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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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Milan Art Institute
· 2024-02-21
This is an introduction to a free educational workshop on art scams, hosted by artists who aim to share their personal experiences and knowledge of common scams targeting artists. The workshop covers various types of scams that artists encounter regularly, with plans for a live Q&A session to address participant questions and concerns. No specific scam details or victim information is provided in this excerpt.
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19 News
· 2024-03-04
Kayoga County Prosecutor Michael Mali is conducting public education meetings during National Consumer Protection Week to warn seniors about increasingly common scams, particularly government impersonation schemes where fraudsters pose as law enforcement and claim a grandchild needs bail money. Mali, whose own mother was targeted by such a scam, emphasizes the widespread nature of the problem, noting that dozens of residents per hundred fall victim to these schemes. The educational initiative aims to help seniors recognize warning signs and stop scams before losing money.
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CityNews
· 2024-03-05
Fraudulent activity in Canada increased 133% in 2023, with common scams including Interac e-Transfer fraud, job scams, fake credit card transaction calls, and fraudulent Canada Post delivery messages that are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Those aged 18-24 are more vulnerable to online scams, while people over 45 are more susceptible to email and phone call fraud, with women reporting scams more frequently than men. The scams vary seasonally, with fraudsters adapting their tactics throughout the year.
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Good Morning America
· 2024-03-05
Janice Swafford fell victim to a "malicious tagging" scam on Facebook when she clicked a link in what appeared to be a message from a friend about someone's death. After clicking the fake link, scammers gained access to her account and sent messages to her contacts claiming she had been hacked, then an unknown person offered to secure her account for $100. Security experts warn this type of emotionally manipulative scam is on the rise on Facebook, using provocative posts and artificial intelligence to create convincing fraudulent messages that trick users into clicking malicious links.
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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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KHON2 News
· 2024-03-30
The AARP Hawaii organization is warning the public about online marketplace scams, citing an incident where an employee attempting to sell items on social media was targeted by a fake buyer requesting verification codes that would have granted access to her Google Voice account, email, and personal information. The organization advises consumers to conduct background checks on how personal information could be misused before sharing identifying details online and is offering an educational event on fraud prevention.
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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
· 2024-04-04
As tax day approaches, IRS Commissioner Danny Worle warns the public about increased tax scam activity and identifies common red flags in fraudulent emails impersonating the IRS. Key warning signs include references to expired programs (like 2021 economic impact payments), claims of first-time contact via email (the IRS initiates contact by mail), suspicious formatting, and requests to click links that are designed to steal personal information and funds.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2024-04-09
Tennessee has reimbursed over $933,000 to SNAP benefit recipients whose EBT cards were fraudulently used through skimming, cloning, and phishing scams that drained thousands of accounts. Nearly 8,000 people submitted replacement requests since the state began accepting them in fall 2023, with approximately 78% of reviewed claims approved. The USDA reported over 162,000 fraudulent SNAP transactions nationally in fiscal year 2023 totaling $30 million, prompting calls for federal solutions including microchip technology and enhanced security measures on EBT cards.
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WFMY News 2
· 2024-04-19
This educational piece from the Better Business Bureau discusses phone spoofing scams, where fraudsters manipulate caller ID to display legitimate business numbers (banks, the IRS, Sheriff's Office) to trick recipients into believing they are legitimate callers. The article explains how spoofing works and advises consumers to be cautious when receiving calls from seemingly recognizable numbers, as scammers can now spoof real phone numbers from trusted institutions to increase the likelihood that victims will comply with their requests.
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CBS Philadelphia
· 2024-04-22
The FBI warns that romance scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often operating as organized crime rings who exploit dating app users through emotional manipulation and financial schemes. A victim in her mid-40s with a PhD was targeted by a scammer posing as a successful finance professional named "Evan," who built deep trust over weeks of communication before convincing her to borrow from her 401(k) and invest in cryptocurrency, claiming it would help pay off her student loans. Beyond financial losses, these scams cause significant psychological harm, leaving victims feeling heartbroken, depressed, and ashamed.
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13News Now
· 2024-04-27
The Norfolk FBI has issued a warning about the rising trend of cryptocurrency scams in the Hampton Roads region, where victims are tricked into sending thousands of dollars to purchase cryptocurrency or fake crypto investments. The FBI characterizes these schemes as "old tricks with a new look"—traditional fraud methods now facilitated through digital currency—with three common types including ransomware attacks, investment scams, and romance/advance-fee schemes. Victims can lose their life savings to these frauds, which are being reported with increasing frequency in the area.
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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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WSB-TV
· 2024-05-01
This educational piece explains how cybercriminals operate at scale, with millions of attackers conducting billions of daily cyberattacks targeting retailers, governments, hospitals, banks, and individuals. Cyber threat researcher Willis McDonald describes how malware and ransomware are sold as subscription services on criminal marketplaces—a multibillion-dollar industry in the U.S. alone—enabling hackers to easily launch attacks through malicious links and collect personal information like usernames and passwords.
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CBS News
· 2024-05-01
A CBS News investigation explored romance scams targeting vulnerable adults on dating platforms. The report featured the case of Laura Coal, a 57-year-old retired hospital executive who fell victim to a scammer posing as "Frank," a Swedish businessman with a fake profile photo on Match.com; within days of initial contact, she professed deep emotional attachment to someone she had never met in person. The story illustrates how lonely individuals seeking companionship can be manipulated by sophisticated scammers who exploit emotional vulnerabilities through online dating platforms.
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FOX31 Denver
· 2024-05-19
A Denver family had their bank account completely drained after their credit card information was stolen, though the method of theft remains unknown. Colorado law enforcement warns that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated skimming devices—including pinhole cameras and barely visible overlays on payment terminals—to capture card and PIN information at gas pumps and public payment stations. To protect themselves, consumers should shield their PIN when entering it, use contactless payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay, pay at staffed customer service desks rather than unattended terminals, and regularly monitor accounts for unauthorized charges.
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The Project
· 2024-05-23
A Melbourne woman lost her entire life savings after entering her details into a fake investment comparison website, which scammers used to steal approximately half a million dollars. The incident is part of a broader Australian fraud trend where fake investment scams have caused over $47 million in losses in the first three months of the year, with victims experiencing severe financial and emotional harm that extends beyond individual losses to impact entire families.
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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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WFMY News 2
· 2024-06-06
This is an educational transcript from AARP discussing fraud prevention resources and best practices. Mark Hensley and David Kirkman from AARP explain that AARP membership is available to anyone 21 and older (not just retirees), and highlight the organization's free Fraud Watch Network, which offers extensive videos and information about scams. They also recommend security software like Norton for phones and emphasize the importance of protecting personal information and identity online.
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WTRF
· 2024-06-17
Elder fraud is rising, with elderly victims increasingly targeted through phone, email, and romance scams in which scammers pose as romantic partners to convince victims to send money for purported investments. US Attorney William Enfeld notes that victims often resist intervention even from bank officials and law enforcement, as they believe the relationships are genuine and are emotionally invested. Early reporting to the US Attorney's office is critical, especially for victims experiencing cognitive decline, to prevent complete depletion of savings.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-06-20
This educational piece from the Better Business Bureau provides prevention strategies for older adults and caregivers to protect against scams. Key recommendations include verifying requests with trusted contacts before sharing personal information, never voluntarily providing Social Security or Medicare numbers to unsolicited callers, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and being cautious of urgent language designed to pressure quick decisions. Caregivers should watch for warning signs such as increased junk mail, secretive behavior, unexpected account charges, or sudden financial difficulties, while also helping reduce solicitations by registering on do-not-call and do-not-mail registries and screening incoming calls.
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WGRZ-TV
· 2024-06-21
Phishing scams are increasing dramatically in Western New York and nationwide, with Upstate New York experiencing a 140% increase in reports last year and nearly 10,000 reports nationally. Scammers are using new technology including AI to target victims via email, text message, and voicemail, crafting increasingly sophisticated messages designed to trick people into revealing personal information. Experts advise not clicking suspicious links or entering personal information online, as compromised data allows scammers to access victims' accounts and sensitive information.
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Newzroom Afrika
· 2024-07-02
South Africa has experienced a significant rise in fraudulent online auction scams where perpetrators demand upfront payments for items that are never delivered. The South African Institute of Auctioneers, the regulatory body for the auction industry, issued a public warning about the surge in these scams, which have been prevalent for at least four years, to protect both their members and the general public from becoming victims.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2024-07-16
During Amazon Prime Day, scammers use over 1,200 fake Amazon copycat websites and fraudulent emails to steal login credentials and payment information from shoppers. To protect themselves, consumers should verify URLs carefully, use strong passwords, avoid sharing unnecessary personal information, and use credit cards instead of debit cards for online purchases due to stronger fraud protections.
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CBC News
· 2024-07-20
Scammers are exploiting the global IT outage by targeting vulnerable individuals through emails, texts, calls, and social media, often impersonating companies like Microsoft support to appear legitimate. Fraudsters take advantage of widespread chaos and uncertainty following major disruptions, when people are more likely to respond to and trust unsolicited communications. To stay safe, people should be skeptical of unexpected contact about the outage and verify any legitimate support requests through official channels rather than responding to incoming messages.
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wgaltv
· 2024-07-23
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers exploit Olympic interest through phishing texts and emails offering merchandise deals or event viewing links, fake job opportunities targeting college students (such as wrapping ads on vehicles), counterfeit Olympic merchandise and knockoffs, and fraudulent sports streaming links on social media that compromise personal information. Consumers should avoid clicking unknown links, purchase only from official sellers, and visit legitimate Olympic websites directly to verify authenticity.
