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Tennessee has reimbursed over $933,000 to SNAP benefit recipients whose EBT cards were fraudulently used through skimming, cloning, and phishing scams that drained thousands of accounts. Nearly 8,000 people submitted replacement requests since the state began accepting them in fall 2023, with approximately 78% of reviewed claims approved. The USDA reported over 162,000 fraudulent SNAP transactions nationally in fiscal year 2023 totaling $30 million, prompting calls for federal solutions including microchip technology and enhanced security measures on EBT cards.

Romance scams are targeting hundreds of people in Middle Tennessee, with scammers building trust through daily messaging on platforms like LinkedIn before directing victims to invest money in fraudulent schemes involving gold trading, banking, finance, and cryptocurrency. Once victims send money to these scammers, recovery is nearly impossible. The schemes typically involve scammers posing as trustworthy individuals from overseas who gradually shift conversations from personal matters to investment opportunities.

A sociology class at Elizabethton High School in Tennessee solved a 40-year-old serial killer case after students investigated unsolved murders of red-headed women who were strangled and dumped along the interstate. The students, working under teacher Alex Campbell's guidance, connected the victims and identified a suspect, assisting police in the decades-long investigation. The case demonstrates how high school students exceeded expectations in applying classroom learning to help solve a real cold case.

In Tennessee, 1,577 seniors over age 60 lost a combined $43 million to fraud in one year, according to the FBI. A retired insurance salesman fell victim to a sophisticated impersonation scam where fraudsters posing as Amazon and Social Security Administration officials convinced him his identity had been compromised and involved in money laundering. Remarkably, this victim recovered his stolen money—an extremely rare outcome in elder fraud cases.

The Tennessee Attorney General's office and Secretary of State warn against celebrity impersonation scams that are increasingly common online, particularly using AI technology. These scams take various forms including fake charities using celebrity likenesses to solicit donations, bogus product endorsements, investment schemes, and phishing scams on social media. To protect yourself, verify charities through tools like Charity Navigator, contact organizations directly using verified contact information, confirm Tennessee charity registration with the Secretary of State, and never send money or personal information to unknown individuals regardless of their claimed celebrity status.

This educational piece warns about cryptocurrency scams targeting consumers in Shelby County, Tennessee. The article highlights that scammers increasingly demand cryptocurrency payments for various schemes, and notes that legitimate businesses never require cryptocurrency as the sole payment method—it may be one option among many. According to the Better Business Bureau, over 180 reports of cryptocurrency scams were filed in the past year, with victims losing more than $180,000 combined to fraudsters demanding crypto payments.

The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments is hosting a Senior Fraud and Scam Summit on Thursday, August 8th at the Bob Harrison Wellness Center in Huntsville to educate seniors about common scams and fraud prevention strategies. The event features speakers from the Alabama Securities Commission, Huntsville Police Department, the Better Business Bureau, and a local attorney, with limited seating for 150 participants available by calling 256-830-0818. This educational initiative addresses the rising prevalence of identity theft and scams targeting seniors in the Tennessee Valley region.

A Missouri woman, Lisa Finley, was arrested for an elaborate estate fraud scheme in which she used multiple aliases and falsified documents to claim that Elvis Presley's daughter had pledged the Elvis Presley estate as collateral for a $3.8 million loan that was never repaid. When the scheme became public, Finley blamed a Nigerian identity thief, and she now faces charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.

Three Nigerian men in their 40s were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating romance and investment scams that targeted victims across America from 2017 to 2021, including a Western Tennessee resident who lost $400,000. The perpetrators used fake identities on social media and dating sites, posing as romantic partners and repeatedly requesting emergency financial assistance from victims. Law enforcement urges scam victims to report incidents to police, as victims of romance scams often face additional risks including identity theft when they unknowingly share personal information with fraudsters.

Ghanaian national Wigbert Bandy was sentenced to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to a $2 million romance scam targeting senior citizens on dating sites and social media. The scam defrauded 11 victims, with one East Tennessee resident losing over $280,000, and Bandy was ordered to repay approximately $2.2 million in restitution.

