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An Alturas resident fell victim to a sophisticated Publishers Clearing House (PCH) sweepstakes scam after receiving a fraudulent letter claiming he had won $750,000 and instructing him to deposit an enclosed check to cover processing fees. Once the victim deposited the fake check, scammers gained access to his bank account and withdrew funds before the check's fraudulent nature was discovered. Authorities warn residents to never deposit unsolicited checks, verify prize claims directly with organizations, and report suspicious communications to the FTC and local law enforcement.

Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational program featuring DeMotte police officials who presented information on elder financial abuse, which affects over 13% of American seniors annually and costs victims more than $3 billion yearly. The presentation covered eleven common scam types targeting seniors—including grandparent scams, charity fraud, phishing, and tax scams—while noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women and those living alone, are most vulnerable, and that only 1 in 44 incidents are reported due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Attendees learned protective strategies such as verifying requests before sending money, monitoring financial statements, and reporting scams to the FTC or calling

The Auglaize County Sheriff's Office issued a public awareness alert urging residents to recognize elder fraud threats, which include phone calls, emails, pop-ups, text messages, and letters targeting seniors. The advisory recommends not sharing personal information with unverified callers, avoiding sending money or gift cards to strangers, verifying emergency claims and prize winnings through trusted sources, and reporting suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission.

Two Mississauga women and one man were charged in connection with lottery scams targeting elderly victims across Canada between 2019-2023, in which seniors were defrauded of over $57,000 combined by being promised large cash prizes if they paid upfront fees and taxes. Arja Donaldson (50) and Latoya Hayden (37) were charged with fraud and possession of property obtained by crime, while an arrest warrant was issued for Andrew Baker (31) for possession of property obtained by crime. Peel Regional Police advise residents to avoid sending money or personal information to unknown parties and direct anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

An Alberta senior lost $12,000 in a lottery scam between 2019 and 2023, along with an Ontario victim who lost over $45,000, after being falsely told they had won lottery sweepstakes and needed to pay fees to claim their prizes. Two women—Arja Donaldson and Latoya Hayden from Mississauga—were arrested and charged with fraud over $5,000, while a third suspect, Andrew Baker, remains wanted; police warn that scammers target vulnerable elderly victims across Canada with fraudulent lottery schemes.

New Hampshire's Attorney General issued a consumer alert warning of increasing lottery and sweepstakes scams targeting older adults, in which scammers falsely claim victims have won contests like Publishers Clearing House and demand upfront fees (taxes, legal fees, processing fees) ranging up to $8,500 via wire transfer, Bitcoin ATM, or gift cards. The alert advises that legitimate lotteries never require payment to claim prizes, unsolicited callers claiming to be from PCH should be ignored, and victims should report incidents to local police, the Attorney General's office, or the Department of Health and Human Services.

Antony Linton Stewart, a Jamaican citizen, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme from 2010 to 2016 that targeted elderly Americans by phone, falsely claiming they had won prizes and demanding fees and taxes. Stewart and his co-conspirators defrauded victims of over $1.1 million in restitution, with no actual lottery ever existing and no victims receiving winnings. The case is part of the Department of Justice's broader effort to combat overseas lottery schemes targeting U.S. citizens, particularly older adults.

Elder fraud is an escalating epidemic affecting millions of seniors through phone, mail, internet, and in-person schemes, with fraudsters stealing an estimated $10 billion from Americans in 2023, though actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting from shame. Even highly intelligent individuals like former CIA/FBI director William Webster nearly fell victim to a Jamaican lottery scam demanding $50,000. Medical professionals and fraud prevention advocates recommend seniors verify unsolicited offers, be wary of urgent claims, and report scams without embarrassment using resources like AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline.

New Hampshire elderly residents are experiencing a surge in lottery and sweepstakes scams, where perpetrators falsely claim victims have won prizes like Publishers Clearing House and demand upfront fees for taxes or processing through wire transfers, Bitcoin ATMs, or gift cards, with some victims losing $8,500 or more. Attorney General John M. Formella advises residents that legitimate lotteries never require payment to release winnings, unsolicited winning notices should be ignored, and PCH never calls winners in advance—victims should verify directly at 1-800-392-4190 and report suspected scams to local police or the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Bureau.

A Jamaican citizen, Antony Linton Stewart, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for operating a lottery scam that defrauded American victims over six years (2010-2016). Stewart and accomplices called victims claiming they had won sweepstakes or lottery prizes, then convinced them to send money for fees and taxes, resulting in losses exceeding $1.1 million in restitution ordered by the court.