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WGN News
· 2024-07-31
A Chicago widow lost over $100,000 in an online romance scam after meeting a man named "Gregory" on a dating site who gradually requested increasing amounts of money under various pretexts, eventually stopping contact once she ceased sending funds. The victim, living on a fixed income, cashed out an annuity to meet his escalating demands despite growing suspicions, driven by fear of losing the promised relationship and money. The case highlights how romance scams—which reported nearly 1.3 billion in losses nationally in 2022—use emotional manipulation and increasingly sophisticated AI-altered photos and videos to deceive victims, with arrests remaining rare and funds rarely recovered.
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News 5 Cleveland
· 2024-07-31
Strongville United Methodist Church in Ohio became a target of phishing scams when cybercriminals impersonated Reverend Abby Almond in emails sent to congregation members, requesting money and gift cards. Phishing scams have nearly doubled to over 9,000 reports annually in the Better Business Bureau's Northeast Ohio region, ranking as the second-most common scam type locally.
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Breakfast Television
· 2024-08-01
Phishing scams are currently targeting Microsoft Windows and CrowdStrike users, particularly following a recent global outage. Phishing occurs when cybercriminals impersonate legitimate organizations (such as banks or government agencies) via text messages or emails to trick users into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or divulging personal information. Individuals of all ages should remain vigilant and employ cybersecurity awareness to protect themselves against these scams.
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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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CBS Colorado
· 2024-08-07
A Denver couple lost $30,000 in a business email compromise scam days before closing on their home, when scammers impersonated their lender and title company to redirect closing funds. The FBI reports this real estate fraud scheme is increasingly common, with Colorado experiencing over $57 million in losses to similar business email compromise scams last year. The scammers obtained legitimate emails, inserted themselves into the couple's email chain, and conducted real-time conversations to convince them to wire closing costs to a fraudulent account.
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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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FOX54 News Huntsville
· 2024-08-09
Elderly individuals remain primary targets for scams delivered through digital means including emails, text messages, phone calls, and computer popups. Law enforcement officials recommend avoiding clicking suspicious links, refusing to share personal information over the phone, and reporting incidents to police without embarrassment or delay.
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WFMY News 2
· 2024-08-16
A Better Business Bureau representative discusses data breach protection and warns about a debit card scam where fraudsters spoof bank phone numbers and use personal details like addresses and bank account information to convince victims of fake recent transactions. The segment provides guidance on contacting credit bureaus separately to request credit freezes and advises viewers on protecting themselves from these schemes through awareness and proper verification procedures.
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ABC11
· 2024-08-23
Back-to-school shoppers should beware of counterfeit websites and social media ads offering popular clothing and shoes at steep discounts, and should verify websites are secure (look for https and lock symbols) before making purchases. Students should avoid fake scholarship applications requiring upfront payments or personal information like Social Security numbers, and should ignore unsolicited emails and voicemails claiming student loan eligibility—instead verify information directly through official sources like studentaid.gov.
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NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2024-08-27
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is warning the public about emerging scam tactics including "smishing" (fraudulent text messages claiming to be from USPS requesting address confirmation through malicious links) and "vishing" (spoofed voicemails impersonating government employees with fake callback numbers). To protect themselves, recipients should avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead call official government phone numbers directly rather than using numbers provided in suspicious communications.
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11Alive
· 2024-08-27
The US Postal Inspection Service warns of emerging scams including "smishing" (fraudulent text messages impersonating USPS requesting address confirmation via malicious links) and "vishing" (spoofed voicemails from fake government employees asking consumers to call back). These scams aim to steal personal information and financial data from victims who interact with the fraudulent messages or call back the scammers' numbers rather than official government lines.
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NBC Bay Area
· 2024-08-30
This news segment covers two separate topics: (1) Nearly two dozen suspects tied to Oakland gangs were charged with burglaries at marijuana dispensaries across Northern California counties, stealing approximately $1 million in combined cannabis products including edibles, gummies, and plants, which they then resold on social media; (2) A brief mention of text message scams targeting consumers with unwanted communications from unknown numbers.
**Note:** This article contains limited elder fraud-specific content; only the text message scam reference may be relevant to the Elderus database.
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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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WFMJ
· 2024-09-03
U.S. seniors lost over $3 billion to scammers in the past year. Common scams targeting elderly individuals include relationship scams where fraudsters impersonate family members (grandchildren, nieces, nephews) claiming urgent financial needs such as bail, rent, or tuition, often using personal information gathered from social media to appear credible. Experts recommend awareness and education to help protect seniors from these emotionally manipulative schemes.
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CBS Mornings
· 2024-09-04
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 880,000 complaints last year, a 10% increase from 2022, with blackmail scam emails being a prevalent threat. These emails threaten recipients with claims of embarrassing footage or compromised browsing data and often include personal details like names, addresses, and street view images to appear credible. Experts note that while these scams are rarely genuine, they are personalized enough to deceive even cautious individuals.
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WDHN
· 2024-09-04
An elderly woman in Houston County lost $20,000 to an email scam in which she received a fake invoice notification and was tricked into believing she would receive a larger refund. After contacting the scammers via a phone number in the email, the victim withdrew money from her bank and transferred it via Bitcoin to an offshore account, making recovery nearly impossible. The Houston County Sheriff's Office warned residents to independently verify unexpected billing notices and contact authorities if they suspect fraud.
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WYFF News 4
· 2024-09-09
Bill Vickery, owner of Just Call, provides elder fraud prevention advice, emphasizing that most scams begin with phone calls, texts, or emails targeting seniors unfamiliar with modern technology. Key prevention strategies include not answering calls from unknown numbers, hanging up immediately if feeling suspicious, avoiding saying "yes" (which scammers may record and manipulate), and never verifying personal information over the phone with unknown callers. Vickery advocates for a proactive, educational approach to help seniors and their families recognize and avoid scams before they occur.
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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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13News Now
· 2024-09-11
Elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with Americans losing $1.6 billion to scams nationally and Virginia residents losing $265 million, according to FBI data. Virginia reported approximately 2,700 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with investment scams being the most common type targeting seniors with regular income by exploiting their loneliness or desire to earn additional money. The FBI emphasizes that scammers are skilled manipulators who deliberately identify and exploit vulnerable elderly individuals.
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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
· 2024-09-19
Real estate and rental scams are widespread, with nearly 70,000 reported instances resulting in over $1.4 billion in losses between 2018 and 2023, according to FBI data. Scammers target housing-stressed individuals—over 41 million renters and homeowners spent at least 30% of their income on housing in 2023—by impersonating government low-income housing programs on social media and through other fraudulent schemes during the home-buying and rental search process.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-19
Senator Bob Casey led a Senate Aging Committee hearing on fraud targeting older Americans, during which the committee released its annual "Fighting Fraud" resource book. The hearing addressed multiple scam types affecting seniors including grandparent scams, investment fraud, government impostor schemes, lottery scams, and tech support scams, while noting that scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics over recent years. The committee discussed both fraud prevention strategies and how federal law enforcement agencies respond to fraud reports.
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WGRZ-TV
· 2024-09-27
The Niagara County Clerk's Office has issued alerts about phishing scams targeting residents through text messages that impersonate E-ZPass and toll service authorities. Scammers are sending texts claiming to collect tolls on behalf of New York or E-ZPass services, with links directing victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information. The Thruway Authority emphasizes that it will never request sensitive personal information via unsolicited communications.
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WQAD News 8
· 2024-10-08
Amazon Prime Days shopping events create opportunities for scammers, with FTC-reported Amazon-related scams resulting in $19 million in losses last year. Consumers should protect themselves by reading verified reviews, avoiding suspicious links, ignoring promotions that require payment, and remembering that Amazon customer support never requests personal details or passwords.
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CFPBLive
· 2024-10-09
This is an introductory webinar hosted by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on payments industry practices for combating elder financial exploitation. The session provides participants with access to slides, resources, and a discussion platform to explore strategies and tools for preventing elder financial abuse within the payments sector.
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ABC15 Arizona
· 2024-10-11
As the 2024 election approaches, scammers are using election-themed tactics to defraud people through three main schemes: fake merchandise offers requiring shipping fees, phishing surveys that mix political and personal questions to gather targeting information, and fraudulent donation websites impersonating legitimate political action committees. To protect yourself, verify website legitimacy before donating (preferably by credit card), avoid sharing sensitive information like Social Security numbers or birth dates, resist pressure to act immediately, and monitor bank statements regularly.
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CBS News
· 2024-10-14
The FBI warns of a surge in post-disaster fraud following hurricanes in the Southeast, reporting over 26,000 complaints resulting in more than $312 million in losses over the past 5 years. Common scams include imposters posing as FEMA inspectors demanding fees, fraudsters claiming to be insurance companies fishing for personal information, and other tactics using text, email, and door-to-door contact. Victims should remember that legitimate government officials and FEMA workers never request payment or banking details.
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This Morning
· 2024-10-16
This awareness segment identifies five increasingly sophisticated scams targeting consumers, with fraud cases rising 235% year-over-year. Two particularly predatory text message scams impersonate government agencies offering winter heating subsidies and living expense assistance, exploiting vulnerability and creating false urgency to trick victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal information.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted an educational presentation titled "Unmasking Fraud" featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to address senior fraud targeting older adults in Louisiana. The event emphasized that fraud against seniors impacts not only financial security but also causes lasting emotional and psychological harm, and provided practical strategies for protection. AARP directs people to its Fraud Watch Network resource for current scam information and personal data protection guidance.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted a fraud awareness townhall event featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to educate seniors about scams targeting older adults. The event aimed to provide practical protection strategies and highlight how fraud impacts seniors beyond financial loss, including emotional and trust-related consequences. AARP encourages seniors to utilize resources like their FraudWatch Network to stay informed about emerging scams and safeguard personal information.
