Elder Fraud in Connecticut

Manchester City Nissan in Connecticut agreed to pay $4 million to settle FTC and state allegations that it deceptively charged consumers thousands in unauthorized fees, including double-charging for "certified pre-owned" vehicles and inserting charges like total loss protection into financing agreements without consent. The settlement requires the dealership to refund consumers, clearly disclose maximum vehicle prices, and obtain express written consent for all charges going forward.

Washington Trust Company launched the Age With Wisdom™ education series to help older adults in Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut prevent financial fraud and exploitation through fraud prevention training, financial planning guidance, and AARP BankSafe® education. The initiative addresses the growing threat of financial scams targeting seniors in a region where approximately 31% of Rhode Island residents are age 55 and older. Washington Trust, the nation's oldest community bank, has previously intervened to protect customers from significant financial losses, as highlighted in a New York Times article about banks' growing role in preventing elder financial exploitation.

A New Canaan resident fell victim to a phishing scam after receiving a text message claiming to be from Apple about a suspicious $847.92 charge on their account. The victim called the fake support number and handed over cash to someone posing as an officer, who claimed payment was necessary to recover funds owed. Police warn residents to verify suspicious messages by contacting Apple directly or local authorities rather than calling numbers in unsolicited texts.

New York Attorney General Letitia James testified before Congress that cryptocurrency fraud complaints to her office have nearly tripled in three years, driven by scams including "pig butchering," romance schemes, and investment frauds perpetrated largely by anonymous overseas actors. James urged Congress to strengthen cryptocurrency oversight and reject the CLARITY Act, arguing it would preempt state laws and weaken state and local law enforcement's ability to prosecute crypto fraud, and she recommended requiring crypto platforms to comply with anti-money laundering requirements and hold them financially liable for consumer protection failures.

Naabanyin Aniagyei-Cobbold, a 30-year-old Connecticut man, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison in March 2026 for operating Alpha Distributions LLC, a money-laundering operation that funneled over $1.5 million in romance scam proceeds from victims across multiple states. The scheme involved creating fake romantic relationships to defraud victims, then routing stolen funds through domestic accounts to obscure their origin, with Aniagyei-Cobbold taking a cut before moving money forward. He was ordered to pay $1,554,442.46 in restitution and his harsh sentence reflects a trend of federal judges treating domestic

Fraud targeting older Americans has become a critical retirement security issue, with reported property crimes against seniors jumping 62% between 2015 and 2025, and the FBI receiving over 201,000 fraud complaints from people 60+ in 2025 alone—with average losses exceeding $38,000 per victim. Common scams affecting retirees include investment fraud, romance scams, fake tech support, government impersonation, and "grandparent scams" where criminals pose as family members in distress. To protect themselves, seniors should verify requests for money through independent contact with family members, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, never give remote access to their computer to unknown callers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

About 2 million people fall victim to medical identity theft annually, but Medicare beneficiaries can protect themselves through awareness and vigilance. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program offers free education, counseling, and assistance to help people prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse. If you suspect you've been scammed or want to get involved, contact your local Connecticut SMP at 800-994-9422 or visit their website for resources and information.

Phone scammers impersonating banks through "spoofing" have become a major fraud problem, with over 191,000 complaints and $215 million in losses reported in 2025, particularly affecting older Americans. Whether you can recover money depends on the type of transfer: if a scammer made an unauthorized transfer, you have stronger legal protections under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, but if you were tricked into authorizing the transfer yourself, banks are typically not liable under current law. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited calls claiming to be from your bank, independently verify requests by calling your bank's official number, and never authorize transfers based on phone requests alone—especially for wire transfers, which offer fewer consumer protections.

Following severe storms, scammers often exploit homeowners' urgency to repair damage by pressuring them for quick decisions, demanding large upfront payments, or falsely offering to handle insurance claims. Connecticut residents are advised to verify contractor credentials, avoid unsolicited repair offers, only communicate directly with their insurance company using verified contact information, and be wary of anyone guaranteeing claim approvals or inflated settlements. Anyone suspecting fraud should contact the Connecticut Insurance Department's Consumer Affairs Division at (800) 203-3447.

Fairway Home Mortgage launched Fairway SAFE, a new nonprofit initiative to help seniors protect themselves from financial scams and fraud, which disproportionately target older adults through tactics like impersonation, investment fraud, and romance scams. The organization is offering free educational resources and hosting a complimentary webinar on July 29 featuring fraud expert Steven J. J. Weisman to teach seniors how to recognize warning signs and prevent becoming victims. Seniors and their families are advised to take advantage of these free educational resources to increase their financial awareness and learn practical strategies for protecting themselves from scams.

A Connecticut woman lost nearly $900,000 in retirement savings to a romance scammer she met on a dating app, devastating her ability to retire and putting her home at risk. Romance scams cost consumers over $1.4 billion in 2025 and particularly target older adults with accumulated savings and assets. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic connections that quickly ask for money or personal financial information, verify profiles independently, and never send funds to someone you haven't met in person.

After storms damage homes, fraudulent contractors known as "stormchasers" target affected neighborhoods by going door-to-door, offering quick deals for tree removal or repairs, then collecting large deposits without completing the work. Homeowners are the primary victims, especially those pressured to sign contracts immediately without time to verify the contractor's legitimacy. To protect yourself, always research any contractor before hiring—check their licenses, registrations, and background—and be wary of anyone who pressures you to sign quickly or claims to be working nearby and can offer a special deal.

As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, scammers are exploiting the milestone by selling counterfeit merchandise and running holiday-themed cons, with the Better Business Bureau receiving over 100 reports of America 250-related scams in the past year alone. Local residents have already fallen victim to fake commemorative products like counterfeit t-shirts purchased through fraudulent online stores. To protect yourself, verify seller authenticity before making purchases and report any suspected scams to the BBB Scam Tracker at bbb.org/scamtracker to help prevent others from becoming victims.

A 72-year-old Connecticut veteran and retired IT recruiter, Regina Stankaitis, fell victim to caregiver theft in 2021 when her hired caregiver stole her identity, checks, and nearly $35,000 in goods within just two weeks—a crime made possible because Stankaitis was vulnerable while recovering from knee surgery and dealing with post-operative complications. The experience left lasting psychological trauma, but Stankaitis has turned her ordeal into advocacy work, publicly sharing her story through AARP to raise awareness about elder financial exploitation and encourage vulnerable individuals to take extra precautions when hiring in-home care. Key advice: thoroughly vet and monitor hired caregivers, especially during periods when you're incapacitated or medicated, and consider implementing safeguards like background checks and financial oversight.

A 72-year-old Connecticut veteran, Regina Stankaitis, became a victim of caregiver theft in 2021 when her hired caregiver stole her identity, checks, and nearly $35,000 worth of goods within just two weeks—taking advantage of her vulnerability while recovering from knee surgery and experiencing medication complications. Though the trauma has left lasting psychological effects, Stankaitis has turned her experience into advocacy work, publicly sharing her story through AARP to raise awareness and help other seniors recognize warning signs and take protective measures against similar exploitation. The case highlights the risks vulnerable people face when hiring in-home care and underscores the importance of background checks, supervision, and vigilance when selecting caregivers.