The latest numbers reveal that cyber criminals stole more than $16 billion last year, and nearly 6.5 million people reported fraud or identity theft, which is about one victim every five seconds.

Over the last five years, at least one local law enforcement agency has seen an 80% increase in fraud cases, and some of those involve scammers preying on the lonely.

The Lake City Police Department is warning the community of a scam occurring at local grocery stores and bank parking lots that involves suspects impersonating members of the church.

After six people were arrested for defrauding Florida taxpayers in a scheme involving property damage claims processed through the Florida Division of Risk Management, Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia announced that the total number of arrests has increased to 10.

A panel of Florida state senators advanced legislation Wednesday that would make it harder for fraudulent telemarketers to mask their true identities, a move aimed at reducing scams targeting senior citizens.

One of the fastest-growing and most devastating types of online schemes is the romance scam, where fraudsters pretend to fall in love, then ask for money.

Six people were arrested for defrauding Florida taxpayers in a scheme involving property damage claims processed through the Florida Division of Risk Management, which was announced on Monday by state CFO Blaise Ingoglia.

Every year begins with fresh starts and for many people, that means finding a new place to rent. That search often starts online: scrolling, clicking, and comparing what’s available. But Consumer Reports says it’s worth being cautious before moving forward, to help avoid losing money and exposing personal information on a rental that turns out not to be real.

Scammers don’t take time off for the holidays. In fact, this time of year is prime season for fraud, especially as people shop, gift, and travel more than usual.

Detective Bobby Fultz with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office joined News4JAX anchor Jennifer Waugh on our new streaming show at 10 a.m. to detail five text scams that are circulating in our area.

You’re in the middle of something when your phone pings — a text from an unknown number. Is it real, or another scam? A new Consumer Reports survey finds texting and messaging scams have jumped 50 percent in the past year, and it might surprise you that Gen Z is getting hit the hardest. Consumer Reports reveals some smart tips to help you stop those messages and protect your money.

Bobby Fultz, a detective with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office, investigates scams and sees far too many senior citizens victimized by them.

A St. Augustine man was indicted Wednesday for his role in a fraud scheme that cost one of his victims over $2 million and involved fake email accounts, fake text messages, and fake hirings of attorneys, the Department of Justice said.

As the temperatures climb and those vacation plans really start heating up, there’s another kind of activity on the rise, and it’s not the good kind. We’re talking about scammers. According to a new report from Forbes, criminals raked in a staggering one-point-seven billion dollars last year.

The Department of Justice recently announced that two men from Florida are under investigation for allegedly stealing over $100 million from a nonprofit that served people with special needs and disabilities to live a lifestyle including lavish homes, traveling by private jet, and even funding a brewery.

Financial losses from elder fraud schemes skyrocketed by43% in 2024, with Americans over 60 losing nearly $5 billion to scammers, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Personal data can be big business for hackers and scammers, leading to an ever-growing number of threats to be aware of.

More than a third of Americans are planning to take a vacation. As the prices of hotels and flights surge during this time, scammers are hoping to take advantage of travelers’ desperation for a cheap deal.

A recent report found that more than 28% of Americans are searching for new jobs, and 70% of people who are currently employed are considering a new job in 2025.

A Jacksonville man is warning others about online investment scams after losing nearly $60,000 of his savings and pension.

Scammers keep up with the times and with a lot of job cuts in the headlines consumer advocates say job hunters need to protect themselves.

A new survey by McAfee reveals that Gen Z, despite being tech-savvy, is the most targeted group for AI-driven tax scams, with scammers using fake IRS communications to steal personal information.

Spam calls are not only annoying but also costly, with unsuspecting consumers losing billions of dollars to fraud every year. So how can you prevent it from happening to you or a loved one? Consumer Reports has some new advice to stop those annoying robocalls.

Several people say they were recently scammed into purchasing a three-day Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas.

Giving Tuesday is a day dedicated to generosity, as people worldwide contribute to causes they care about. However, it’s also a prime opportunity for scammers to take advantage of charitable intentions.

Seventy-five percent of Americans fell victim to holiday scams last year, with online shopping and non-delivery scams accounting for a significant portion of the over $281 million lost, or should we say stolen.

Property fraud, also known as deed fraud or home title theft, is being called the fastest-growing white-collar crime by the FBI. Scammers can hijack a property title, often going undetected unless homeowners actively monitor official records.