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WUSA9
· 2024-10-17
An 81-year-old woman lost her life savings after receiving a phone call from a scammer impersonating a Social Security Administration representative who claimed her Social security number was being used fraudulently. The scammer sent a fake U.S. Supreme Court certificate as proof and convinced her to move her money to "secure" it, resulting in the loss of her life savings. She is sharing her story to warn other seniors about this type of fraud.
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wgaltv
· 2024-10-17
Automatic renewal scams impersonate legitimate companies (like LifeLock) through mass emails claiming unauthorized charges of hundreds of dollars, exploiting panic to trick victims into calling provided numbers. When victims respond, scammers pose as customer service representatives and extract banking or credit card information under the pretense of issuing refunds. These scams disproportionately affect seniors, and can be identified by generic greetings rather than personalized names, which legitimate companies typically use.
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WPLG Local 10
· 2024-10-18
A Pinecrest woman received a threatening extortion email from a scammer who claimed to have compromising photos and videos of her and demanded payment. The scammer demonstrated access to personal information including her address, phone number, family members' names, and a photo of her neighborhood, which alarmed her into contacting police. The FBI is encouraging victims of this extortion scam to report it to them.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-10-20
Senator Sherrod Brown questioned a witness about the human impact of financial scams, citing Ohio data showing 18,000 reported scams and $100 million in losses in the past year. The witness testified that scam victims—often vibrant, independent people—experience life-altering consequences including depleted retirement savings and family strain, with adult children forced to drain their own college funds and savings to support defrauded parents.
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NBC10 Boston
· 2024-10-22
More than half of Americans have been targeted by election-related scams ahead of the 2024 election, with young voters experiencing the highest rates of fraud involving fake polls, donation scams, and disinformation. Common scams include political donation fraud where money does not reach intended campaigns, and election survey scams where fraudsters pose as legitimate news organizations to collect personal information and voting preferences. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of donation requests and survey contacts before providing personal information or financial contributions.
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WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7
· 2024-10-23
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about the "card declined scam," where fraudsters create fake websites mimicking legitimate retailers and display card declined error messages to trick consumers into entering their payment information. In one reported case, a Troy woman attempting to purchase shoes on a counterfeit Nike site had her card information stolen, which scammers then used to attempt a $48 fraudulent charge (caught by her bank). Consumers are advised to verify retailer URLs for misspellings and stop transactions if they encounter declined messages, as these may indicate phishing attempts rather than legitimate payment failures.
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KHOU 11
· 2024-10-25
This educational piece identifies common linguistic red flags that reveal scam messages and emails, including the phrase "would you kindly," formal greetings like "Dear Sir or Madam," awkward grammar, British spellings, and misspellings—all indicators that scammers often operate from other countries where English is not their first language. The article warns that artificial intelligence may soon eliminate these warning signs by enabling scammers to craft grammatically perfect messages that appear legitimate.
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NBC10 Boston
· 2024-11-01
During Medicare open enrollment season, scammers impersonate Medicare representatives and insurance agents to trick people into revealing personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking details, and Medicare ID numbers through unsolicited calls, texts, and phishing emails. The BBB has received frequent reports of these fraudulent schemes, which target millions of people seeking insurance plans and can result in identity theft or sale of personal data on the black market. Consumers should verify contacts by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, be wary of anyone offering limited-time enrollment offers, and avoid sharing personal information with unsolicited callers.
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WIRED
· 2024-11-05
This WIRED article features "Scammer Payback," a YouTube scam-baiting channel, answering audience questions about common fraud tactics and red flags. The content identifies three major warning signs of scams: scammers pressuring victims to make quick decisions (especially involving gift cards or Cash App transfers), requests for remote access to computers or phones, and demands for untraceable payment methods like Bitcoin or wire transfers. The educational piece emphasizes that time pressure is a deliberate tactic scammers use to prevent victims from consulting family members or others who might intervene.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-11-07
**Summary:**
Scammers target veterans by impersonating government representatives and fraudulently offering loan forgiveness, mortgage aid, or grants in exchange for upfront processing fees. Veterans and their spouses experience higher median losses to scams than average consumers, particularly through employment scams that exploit frequent military relocations. The BBB advises veterans to never pay upfront for loans or grants, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, and remember that the government communicates via mail only—never by phone, email, or social media.
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NBC4 Washington
· 2024-11-16
The United States Postal Inspection Service warned of a rise in mail scams heading into the holiday shipping season, including counterfeit postage stamps being sold on social media at 20-50% discounts and phishing/smishing scams via text messages falsely claiming failed package deliveries. Consumers are advised to purchase stamps only from approved postal providers and authorized retailers, and to be cautious of unsolicited delivery notifications via text that may contain malicious links.
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FOX59 News
· 2024-11-18
Black Friday scams are proliferating as holiday shopping season begins. Four major scam types to watch for include: fake social media ads (e.g., North Face offering 80% discounts), copycat websites designed to steal personal information or upload malware, phishing emails offering fake gift card surveys, and bogus delivery alerts via text claiming packages are being held. Consumers should navigate directly to official retailer websites, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, and verify tracking information through legitimate sources rather than responding to suspicious messages.
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NewsChannel 9 WSYR Syracuse
· 2024-11-22
Online purchase scams rose 125% in 2023, with scammers targeting busy holiday shoppers through fake websites and social media ads. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to scrutinize websites for awkward phrasing, unprofessional design, and tampered logos, and to avoid engaging with suspicious text messages requesting shipping or payment updates, as these are common tactics used to steal personal and financial information.
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NBC 7 San Diego
· 2024-11-26
Holiday fraud increases significantly in December, with scammers targeting busy shoppers through identity theft, credit card fraud, package theft, and fake social media ads selling counterfeit goods. Law enforcement and the Better Business Bureau warn that common holiday scams have become more sophisticated and high-tech, including fake toll collection texts and counterfeit items sold online, and advise consumers to remain vigilant during the busy shopping season.
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FOX31 Denver
· 2024-11-27
A Denver man lost thousands of dollars after scammers gained access to his Venmo account by using a phishing email to change his password, exploiting his recent grief over his father's death. The hackers transferred funds from his linked checking account before he regained access, and while PayPal later confirmed the breach and pledged to make things right, the incident highlights vulnerabilities across cash transfer apps including Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App. Experts recommend users enable two-factor authentication, transfer money to bank accounts promptly, change passwords regularly, and remain vigilant against common scams like "paid by mistake" schemes and pyramid schemes on these platforms.
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KCAU-TV Sioux City
· 2024-11-28
During peak holiday shopping season, scammers target shoppers with increased fraud attempts. Key protective measures include shopping only on trusted websites, avoiding suspicious links and downloads, patronizing local businesses, using credit cards instead of debit cards for stronger fraud protections, and regularly monitoring bank accounts for unauthorized charges.
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13News Now
· 2024-11-29
Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping increases vulnerability to several common scams: fraudulent social media ads with fake URLs, phony websites selling deactivated or counterfeit gift cards to harvest personal information, and phishing emails with suspicious links. Consumers should verify ad sources and URLs, purchase gift cards only from official retailers, check for spelling errors and https security on websites, and avoid clicking email links unless the sender's address is confirmed legitimate.
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WTVC NewsChannel 9
· 2024-12-01
The Better Business Bureau warns of a rise in online shopping scams ahead of Cyber Monday, when approximately 72 million consumers are expected to shop online. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost over $1 billion to fraud and scams in 2023, with scammers particularly targeting peak shopping seasons through fake websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent text messages impersonating delivery services. The BBB recommends keeping antivirus software updated, verifying website URLs before entering payment information, and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited emails or text messages.
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Good Morning Britain
· 2024-12-02
Television personality Linda Robson nearly fell victim to the "Hi Mum" scam when a fraudster impersonating her daughter Bobby contacted her via WhatsApp, claiming to have dropped her phone and requesting £150 for bills. Robson became suspicious when the scammer couldn't answer her call and provided incorrect information about her dog's name, ultimately avoiding financial loss. The incident highlights that approximately 40% of British adults have been targeted by scams in the past year, prompting Robson to work with BT and charity AB Ability Net to raise awareness about this common fraud tactic.
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WTVR CBS 6
· 2024-12-10
A Virginia woman nearly lost $22,000 in a holiday-season scam, though the amount was ultimately not transferred after a bank questioned the suspicious withdrawal. The Central Virginia Better Business Bureau warns of prevalent phishing scams during the holidays, including fraudulent messages impersonating delivery services and the IRS that attempt to steal personal information or download malware through malicious links. The BBB advises consumers not to click suspicious links, never pay with Bitcoin or gift cards, and remember that legitimate offers that seem too good to be true probably are.
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TODAY
· 2024-12-10
During the holiday season, when Americans are expected to spend over $240 billion online, scammers are exploiting increased shopping activity through fraudulent websites and online shopping schemes. Online fraud costs approximately $12 billion annually according to the FBI, with thousands of fake websites appearing during peak shopping periods to steal personal information. Consumers should protect themselves by checking for security padlocks on websites, scrutinizing URLs and website content for typos or errors, and being cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
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Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2024-12-13
U.S. consumers lost over $10 billion to holiday scams last year, with cybercriminals exploiting the increased online shopping activity during the season. Common scams to avoid include fake delivery notifications (often with suspicious foreign phone numbers), fraudulent social media ads mimicking legitimate retailers, and bogus surveys or giveaways offering free items.
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FOX 5 New York
· 2024-12-13
Amazon Prime customers are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated lookalike scams during the holiday season, with scammers impersonating Amazon through text messages and emails that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications. Over 1,000 Amazon scam sites were registered in just two months, and cybersecurity experts report that one in five adults are clicking on these fraudulent messages. Consumers are advised to be cautious of unsolicited Amazon communications and delete suspicious messages immediately.
