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Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is conducting community education on scams targeting seniors, who are particularly vulnerable because they typically have accumulated more wealth through paid-off homes and mature investments. The office has identified a rising trend of "pig butchering" schemes—a cryptocurrency-based variation of romance scams where scammers initiate contact through text messages, social media, or dating apps, build a relationship, and then solicit money or fraudulent investment advice, resulting in significant financial losses.

Susan Hall Skinner, a former Capitol High cheer coach and property manager at Pheasant Glenn (a low-income senior housing community in Montana), was sentenced to 5 years in custody plus 5 years suspended for felony embezzlement and elderly exploitation. She stole cash rent payments from residents without crediting their accounts and fraudulently applied for emergency rental assistance benefits on their behalf without consent, resulting in $71,000 in restitution ordered (with $40,000 paid at sentencing).

A Helena, Montana resident nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam when a caller posing as a sheriff's office representative threatened arrest for missed jury duty and demanded $5,000 payment. The victim avoided losing money by contacting his bank, Opportunity Bank of Montana, whose employees verified the scam and confirmed the fraudster had spoofed the sheriff's department's phone number. The transcript emphasizes common tactics scammers use—fear and urgency—and recommends pausing to verify information before responding to suspicious communications.

Montana Adult Protective Services received over 14,000 allegations of elder abuse last year, with 3,000 involving financial exploitation. Contributing factors include cognitive decline, loneliness, and wealth, with perpetrators ranging from external scammers using electronic means to family members seeking early inheritance. Prevention awareness efforts highlight the need to address these complicated and technical crimes targeting vulnerable elders.

An 85-year-old woman in Yellowstone County, Montana was defrauded of $130,000 in a PayPal scam where fraudsters convinced her they had used their own money to secure an account for her and she needed to repay them. The scammers used isolation tactics, telling her not to tell anyone and that they were the only ones she could trust, while claiming her accounts had been hacked and they were trying to help recover her money. This case exemplifies the growing wave of elder fraud scams affecting Montana and the country, with the victim facing potential homelessness after losing her life savings.

The Montana Department of Justice's Office of Consumer Protection is warning of a cryptocurrency scam targeting PPP loan recipients, in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement and threaten arrest for unpaid loans to extort victims into sending money via bitcoin ATMs. Scammers exploit publicly available PPP loan data and confusion about loan forgiveness, using threats and forged documents to coerce victims into irretrievable cryptocurrency transfers. The agency advises that legitimate government agencies never demand payment over the phone and urges victims to report attempts to authorities.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned residents during National Consumer Protection Week about three prevalent website-based scams: law enforcement imposters demanding immediate payment via wire transfer or cryptocurrency to resolve fake arrest warrants, cryptocurrency investment scams that show false gains before stealing funds deposited into crypto ATMs, and tech support scams using fake pop-up alerts to gain computer access and demand payment for bogus virus removal. The advisory emphasized that legitimate law enforcement and courts never demand immediate payment by untraceable methods, and urged Montanans to verify requests before sending money and report suspected fraud to the Office of Consumer Protection.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned the public during National Consumer Protection Week about three prevalent scams: law enforcement impersonation (using spoofed phone numbers to demand immediate payment for fake arrest warrants), cryptocurrency investment and ATM scams (where fraudsters show fake gains to convince victims to deposit large sums, then steal the funds), and technical support scams (where pop-up alerts trick users into calling numbers that give scammers computer access). Knudsen advised avoiding third-party payment apps, wire transfers, gift cards, and cryptocurrency ATMs, and urged Montanans to verify suspicious requests with trusted contacts before sending money.

Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is hosting 16 educational events across western Montana in March 2024 to help residents recognize and prevent investment scams. The initiative comes as consumers reported losses exceeding $4.6 billion to investment scams nationwide in 2023, making them the most commonly reported scam type in the United States. The free "Protecting the Big Sky" presentations target adults and seniors with information on detecting financial exploitation.

Montana State Auditor and Commissioner of Insurance Troy Downing is conducting statewide educational tours to help elderly residents and caregivers recognize and avoid financial scams, which account for 70-75 percent of fraud cases investigated by his office. The tours highlight common scams targeting seniors, including schemes that pressure victims to pay quickly using gift cards or cryptocurrency, and are being held across multiple Montana communities to reach elderly populations, families, caregivers, and law enforcement.