AI-driven scams and deepfake technology are more enhanced than ever this holiday season.

Attorney General Moody released the 2024 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide for Floridians which contains information about scammers, shopping schemes, and cyber scams.

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, which means it’s the perfect time to learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Catfishing, which happens when a person pretends to be someone else online, is a popular scamming method, and now, AI is making this type of fake impersonation easier than ever.

The federal government is once again offering free COVID test kits.

The Florida Sheriff’s Association recently warned the public of a new online scam that threatens email users with releasing their search history if they don’t pay a large amount of money.

Most people can probably agree that there are few things more frustrating than airline delays or cancellations that leave you stranded at the airport.

The U.S. Secret Service teamed up with local law enforcement to sweep 120 businesses across Jacksonville as part of a state-wide outreach operation to take action against rampant card skimming.

If you meet someone on social media or a dating website or app, how can you tell if their profile is real? They say they’re in the military — but scammers especially like to pose as military servicemembers stationed overseas.

Social media feeds are flooded with ads offering steep discounts on brand-name products, including luxury items. But are these offers real or a scam?

Remember to ignore “Hi how are you” text messages from strangers.

A new law in Florida is designed to protect older folks from the growing number of scams out there.

New data from the cybersecurity company McAfee predicted one in four people will fall victim to travel scams this summer.

If someone trusts you enough to admit to you that they've been scammed, especially if the scammer is still in touch with them, the FTC has some advice to help guide you.

If you get a text about an overdue toll charge, do NOT click any links in it. It’s probably a scam, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Moving is always a stressful project. Throw in the threat of a moving scam, and things get even worse, the Better Business Bureau says.

Card skimming has evolved. You’re not only at risk at the gas station anymore. Card skimmers were found locally at grocery stores, ATMS, marinas, and convenience stores.

While legitimate sellers use modern technologies to simplify the car-buying process, fraudsters use similar technology to carry out elaborate impostor scams.

A new study ranked Florida as one of the most dangerous states for online dating.

As residents deal with the aftermath of a suspected tornado that touched down near two St. Johns County subdivisions Thursday shortly before noon, officials want to warn residents of contractor scams.

If a new employer mails your first paycheck before you even start working, that’s your cue to stop -- it’s a scam.

If you are looking for a new place to rent, the Federal Trade Commission warns you need to watch for rental scams.

Scammers are impersonating well-known companies and scaring you into paying to fix computer problems that might not exist, the Federal Trade Commission warns.

When you’re planning a trip, you might be tempted to jump on an offer for a great deal. Unfortunately, scammers sometimes hide behind those offers.

More than 94 million Americans will use their phones to scan a QR code this year. However, the Federal Trade Commission has issued a new warning about these handy codes.

Linked in reports 50 percent of workers will actively look for a new job this year and most of those people will search online to find one. But beware, job scams are a growing problem. According to the Better Business Bureau, about 14 million people are exposed to an employment scam each year. Now, scammers are finding new ways to get people on board.

With college admissions and scholarships on the line, paying for tutors and test prep materials may be worth the price. But watch out for con artists eager to take advantage of this.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and that means many people will be searching for that special someone to spend the holiday with. Millions of Americans use online dating apps or social networking sites to meet others. But before you click, type, or swipe, you should know about romance scams.

The FBI Atlanta Division is warning the community about a telephone scam related to jury duty that is targeting not only Georgians but people across the nation.

The Duval County Clerk of Courts is clearing up any confusion the public may have about what can happen if someone misses jury duty.

An uptick in scams related to jury duty is prompting an alert from the 4th Judicial Circuit and the Duval County Clerk of Court.

The Federal Trade Commission has a scam warning specifically for military veterans.

Scammers follow the seasons -- and that means with New Year's resolutions revving up, there are likely to be some fake "new year, new you" promotions, the Federal Trade Commission warns.

Scammers hide harmful links in QR codes to steal personal information. Here’s what the Federal Trade Commission wants you to know.

As many people grab those last-minute gift cards, the FBI is warning that gift card scams are rising at an alarming rate.

Scammers are impersonating real companies in ads on Facebook, TikTok, and other social media platforms. So, how do you navigate past the fakes without passing up the real bargains?

The Florida Attorney General's 2023 Holiday Consumer Protection Guide gives advice to avoid schemes used by thieves during the hustle and bustle of the season.