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WCIA News
· 2024-12-14
The FBI warns consumers to be vigilant against holiday scams, which proliferate during the shopping season when people are rushed and spending more money. Common schemes include spoofed shopping websites designed to steal payment information, puppy scams advertising fake pets for sale, and fraudulent package delivery texts. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, Illinois residents alone reported over 15,000 scams resulting in $335 million in losses.
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KHON2 News
· 2024-12-18
The Better Business Bureau identified 12 common holiday scams, with misleading social media ads and imposter websites being the most prevalent. The list includes phishing emails, fake charities, puppy scams, unsafe holiday apps, and counterfeit product sales. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid interacting with unsolicited messages, only shop from trusted businesses, verify website authenticity, report scams to the BBB and financial institutions, and contact local law enforcement if money is lost.
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FOX4 News Kansas City
· 2024-12-20
During open enrollment season, scammers are targeting people with unsolicited robocalls and text messages offering free incentives like groceries or housing to enroll in health insurance, then requesting personal and financial information to "confirm eligibility." KC Care warns consumers to avoid these scams by only initiating enrollment themselves and working with licensed, trained insurance navigators rather than responding to unsolicited contacts, with free navigator services available through official channels like GetCovered.org (Kansas) and ShowMeCoverage.org (Missouri).
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2024-12-20
Local police departments in Bridgeton and Kirkwood issued warnings about an evolving "brushing scam" that combines unsolicited package shipments with QR codes included in the packaging. In brushing scams, online sellers ship random products to real addresses and post fake positive reviews to boost sales, but this new variation includes QR codes that, when scanned, may direct recipients to malicious websites designed to steal personal and financial information. Authorities advise consumers to avoid scanning QR codes on unsolicited packages, monitor credit annually, and exercise caution with any unexpected shipments requesting online engagement.
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CNN-News18
· 2024-12-26
Cyber crimes in India surged dramatically in 2024, with the tech-driven region of Hyderabad experiencing a 64% rise in overall crime and an 882% increase in digital arrest scams, reaching losses of 80 crores compared to 6.2 crores the previous year. Cyber fraud cases accounted for 11,900 incidents (23% of all crimes in the region), with citizens losing over 700 crores to fraudsters through job scams, trading frauds, and SMS phishing schemes. The segment emphasizes the importance of avoiding calls from unidentified numbers and highlights ongoing efforts to combat the escalating digital crime problem across the nation.
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wgaltv
· 2024-12-30
Sweepstakes and lottery scams rank as the #5 most common fraud scheme of 2024, claiming hundreds of thousands of victims annually through letters, phone calls, and emails that falsely claim they've won a prize. Scammers use tactics including fake checks (which bounce after victims deposit them), requests for gift card payments for taxes and fees, or demands for cryptocurrency, but victims can avoid this scam by remembering they cannot win a lottery they never entered.
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PBS NewsHour
· 2025-01-04
Pig-butchering investment scams have cost victims worldwide an estimated $75 billion over the past four years, with Americans alone losing $4.6 billion in 2023, through fake romantic relationships that manipulate targets into investing in cryptocurrency on fraudulent platforms. The scams typically begin with a wrong-number text leading to conversation with a fake attractive persona who builds trust over 90 days before pressuring victims to invest increasingly large sums until they lose their life savings. Beyond the financial victims, the scammers themselves are often human trafficking victims forced by Asian organized crime syndicates (primarily Chinese, but including Yakuza and Korean groups) operating from compound cities built specifically to run these
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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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WNYT NewsChannel 13
· 2025-01-06
Law enforcement and cybersecurity experts warn that artificial intelligence tools are increasingly being exploited by scammers in 2025 to perpetrate fraud in novel ways. According to University of Albany cybersecurity professor George Berg, AI's ability to replicate human thinking, appearance, and speech gives scammers new capabilities to deceive victims more effectively than ever before. Experts are urging public awareness of these emerging AI-enabled fraud tactics as a growing threat.
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WGN News
· 2025-01-07
The Better Business Bureau released its top 10 local scams of 2024, with online purchases through fake websites ranking as the #1 threat, followed by phishing scams, employment scams, debt collection scams, and social media shopping scams involving counterfeit products. Consumers are advised to verify companies through the BBB before providing personal or financial information, avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or social media ads, be wary of unsolicited urgent requests, and recognize that legitimate debt collectors must notify in writing before taking action.
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Denver7
· 2025-01-08
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NBC10 Boston
· 2025-01-09
Hundreds of Massachusetts residents received fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass (Easy Drive MA), requesting payment for tolls, in what authorities are investigating as a "smishing" scam with FBI involvement. One victim clicked the malicious link and was directed to a fake payment page; the scam messages originated from a Philippines phone number and contained spelling errors that revealed their fraudulent nature. Cybersecurity experts advise users not to click links in unsolicited text messages and to verify directly with official sources before providing payment information.
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ABC News 4
· 2025-01-11
A Mount Pleasant woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam in which a caller impersonated law enforcement, claiming she had a failed jury duty summons and a flag on her driver's license for arrest. The scammer, speaking politely and calmly, instructed her to withdraw $5,000 in cash and deliver it to a specific address under the guise of placing it in a safety deposit box. The woman did not complete the transaction, and police are warning residents about this detailed and convincing scam targeting the public.
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WPBF 25 News
· 2025-01-12
Authorities in Martin County, Florida are reporting a rising scam targeting elderly residents, in which scammers pose as tech support by displaying fake McAfee virus alerts and convincing victims to grant remote computer access. The scammers then manipulate victims into withdrawing cash from their banks under the false pretense of account security testing, with two known victims losing a combined $57,000 ($40,000 and $17,000 respectively) before couriers collected the cash. Law enforcement advises families to check with elderly loved ones about recent cash withdrawals or money transfers to help identify and investigate cases.
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NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-01-17
A victim lost over $137,000 in life savings after receiving an email falsely claiming her social security number was used for drug trafficking, demonstrating how sophisticated social engineering scams exploit fear and panic rather than relying solely on cyber tactics. According to the FTC, Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023—the highest amount ever recorded—with scammers increasingly using organized crime networks, technology, and social manipulation to target victims through emails, texts, and social media.
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NBC 7 San Diego
· 2025-01-17
Two text message scams are circulating in San Diego County: one falsely claiming to be a parking fine from the city of San Diego, and another impersonating FasTrack toll road violations, both urging recipients to click links or pay fees. The city of San Diego confirmed it does not issue fines via text, and these messages are designed to steal personal information or compromise devices. Residents are advised to ignore and delete these messages without clicking any links.
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Denver7
· 2025-01-20
The City and County of Denver issued a warning about a text message scam falsely claiming recipients had unpaid parking invoices. The scam messages, which appeared official with Denver logos and branding, attempted to collect personal and financial information from residents; Denver's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure confirmed it only notifies residents of unpaid parking tickets by mail, never by text.
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Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5)
· 2025-01-23
A Phoenix woman's Facebook account was hacked, giving the criminal access to her personal information and thousands of contacts, who were then targeted with scam posts claiming she needed emergency money and was selling valuables. The hacker added their own email account to the compromised profile, intercepting all identity verification requests and making account recovery difficult. According to a cybersecurity expert, these Facebook hacks typically result from phishing scams and weak passwords, and users can protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication.
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WPBF 25 News
· 2025-01-23
Fraudulent text messages impersonating SunPass have resurfaced in South Florida, claiming recipients owe toll payments and threatening legal action, with fake account balances included. These phishing scams attempt to steal personal information like driver's license numbers for identity theft, with hundreds of residents in Martin and Saint Lucie counties reporting receipt of the fraudulent texts. Authorities advise recipients to delete messages without clicking links and contact SunPass directly, while Americans lost over $2 million to similar imposter scams in the previous year.
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Channel 3000 / News 3 Now
· 2025-01-27
A scam targeting parents of University of Wisconsin-Madison students involved fraudsters impersonating UWPD officers, calling at night (between 2-3 a.m.) and claiming their child had been detained, demanding money for release. Madison Police Department received at least three reports of the scam calls, which used real officer names to appear credible, exploiting the fear and disorientation of parents awakened in the middle of the night.
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KTVN 2 News Nevada
· 2025-01-28
The IRS began accepting 2024 tax returns and warned taxpayers to be cautious of scams, emphasizing that the agency never initiates contact through unsolicited emails, texts, or phone calls—communication occurs only through official mail. The filing deadline is April 15th, though extensions may apply to victims of disasters such as the LA fires.
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WRTV Indianapolis
· 2025-01-30
The Federal Trade Commission warns of a phishing scam where fraudsters send text messages impersonating toll road companies like EasyPass, claiming recipients have unpaid tolls and urging them to click a link or face increased fees. Clicking the malicious link takes victims to a fake website requesting credit card or bank information, potentially leading to identity theft and financial fraud. To protect yourself, verify toll notices by contacting the state agency directly through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts, then report, block, and delete the suspicious message.
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WISN 12 News
· 2025-01-30
Police and the Better Business Bureau are warning Wisconsin residents about a "sextortion" email scam in which fraudsters claim to have compromising video footage and demand approximately $2,000 in bitcoin, using publicly available personal information like phone numbers, addresses, and home photos to appear credible. The scammers, typically located in Africa, threaten to send the alleged videos to the victim's contacts unless payment is made; authorities advise recipients to ignore the emails and report them rather than respond, as the scammers will move on to other targets if no payment is received.
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FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2025-02-06
Romance scams are prevalent and increasingly sophisticated, with the Better Business Bureau reporting a median loss of $6,000 per victim. Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust over weeks or months before requesting money or pushing cryptocurrency investment schemes, and they now use AI to generate realistic photos and communicate with multiple victims simultaneously. To protect yourself, verify profile photos using reverse image search, trust your instincts if something seems too good to be true, independently research any investment opportunities, and avoid clicking links or sharing financial information provided by potential romantic contacts.