A 40-year-old Jamaican man, Linton Stewart, was sentenced to seven years in prison for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme from 2010 to 2016 that targeted elderly Americans through phone calls falsely claiming they had won sweepstakes prizes and requesting payment for fees and taxes. Stewart was ordered to pay $1,104,041.74 in restitution, and the scheme generated no actual winnings despite repeated payments extracted from victims. The case was prosecuted by the US Department of Justice in collaboration with Jamaican law enforcement as part of broader efforts to combat overseas lottery fraud targeting U.S. citizens.

Antony Linton Stewart, a 40-year-old Jamaican citizen, was sentenced to 84 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,104,041.74 in restitution for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme from approximately 2010 through August 2016. Stewart and his co-conspirators targeted elderly Americans by phone, falsely telling them they had won sweepstakes or lottery prizes and demanding upfront fees and taxes, with no actual lottery or winnings ever existing. The case was prosecuted as part of the Justice Department's effort to combat Jamaica-based lottery fraud schemes that prey on U.S. citizens, particularly older adults.

Antony Linton Stewart, a 40-year-old Jamaican national, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for orchestrating a lottery fraud scheme that targeted elderly U.S. residents from 2010 to 2016, convincing victims they had won sweepstakes prizes and extracting money until victims could no longer pay. Stewart was ordered to repay $1,104,041.74 in restitution, and the case was prosecuted as part of the Justice Department's broader initiative to combat foreign-based scams targeting seniors.

Antony Linton Stewart, a Jamaican citizen, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme from 2010 to 2016 that defrauded elderly Americans by falsely claiming they had won sweepstakes prizes and demanding payment for fees and taxes. Stewart and his co-conspirators contacted victims by phone and repeatedly solicited additional payments with no lottery or winnings ever existing, resulting in over $1.1 million in losses for which he was ordered to pay restitution. This case is part of the Department of Justice's ongoing effort to combat Jamaica-based lottery fraud targeting U.S. citizens, particularly seniors.

Anthony Linton Stewart, a 40-year-old Jamaican man, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme from 2010 to 2016 that targeted elderly Americans by phone, falsing claiming they had won prizes and requesting fees and taxes on non-existent winnings. Stewart and his co-conspirators defrauded victims of over $1.1 million in restitution ordered by the court, repeatedly contacting victims to extract additional payments. The case exemplifies overseas lottery scams commonly used by foreign criminals to target U.S. seniors.

Scammers are increasingly personalizing financial fraud tactics by targeting specific demographics based on vulnerabilities and life circumstances, similar to legitimate business marketing strategies. A 2024 PYMNTS Intelligence report found that approximately 3 in 10 U.S. consumers (77 million people) lost money to scams over the past five years, with most victims losing over $500, and that different age groups face different scam risks—such as Gen Z being three times more likely to fall victim to employment scams while older consumers face higher rates of fake eCommerce and identity theft scams. Financial institutions play a critical role in protecting customers by understanding scam tactics and the broader psychological and emotional damage these

Antony Linton Stewart, a 40-year-old from Jamaica, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for operating a lottery scam from 2010 to 2016 that defrauded U.S. seniors by falsely claiming they had won sweepstakes prizes and then repeatedly extracting fees and taxes from victims who never received anything. Stewart and his co-conspirators targeted elderly Americans by phone, instructing them to send money via wire transfer or mail to intermediaries before it reached Stewart, ultimately causing significant financial losses to his victims. Stewart was ordered to pay more than $1.1 million in restitution after being extradited to the United States

In 2023, scams targeting older adults resulted in approximately $3.4 billion in losses, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report. Common schemes include romance scams, tech support fraud, grandparent scams, government impersonation, lottery scams, and home repair fraud, with perpetrators typically using intimidation tactics or appeals to family relationships to pressure victims into sending money. Experts recommend maintaining awareness, being cautious of high-pressure situations, and reporting suspected fraud as the best defenses against these schemes.

Social Security Administration official Rebecca Rose identified four key warning signs of scams: impersonation of trusted organizations, claims of problems or prizes, pressure for immediate action, and requests for payment via gift cards. Scam survivor Kate Kleinert shared her experience losing $39,000 to a romance scam, while SSA resources provide guidance on recognizing scams and reporting them to the Office of the Inspector General.

A Social Security Administration (SSA) public affairs specialist outlined four key warning signs of scams: impersonation of trusted organizations, claims of problems or prizes, pressure for immediate action, and requests for payment via gift cards. The episode featured testimony from scam survivor Kate Kleinert, who lost $39,000 to a romance scam, and provided resources for recognizing and reporting scams through the SSA's website.