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen warned residents during National Consumer Protection Week (March 3-9) about three rising scams: law enforcement impersonation scams where fraudsters call claiming victims have arrest warrants and demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards; cryptocurrency investment scams that use threats of arrest to convince people to deposit money into crypto ATMs, which cannot be recovered; and tech support scams involving fake pop-up alerts that trick users into calling scammers who then take control of computers and demand payment. The state's Office of Consumer Protection advises Montanans to avoid third-party payment apps and cryptocurrency ATMs, verify business information, and consult trusted contacts before sending money.

Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance warned of a precious metals scam in which fraudsters cold-call elderly victims, offering uncirculated gold coins at artificially low prices with promises of quick profits once the coins arrive from overseas. The scam uses high-pressure sales tactics and requests wire transfers to unknown accounts, while legitimate dealers offer verifiable credentials, physical addresses, and ample time for decision-making rather than urgent cold calls. Consumers should verify company registration and licensing, be wary of unsolicited calls, and understand that commissions on precious metals sales can consume 35% or more of investment value.

Investment scams cost U.S. consumers nearly $5 billion in 2023, prompting Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance to host 16 educational events across western Montana in March to help seniors and adults recognize and prevent financial exploitation. The Montana Department of Revenue also warned of tax season scams, including fraudsters using fake 1-800 numbers mimicking the department's call center to solicit Social Security numbers and payments, along with common schemes involving fake refund fees, property seizure threats, and phishing emails.

Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance office is conducting community education across the state to help residents identify scams and recognize vulnerable populations, particularly seniors who are targeted because they typically have more accumulated wealth. The office has identified pig-butchering schemes—a cryptocurrency-based twist on romance scams where perpetrators contact victims online and eventually solicit money or investment advice—as a rising threat in Montana. The CSI emphasizes that education and awareness of common red flags are the most effective prevention methods.

Aging services agencies in Montana are warning Medicare enrollees about a scam where fraudsters pose as government officials and offer free medical equipment (such as catheters) in exchange for Medicare numbers, which are then used to commit identity theft and fraud. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General reports that scammers contact victims via phone, email, or social media claiming to represent Medicare or state health departments, requesting personal information under false pretenses like settling debts or providing grants. Medicare beneficiaries are advised to hang up immediately on unsolicited offers of free equipment, never provide their Medicare number to callers, review Explanation of Benefits statements, and report suspected fraud to the H

Federal and Montana aging services are warning Medicare enrollees of a scam where fraudsters impersonate government officials and offer free medical equipment or services in exchange for Medicare numbers. Scammers use phone calls, emails, and social media to solicit personal, medical, and financial information, which they then use to steal money or commit identity fraud. Victims are advised to hang up immediately if offered free medical equipment in exchange for their Medicare number and to report suspected fraud to the HHS OIG Hotline at 1-800-447-8477.

Organizations in Montana are warning of increased scams targeting Medicare enrollees, where fraudsters solicit victims' Medicare numbers by offering free services, gift cards, or medical equipment. Scammers then use stolen numbers to bill Medicare fraudulently before disappearing. Montana's Senior Medicare Patrol advises Medicare recipients to never share their numbers with unknown callers and to regularly review their Medicare summary notices for unrecognized providers or services.

Montanans lost $21.1 million to fraud in 2023, a 24% increase from 2022, with impostor scams and identity theft being the primary culprits. A new jury duty scam variant is proliferating in Montana, where scammers impersonate sheriff's deputies demanding $3,000 for missed jury duty, then direct victims to Coinstar machines to transfer funds; victims range from their 20s to 80s, though younger people are increasingly targeted due to their responsiveness to phone-based communications and social media. Experts advise ignoring suspicious calls, texts, and emails, as scammers continuously evolve their

The third annual Senior Fraud Protection Summit, held May 18 in Kalispell, Montana, brought together organizations including AARP, Glacier Bank, and Merrill Lynch to educate seniors on recognizing and protecting themselves from fraud scams. The event featured Financial Abuse Specialist Chris McConnell from the Montana Office of Securities as keynote speaker, along with presentations on common senior-targeted scams, prevention strategies, and available resources for victims.

