#investmentscams — Public Fediverse posts

Older Americans lost $3 billion to fraud in 2025, FTC tells Congress: Investment scams took $1.06 billion from people over 60, up 42%, often after social media contact. Why does the FTC's own estimate stretch to $119.5 billion? https://ppc.land/older-americans-lost-3-billion-to-fraud-in-2025-ftc-tells-congress/ #FraudAwareness #ScamAlert #ProtectSeniors #InvestmentScams #ElderlySafety

The DoRaleigh Scam Report Popular Scams and How to Avoid Them

Scammers are becoming more convincing, using artificial intelligence, caller ID spoofing, social media, text messages, fake websites, and emotional pressure to steal money and personal information.

In 2025, consumers submitted approximately 3 million fraud reports and reported losing $15.9 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission⁠. Imposter scams alone accounted for $3.5 billion in reported losses.

Raleigh and Triangle residents can reduce their risk by learning the warning signs of today’s most common scams.

1. Government and Business Imposter Scams

A caller, email, or text may claim to come from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Federal Trade Commission, police department, bank, utility company, or another trusted organization.

Scammers often say that your account has been compromised, you owe money, or you face arrest unless you act immediately. They may even manipulate caller ID or send official-looking documents.

How to avoid imposter scams

• Do not trust caller ID alone.
• Hang up and contact the organization using its official website or published phone number.
• Never move money to “protect” it.
• Government agencies will not demand payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, gold, or cash delivered to a courier.
• Do not provide account passwords, PINs, verification codes, or Social Security numbers after an unexpected contact.

The FTC advises consumers never to transfer money, cryptocurrency, or gold after an unsolicited call or message. Anyone directing you to move money for its protection is attempting a scam. Read more from the FTC’s imposter scam guide⁠.

2. Phishing Emails and Text-Message Scams

Phishing messages imitate banks, delivery companies, toll agencies, streaming services, employers, and government offices. Common messages claim that a package is delayed, a toll remains unpaid, an account will be closed, or suspicious activity requires immediate attention.

The included link may lead to a fake website designed to steal login credentials, banking information, or credit-card numbers. The FBI explains that these sites can closely resemble legitimate financial or commercial websites. Learn about phishing and spoofing from the FBI⁠.

How to avoid phishing scams

• Do not click links in unexpected emails or text messages.
• Open the company’s official app or type its website address directly into your browser.
• Inspect email addresses carefully for misspellings or unusual domains.
• Never share a login verification code with someone who contacts you.
• Delete messages that demand immediate payment or personal information.

3. Investment and Cryptocurrency Scams

Investment scammers promise guaranteed returns, exclusive opportunities, or profits with little or no risk. Some build relationships through social media or dating apps before recommending a fraudulent cryptocurrency platform.

A fake account dashboard may appear to show growing profits, but victims are later told to pay additional fees or taxes before withdrawing their money.

How to avoid investment scams

• Be skeptical of guaranteed or unusually high returns.
• Research the investment professional and company independently.
• Do not invest based solely on advice from someone you met online.
• Never send cryptocurrency to “unlock” earnings or protect an account.
• Avoid opportunities that pressure you to act before conducting research.

The FBI warns that no legitimate investment can guarantee a return. Review the FBI’s investment fraud guidance⁠.

4. Romance Scams

Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, quickly building trust and emotional connections. They frequently avoid meeting in person while claiming to work overseas, serve in the military, travel extensively, or face a personal emergency.

Eventually, the scammer requests money for travel, medical care, legal problems, business expenses, or an investment.

How to avoid romance scams

• Be cautious when an online relationship develops unusually quickly.
• Conduct a reverse-image search on profile photographs.
• Discuss the relationship with a trusted friend or family member.
• Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or banking information to someone you have not met.
• Stop communicating when someone repeatedly avoids video calls or in-person meetings.

The FBI’s romance scam guidance⁠ explains how criminals use fake identities and emotional manipulation to gain trust before asking for money.

5. Job and “Task” Scams

Job scammers pose as recruiters offering remote positions with high salaries, flexible schedules, and little experience required. They may conduct interviews through text messages, send fake checks for equipment, or require applicants to pay for training.

Task scams promise commissions for completing simple online activities. Victims may initially receive a small payment before being required to deposit larger amounts or purchase cryptocurrency.