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WLUK-TV FOX 11
· 2025-02-12
As Valentine's Day approaches with consumers expected to spend $26 billion on gifts, the Better Business Bureau warns of common scams including fraudulent online retailers, romance scams targeting vulnerable people, and phishing emails. To protect themselves, shoppers should verify seller legitimacy by calling businesses, checking for poor grammar on websites, and verifying website creation dates through tools like GoDaddy, while avoiding unrealistically cheap deals.
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ABC15 Arizona
· 2025-02-12
This article warns about three Valentine's Day scams: impostor websites selling fake jewelry, flowers, or dating services that use stolen logos and offer suspicious discounts or request untraceable payment methods; romance scams where fraudsters build fake profiles to establish emotional connections before requesting money; and wrong-number scams that target lonely individuals through unsolicited texts to lure them into conversations. The article advises consumers to watch for red flags including unrealistic deals, requests for cryptocurrency or cash transfers, relationships that move too quickly without in-person meetings, and requests to keep relationships secret.
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PBS NewsHour
· 2025-02-16
Online romance scams target victims across all demographics through psychological manipulation, with perpetrators using fake profiles to convince people to invest money, often via cryptocurrency. Investigative reporter Cezary Podkul notes that victims have lost billions of dollars annually, with some individuals losing over $1 million, and that many scam operations are run by Chinese cybercriminal gangs that recruit trafficked individuals. To protect oneself, people should watch for red flags like unsolicited contact offering investments, seek second opinions from trusted friends, and report suspected scams immediately to local police, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Secret Service to aid law enforcement in tracing funds and identifying additional
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-02-22
Tax scammers are actively targeting taxpayers during the 2025 tax season by filing fraudulent returns using stolen Social Security numbers to claim refunds. The Better Business Bureau warns that identity theft through tax fraud is particularly prevalent during tax season, with one example involving a scammer filing a fraudulent return using a victim's SSN for thousands of dollars—though the IRS flagged the duplicate filing and sent notice. To protect against this scam, experts recommend using the IRS Identity Protection PIN (issued annually in December/January), filing taxes early once W-2s arrive, and remembering that the IRS never contacts taxpayers by phone, text, or email.
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WJCL News
· 2025-02-24
Savannah and Chatham County authorities are warning residents about a nationwide surge in text message scams impersonating toll collection agencies. The scams use urgency tactics (threatening license suspension or fees) and fake links to steal personal information, credit card numbers, and bank account details, often targeting people who never used the toll roads mentioned. Authorities advise recipients to delete messages without responding, block the contacts, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the FTC.
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CBS Chicago
· 2025-02-24
**Summary:**
The Federal Trade Commission warned about a text message scam circulating in Illinois and elsewhere claiming recipients owe late toll fees and threatening legal action or driver's license suspension if unpaid. Scammers use multiple phone numbers to contact victims and attempt to obtain passwords, PINs, credit card, and banking information; the FTC advises those concerned about tolls to contact the tollway agency directly using verified phone numbers or websites rather than responding to unsolicited messages.
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News4JAX The Local Station
· 2025-02-24
A couple's Facebook account was hacked, giving scammers access to their Venmo, American Express, and marketplace account, where the fraudsters attempted to sell a car the couple didn't own and solicit deposits. Although the couple avoided financial loss by alerting their banks quickly, their Facebook friends were targeted and scammed when the hacker posted a fraudulent car sale listing using the couple's identity on Facebook Marketplace.
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News4JAX The Local Station
· 2025-02-24
A local couple's Facebook account was hacked, leading to a cascade of fraud attempts including unauthorized access to their Venmo and American Express accounts, as well as fraudulent car sale ads posted under their name requesting deposits. The incident left the couple feeling helpless as they dealt with multiple compromised accounts and attempted scams across various platforms.
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News 19 WLTX
· 2025-02-25
Two Lexon County men, 45-year-old Kenneth Brown and 46-year-old Nicholas Shepard, were sentenced to 16 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud involving business email compromise and romance scams. The men coordinated with others to receive checks from scam victims at their business, Golden Eagle Precious Metals Exchange, then deposited and converted the funds into cryptocurrency. They must pay $415,000 in restitution and are ineligible for parole under the federal system.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-03-04
A cybersecurity survey reveals that many Americans are overconfident in their ability to avoid online scams, with over a third believing victimization only occurs from oversharing and nearly half thinking misspellings easily identify scams—misconceptions that no longer hold true as scammers increasingly sophisticate their tactics. Despite 75% of respondents agreeing scams should be reported, actual reporting rates are significantly lower, dropping to 14% for romance scams, while seniors remain the most targeted demographic though younger age groups are experiencing the fastest growth in scam victimization.
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The National Desk
· 2025-03-04
A Bankrate survey found that 34% of U.S. adults experienced financial fraud in the past year, with 37% of those losing money. Contrary to assumptions that only older generations are vulnerable, Gen Z and Millennials who fell victim to scams were actually more likely to lose money (53% and 45% respectively), compared to Gen X at 32%. Financial strain from inflation and elevated interest rates is making Americans more vulnerable to scams.
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News 5 Cleveland
· 2025-03-07
This educational piece features Frank Salona, president/CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Canton, discussing scam prevention during National Consumer Protection Week. He emphasizes that scams affect all consumers regardless of demographics and highlights seasonal fraud schemes, particularly storm-chasing scams targeting homeowners with fake repair services during severe weather seasons like spring storms and flooding.
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Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2025-03-12
SMS phishing scams ("smishing"), along with related voice phishing ("vishing"), remain prevalent threats that consumers regularly receive via text messages and calls. The FBI warns consumers to delete these deceptive messages rather than clicking links, as leaving them on devices can allow scammers to access personal information; scammers typically exploit current news trends and seasonal events like tax season to lure victims.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2025-03-12
The IRS is warning consumers about multiple tax scams active this season, including fraudulent preparers who disappear after filing, phishing emails and texts impersonating the IRS or tax software companies that threaten account holds or offer fake refunds, and unreliable social media advice urging people to misuse W-2s. Consumers should only work with tax preparers who sign returns and never deposit refunds into preparers' accounts, and should verify tax information through official IRS channels rather than social media or unsolicited communications.
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23ABC News | KERO
· 2025-03-12
Bay Area Toll Authorities warned Bakersfield residents of a scam involving fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid toll violations and threatening license suspension or legal action if payment is not made via a suspicious link. The Metropolitan Transportation Commission spokesperson confirmed that legitimate toll agencies never request payment through text messages or website links, and the scam has cycled through waves of high activity over the past year with periodic mutations to evade detection.
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WSMV 4 Nashville
· 2025-03-14
The FBI reported over 2,000 complaints about toll payment scam text messages in a single month, with scammers sending convincing texts claiming recipients owe toll fees and threatening late charges. These phishing texts contain links designed to steal sensitive personal information and have increased in frequency, particularly during travel seasons like spring break and summer. Cybersecurity experts warn that the texts use vague dates and urgent language to pressure victims into clicking malicious links.
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CNBC
· 2025-03-15
Toll text scams are proliferating as scammers exploit the shift to electronic tolling systems and mobile phone usage, sending deceptive messages claiming unpaid tolls are due and threatening fines or license suspension. Clicking links in these texts can result in malware installation or credential theft, as legitimate toll operators never contact customers via text requesting payment through links. Federal agencies including the FTC and FBI have warned the public that these scams have become increasingly sophisticated and widespread across the country.
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NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2025-03-17
Text message scams (smishing) cost Americans over $330 million in 2022, with the most common impostering personal banking services. Banks never text customers requesting personal information; recipients should never click links or call numbers in suspicious texts but instead independently contact their bank to verify legitimacy. Scammers use urgency and anxiety to pressure victims into responding without thinking.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-03-18
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from $10 billion in 2023, according to the FTC's annual report. While the number of fraud reports remained stable at 3.7 million, the percentage of reports resulting in actual financial loss increased from 27% to 38%, and median losses per victim rose significantly since 2020. The rise in fraud losses is attributed partly to AI-enabled scams, with government imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and email-based schemes being particularly prevalent, though notably young people are now losing more money than senior citizens.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-03-19
The Colbert County Sheriff's Office held a scam awareness presentation at the East Colbert Senior Center to educate seniors about fraud prevention. Sheriff Eric Valentine warned attendees to be cautious of suspicious calls, texts, and emails, and emphasized never sharing banking information over the phone, noting that scam victims in the area have lost between $4,000 and $10,000, with recovery being nearly impossible once funds are sent.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-03-19
The Colbert County Sheriff's Office reported a recent surge in phone and text scams targeting senior citizens in the area, with reported losses reaching approximately $60,000. Common scams include impersonation of grandchildren claiming emergency money is needed and fraudsters posing as law enforcement demanding payment; the sheriff emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never call requesting money and advised seniors to use common sense and contact the sheriff's department if uncertain about a call's legitimacy. The office hosted scam prevention presentations at senior centers to educate residents on recognizing and avoiding these schemes.
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CTV News
· 2025-03-18
An Ontario mother lost $5,700 to scammers who impersonated her son via text messages, claiming he needed money for car repairs and requesting e-transfers. The victim sent multiple payments totaling over $5,700 before discovering the messages were not from her son, leaving her feeling violated and uncertain about where the money went. Experts warn that "smishing" (text-based fraud) often uses urgency and familiar relationships as tactics, and advise people to verify requests for money by contacting the person directly through another method.
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WITN-TV
· 2025-03-20
Jones County hosted a community safety event called "Wellness" to educate senior citizens about scams and fraud, which have been increasing across the East. Attendees learned about various scam tactics, including text/phone scams that may contain viruses and family emergency scams, with participants sharing their personal experiences being targeted by scammers.