A Chattanooga couple lost $800 in an online puppy scam after purchasing a Boston Terrier from a seller they believed was legitimate based on their presence as an admin in a Facebook breed-specific rehoming group. Despite sending payment, the couple never received the puppy and law enforcement confirmed they were victims of a scam. The couple is sharing their experience to warn others to trust their instincts when something feels off during online pet purchases.

This educational segment from News 19 highlights increased scam risks during the holiday season when people shop online and donate to charities. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to verify website URLs carefully (scammers often alter one or two letters), use credit cards instead of debit cards for added protection, and research charities before donating to ensure legitimacy and proper fund disclosure. The BBB offers a free Scam Tracker tool with customized survival kits to help victims of identity theft and account compromise take appropriate next steps.

Tennessee Secretary of State Trey Harget issued a warning about a deceptive mailer scam targeting business owners around annual business report renewal deadlines. Scammers send official-looking letters from a fraudulent entity called "Tennessee Business Filing Center," threatening businesses with additional fees and dissolution if they don't file reports through the scam service before the April 1st deadline, potentially costing victims several hundred dollars. The complaint rate for this scam has steadily increased statewide.

Tennessee is addressing a surge in romance scams targeting seniors through the proposed "Romance Scam Prevention Act," which would require dating apps to implement fraud prevention measures. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Tennessee residents over 60 lost $43 million to scams in 2023, with romance scammers building trust before requesting money or financial access through fabricated stories. Law enforcement recommends contacting local police if suspicious activity seems out of place, as officers can often quickly identify common scam tactics.

Multiple law enforcement agencies across Tennessee reported a rise in phone scams where callers impersonated police and sheriff's offices, threatening victims with jail time unless they paid money. Government agencies never call to demand payment or personal information; residents should hang up on suspicious calls and independently verify by contacting the agency directly.

Rob Naylor of AARP Tennessee discusses how elder scams have evolved from traditional mail and door-to-door tactics to primarily email and text message schemes that seek personal information including names, addresses, and social security numbers. He raises awareness about Real ID scams targeting people in states with Real ID campaigns, noting that unsolicited requests for Real ID information are likely fraudulent, especially from non-.gov email addresses or text messages with suspicious formatting; Tennessee has not yet reported Real ID scams.

A phishing scam text message claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets with Saturday payment deadlines and license suspension threats circulated across multiple states including Tennessee, North Carolina, and Minnesota, with scammers including fraudulent payment links. Law enforcement agencies confirmed the scam and clarified that government agencies do not send text messages about traffic fines or suspensions; residents are advised to delete messages, avoid clicking links, and use only verified official phone numbers or websites ending in .gov.

Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to Tennessee residents claiming they have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension to pressure victims into paying fines immediately. The messages impersonate a nonexistent "Tennessee Department of Vehicles" and warn that unpaid tickets could damage credit scores. To protect yourself, contact law enforcement directly if you believe you have a legitimate ticket, and remember that government agencies send official notices through mail, not text messages.

TARCOG held a Fraud and Scam Summit at Athens State University in Limestone County, Alabama, bringing together state leaders to educate residents about scams affecting the Tennessee Valley region. The Alabama Security Commission emphasized that anyone can fall victim to scams regardless of education or awareness level, as scammers manipulate emotions to pressure victims into quick decisions; experts recommend slowing down, thinking critically, and researching before making financial decisions.

Scammers in Middle Tennessee are targeting elderly homeowners with driveway repair scams, with at least one couple losing over $60,000. The fraud typically begins with unsolicited door-to-door offers for small asphalt patching jobs at low prices; once work begins, scammers expand the scope and demand significantly higher payments (sometimes $64,000+) across multiple credit cards using high-pressure tactics. The Better Business Bureau recommends that seniors be skeptical of unsolicited offers, obtain written contracts, avoid paying large sums on the spot, and that families discuss these scams with elderly relatives to encourage refusal.

This article provides general awareness and advice about fraud and scams in America, emphasizing that they are a form of stealing. The piece recommends victims report scams to local law enforcement and federal agencies (FTC and Tennessee Department of Consumer Affairs), encourages the public to recognize deceptive patterns and not be embarrassed by victimization, and stresses that proactive reporting helps catch perpetrators and prevent future crimes. The article concludes with an appeal for victims and witnesses to speak up about fraud rather than suffer in silence.

