Stay Alert: New Scams and How to Protect Yourself 11/24/2024

The landscape of scams continues to evolve as criminals develop more advanced tactics to deceive people of all backgrounds. Recent reports reveal a surge in various scams, underscoring the importance of staying informed and alert.

Cryptocurrency Scam Causes Bank Collapse

In Kansas, Shan Hanes, the former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank (HTSB), was sentenced to nearly 25 years in prison for running a cryptocurrency scheme that led to the bank’s failure. Hanes transferred millions of dollars from the bank’s accounts to a cryptocurrency wallet, causing significant financial loss for investors. The FBI managed to recover $8 million, which will be distributed to victims as restitution (KWCH, 2024). This case is a stark reminder of the financial devastation in the banking sector due to fraud.

Phone Scams Targeting Seniors

In California, a 93-year-old Napa resident fell victim to a scam targeting elderly individuals. The scammer, posing as a PayPal representative, convinced the victim to withdraw $30,000, claiming an overpayment had been made to his account. The money was then picked up by a courier identified as Zhi Deng, who was later charged with elder abuse and attempted theft (KRON4, 2024). Unfortunately, only a portion of the stolen amount was recovered. This case highlights the need to protect vulnerable seniors from increasingly sophisticated phone scams.

Surge in Deepfake Scams

In Malaysia, there has been a significant increase in deepfake scams, with cases rising by 1,000% over the past year. Deepfakes are AI-generated images or videos that look remarkably realistic, making them difficult to distinguish from genuine media. Natalia Fritzen, an AI policy specialist, notes that this new technology has become harder to detect as it evolves (Fintech News Malaysia, 2024). Samsung, a company specializing in identity verification, is now using AI-driven tools to help safeguard against these advanced scams.

“Jury Duty” Scam Demanding Bitcoin Payments

A common scam resurfacing in Colorado involves fake law enforcement officers contacting individuals and threatening arrest for failing to appear for jury duty. Victims are pressured to make a payment in Bitcoin to avoid legal trouble. In one case, a Summit County resident lost over $6,000 before authorities could intervene (Grewe, 2024). This type of scam serves as a reminder to verify any suspicious claims with official sources and to be cautious about requests for cryptocurrency payments.

Scammers Posing as Police Officers

In Taunton, Massachusetts, scammers pose as police officers, claiming recipients have outstanding fines or warrants that require immediate payment. They even spoof the Taunton Police Department’s phone number to make the scam appear legitimate. Sometimes, they claim that a family member has been arrested and needs bail money. The Taunton Police Department has stressed that they will never request payment over the phone (Hanewich, 2024).

Tips to Protect Yourself from Scams

Here are some essential steps to stay safe from scams:

  1. Be cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, and emails. Avoid sharing personal or financial information unless you have verified the source independently.
  2. Report suspicious activity. If you suspect a scam, contact local authorities or report it to agencies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
  3. Stay informed. Follow updates from reputable consumer protection and cybersecurity sources to keep track of the latest scam tactics (Shah, 2024).
  4. Educate family and friends. Share common scam prevention tips, particularly with older individuals who may be more susceptible to fraud.
  5. Be wary of cryptocurrency payments. Scammers often request payments in Bitcoin or other digital currencies because they are hard to trace and recover.

By remaining alert and informed, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from becoming victims of scams. Trust your instincts and investigate before acting (Morales, 2024).

References


KWCH. (2024, August 28). Millions in restitution ordered in $47.1M Kansas cryptocurrency scheme that caused bank to fail. KWCH. https://www.kwch.com/2024/08/28/millions-restitution-ordered-471m-kansas-cryptocurrency-scheme-that-caused-bank-to-fail/4567…

Fintech News Malaysia. (2024, November 5). Malaysia’s deepfake fraud surging at alarming rates. Fintech News Malaysia. https://fintechnews.my/48489/ai/malaysias-deepfake-fraud-surging-at-alarming-rates/16171819…

Shah, P. (2024, November 2). A new email scam is shockingly realistic, here’s everything you need to know about protecting yourself. HuffPost. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/email-scam-house-address-photo_l_6542425ee4b027c2bd7580e3303132

KRON4. (2024, November 4). 93-year-old Napa resident loses $20,000 in elaborate phone scam. KRON4. https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/93-year-old-napa-resident-loses-20000-in-elaborate-phone-scam/33343536

Grewe, L. (2024, November 3). Summit County resident scammed out of thousands in Bitcoin by caller threatening arrest. KKTV. https://www.kktv.com/2024/11/03/summit-county-resident-scammed-out-thousands-bitcoin-by-caller-threatening-arrest/373839

Hanewich, C. (2024, November 6). Taunton police warn of phone scams claiming to be police, asking for money. WLNE-TV. https://www.abc6.com/taunton-police-warn-of-phone-scams-claiming-to-be-police-asking-for-money/404142

Morales, A. (2024, November 4). Brown County Sheriff’s Office warns of “Order of Arrest” scam. WBAY. https://www.wbay.com/2024/11/04/brown-county-sheriffs-office-warns-order-arrest-scam/

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