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CBC News
· 2025-03-21
Three prominent online fraud fighters—Jim Browning, Kitboga, and Pleasant Green—collaborated to infiltrate and disrupt scammer call centers targeting North American victims. Through real-time interception, they successfully prevented multiple fraud attempts including one targeting a woman threatened with legal trouble, coordinating with banks and law enforcement to protect victims from losing thousands of dollars. The operation demonstrated tactics used by scammers and highlighted how these vigilantes have collectively disrupted hundreds of scam centers and prevented hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses over nearly a decade.
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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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WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7
· 2025-03-26
The Better Business Bureau warns of a tax season scam where victims receive text messages falsely claiming the IRS owes them $1,400 from a pandemic-era tax credit, with a link to click. To avoid this scam, consumers should remember that the IRS does not communicate via text message, use reputable tax software or preparers, and access tax information directly through irs.gov.
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WFSU Public Media
· 2025-03-26
Florida residents, particularly seniors, are experiencing widespread scam calls and text messages, including toll balance fraud and unsolicited calls from unknown numbers. According to board-certified elder law attorney Jana McConna, vulnerable seniors—especially those who are isolated, lonely, recently widowed, or experiencing memory issues—are actively being targeted, with scammers exploiting emotional vulnerability and cognitive decline to financially manipulate victims. McConna emphasizes that isolation and loneliness are key risk factors that make seniors susceptible to fraud schemes.
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Mid-Michigan now on FOX66 & NBC25
· 2025-03-27
Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults, particularly those over 75, using sweepstakes, impersonation, and text message scams to steal money and personal information. Law enforcement agencies recommend treating all unsolicited communications as potential scams and emphasize that education and skepticism are the best defenses against these frauds, with experts advising never to trust unexpected offers or requests for personal information.
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5NEWS
· 2025-03-28
The Arkansas Attorney General is warning residents about a resurfacing text messaging scam targeting toll road users. The alert advises residents to be cautious of unsolicited texts claiming to be from toll road operators, which are used to steal personal and financial information.
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FOX 4 Now
· 2025-04-03
Lee County Sheriff's Office reported approximately 20 fraud cases daily in 2024, with 2,400 total reported cases—60% resulting in losses exceeding $10,000 each. The most common scam involved fraudsters impersonating law enforcement and claiming victims missed court dates, demanding payment via untraceable methods like Bitcoin or gift cards, though recent high-dollar wire fraud cases totaled $395,000, $475,000, and $158,000. Most suspects operate outside the United States, making recovery of stolen funds difficult once money is transferred overseas.
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FOX5 Las Vegas
· 2025-04-05
Scammers send fraudulent text messages impersonating the U.S. Postal Service, claiming recipients have undeliverable packages and requesting they click a link to verify their address; the link directs victims to a fake website that steals personal and financial information. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, do not reply to suspicious messages, and contact the postal service or retailer directly if unsure about a package delivery.
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wpsu
· 2025-04-05
This educational piece outlines two major categories of scams that affect consumers: illegal scams that attempt to steal personal information (like social security numbers and credit card details) to access accounts and money, and predatory scams that are typically legal but equally deceptive and financially damaging. The article advises that legitimate companies never request account information via unsolicited texts, emails, or calls, and viewers should be cautious of suspicious communications and fraudulent links.
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NBC10 Boston
· 2025-04-08
The FBI warns of a widespread scam targeting iPhone and Android users in which scammers impersonate law enforcement officials via text messages and voicemails to demand money or personal information under the pretense of a supposed offense. Consumers should be alert to fraudulent messages impersonating legitimate organizations like USPS, banks, and utility providers, which use urgent language and suspicious links to trick recipients into providing personal or financial information.
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THV11
· 2025-04-08
Modern scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics that are difficult to distinguish from legitimate contacts, including impersonating law enforcement and court officials through voicemails claiming victims have missed court dates or been served papers. These emotionally manipulative scams attempt to pressure victims into providing sensitive information or money by creating a false sense of urgency and legal jeopardy. Authorities recommend vigilance in verifying the legitimacy of unexpected calls and texts before responding with personal or financial information.
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NBC10 Boston
· 2025-04-08
The FBI is warning of a scam where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials via text message to demand money or personal information from iPhone and Android users. Common scams include fake USPS package delivery notices, fraudulent job recruiter messages, fake bank alerts, and utility company discount offers—all designed to trick users into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive information. The reporter documenting these scams lost over $5,000 to a utility provider impersonation scheme before recognizing the fraudulent pattern.
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CTV News
· 2025-04-11
A Prince Edward Island ice cream parlor fell victim to an email impersonation scam in February when a fraudster posing as a familiar supplier sent a deceptive message requesting payment for a previously quoted order, resulting in a wire transfer of over $5,000. The business owner discovered the fraud when the scammer claimed the payment wasn't received, prompting him to contact the actual supplier and confirm the email was fraudulent. Cybersecurity experts warn that sophisticated scams using AI impersonation tactics are escalating across Atlantic Canada, with reported losses ranging from thousands to nearly $600,000, targeting small and medium-sized businesses.
Wire Transfer
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The Economic Times
· 2025-04-14
In 2024, India experienced a surge in online messaging and calling fraud, with victims losing over ₹177 crore across 29,082 cases, including a significant rise in high-value transactions exceeding ₹1 lakh. Common scams include OTP cons (where fraudsters impersonate banks requesting one-time passwords) and job scams. Authorities are implementing measures such as blacklisting spam callers and launching awareness campaigns, with government websites available for reporting grievances and tracking cases.
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Graham Cluley
· 2025-04-16
This is a transcript excerpt from the Smashing Security podcast (Episode 413) featuring hosts Graeme Cluey and Carol Tero discussing cybersecurity topics, including a mention of a Swiss cybersecurity company launching a "CIS initiative" and references to Nigerian fraud schemes (419 scams). The transcript appears to be a partial, auto-generated recording with significant repetition and unclear audio quality, making it unsuitable for detailed summarization of specific fraud cases or elder abuse incidents.
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KPRC 2 Click2Houston
· 2025-04-18
Scammers in the Houston area are using "smishing" (SMS phishing) scams to target toll road users with fake messages about overdue toll payments or EasyPass balances, attempting to steal personal and credit card information. To protect yourself, experts recommend scrutinizing message senders for unfamiliar numbers or addresses, maintaining skepticism about unsolicited communications, and being aware that scammers continuously develop new deceptive tactics to compromise personal data.
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CNA Insider
· 2025-04-19
Chinese exchange students studying abroad have become targets of a "cyber kidnapping" scam in which scammers send fake images of tied-up or injured victims to families and demand ransom payments—sometimes exceeding $1 million—while threatening to harm or sell the student's organs. The scam uses internet-based psychological manipulation rather than physical abduction, and has affected multiple Chinese international students globally, including cases like 17-year-old Kai Chuang who went missing in Utah in December 2023. Law enforcement warns that these crimes are difficult to prevent or resolve, as scammers operate with little accountability and families face impossible decisions when unable to verify their loved one's actual location or safety
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NewsChannel 5
· 2025-04-29
Rob Naylor of AARP Tennessee discusses how elder scams have evolved from traditional mail and door-to-door tactics to primarily email and text message schemes that seek personal information including names, addresses, and social security numbers. He raises awareness about Real ID scams targeting people in states with Real ID campaigns, noting that unsolicited requests for Real ID information are likely fraudulent, especially from non-.gov email addresses or text messages with suspicious formatting; Tennessee has not yet reported Real ID scams.
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KPRC 2 Click2Houston
· 2025-04-29
**Article Type:** Educational/Protective Advice
Seniors aged 60 and older lost nearly $3.5 billion to scams in 2023, with impersonation fraud (such as fake bank calls and text messages) being the most common type. The article recommends three protective measures: set up bank alerts for transactions over a certain amount, avoid writing checks and verify check images online if necessary, and establish direct contact information with your bank before a problem occurs.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-05-05
A Full Stack Academy survey ranks Indiana second nationally for phishing scam victims, with 40% of Hoosiers reporting they've been targeted and 69% lacking confidence in spotting phishing attempts. The most common scam tactic in the state involves impersonating major delivery services (Amazon, USPS, UPS) and payment platforms (PayPal, FedEx) to lure victims into clicking malicious links through fake delivery delay notifications, with email remaining the primary attack vector. Experts recommend independently verifying suspicious messages by navigating directly to company websites or looking up official phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited communications.
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CBS 8 San Diego
· 2025-05-09
San Diego County seniors lost $100 million to scams in the past year, with one victim paying $1,700 in gift cards after a phone scammer impersonated a court official threatening arrest. A seminar in North County drew 250 seniors and local officials to educate the community on increasingly sophisticated scam tactics including fake court documents and deceptive pop-ups, as FBI data shows seniors nationally lost $4.8 billion to internet scammers in 2024—a 43% increase from the prior year.
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CBS Pittsburgh
· 2025-05-09
This educational piece highlights key strategies to protect against increasingly sophisticated scams that target people of all ages. Common scams include grandparent scams, fake tech support, and gift card scams, all designed to steal money or personal information. Experts from law enforcement and the FBI recommend pausing before acting on urgent requests, verifying caller identity through independent family contacts, and remembering that legitimate creditors never demand payment via gift cards.
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WFMY News 2
· 2025-05-09
Scammers send fake toll payment notices via text claiming vehicle registration will be suspended and credit scores damaged if payment isn't made, with the goal of obtaining credit card numbers rather than the small fee itself. If victims provide credit card information, scammers use it for unauthorized charges such as internet gambling, potentially costing thousands of dollars. Legitimate toll texts come from non-phone number sources, while fraudulent texts originate from 10-digit phone numbers or email addresses and include links or phone numbers for payment.