A Spokane man lost $2,000 to an online vehicle scam after finding what appeared to be a 2008 Nissan Altima listed for $800 on Facebook Marketplace. The scammer, posing as an Army nurse selling her deceased husband's car, convinced Spencer to purchase eBay gift cards for the vehicle purchase and then requested additional payments for shipping insurance and "duty fees." The Better Business Bureau reports a 30 percent increase in these "virtual vehicle scams" from 2022 to 2023 and recommends using credit cards on trusted platforms and never paying outside the system to protect against fraud.

Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella forged approximately 70 checks, impersonated her mother to banks, intercepted statements, and also stole jewelry and misused her deceased father's credit cards to fund personal expenses including travel, cosmetic procedures, and shopping. The victim was forced to sell her home and move into an assisted living facility after the thefts were discovered, and Lewis-

Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, stole over $700,000 from her elderly mother while serving as her primary caretaker through forged checks, identity theft, and intercepting bank statements, forcing her mother to sell her home and enter assisted living. Lewis-Stella pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to four years in prison; she also misused her deceased father's credit cards and stole a life insurance check, spending the stolen funds on personal expenses including travel, clothing, and cosmetic procedures. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals dependent on family caregivers and was noted as particularly eg

Montana agencies, including the FBI and Adult Protective Services, convened on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) to address a sharp rise in senior financial exploitation and abuse in the state. Adult Protective Services investigated nearly 11,000 allegations of elder abuse between June 2023-2024, while the financial abuse specialist team saw case referrals jump from 11 in 2022 to 33 in 2023, with cryptocurrency ATM scams and romance scams being particularly common. Experts attribute the increase to a record number of people turning 65 and note that many cases go unreported due to victim shame and fear.

This article describes a voice-cloning scam where scammers impersonated a grandfather by mimicking his voice to request bank account information from family members, highlighting how scammers use increasingly sophisticated technology to target victims. The piece reports that Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023 and emphasizes that elderly people are frequently targeted, recommending protective measures such as slowing down before responding to urgent requests, being selective about who accesses financial information, and seeking help from certified financial planners to monitor accounts and recover from fraud.

Missoula Aging Services reported a surge in phone scams where callers impersonate Medicare, government agencies, banks, and tech support to extract victims' personal information including Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, and bank account details using high-pressure tactics. The organization urges consumers to be suspicious of unsolicited calls requesting personal information and recommends verifying caller identity by independently contacting the organization, then reporting suspicious calls to Montana Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-551-3191 or the Federal Trade Commission.

Montana residents are being targeted by AI-enhanced "virtual kidnapping" ransom scams, with at least nine reports reaching the Montana Office of Consumer Protection in the current year, where scammers use artificial intelligence to mimic victims' loved ones in distress and demand immediate money transfers. The FBI advises victims to remain calm, verify claims by contacting loved ones directly, establish family passwords for verification, and report suspicious incidents to law enforcement, noting that these scams typically demand quick payouts with escalating pressure tactics.

This educational article identifies common scam tactics targeting older adults—including urgent payment demands, voice impersonation using AI, and financial abuse by trusted individuals—and notes that Montana has a particularly high senior population per capita. The piece advises protection measures such as ignoring unknown calls, monitoring account activity, using digital payments instead of checks, and maintaining secure personal information, while emphasizing that neither banks nor government agencies demand money or threaten account holders.

Employment scams targeting job seekers have significantly increased in recent years, with North America losing an estimated $2 billion annually to these schemes. Montana has received 22 employment scam reports since the beginning of the year, with scammers using three primary methods: onboarding scams that request personal information like Social Security numbers, fraudulent reshipping schemes involving fake overpayments, and task optimization scams where victims pay upfront fees and lose thousands of dollars ($10,000-$20,000+) with promises of larger payouts. Job seekers should be wary of upfront payment requests, suspicious job postings on legitimate boards, and offers that seem too good to be true, an

I cannot provide a summary of this content because the text provided appears to be only a website navigation menu and header structure from a local news station (KFYR-TV), not the actual article content about Medicare enrollment scams. To summarize the article for the Elderus database, please provide the full body text of the "ND Today - Medicare Enrollment Scams" article that is referenced in the title dated November 29, 2024.

The Better Business Bureau identified the top scams affecting consumers in 2024, with online shopping fraud leading for the fifth consecutive year, followed by phishing scams and fake job opportunities, along with debt collection schemes, counterfeit products, travel scams, social media impersonation, and investment scams. To protect yourself, avoid disclosing personal information like social security numbers, take time before making online decisions, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and never click links from unknown sources.