How to avoid job scams

• Verify openings on the employer’s official careers page.
• Research the recruiter’s name, email address, and company.
• Be suspicious of interviews conducted entirely through messaging apps.
• Never pay for a job or send money to begin working.
• Do not deposit a check and forward part of the money to another person.
• Never use your personal bank account to transfer money for an employer.

6. Tech-Support Scams

A pop-up, phone call, or email may claim that your computer has a virus or your account has been hacked. The scammer may request remote access to your device, install unwanted software, or demand payment for unnecessary repairs.

How to avoid tech-support scams

• Do not call numbers displayed in unexpected security pop-ups.
• Never give remote access to someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
• Contact the device manufacturer or software provider directly.
• Close the browser or restart the device if a suspicious pop-up will not disappear.
• Never pay for technical support with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or a wire transfer.

The FTC’s tech-support scam guide⁠ notes that scammers prefer payment methods that are difficult to reverse.

7. Online Shopping, Marketplace and Rental Scams

Scammers advertise nonexistent products, pets, concert tickets, vehicles, apartments, and vacation rentals. Prices are often significantly lower than comparable listings, and the seller may demand a deposit before allowing an inspection.

How to avoid marketplace and rental scams

• Search the seller’s name, phone number, and listing photographs.
• Compare the price with similar listings.
• Inspect property or merchandise before paying whenever possible.
• Use the platform’s approved payment system and buyer protections.
• Avoid sellers demanding gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment outside the platform.
• Never pay a rental deposit before verifying the property and owner.

8. Family Emergency and Grandparent Scams

A caller may pretend to be a child, grandchild, lawyer, police officer, or hospital employee. Some scammers use artificial intelligence to imitate a loved one’s voice.

The caller claims there has been an accident, arrest, kidnapping, or medical emergency and insists that the situation remain secret.

How to avoid family emergency scams

• Hang up and call the family member directly.
• Contact another relative to verify the story.
• Create a private family verification word.
• Ask a question that a stranger could not answer from social media.
• Never send cash to a courier or pay through gift cards or cryptocurrency.

9. Prize, Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams

Scammers tell victims they have won money, a vacation, or another prize—but must first pay taxes, processing costs, or delivery fees.

How to avoid prize scams

• Remember that legitimate sweepstakes do not require payment to receive a prize.
• Do not provide banking or Social Security information.
• Be suspicious if you did not enter the contest.
• Never deposit a check and return a portion of the funds.
• Ignore demands for gift-card or cryptocurrency payments.

10. Payment-App and Gift-Card Scams

Payment apps are designed to send money quickly, which can make recovery difficult. Scammers may impersonate a bank employee, buyer, seller, friend, or relative and ask for an immediate transfer.

Gift cards are another major warning sign. No legitimate government agency or business will require gift cards as payment. The FTC’s gift-card scam guidance⁠ advises consumers never to share a gift-card number or PIN with an unexpected caller.

How to avoid payment scams

• Confirm payment requests directly with the person involved.
• Review the recipient’s name before sending money.
• Never return an alleged accidental payment by starting a new transaction.
• Do not share gift-card numbers, PINs, or photographs.
• Stop when someone dictates exactly how and where you must pay.

Major Scam Warning Signs

Stop communicating when someone:

• Creates a sudden emergency
• Pressures you to act immediately
• Demands secrecy
• Requests gift cards, cryptocurrency, gold, cash, or a wire transfer
• Promises guaranteed profits
• Asks for passwords, PINs, or verification codes
• Tells you to move money for its protection
• Refuses to let you independently verify the story

What to Do If You Have Been Scammed

Act quickly, but do not feel embarrassed. Scammers are trained to manipulate emotions and create believable situations.

1. Contact your bank, credit union, card issuer, payment app, or gift-card company immediately.
2. Ask whether the transaction can be stopped, recalled, or disputed.
3. Change compromised passwords and enable multifactor authentication.
4. Save emails, text messages, receipts, usernames, phone numbers, and transaction records.
5. Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission⁠.
6. Report internet-enabled fraud to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center⁠.
7. Use IdentityTheft.gov⁠ for a personalized recovery plan if personal information was stolen.
8. File a complaint with the North Carolina Department of Justice⁠ or call 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.
9. Contact local law enforcement if money was stolen or you are being threatened.