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KSL News Utah
· 2025-05-13
Scammers are creating fake URLs that closely mimic legitimate government websites to conduct phishing scams, such as one impersonating the Utah Department of Transportation. A viewer received a text claiming she owed a fine and was directed to click a link appearing to end in ".gov," but the actual domain was fake (gov-etcxm.cc); clicking such links directs victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal login credentials or payment information. The FBI advises verifying URLs carefully, as legitimate government sites end in ".gov" domains like utah.gov or irs.gov, while scammer domains use deceptive variations.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-05-16
Indiana State Police report a surge in AI-enhanced romance scams targeting Hoosiers, with victims losing up to $200,000 per case. Scammers use artificial intelligence to improve their language skills and create realistic profile photos, making them harder to detect as they build relationships over weeks or months before requesting money through untraceable payment methods. Police advise victims to watch for red flags such as requests for gift cards, scrutinize AI-generated photos for imperfections, and trust their instincts, as romance scams have become the third riskiest scam type according to the Better Business Bureau.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-05-16
Indiana State Police are reporting a sharp increase in romance scams on dating websites where criminals use artificial intelligence to create more convincing fake profiles and messages, with victims losing up to $200,000 in some cases. The AI technology allows scammers to improve their English and create realistic photos, making it harder for people to detect fraudulent accounts, and perpetrators typically spend weeks or months building relationships before requesting money through untraceable payment methods like gift cards. Police advise potential dating app users to watch for red flags such as requests for money, unusual photo details (asymmetrical faces, incomplete glasses, odd fingers), and to verify profiles independently before engaging with matches.
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CBS Evening News
· 2025-06-01
A 26-year-old U.S. Navy electrician named Thomas Xiao admitted to passing sensitive military documents to a Chinese intelligence officer who posed as an investor and researcher on the Chinese social media app WeChat between 2021 and 2023. Chinese intelligence operatives are increasingly using social media and virtual contact to recruit U.S. military personnel and extract classified information, as traditional in-person espionage has become more difficult.
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KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas
· 2025-06-02
Clark County and Nevada State Police officials warned the public about phishing scams using text messages and emails impersonating traffic enforcement agencies. The scams claim recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threaten fines or legal action unless payment is made within 12 hours via a malicious link, but county and state officials confirmed they never solicit payments through text or email and will not demand personal information remotely. Residents are advised to ignore these messages and report suspected fraud to authorities.
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The Straits Times
· 2025-06-02
This educational piece for children ages 9-12 explains what scams are and how they work. A scam occurs when someone tricks you into giving them money or personal information by impersonating trusted entities like banks, government agencies, or celebrities, typically through phone calls, messaging apps, or social media while offering fake prizes or credits in return. The article emphasizes that scams affect people of all ages and warns viewers to be cautious about unsolicited offers and requests for personal information.
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Channel 3000 / News 3 Now
· 2025-06-03
Scammers are impersonating the DMV via text messages, claiming recipients have unpaid traffic violations or final notices and requesting they click fraudulent links or provide personal information. The DMV advises recipients to be suspicious of unsolicited texts demanding money and to never share personal information in response to such messages.
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WBIR Channel 10
· 2025-06-05
A phishing scam text message claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets with Saturday payment deadlines and license suspension threats circulated across multiple states including Tennessee, North Carolina, and Minnesota, with scammers including fraudulent payment links. Law enforcement agencies confirmed the scam and clarified that government agencies do not send text messages about traffic fines or suspensions; residents are advised to delete messages, avoid clicking links, and use only verified official phone numbers or websites ending in .gov.
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KCAU-TV Sioux City
· 2025-06-07
Nebraska State Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles warned residents about a text message scam falsely claiming unpaid traffic fines and directing recipients to click a link to pay. The Nebraska DMV clarified that it does not send notices via text message and cautioned residents not to click the links, as scammers are attempting to steal personal and financial information.
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ABC 7 Chicago
· 2025-06-12
DMV scam text messages are surging nationwide, with cybersecurity experts reporting a 773% spike in June, featuring fake texts threatening license suspension or vehicle registration revocation unless recipients pay purported fines. The fraudulent messages direct victims to counterfeit government websites designed to steal both money and personal information, using deceptive URLs that closely mimic official .gov domains. Recipients should be aware that DMVs do not collect ticket fines—those are handled by city and village offices—making these threats inherently fraudulent.
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ABC24 Memphis
· 2025-06-24
The "unsubscribe scam" is a long-standing fraud where criminals disguise malicious links as legitimate unsubscribe buttons in deceptive emails. Clicking the unsubscribe button can give scammers access to personal information or full computer control, affecting victims across the country including the Memphis area. People should be cautious of suspicious emails and avoid clicking unsubscribe buttons on unsolicited messages.
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NBC News
· 2025-06-26
A senior couple in Colorado lost $20,000 in a gift card scam after receiving a fraudulent email claiming they owed money for an unauthorized phone purchase. The scammer, posing as a federal agent named Rebecca, convinced them to purchase multiple gift cards and provide PIN codes, with the scammer eventually admitting to the theft when contacted by police. The couple, now in their mid-70s, must rebuild their savings from scratch, highlighting the devastating impact of these scams run by international criminal networks.
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Atlanta News First
· 2025-07-18
A new Amazon phishing scam uses stolen personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers) in fraudulent emails to create legitimacy and trick recipients into clicking malicious links to enter login credentials. The scam falsely claims an Amazon subscription will renew at a higher price as the lure. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails, access your Amazon account directly through the official app or website, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor what personal information is available about you online.
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Al Jazeera English
· 2025-07-24
**Cyber Kidnapping Scams Target Chinese International Students**
Chinese international students worldwide are falling victim to "cyber kidnapping" scams where fraudsters impersonate authorities and coerce victims into staging fake abductions to extract ransom payments from their families, with demands reaching $1 million. A notable case involved 17-year-old exchange student Kai Wang, who went missing in Utah in December 2023 after being targeted by scammers threatening violence. Victims experience significant financial losses and psychological trauma from these sophisticated schemes that exploit their trust in authority figures.
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WCHS Eyewitness News
· 2025-07-28
Charleston Police and Chase Bank hosted a workshop to educate seniors on avoiding scams, as phone, text, and email fraud targeting this population is on the rise both nationally and locally. According to the Federal Trade Commission, West Virginians lost more than $27 million to fraud and scams in the past year, primarily from impostor schemes including EasyPass, jury duty, and romance scams. The workshop emphasized the importance of verifying communications directly with companies or agencies rather than responding to urgent-seeming messages.
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CBS New York
· 2025-07-28
A 78-year-old Long Island retired art teacher lost $15,000 in a scam that began with a fraudulent text message about an unauthorized Apple Pay charge. After responding to the text, she received calls impersonating Apple and her bank, which convinced her that her account was compromised and that she needed to withdraw $15,000 from her savings account. She withdrew the cash and handed it to a scammer posing as a bank representative at her gated community, who then fled with the money.
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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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FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
· 2025-08-04
A Twin Cities woman fell victim to a sophisticated employment scam involving fake virtual interviews for a high-level executive position and forged company benefits documentation designed to collect her personal information and cash. The scam was remarkably elaborate, mimicking authentic company processes and going through multiple interview stages before the victim discovered the fraud and contacted the actual company being impersonated, which confirmed they were unaware of the scheme.
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CBS Sunday Morning
· 2025-08-10
Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder, discovered that scammers were using deepfake or edited videos of him on YouTube to perpetrate a Bitcoin fraud scheme, promising to double any Bitcoin sent to a provided address. Victims, including Jennifer Marion who lost $59,000 worth of Bitcoin, received nothing in return, and Wozniak sued YouTube for failing to remove the fraudulent videos despite repeated requests from his legal team.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2025-08-11
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ABC11
· 2025-08-23
Back-to-school season sees a rise in scams targeting students and parents, including social media fraud from oversharing personal information in photos and fake e-commerce websites offering steep discounts that never deliver products. The Better Business Bureau recommends obscuring personal details like children's names, schools, and teachers' names before posting back-to-school photos online, and advises shopping only on verified websites using credit cards for fraud protection.
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Good Morning America
· 2025-08-24
According to the Federal Trade Commission, people ages 20-29 (Gen Z) reported losing more money to fraud scams than people ages 70-79 (baby boomers), challenging the assumption that older adults are most vulnerable to scams. While Gen Z's digital fluency is an advantage, it does not make them immune to scams; scammers actively exploit seasonal vulnerabilities and target this tech-savvy generation through their digital platforms, including tactics like imposter scams timed around events like back-to-school shopping.
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ABC News
· 2025-08-24
According to the Federal Trade Commission, people ages 20-29 (Gen Z) reported losing more money to fraud scams than people ages 70-79 (Baby Boomers), contrary to common assumptions about elder fraud vulnerability. While Gen Z's digital fluency is an asset, scammers exploit this same digital environment and target seasonal vulnerabilities specific to younger generations, such as back-to-school imposter scams.
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NewsChannel 5
· 2025-08-25
Consumer Reports experts provide guidance on identifying and avoiding text message (SMS) scams, which commonly impersonate legitimate sources like package delivery services, toll road authorities, and job recruiters to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Key warning signs include urgent language, unsolicited messages about services you haven't used, and requests to click links or update information. The advice emphasizes that scammers design messages to appear legitimate at first glance, making it important to pause before responding and verify communications directly with the supposed sender through official channels.