Alex Beckman, founder and former CEO of AI startup On (formerly GameOn Technology), and his wife Valerie Lau Beckman were charged with wire fraud, securities fraud, and conspiracy after allegedly misappropriating over $4 million in investor funds to purchase a home, pay for private schools, buy luxury cars, and fund a wedding, while falsifying company financials that showed annual revenue materially less than $500,000 despite raising $125 million from venture capitalists and celebrity investors including Joe Montana and André Iguodala. The fraud was discovered in July 2024 when the board found a company account that should have contained $11 million held only $0

Thomas Ressler, 66, of Montana, was sentenced to 36 months in prison in June 2018 for creating over 200 fraudulent sweepstakes and prize-notification letters used in an international mail-fraud scheme that defrauded thousands of elderly victims. His co-conspirators Ryan Young and Ercan Barka used Ressler's designs to send fake solicitations claiming recipients could claim cash prizes by paying processing fees, but victims who paid never received the promised prizes. The scheme targeted victims across the United States and foreign countries using purchased mailing lists, with some victims receiving only worthless jewelry or unrelated sweepstakes reports in return.

Central Montana seniors face increasingly sophisticated scams at a rate of 5-10 reports weekly to the Council on Aging, with Montana experiencing disproportionately high fraud rates due to its elderly population (sixth-highest percentage age 65+ nationally) and rural vulnerabilities. Common scams include healthcare-related fraud, Medicare enrollment threats, grandparent impersonations using AI technology, fake donation solicitations, and mail-based schemes involving insurance lapses and fraudulent medical equipment billing to Medicare. The Council on Aging recommends seniors speak up about suspicious communications, verify caller identity through independent contact, and avoid providing personal information unsolicited.

Romance scams cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023, with an average loss of $2,000 per person, and scammers increasingly target middle-aged and older individuals, particularly those who are lonely or widowed. Montana authorities warn that these scams are becoming more sophisticated with AI technology enabling scammers to mimic voices and faces, and advise the public to be skeptical of unsolicited online contact, research profiles thoroughly, and never send money to people met only online or by phone. Nearly 66,000 romance fraud cases were reported in 2023, with approximately 44,000 cases reported in 2024 so far.

The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance has issued a warning about the rising threat of romance scams in the state, where scammers use fake online profiles to build trust and solicit money from victims. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams caused $823 million in losses nationwide through September 2024, with Montana ranking seventh highest in per capita internet crime losses in 2023, partly due to geographical isolation and residents' trusting nature. The CSI advises Montanans to be skeptical of online contacts who avoid in-person meetings or request money, consult trusted friends and family, and report suspected fraud to csimt.gov or 406-444-3815.

Susan Halls Skinner, a former property manager at Pheasant Glen Residences (a low-income senior housing facility in Helena, Montana), was sentenced to 10 years in detention for embezzling $71,000 from more than 16 vulnerable tenants and exploiting elders by applying for emergency rental assistance benefits without their consent. Skinner had systematically taken cash rent payments without crediting tenant accounts while managing the property for the Rocky Mountain Development Council; she pleaded guilty to one count of felony theft by embezzlement and one count of elder exploitation, and was ordered to pay $71,000 in restitution.

Susan Skinner, property manager for Pheasant Glen Residences (a low-income housing facility in Montana), was sentenced to 10 years in detention for embezzling $71,000 from over 16 vulnerable tenants by pocketing their rent payments and fraudulently applying for emergency rental assistance benefits without their consent. Skinner pleaded guilty to one felony count of theft by embezzlement and one count of elder exploitation; she was ordered to pay full restitution of $71,000 and paid $40,000 immediately upon sentencing.

Susan Halls Skinner, a former Capital High cheer coach and property manager also known as Sue Bannon, was sentenced for embezzlement and elder exploitation. The case involved her misappropriating funds while managing properties and exploiting elderly individuals. Specific details regarding dollar amounts or sentencing terms were not included in the provided excerpt.

A 73-year-old Montana man, Randall V. Rule, was found guilty of cryptocurrency money laundering conspiracy tied to romance scams, fake real estate schemes, and business email compromises. Rule and his co-conspirators laundered over $2.4 million by converting scam proceeds into cryptocurrency and sending it to domestic and foreign associates while misrepresenting transactions to financial institutions. Romance scams, also known as "pig butchering," involve fraudsters faking romantic interest to exploit victims' trust for financial gain.

