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Cranbury Township, New Jersey, Reports $26 Million Stolen in Wire Transfer for Affordable Housing

Cranbury Township, New Jersey, Reports $26 Million Stolen in Wire Transfer for Affordable Housing

Cranbury Township, New Jersey, announced on November 6 that approximately $26 million intended for affordable housing land acquisition was stolen through a fraudulent wire transfer on September 28. Mayor Lisa Knierim disclosed the incident, stating that nearly $17.3 million of the stolen funds have been frozen, leaving about $8.7 million unaccounted for. A task force comprising local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, led by the Cranbury Township Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, is investigating the 'sophisticated' theft. The township is also considering hiring PKF O'Connor Davies, a municipal accounting firm, for financial consulting and is in discussions with insurance carriers to recover the money. The announcement came more than five weeks after the theft and three days after the November 3 election, raising questions among residents about the timing of the disclosure.

Ohio Woman Loses $10,000 in Romance Scam Impersonating Jason Momoa, Attorney General Launches Hotline

Ohio Woman Loses $10,000 in Romance Scam Impersonating Jason Momoa, Attorney General Launches Hotline

A woman in her 70s from Ohio has publicly shared her experience of losing $10,000 to romance scammers who impersonated actor Jason Momoa. The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, stated that the scam began after she commented on social media posts about an actor she admired. Impostors subsequently contacted her, engaging in 'love-bombing' tactics by expressing affection and promises of marriage to gain her trust. Due to a heart condition, the woman spends significant time alone, making her vulnerable to the scammers' emotional manipulation. She believed she was communicating directly with Jason Momoa through text exchanges. The scammers eventually requested personal information and money, primarily in the form of gift cards. As a result of the scam, she has fallen two months behind on her rent. She has filed a police report and is receiving support from a case manager at the local Office on Aging. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson has launched a hotline (1-855-961-SCAM) to help individuals identify and ...

BBB Warns Consumers of Fake Online Car Dealership Using Sioux Falls Address in $20,000 Scam

BBB Warns Consumers of Fake Online Car Dealership Using Sioux Falls Address in $20,000 Scam

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is issuing a warning to online vehicle shoppers in South Dakota regarding a fraudulent dealership website, Haulix Motors (haulixmotors.com), which falsely claims a physical address in downtown Sioux Falls. An investigation by the BBB of the Midwest Plains revealed that the website was using an address belonging to an unrelated company without permission. The scam came to light after the property manager filed a BBB Scam Tracker report and a buyer contacted her office seeking a truck they had paid $20,000 for via wire transfer, which was never delivered. Further checks confirmed that Haulix Motors does not possess an active dealer license in South Dakota, and its domain was registered for only one year, set to expire in October 2027. The actual location of the operation remains unknown. The property manager has reported the incident to local law enforcement and the domain registrar, while the BBB has issued a warning and forwarded its findings to the South Dakota Attorney Ge...

Cassville Couple and Associate Charged in Alleged Home-Building Scheme Involving $5 Million in Customer Losses

Cassville Couple and Associate Charged in Alleged Home-Building Scheme Involving $5 Million in Customer Losses

A Cassville couple, Amanda and William David Ross, along with their associate Donald Erwin, have been charged in connection with an alleged home-building scheme. The charges include deceptive business practices and stealing tens of thousands of dollars. The Missouri Attorney General’s Office reports that at least 45 individuals have filed complaints against their companies, Endless Concepts, LLC and Boss Hog Contracting, LLC. These companies sold plans and offered to construct 'barndominium' homes. Court records indicate that customers collectively paid approximately $5 million to these businesses. Investigators have detailed five specific cases where reported losses exceed $910,000, with one customer allegedly paying over $327,000 without receiving any work, materials, or a refund. Russ Estes, a customer from Virginia, stated he hired Endless Concepts and, despite finding some prior legal issues during his research, proceeded with the contract. He reported an initial draw of over $70,000 from his construc...

FTC Warns of Open Enrollment Scams Targeting Medicare and Health Insurance Shoppers

FTC Warns of Open Enrollment Scams Targeting Medicare and Health Insurance Shoppers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a warning about a surge in scams during Open Enrollment periods for Medicare and health insurance. Scammers are creating fake websites, buying online advertisements, and impersonating government agencies to steal personal and financial information. Their goal is to obtain Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, banking details, or credit card information, and to commit medical identity theft or sell fake insurance plans. These scams often begin with unsolicited calls, emails, or text messages and pressure victims to act immediately, asking for personal information or payment before explaining plan details.