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8 News Now — Las Vegas
· 2025-08-26
In 2024, older Americans ages 60 and up lost $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25% increase from 2023—with impostor scams being the most common type, where criminals impersonate government officials or companies like Amazon and PayPal. Las Vegas seniors including Bernardet Bartal reported falling victim to multiple schemes involving fake checks, fraudulent car repairs, and housing scams, losing thousands of dollars with little recovery. According to AARP, seniors face relentless daily contact from scammers through phone calls, texts, and emails attempting to extract personal information and money.
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WSLS 10
· 2025-08-26
This article warns about a growing wave of text message scams impersonating delivery services and toll collection agencies. Scammers send urgent texts claiming package delivery issues or missed toll payments, pressuring recipients to click links and provide payment or personal information; one of the fastest-growing scams involves fake toll payment demands for small amounts like $12 to capture credit card data. The key red flag is artificial urgency, and consumers should verify messages through official company channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
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FOX23 News Tulsa
· 2025-08-27
Scammers are using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate loved ones in "vishing" (voice phishing) schemes that target families with emergency-based fraud calls. With as little as 15 seconds of audio, attackers can create a convincing voice clone and spoof the caller's phone number to pressure victims—particularly elderly targets—into sending money by claiming a loved one is hurt or needs immediate help.
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Sunrise
· 2025-08-27
Australians lost $175 million to scams in the first half of the year, with fraudsters increasingly using artificial intelligence to create highly convincing schemes targeting everyday people. Common scams impersonate government services like Services Australia, MyGov, Centerlink, and Medicare to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information through malicious links and phishing emails. To protect yourself, recognize that scammers often use sophisticated tactics to get you to click links or provide sensitive data, and be cautious of unsolicited communications claiming to be from government agencies.
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KCRA 3
· 2025-08-28
A Sacramento woman lost $28,000 of her life savings in a sophisticated scam that began with a fraudulent PayPal email. After calling what she believed was PayPal customer service, a scammer convinced her that her identity had been used to open 22 accounts linked to money laundering, then pressured her to withdraw cash and hand it to someone posing as a Social Security official. Thompson's surveillance camera captured her handing over the box of cash, and she is now sharing her story as a warning to other seniors, while Sacramento police investigate the case.
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Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV
· 2025-08-29
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages impersonating package delivery services and toll collection agencies, using urgent language to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Key red flags include messages claiming delivery delays or payment issues that demand immediate action, which is a common scam tactic. Consumer Reports advises staying vigilant and recognizing artificial urgency as a warning sign of text message fraud.
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ABC10
· 2025-09-04
California seniors lost $1.7 billion to fraud in 2024, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through digital devices using evolving tactics like spoofing and gift card scams. Experts from AARP and Chase Bank conducted educational workshops in Sacramento to help seniors recognize common scams and protect their identities, emphasizing that awareness and vigilance are key to prevention.
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CBS Mornings
· 2025-09-06
This educational piece outlines warning signs and protection strategies against modern scams, particularly AI scams and romance scams. It highlights that scammers stole a record $16.6 billion through internet crimes like identity theft and online impersonation in 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year—by exploiting personal data left behind through online activity. The article recommends protective measures including investigating your digital trail through Google searches, managing social media profiles, and being aware of how data brokers collect and sell personal information to third parties.
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Bangkok Post
· 2025-09-08
This episode from the Bangkok Post examines Thailand's growing cyber scam epidemic, which has expanded into a trillion-dollar industry over the past three years as both scammer and victim numbers have surged. The content outlines common scam tactics including advance-fee schemes (fake Nigerian prince emails), phishing attacks impersonating banks and government agencies to steal identity and funds, and tech support scams where fraudsters pose as Microsoft to gain computer access. The episode illustrates how modern cyber scams are adaptations of centuries-old swindle techniques now conducted through digital channels.
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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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FOX Carolina News
· 2025-09-13
South Carolina ranks disproportionately high in scam calls and texts compared to other states and previous months, according to TrueCaller's monthly data tracking. Scam activity shows seasonality patterns, with increased fraud attempts during severe weather events like hurricanes and coastal damage. The caller ID and spam-blocking service provider attributes the targeting to both predictable seasonal trends and state-specific vulnerabilities.
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Atlanta News First
· 2025-09-28
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes and fake celebrity images to target Atlanta Braves fans on social media, creating fraudulent fan pages with names similar to legitimate ones that post fabricated stories about players giving away money or vehicles. The fake pages use undetectable AI-powered impersonations of real celebrities and athletes to deceive followers, with scammers leveraging artificial intelligence to make their deceptions increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic content.
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NBC Bay Area
· 2025-10-02
During government shutdowns, scammers capitalize on the crisis by impersonating government agencies and contacting people via phone or email with threats to revoke benefits or offers of emergency funds, demanding personal data or payments in exchange. Security experts warn that any unsolicited government contact during a shutdown should be treated with suspicion, as legitimate agencies are unable to reach out during closures. Common scams include threats to withdraw Social Security and other government benefits.
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Yahoo Finance
· 2025-10-04
An educational alert reports that 73% of US adults have experienced online scams, with reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in 2024 according to FTC data. The article highlights common scam types, including dating scams where fraudsters pose as romantic interests and trick victims into clicking malicious "verification" links that capture payment information and enroll them in unauthorized recurring billing services.
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WCCO - CBS Minnesota
· 2025-10-06
A survey across 11 countries found that Americans are the most-targeted population for scams globally, receiving approximately 100 scam attempts monthly or about 25 fraudulent contacts per week, including an average of nine scam calls, nine fraudulent emails, and seven suspicious text messages. The data suggests scammers view Americans as particularly vulnerable, with new scam variations emerging regularly, including work-from-home schemes and payment solicitations.
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
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Four California men have been indicted for operating a nationwide tech support fraud scam targeting elderly victims, with one indictment originating from a case involving a 78-year-old Missouri man and his 76-year-old wife who were defrauded of $88,000. The scheme involved scammers posing as tech support workers who convinced victims their computers were infected or compromised, then used recruited couriers to collect cash payments; approximately $7 million in fraudulent transactions occurred between March 2020 and July 2023. Two defendants have been arrested, one remains in custody, and one is still being sought.
lafocusnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported nationwide fraud losses reached an all-time high of $10 billion—14% more than 2022—driven primarily by larger per-victim losses rather than increased report volume, with a median loss of $500 per consumer. The top scam categories were imposter schemes (particularly business and government imposters), online shopping fraud, prizes/lotteries, investment fraud, and job opportunities, with investment scams generating the highest total losses at $4.6 billion despite being ranked fourth in frequency. The FTC warned that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence for voice cloning and deepfakes to impersonate trusted contacts, and advised consumers to be
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting frustrated travelers on social media by posing as airline representatives, requesting personal and financial information through direct messages under the guise of helping rebook flights. Major airlines including JetBlue, United, and Southwest have acknowledged the problem and recommend customers verify account authenticity (looking for official checkmarks), use private messaging when contacting airlines, and report fraudulent accounts to social media platforms. Common travel scams also include "free" vacation offers requiring upfront fees and illegal robocalls promoting discounted travel deals.
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.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
A journalist who lost $50,000 to an imposter scam in October shares lessons learned about sophisticated fraud tactics, interviewing victims and experts to understand how scams work. The article explains that anyone can be vulnerable to scams regardless of prior caution, and details how scammers use tactics like spoofed calls from government agencies, appeals to authority, and publicly available personal information to establish credibility and manipulate victims. Key prevention strategies include not answering calls from unknown numbers, recognizing fear-based and opportunity-based scam categories, and understanding that scammers exploit hardwired instincts to trust authority figures.
yakimaherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have increasingly targeted younger age groups (people in their 20s and 30s) across dating apps and social media platforms, with reported losses reaching $469.9 million in 2023—a 104% increase from 2019. Scammers use fake profiles and AI-generated photos to build romantic connections before requesting money or personal information, exploiting victims' emotional vulnerability. To avoid romance scams, people should be wary of requests for money or banking details, watch for requests to switch communication platforms, and verify suspicious requests before responding.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Four California men were indicted in a nationwide tech support scam targeting elderly victims, with one serving as a courier collecting cash from victims under false pretenses of criminal prosecution. The scheme defrauded victims of millions of dollars between 2020-2023, including an $88,000 loss from a Missouri couple who became suspicious and alerted police; Yu-Chieh Huang (the courier) has been arrested, Liang Jin and Tsz Yin Kan have been apprehended, and Kaiyu Wen remains at large.
reverejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Revere police officers Kenan Resic and Pheachey Chhom prevented a $6,500 theft targeting a senior citizen couple through a "grandparent scam" where the perpetrator impersonated their grandson, claimed to be in jail, and requested bail money. The officers successfully identified and apprehended the courier (a hired Lyft driver) and recovered the stolen funds after the elderly couple provided vehicle information and surveillance video. The incident highlights the rising threat of elder fraud in the region, prompting the Suffolk County District Attorney's office to launch the Suffolk County Fraud Fighters program, a multi-agency initiative designed to educate and protect vulnerable residents across Boston,
cbs2iowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Steve Deines of Marion, Iowa lost thousands of dollars to overseas scammers who used phone harassment and pressure tactics to convince him to send money via gift cards and grant remote computer access. Local police emphasize that recovered funds are virtually impossible once transferred overseas, and they stress public education as the best prevention, advising people to avoid paying anyone with gift cards, ignore scare tactics and urgency demands, and verify requests through trusted contacts before taking action.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Liza Likins, a former backup singer for Stevie Nicks, lost over $1 million in a romance scam on Facebook Dating after connecting with a man claiming to be named Donald living in Australia; she eventually sold her house to send him bail money before realizing it was a fraud. The scammer used photos stolen from German life coach Raho Bornhorst, who has discovered his images were used to create over 100 fake profiles targeting women. The FTC reported 70,000 romance scams in 2022 with $1.3 billion in losses, and experts advise users to avoid sending money to online contacts and to be suspicious of anyone