Montana State University graduate student Connor Green was inspired to create anti-fraud educational content after his grandfather received an AI-generated phone call impersonating Green's voice demanding $15,000. Green and fellow graduate students developed a presentation on common scams (family imitation, tech support, government impersonation, and phishing) that was so well-received at the Bozeman Senior Center that attendees extended it from 15 minutes to two hours with questions, leading to a second presentation to the MSU Alumni Foundation Retiree Association with 70 total attendees. The students emphasized the importance of the work given that seniors shared stories of losing thousands of dollars to scammers.

**Not applicable for Elderus database.** This article is a community announcement about senior services and programs offered by Area VI Council on Aging in Polson, Montana, including benefit screening, meals, activities, and yoga classes. It does not contain information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related risks.

Montana State University graduate students created an educational presentation about common scams after one student's grandfather received an AI-generated voice call impersonating the student and requesting $15,000. The accounting students presented fraud prevention information to senior audiences in Bozeman, covering family impersonation scams, tech support scams, government impersonation scams, and phishing, with attendees reporting personal losses of thousands of dollars to scammers.

A 29-year-old New Jersey man, Zabi Ullah Mohammed, was arrested for wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and impersonating a federal agent in connection with a scam that defrauded a Missoula, Montana woman of nearly $1 million. The scam began with a fraudulent call claiming to be from Amazon, which escalated into impersonation of federal officials (Social Security Department and a U.S. Marshal named Carlos Silva) who convinced the victim to withdraw her money for "legalization" and safekeeping. Between April 2-18, over $900,000 in cash and gold were picked up from the victim's home

The Montana Department of Justice is hosting an educational class on "Elder Scam and Exploitation Self Defense" on June 11 in St Ignatius, where an Elder Justice Prosecutor and Investigator will teach participants how to identify and avoid telephone and internet scams, recognize financial exploitation, and respond if they or someone they know becomes a victim. The free class is open to all community members.

The Montana Department of Justice is offering a free educational class on June 11 at the First Christian Church of St. Ignatius to help seniors recognize and avoid telephone and internet scams, as well as financial exploitation. An Elder Justice prosecutor and investigator will provide information on identifying scams, protecting oneself, and reporting exploitation if it occurs.

A Montana woman named Rita lost over $90,000 in an online romance scam where the perpetrator refused to meet in person, taking advantage of her vulnerability during a divorce. According to the FBI, Montana alone saw 44 romance scam victims report losses exceeding $2.2 million in 2024, making these scams particularly costly for seniors. Red flags include rushing declarations of love, isolation from family and friends, claims of inability to meet in person, and requests for money before any face-to-face meeting.

A Montana woman named Rita lost over $90,000 in an online romance scam where the perpetrator refused to meet in person and exploited her vulnerability during her divorce. According to FBI data, Montana residents reported 44 romance scam cases resulting in $2.2 million in losses during 2024, with common red flags including rushed declarations of love, isolation from friends and family, excuses to avoid meeting, and requests for money before an in-person meeting.

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated prosecutorial efforts against transnational and domestic elder fraud schemes that cost seniors billions of dollars annually, highlighting recent cases involving romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. A notable Montana case resulted in the arrest of a man involved in an India-based scheme impersonating U.S. Marshals that defrauded an elderly victim of over $1 million. The DOJ emphasizes the importance of community vigilance, victim restitution efforts, and encourages seniors and their families to contact the free National Elder Fraud Hotline for assistance with

The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying efforts to combat financial fraud targeting seniors in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting recent prosecutions including a Montana case where a man allegedly stole over $1 million from an elderly victim through an India-based scam. Officials are urging community members to monitor older adults for signs of abuse or suspicious financial activity and report concerns to authorities, with victims able to access support through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.

A scammer from India was arrested and charged with wire fraud after defrauding a Missoula senior citizen out of over $1 million through an elaborate impersonation scheme. The perpetrator initially posed as an Amazon representative, then claimed the victim's identity had been stolen and transferred her to accomplices posing as Social Security and U.S. Marshal Service officials, who convinced her to hand over cash in multiple pickups under the pretense of "legalizing" it for her protection. Law enforcement arrested the suspect during a sting operation when he returned to collect the final payment.