Lauren McEwen, a 70-year-old Missouri woman, fell victim to a romance scam using stolen photographs of Dr. Christian Boving, a Danish doctor and television personality, who was impersonated by scammers on Facebook under the alias "Ace Swift." The article reveals that an estimated 140,000 people lose money annually on Meta platforms, with romance scams causing £18.5 million in losses in the first half of the prior year, and notes that Meta has failed to remove numerous fake profiles using Boving's images despite repeated reporting and complaints about inadequate identity verification measures.

The Better Business Bureau warned that singles seeking romantic relationships online are increasingly targeted by "romance scams" that result in emotional and financial harm. These scams exploit vulnerable individuals by breaking their hearts while draining their bank accounts. The BBB reported on this growing threat to online daters in March 2024.

Romance scams target victims' emotions to extract money, causing both emotional and financial harm. The Better Business Bureau warns that these scams result in broken hearts and depleted bank accounts. Key protection strategies include verifying the identity of online romantic interests and avoiding financial requests from people met online.

In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to scams, with imposter scams being the leading fraud category at $2.7 billion in reported losses, followed by social media scams ($1.4 billion) and investment scams (with median losses rising to $7,700). Tennessee ranked 16th nationally for fraud reports, with email being the scammers' primary contact method and bank transfers and cryptocurrency the most common payment methods exploited.

Regina Smith, a 34-year-old experienced real estate investor, fell victim to wire fraud in January 2023 when she sent a $60,000 down payment to a scammer who had spoofed emails from her title company for a Memphis property purchase. The fraudster had hacked into the title company's system to access transaction details and create a convincing fake email, causing Smith's home purchase to fall through and resulting in a total loss of her down payment. This case illustrates how real-estate wire fraud is increasing significantly, with the FBI reporting that one in 20 homebuyers and sellers experienced such scams in recent years, with median losses exceeding $70

A 34-year-old woman lost $60,000 in a wire fraud scam when she received a fraudulent email impersonating her title company to send a down payment for a home purchase in Memphis, Tennessee in January 2023. Scammers had hacked the title company's system to obtain property details and mimic the agent's communication style, making the fake email appear legitimate until she noticed a misspelled realtor's name an hour after wiring the funds. Although the Secret Service eventually recovered her money, she missed out on the property purchase, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated nature of wire transfer fraud targeting real estate transactions.

A Tallmadge police sergeant investigated a 2019 online dating scam that defrauded a local woman of $60,000 and uncovered a multi-state money-laundering operation involving victims across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, including one couple who lost $375,000. The investigation led to the arrest of six people in Rhode Island who were processing fraudulent funds through compromised bank accounts and money orders. The FBI reported 19,000 romance scam complaints nationally in 2022 with losses exceeding $739 million, typically targeting women over 40.

The Johnson County Senior Center hosted a presentation on property fraud awareness, highlighting that Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, with imposter scams accounting for $2.7 billion of that total. Seller impersonation schemes—where scammers create fake deeds to sell property they don't own—were recognized as the "Scam of the Year" and have been reported across the U.S., including in nearby Nashville, Tennessee. The senior center aims to educate and protect its members by providing fraud resources and regularly hosting informational presentations on scams and other elder-related services.

Tennessee passed legislation (HB 1248) that unanimously approved the creation of a hotline managed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for banks and financial institutions to report suspected financial exploitation of seniors and vulnerable adults. The bill addresses a significant problem in the state where approximately 7,000 elderly residents fall victim to financial abuse annually, with an estimated $500 million stolen, and requires the TBI to establish a 1-800 number and coordinate investigations with law enforcement and adult protective services by October 1, 2024.

A Nigerian citizen, Efe Egbowawa, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in an international romance scam ring that defrauded victims across the United States, including Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The conspiracy involved members using fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims before requesting emergency financial assistance in escalating amounts, with money then laundered through shell companies and bank accounts. Two co-conspirators, Igocha Mac-Okor and Kay Ozegbe, also face charges in connection with the scheme, with one awaiting sentencing and the other scheduled for trial.