Protect Your Accounts Before a Scam Happens

Use a unique password for every important account, turn on automatic software updates, and enable multifactor authentication for email, banking, social media, and payment accounts. CISA recommends MFA because it adds another identity check beyond a password and makes unauthorized access more difficult. Learn more from CISA⁠.

Most importantly, pause before responding. A few minutes spent verifying a message can prevent significant financial loss. If you need help in Raleigh contact BTDesigns.pro

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https://www.europesays.com/people/163515/ Rubio restricts visas for sextortionists, cyber scammers #AspenInstitute #DepartmentOfJustice(DOJ) #ExecutiveOrder #InvestmentScams #MarcoRubio #RomanceScams #scammers #Scams #sextortion #StateDepartment #Visas

BSP senior official hits bank secrecy limits in Sara Duterte subpoenas

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/business/bangko-sentral-official-hits-bank-secrecy-limits-sara-duterte-subpoena/

BSP senior official hits bank secrecy limits in Sara Duterte subpoenas

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/business/bangko-sentral-official-hits-bank-secrecy-limits-sara-duterte-subpoena/

FYI: AI-linked fraud costs Americans $893 million, FBI reports for 2025: Investment scams alone drained $8.6 billion, IC3 says, and over 22,000 complaints named AI tools directly. Detection now grows harder as tactics evolve fast. https://ppc.land/ai-linked-fraud-costs-americans-893-million-fbi-reports-for-2025/ #AIFraud #InvestmentScams #FBIReports #CyberSecurity #FraudAwareness

ICYMI: AI-linked fraud costs Americans $893 million, FBI reports for 2025: Investment scams alone drained $8.6 billion, IC3 says, and over 22,000 complaints named AI tools directly. Detection now grows harder as tactics evolve fast. https://ppc.land/ai-linked-fraud-costs-americans-893-million-fbi-reports-for-2025/ #AIFraud #InvestmentScams #FraudDetection #CyberSecurity #FBIReport

AI-linked fraud costs Americans $893 million, FBI reports for 2025: Investment scams alone drained $8.6 billion, IC3 says, and over 22,000 complaints named AI tools directly. Detection now grows harder as tactics evolve fast. https://ppc.land/ai-linked-fraud-costs-americans-893-million-fbi-reports-for-2025/ #AIFraud #CyberSecurity #InvestmentScams #FBIReports #TechNews

FBI releases annual internet crime complaint report https://www.byteseu.com/1945631/ #AiScams #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessEmailCompromise #ConsumerProtection #content #Crypto #CryptoCurrency #CryptocurrencyScams #Cybercrime #FBI #FraudPrevention #IC3Report #IdentityTheft #InternetCrimeComplaintCenter #InvestmentScams #OnlineScams #RomanceScams

https://www.europesays.com/2903061/ FBI reports 22% rise in crypto fraud losses in 2025 #crypto #CryptoInvestmentScams #cryptocurrency #CryptocurrencyInvestmentScams #FederalBureauOfInvestigation #InvestmentScams #OnlineScams #OrganizedCrimeGroups #ReportedLosses

[NEIGHBORS] How I recovered the money I invested in MFT

https://web.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/people/human-interest/neighbors-recovering-money-invested-mutual-fund-trust/

[NEIGHBORS] How I recovered the money I invested in MFT

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/people/human-interest/neighbors-recovering-money-invested-mutual-fund-trust/

https://www.europesays.com/2835941/ If you thought Trump’s trade war was bad, watch out for the tariff scams #ArtificialIntelligence #business #CanadaAndTheUnitedStates #DonaldTrump #Interac #InvestmentScams #LegitimateMessages #RoyalBankOfCanada #tariffs #TradeWar

BBC expert gives £34,000 pensions warning and says ‘it’s gone forever’ | Personal Finance | Finance

BBC Morning Live finance expert Laura Pomfret said people are being scammed out of pensions (Image: BBC) A…
#NewsBeep #News #Personalfinance #BBC #Business #Finance #financialsecurity #Fraud #fraudprevention #Investmentscams #Pension #Pensionscams #PersonalFinance #Scams #Statepension #Triplelock #UK #UnitedKingdom
https://www.newsbeep.com/uk/441946/

https://www.europesays.com/ie/352501/ BBC expert gives £34,000 pensions warning and says ‘it’s gone forever’ | Personal Finance | Finance #BBC #Business #Éire #FinancialSecurity #Fraud #FraudPrevention #IE #InvestmentScams #Ireland #PENSION #PensionScams #PersonalFinance #PersonalFinance #Scams #StatePension #TripleLock