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is warning the community about a new scam where families of inmates are being contacted by people pretending to be bail bondsmen.

In a recent Better Business Bureau report, younger people between the ages of 18 to 24 years old are now reported to lose more money in scams than older age groups.

The three national credit reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — have permanently extended a program that lets you check your credit report at each of the agencies once a week for free.

The most important thing to know is this: the best source of information on your federal student loans is Federal Student Aid.

Scams and reported bad business practices can play out differently in different communities. So, what do scams and bad business practices look like in the Latino community?

Apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle make it easy to send money fast to friends or family. But what happens when it’s a scammer on the other end?

Amazon isn't the only retailer rolling out deals for Prime Day, and scammers are ready to take advantage of all the excitement, the Better Business Bureau warns.

If you’re one of those who love to enter contests, you should know that some of those sweepstakes are not what they seem.

Did you hear about the Supreme Court decision on student loan debt relief? So did scammers, the Federal Trade Commission warns.

The Federal Trade Commission is issuing a new warning saying bank impersonation is among the top of the list when it comes to text message scams.

According to data from the FTC, people in their 20s reported losing money to fraud at a higher rate than people in their 70s.

Scammers have a new target, and this time it’s homeowners. They could have you thinking your mortgage provider wants to get in touch with you.

Most unexpected emails saying to act quickly, click a link, or call a number are phishing scams.

With time running out to do your shopping for mom for Mother’s Day, a lot of people are shopping online, and there are some things you want to do to make sure you don’t fall victim to scammers and lose your hard-earned cash.

The Federal Trade Commission is issuing a new warning about prize scams. Everyone loves to win, but if you get a notification that you’ve won a prize for a contest you’ve never entered, it’s probably a scam.

The Better Business Bureau is warning people — before you buy, check the gift card in the store.

A new report from the Better Business Bureau shows that the top scams of the year mostly target people online.

With the holiday shopping season gearing up, Florida Chief Financial Officer is warning people to watch out for potential scams surrounding Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The Clerks of Court for Baker, Clay, Duval, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns counties want the residents they serve to take advantage of free property fraud alert services offered by each of their offices.

As residents all over Florida begin the process of recovery after disasters like Hurricane Ian, Florida officials are warning them of potential scammers trying to take advantage of their situations.

Cybersecurity expert Chris Hamer recommends everyone have a particular mindset in place to avoid falling victim to get-rich-quick schemes online.

The Better Business Bureau is warning sports fans to be aware of sports streaming scams.

Scammers may offer to give you a check for more than the selling price. They tell you to deposit the check and send the difference back to them.

With the real estate market the way it is, it’s not surprising scammers are trying to take advantage of buyers and renters who are just looking for a place to live. And sometimes of unsuspecting property owners.

According to reports from the BBB, people are seeing real events on sites like Facebook, but once they buy the ticket, the page disappears, and their money is gone.

According to the FTC’s new data spotlight, scammers are banking on what you don’t know about cryptocurrency — or scammers’ tricks. And that could cost you serious money.

It is Financial Literacy Month, and we are helping you learn to earn, manage and save your money.

The Better Business Bureau is warning fans to be careful after seeing a spike in sports betting scams on social media.

The FTC reports that people lose more money on romance scams than any other type of fraud. In 2020, romance scams reached $304 million in reported losses.

JEA is warning customers to be on the alert for scammers who are preying on customers during the holiday season.

Scammers are ready to pounce now that the holidays are here. You may think you won’t fall prey — but crooks can be sneaky — and if they get to you, it will hit you where it hurts the most: your wallet.

Whether it's cash, person info or hacking, there are ways you can fight back if you've been the target of scammers.

If you’re a parent who hasn’t opted out of the federal Child Tax Credit program, chances are you have monthly payments coming to you over the next few months.

When money from the government is in the news, we know scammers are about to run their standard playbook -- calling, emailing, texting or DMing you offering to "help" get your payments.

No matter what anyone tells you, you can’t buy COVID-19 vaccines online and there’s no out-of-pocket cost to get the shots.

Did you get a bill for a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan, but you didn’t apply for one? It’s possible that an identity thief applied for the loan using your personal or business information. The SBA has new guidance about reporting the fraud, and the FTC has tips to help you clear up any credit problems it may cause. The SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance has been issuing the loans under its COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. Keep these invoices until the SBA has finished reviewing your identity theft report.