Romance scams, including "pig butchering" schemes, are defrauding Americans out of billions of dollars, with perpetrators using tactics like building trust over time and creating fictional personas with AI technology. One Middle Tennessee resident lost $40,000 in such a scheme, and hundreds of additional victims are falling prey to these scams, which are nearly impossible to recover money from once lost.

Tennesseans over age 60 lost $43 million to scams in 2023, representing an 18% increase from 2022, with tech support fraud being the most common scheme and investment scams causing the largest financial losses at nearly $15 million. Nationally, elderly victims reported over $3.4 billion in losses across 101,068 complaints, reflecting a 14% increase in elder fraud, with romance scams and data breaches also significantly affecting seniors in Tennessee.

An elderly woman from Sullivan County, Tennessee was defrauded of over $130,000 after scammers used a fake Microsoft pop-up warning to trick her into purchasing Apple gift cards and eventually withdrawing cash from her bank account. The scheme involved multiple contacts claiming to remove illegal content from her computer, and culminated with a man collecting $130,000 in person at her home. A 29-year-old suspect, Hang Zhan, was arrested and charged with theft and financial exploitation of an elderly person, though as of May 2, no funds had been recovered.

Card skimmers were discovered and removed from cash registers at three Food City locations in Kodak, Gatlinburg, and Mechanicsville/Knoxville, Tennessee, affecting approximately 146 magnetic stripe card transactions between April 9-17. The skimmers only captured card numbers and PINs; suspects were identified via surveillance, detained when attempting to retrieve the devices, and taken into custody on multiple charges. Customers who swiped magnetic stripe cards at these locations during the affected dates are advised to monitor their bank and credit accounts.

**Summary:** Timothy Bartlett, 69, of Deltona, Florida, was arrested for defrauding a Tampa-area nonprofit organization of $5,000 by falsely posing as a cancer patient named "Sally Holmes" seeking living expense assistance. Investigators discovered Bartlett had perpetrated the same scam against at least four other nonprofits in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin that provide financial aid to cancer patients.

Two men were indicted for allegedly stealing over $8.5 million from thousands of people through a short-term rental scam on Airbnb and Vrbo, operating nearly 100 properties across 10 states by listing the same properties at different prices, overbooking, and canceling reservations with false excuses while using fake identities and addresses. Over two years, they completed more than 10,000 fraudulent reservations and allegedly discriminated against Black renters. To protect themselves, consumers should reverse image search property photos, verify consistent addresses and descriptions, avoid off-site payment requests, maintain host communication, be suspicious of last-minute cancellations, and use credit

Tennessee experienced $36.6 million in elderly fraud losses in 2022, affecting 1,462 residents aged 60 or over (averaging $25,012 per victim), with an incident rate of 87.4 victims per 100,000 elderly residents. Nationally, investment scams caused the largest losses to seniors ($404 million), followed by business impostor and romance scams, with online contact methods and bank transfers being the most common fraud channels. Elderly residents aged 60+ were significantly more vulnerable to tech support scams, being 517% more likely to fall victim compared to younger age groups.

The FBI reported an 11% increase in elder fraud losses in 2023 compared to 2022, with people over 60 losing $3.4 billion nationwide and $43 million in Tennessee alone. Common scams targeting seniors include cryptocurrency investments, tech support fraud, business scams, and romance scams, with scammers exploiting older adults' disposable income and lower proficiency with online services. The FBI advises victims to stop sending money, cut off contact with scammers, and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center immediately.

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis highlighted the Justice Department's multi-faceted approach to combating elder fraud, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative that target foreign-based schemes and fraud networks. The office detailed common scams affecting older Americans—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and cited a 2023 federal conviction where a defendant defrauded an elderly widow of approximately $1.2 million by posing as her personal representative and spending her money on luxury items and lottery tickets.