Alice Guo guilty of human trafficking

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.rappler.com/philippines/alice-guo-guilty-human-trafficking/

From phishing to investment cons: How to spot a scam and safeguard your savings

When 84-year-old Elizabeth Parker looked at the message on her phone screen, it seemed legitimate. The text was…
#NewsBeep #News #Business #AU #Australia #falsebilling #Internet #investmentscams #Phishing #Retirement #romancescams #scams #superannuation
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/237011/

https://youtube.com/shorts/oGOQOUq28nA?si=vILC34YsoIG81dHQ

49 Million Fake Accounts Busted: Inside Europol's Epic Cybercrime Takedown

Linktr.ee/562AlexD

#Europol #OperationSIMCARTEL #Cybercrime #SpanishNationalPolice #SIMFarm #DigitalSecurity #OnlineFraud #Phishing #InvestmentScams #MadridRaid #DeadInternetTheory #BotAccounts

CNN, BBC, and CNBC websites impersonated to scam people https://www.malwarebytes.com/blog/news/2025/07/cnn-bbc-and-cnbc-websites-impersonated-to-scam-people #investmentscams #newswebsites #celebrities #Scams #News

U.S. Files to Seize $225.3 Million Obtained Through Crypto Scams https://thecyberexpress.com/us-seizes-225-million-from-crypto-scams/ #TheCyberExpressNews #investmentfraud #investmentscams #TheCyberExpress #investmentscam #LawEnforcement #FirewallDaily #CryptoScams #cryptoscam #CyberNews #Crypto

Investors are facing a new threat—scammers now use AI to create fake investment sites and even counterfeit celebrity endorsements. Can you spot the real deal? Read the story behind these high-tech frauds.

https://thedefendopsdiaries.com/the-evolving-threat-of-ai-driven-investment-scams/

#ai
#investmentscams
#cybersecurity
#fraudprevention
#celebrityendorsements

Fraud Losses in the United States: A 2024 Overview

https://thedefendopsdiaries.com/fraud-losses-in-the-united-states-a-2024-overview/

#fraudlosses
#investmentscams
#imposterscams
#cybersecurity2024
#ftcreport

DeepSeek’s Popularity Sparks Surge in Crypto Phishing and Malware Campaigns https://thecyberexpress.com/deepseeks-surge-sparks-malware-campaigns/ #ArtificialIntelligence #TheCyberExpressNews #malwarecampaigns #investmentscams #PhishingAttacks #TheCyberExpress #FirewallDaily #CyberNews #DeepSeek

Beware Of Fraudulent Trading Apps From Apple & Google Play Steals Login https://cybersecuritynews.com/beware-fraudulent-trading-apps-steal-credentials/ #CyberSecurityNews #InvestmentScams #CyberSecurity #cybersecurity #MobileFraud #Phishing

Vietnam police bust crypto scam ring linked to offshore actors - Vietnamese police arrest five individuals linked to a crypto scam networ... - https://cointelegraph.com/news/vietnamese-police-bust-crypto-scam-ring-offshore-ties #cryptoinvestmentfraud #cryptofraudinvietnam #vietnamcryptoscam #scamnetworkarrest #offshorescamring #investmentscams #pigbutchering #cryptofraud

FBI Reports 45% Rise in Crypto Fraud, $5.6 Billion Lost, 71% From Investment Scams - The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center has revealed... - https://news.bitcoin.com/fbi-reports-45-rise-in-crypto-fraud-5-6-billion-lost-71-from-investment-scams/ #cryptocomplaints #techsupportscams #callcenterscams #investmentfraud #investmentscams #cryptocurrency #financialfraud #digitalassets #internetcrime #cryptofraud #fbireport #featured #crypto #fbi

Arizona AG Warns Scammers Always Find New Ways to Steal Your Money With Crypto - Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has issued a warning about the rising threat o... - https://news.bitcoin.com/arizona-ag-warns-scammers-always-find-new-ways-to-steal-your-money-with-crypto/ #arizonaattorneygeneral #cryptocurrencyfraud #seniorcitizensscams #arizonacryptoscams #cryptofraudalert #investmentscams #cryptocurrency #arizonascams #cryptoscams #featured #crypto