ConsumerAffairs Warns Shoppers of Black Friday Scams Including Ghost Websites and Fake Customer Service

ConsumerAffairs Warns Shoppers of Black Friday Scams Including Ghost Websites and Fake Customer Service

ConsumerAffairs Warns Shoppers of Black Friday Scams Including Ghost Websites and Fake Customer Service

Federal Prosecutors Charge Individuals in $129 Million Deepfake Fraud Scheme

Federal Prosecutors Charge Individuals in $129 Million Deepfake Fraud Scheme

Federal Prosecutors Charge Individuals in $129 Million Deepfake Fraud Scheme

Financial Institutions Emphasize Multi-Factor Authentication and Account Monitoring to Combat Fraud

Financial Institutions Emphasize Multi-Factor Authentication and Account Monitoring to Combat Fraud

Financial institutions are urging consumers to adopt robust security practices to protect against scams and financial fraud, particularly during International Fraud Awareness Week. Key recommendations include enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all accounts, which adds an extra layer of verification. Regularly monitoring account activity, transaction history, and statements is crucial for quickly identifying and reporting suspicious behavior. Consumers are advised to be skeptical of urgent requests, especially those demanding immediate action, confidential information, or unusual payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers. Maintaining current contact information with financial institutions ensures timely receipt of important alerts. Common fraud tactics include phishing emails, smishing text messages, and phone scams, often impersonating trusted organizations. Online marketplace scams also pose a risk, with warning signs like requests to move conversations off-platform or overpayments. If ...

Springfield City Council Considers Full Ban on Cryptocurrency Kiosks Following Nearly $1 Million in Scams

Springfield City Council Considers Full Ban on Cryptocurrency Kiosks Following Nearly $1 Million in Scams

The Springfield City Council is set to consider a full ban on cryptocurrency kiosks, also known as Bitcoin ATMs, in response to nearly $1 million in reported scams targeting residents. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno introduced the proposed ordinance, citing that fraudsters have utilized these machines to defraud 'innocent people, especially our senior citizens.' The Springfield Police Department has investigated nearly 50 cases between January 2025 and July 2026, totaling $968,528 in losses. The most common scheme involves scammers impersonating law enforcement to pressure victims into making immediate payments via these kiosks. If passed, the ordinance would require the removal of all cryptocurrency kiosks within 15 days, aligning Springfield with other Massachusetts communities like Gloucester, Framingham, Ludlow, and Haverhill that have already implemented similar bans.

Springfield City Council to Vote on Full Ban of Cryptocurrency Kiosks Amid Scam Concerns

Springfield City Council to Vote on Full Ban of Cryptocurrency Kiosks Amid Scam Concerns

The Springfield City Council is set to vote in December on a proposed ordinance that would implement a full ban on cryptocurrency kiosks, also known as Bitcoin ATMs. This move comes after police and city officials reported that residents have been scammed out of nearly $1 million through these machines. Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno introduced the ordinance, stating that crypto kiosks have targeted "innocent people, especially our senior citizens." The Springfield Police Department has investigated nearly 50 cases between January 2025 and July 2026, totaling $968,528 in losses. According to FBI data, Massachusetts saw 296 complaints related to crypto ATM scams last year, with reported losses nearing $7 million. Police Superintendent Larry Akers emphasized that law enforcement or government agencies will never ask for money in this manner, warning that once funds enter these machines, they are difficult to trace. If passed, the ordinance would require the removal of all kiosks within 15 days, making Sprin...

Taylor Bank Advises Public on Recognizing and Preventing Bank Impersonation Scams

Taylor Bank Advises Public on Recognizing and Preventing Bank Impersonation Scams

Taylor Bank is educating the public on how to recognize and protect themselves from bank impersonation scams, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated. These scams often involve fraudsters using 'spoofing' technology to make their calls, texts, or emails appear to originate from a trusted source, such as the victim's bank. The typical pattern involves an unexpected contact claiming suspicious account activity, followed by the creation of urgency to prompt immediate action. Scammers then request sensitive personal information, login credentials, or one-time passcodes, which they use to access accounts or commit fraud. Taylor Bank warns against providing verification codes, online banking passwords, debit card PINs, or responding to requests to transfer money to 'protect' an account. They emphasize that legitimate banks will never ask for such information or pressure customers into immediate decisions.

Consumers Advised to Exercise Caution with Missed Calls from Unknown Numbers to Avoid Scams

Consumers Advised to Exercise Caution with Missed Calls from Unknown Numbers to Avoid Scams

Consumers are urged to be cautious when receiving missed calls from unknown numbers, as these could be legitimate contacts or potential scams. It is recommended to first consider if a call is expected, such as for a job application, delivery, or appointment. Before returning a call, individuals should check the number online or use their phone's caller ID and spam-warning features. Scammers often spoof numbers to appear as trusted organizations, making independent verification crucial. One-ring scams, where a short call is made to prompt a return call to an expensive international or premium-rate service, are also a concern. Voicemails should be reviewed for context, but even convincing messages from scammers can pressure individuals into revealing personal information or making payments. Key warning signs include repeated calls without messages, urgent threats, requests for sensitive information, or pressure to send or move money. If a caller becomes aggressive or makes unusual demands, ending the call an...