common fraud methods globally. The FTC reported over 330,000 business impersonation scams in 2023 resulting in $1.1 billion in losses, with delivery service impersonation attacks being especially lucrative for fraudsters
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A West Covina man, Tai Su, 48, was arrested in an HSI-orchestrated sting operation for attempting to collect $35,000 from two elderly victims who had already lost $25,000 in a phishing scheme. The scam began when the victims opened a malicious email link that locked their computer and displayed a fake "Microsoft Support" number; they were then manipulated by callers posing as bank fraud investigators and fake federal agents into withdrawing and handing over cash on multiple occasions. Su faces federal conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges carrying a maximum 20-year sentence.
dailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Tai Su, 48, was arrested for operating a sophisticated phishing and impersonation scam targeting two elderly Encino residents in April. The scheme involved sending malicious emails to trick victims into believing their computers were hacked, then impersonating Microsoft Support and bank officials to coerce them into withdrawing $60,000 in cash for fake "federal agent" pickups at their homes. Su faces up to 20 years in federal prison on wire fraud conspiracy charges after Homeland Security Investigations intercepted the second payment attempt.
wlbt.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing more than $100,000 each, as criminals increasingly employ sophisticated tactics including tech support scams, romance frauds, investment schemes, and in-person courier pickups to collect cash and precious metals. The report highlights a rise in organized, transnational criminal enterprises targeting vulnerable older Americans, with some victims becoming destitute.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with increasingly sophisticated schemes including tech support scams, romance frauds, investment schemes, and in-person courier pickups to collect cash or precious metals. The report highlights the devastating impact on vulnerable seniors, including one case where an 81-year-old Ohio man fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a court impersonation scam.
kagstv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report that documents increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with tech support scams being the most common fraud type, followed by rising schemes involving in-person couriers collecting cash or gold from victims deceived into believing their accounts were compromised. Investigators warn that organized criminal enterprises are using romance scams, investment fraud, and impersonation tactics, with losses potentially underreported as many victims never report their victimization.
whsv.com
· 2025-12-08
Older Americans lost over $3.4 billion to scams in the past year, a rise of 11% from the previous year, according to an FBI report showing increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics targeting victims over 60. The most common fraud was tech support scams, with a rising trend of in-person couriers collecting cash or precious metals from victims convinced their bank accounts had been compromised. Federal investigators warn of organized, transnational criminal enterprises using romance scams, investment fraud, and impersonation schemes, with nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each last year.
voanews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in the past year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with more than 100,000 complaints filed and nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. The most common schemes include tech support scams and impersonation frauds where criminals convince victims their accounts are compromised and direct them to move funds or liquidate assets into cash or precious metals, with a rising trend of using couriers to collect money in person. Investigators attribute the rise to increasingly sophisticated tactics by organized criminal enterprises operating transnationally, targeting vulnerable older Americans who may lack the
dhs.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 48-year-old California man was arrested in a sting operation for attempting to collect $35,000 from an elderly couple who had already lost $25,000 to an online phishing scam. The scheme involved malware that locked the victims' computer, fake Microsoft Support calls, impersonators posing as bank fraud investigators and federal agents, and coordinated cash pickups from the victims' home. Su was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with criminals employing increasingly sophisticated tactics including impersonation of officials and in-person courier services to collect cash and precious metals. The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints from older victims, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported fraud, followed by romance scams and investment schemes, while investigators warned of organized transnational criminal enterprises targeting this vulnerable population.
journal-topics.com
· 2025-12-08
The Prospect Heights Police Department hosted a community education event where officers shared crime statistics and fraud prevention advice with residents. Police highlighted that over 2.6 million seniors are victims of identity theft annually and more than 13% of older Americans experience financial fraud each year, with the top scams being cryptocurrency, family emergency, and romance schemes. Residents were advised to never share banking information, verify URLs, avoid unsolicited contacts, and report suspected scams to ftc.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scams are surging, with the FBI's IC3 receiving 9,521 complaints in 2023 resulting in $145.2 million in losses, primarily through business email compromise (BEC) schemes targeting homebuyers and sellers. Notable cases include a Connecticut homebuyer who nearly lost $426,000 after receiving a spoofed email posing as their attorney, and a Texas realtor who identified a fraudulent property listing scheme. Common tactics include fake closing/wire fraud emails, rental listing scams, and home warranty schemes, with scammers exploiting the busy March-June real estate season by impersonating attorneys, lenders, and property owners to steal money
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Baby Boomers lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints from Americans over 60—an 11% surge from the previous year. The most common scams involved phone calls from fraudsters impersonating tech support or banking officials, tricking victims into transferring funds to fake accounts, liquidating assets for gold, or using courier services and cryptocurrency transfers, with some victims losing over $100,000 and becoming destitute. The actual financial losses are likely higher, as only half of reported complaints included victim age data, and these schemes have expanded to include dangerous in-person courier pickups.
timberjay.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with financial losses exceeding $3.4 billion and an average victim loss of $33,915. Over 101,000 seniors aged 60+ reported fraud to IC3, with investment scams, tech support scams, and romance scams being among the most common schemes, while cryptocurrency scams affected over 12,000 seniors. The report notes that actual fraud rates are likely higher due to underreporting, and scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfakes and chatbots to target elderly victims.
wvua23.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the prior year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing more than $100,000 each, and investigators warn of rising sophistication in schemes including tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and in-person courier pickups of cash and precious metals. The losses may be significantly underreported, and experts caution that these crimes can leave elderly victims financially devastated and destitute.