Australian regulator claims 58% of crypto ads on Facebook are scams - Australia’s competition watchdog cited preliminary research that found m... - https://cointelegraph.com/news/australia-regulator-claims-58-percent-crypto-ads-facebook-scams #australiancompetitionandconsumercommission #andrewforrestlawsuit #celebrityimagesscams #regulatoryaction #investmentscams #onlinescams. #cryptoscams #facebook #meta

BlackRock imposters target crypto ETF investors - BlackRock warns investors about a rise in crypto scams targeting its iSh... - https://cointelegraph.com/news/blackrock-warns-crypto-etf-scams #blackrockimposters #socialmediascams #investmentscams #cryptoinvestors #bitcoinetf #blackrock #cryptoetf #etheretf #bitcoin #ether

BlackRock imposters target crypto ETF investors - BlackRock warns investors about a rise in crypto scams targeting its iSh... - https://cointelegraph.com/news/blackrock-warns-investors-about-crypto-scammers-targeting-ishares-etfs #blackrockimposters #socialmediascams #investmentscams #cryptoinvestors #bitcoinetf #blackrock #cryptoetf #etheretf #bitcoin #ether

Beware! Deepfakes of Mukesh Ambani and Virat Kohli Used to Promote Betting Apps https://thecyberexpress.com/deepfake-investment-scam/ #deepfakeinvestmentscam #TheCyberExpressNews #deepfakescamvideos #deepfaketechnology #CybersecurityNews #Aviatorgamescams #investmentscams #TheCyberExpress #FirewallDaily

FTC issues urgent warning over rising crypto romance scams - The FTC asked users to report scammers to the government and warn their ... - https://cointelegraph.com/news/ftc-warns-crypto-romance-scams #cryptocurrencyfraud #cryptoromancescams #protectyourmoney #consumerwarning #onlinelovescams #investmentscams #reportscammers #romancescams #ftcwarning #ftc

Romance and crypto scams surge on Canadian dating apps - Canadian authorities warn against discussing cryptocurrency investments ... - https://cointelegraph.com/news/crypto-scammers-canada-dating-apps #canadiandatingapps #cryptofraudcanada #investmentscams #summerscams2024 #datingappscams #romancescams #cryptoscams #cafcwarning #ciroalert

I'm in bed with the flu and spent my time watching videos on Facebook. I got shown and reported so many fake online investment scam ads today, that Facebook blocks me from reporting more!
WTF? "Sorry, even if you think this is a crime, we don't want to know about it!"
#facebook #investmentscams

What's in your wallet? Multiple bitcoin lookalike domains were registered this week. Each of these domains resolve to a webpage promoting growth and bonuses for cryptocurrency. These investment scams promise large returns to encourage investments that the user will not be able to withdraw once they make a deposit.
Sample domains: bitcoin1788[.]org, bitcoin1988[.]org, bitcoin720[.]org, bitcoin730[.]org, bitcoin750[.]org
#lookalike #investmentscams #threatintel #infoblox #dns #crypto

New Episode: hpr3957 :: The Oh No! News.

Hosted by Some Guy On The Internet on 2023-10-03 is flagged as Clean and is released under a CC-BY-SA license.

Tags: #Userspace, #investmentscams, #recoveryscams.

https://hackerpublicradio.org/eps/hpr3957/index.html

Thailand threatens Facebook over crypto scams and other fraudulent ads - Thailand’s digital minister said he would seek a court order to s... - https://cointelegraph.com/news/thailand-to-seek-shutdown-facebook-crypto-scam-ads #investmentscams #cryptoads #facebook #thailand #shutdown #digital #scamads #crypto #mdes #thai #meta #ads #fb

2022 Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Internet Crime Report at https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2022_IC3Report.pdf

1) 800,944 complaints with losses exceeding $10.3B
2) 300,497 #phishing complaints
3) victims of #investmentscams lost $3.3B
4) #BEC losses > $2.7B
5) #crypto investment scams > $3.31B

and

2,385 #ransomware incidents > $34M

Thank you IC3 for providing loss figures to complement the attacks and resources measurements we report at #cybercimeinfocenter https://cybercrimeinfocenter.org

Crypto Tops Investor Threats for US Securities Regulators

https://news.bitcoin.com/crypto-tops-investor-threats-us-securities-regulators/

#USstatesecuritiesregulators #SecuritiesRegulators #topinvestorthreat #investmentfraud #investmentscams #Investorthreat #Security #nasaa