A study by Badcredit.org analyzing Federal Trade Commission data found that 78% of Gen Z and Millennials report receiving fraudulent debt collection calls or emails, with 28% expressing concern about becoming victims. Georgia leads states with the highest rate of debt collection scams (77.8 per 100,000 people), while Atlanta, Georgia has the highest rate among cities (102.9 per 100,000), and Memphis, Tennessee ranks fifth among cities most affected. Legitimate debt collectors must provide valid debt information within five days and cannot harass, threaten, or contact consumers more than seven times weekly, while common scam tactics include phishing, identity theft, and mobile

The Tennessee Attorney General's Office and Secretary of State issued a warning about scammers impersonating celebrities through fake charities, bogus product endorsements, and phishing schemes on social media. Victims are targeted to donate money or provide personal information under the false pretense of legitimate charitable organizations or celebrity endorsements. Authorities recommend verifying charities through tools like Charity Navigator, contacting organizations directly using known contact information, and never sending money or personal details to unknown individuals regardless of their claimed celebrity status.

This educational article outlines common rental scams including fake listings, unauthorized fees, and deposits for non-existent rentals, and recommends verification strategies such as viewing properties in person, verifying landlord identity and credentials, and checking county property records. The Better Business Bureau reports 2-3 rental scam complaints weekly in West Tennessee, with younger renters aged 19-29 showing 42% higher victimization rates than other age groups.

The Tennessee Attorney General warned consumers about two imposter scams: a jury duty scam where fraudsters pose as court officials threatening fines or arrest for missed jury duty, and a customs/border patrol scam claiming illegal items were shipped in the victim's name. The Federal Trade Commission advised consumers never to wire money or provide personal/financial information to callers claiming to be government officials, and to distrust caller ID and unsolicited links or messages.

The Tennessee Attorney General's Office warns that QR code scams are rising, including phishing scams that steal personal information, payment scams using fake codes in public places, package scams directing users to malicious websites, cryptocurrency scams, and donation scams impersonating charities. The office recommends verifying QR code sources, inspecting codes for tampering, using secure scanner apps, previewing URLs before clicking, avoiding unsolicited codes from mail/email/text, and keeping device security software updated.

Karl Hampton, a 65-year-old Chattanooga man, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for defrauding an 86-year-old widow with dementia of over $1.2 million between 2018 and 2020. After meeting the victim while working as an exterminator, Hampton gained her trust, obtained Power of Attorney, and systematically drained her bank accounts, took out a $500,000 line of credit in her name, and used her credit cards to purchase luxury items including vehicles and jewelry. Hampton was ordered to pay $1.2 million in restitution, and his wife Deborah pleaded guilty to money laun

The Johnson County Board of Education in Tennessee lost $3.36 million in April when a finance director was deceived by a fraudster impersonating a Pearson curriculum vendor using a spoofed email address (pearson.quest instead of .com). The stolen funds were laundered through multiple accounts operated by "money mules"—individuals who were themselves deceived into opening accounts, including a 76-year-old Texan who believed he was helping his online fiancée with an inheritance. As of September, approximately $742,000 of the stolen funds had been recovered, with this business email compromise (BEC) scam exemplifying a common threat to school districts nationwide.

A Tennessee man's wife fell victim to a sophisticated scam where thieves posed as bank representatives following a legitimate fraud alert text, tricking her into revealing the answer to her account's security question. Using this information, the scammers disabled notifications, transferred funds between accounts, and set up an ACH withdrawal—though the victim's daily account monitoring allowed her to catch the fraud quickly and recover most funds through her bank and IC3 reporting. The incident illustrates how scammers exploit trust and use security question answers to bypass account protections, and highlights the importance of verifying caller identity and being cautious about sharing personal information even when requests seem legitimate.

Kate Kleinert, a widow, lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam when a fake doctor contacted her on Facebook during the pandemic, posing as a romantic interest. The financial devastation prevented her from repairing her air conditioning, and a resulting house fire destroyed her home and killed her six hospice dogs. Her story was featured on AARP Connected, a new Tennessee television program that addresses fraud prevention and other issues affecting older adults.

Tennessee's Department of Disability and Aging is working to combat scams targeting seniors, a growing concern as the state's population over 60 is rapidly increasing and projected to reach 28% by 2030. Commissioner Brad Turner emphasizes that caregivers should monitor loved ones' communications and social media accounts for suspicious activity, particularly on Facebook where page cloning and identity theft scams are accelerating. The state offers resources through TN.Gov/disabilityandaging to help victims report scams and recover damages.