The Better Business Bureau in North Carolina identified the top five scams of 2024, with online purchase fraud, phishing/imposter schemes, employment scams, debt collection fraud, and sweepstakes/lottery scams ranking as the most prevalent threats in the region. These scams increasingly employ sophisticated technology and social engineering tactics, with fraudsters either delivering no products after payment, impersonating trusted entities to steal personal information, or collecting upfront fees for non-existent prizes or jobs. The BBB emphasizes consumer education and vigilance as critical tools to combat these schemes and maintain marketplace trust.

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.

Three U.S. citizens were sentenced to prison for operating sweepstakes fraud schemes from Costa Rica that targeted hundreds of victims, many elderly, between 2007 and 2015. The defendants falsely claimed victims had won cash prizes and repeatedly demanded "refundable insurance fees" and other charges, with Bonner's scheme alone causing approximately $10 million in losses; Bonner received 180 months in prison and was ordered to pay $9.7 million in restitution, while Schiavone and Ricker received 48 and 42 months respectively and were ordered to pay $399,852 each in restitution.

A 75-year-old New York man, Carmine Maietta, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud for operating a multi-million dollar scheme that sent fraudulent prize notification mailings to thousands of consumers from 2013 to 2018, deceiving them into paying fees for cash prizes they never received. Five defendants total pleaded guilty in the scheme, with Maietta facing a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison at sentencing. The case highlights how mass mailing fraud schemes specifically target elderly and vulnerable victims, and the Department of Justice emphasized its commitment to prosecuting perpetrators of elder fraud.

The Napa County District Attorney's Office is training bank employees to identify and report suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as fraud against elderly clients continues to rise. The initiative focuses on recognizing red flags such as unusual large withdrawals, requests for cashier's checks, and transactions initiated by accompanying third parties—common tactics in lottery scams where victims are deceived into sending thousands of dollars in "good faith" money. One case illustrates the program's potential impact: a bank clerk prevented a man from wiring $10,000 to Canada after he revealed he believed he had won a foreign lottery, while another victim lost $13,000 before the perpetrators were arrested and ordered to repay her.

Four Jamaican nationals were arrested in Baldwin County, Alabama as part of "Operation Jamaican Knights," a fraud ring that targeted elderly victims across the United States with a lottery scam, stealing over $200,000 from more than 75 victims nationwide. Victims were deceived into sending cash payments via FedEx, believing they needed to pay taxes to claim lottery winnings, with shipments intercepted at a Mobile FedEx center revealing the scheme in February 2023. The FBI recovered more than $180,000 and has returned most of it to victims, with six additional suspects identified and the investigation ongoing.

Fabrisio Arias was sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution for laundering money in an international sweepstakes scam that defrauded at least 22 elderly victims between November 2020 and September 2022. Scammers based in Costa Rica used spoofed phone numbers to call seniors, impersonating IRS and FTC officials, convincing victims they had won prizes but needed to pay fees first; victims sent cashier's checks and money orders to Arias in California, who deposited the funds and transferred most to co-conspirators abroad. Many victims in their seventies to n

Four Jamaican nationals were arrested in Foley, Alabama in February 2023 for operating a lottery scam that defrauded over $200,000 from victims nationwide, primarily elderly people. The suspects used a Publisher's Clearing House scheme, telling victims they had won a lottery but needed to pay "taxes" before claiming winnings; while FedEx intercepted thousands of dollars in cash and checks between April 2020 and February 2023, some victims still lost money. The four men face federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, with potential sentences up to 20 years in prison.

Highmark's Financial Investigations and Provider Review department partnered with the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office in 2024 to launch an elder fraud awareness campaign, reaching over 650,000 seniors with information about common scams (romance, tech support, grandparent, and lottery schemes) that cost Americans over 60 approximately $3.1 billion annually. The initiative earned the 2024 Excellence in Public Awareness Award and complemented Highmark's broader anti-fraud efforts, which have saved over $2 billion since 2017 through billing error corrections and programs addressing prescription fraud and substance use disorder.

Fabrisio Arias was sentenced to 41 months in prison and ordered to pay $395,536 in restitution to 22 victims for his role in an international sweepstakes scam that operated from November 2020 to September 2022. Scammers in Costa Rica used spoofed phone numbers to impersonate IRS and FTC officials, convincing elderly victims (many in their 70s-90s) that they'd won prizes and needed to pay fees; Arias received the victims' checks and money orders at his California home, laundered the funds through his bank accounts, and transferred over $237,000 to co-conspi

In 2023, people lost $10 billion to fraud according to FTC data, but consumers can protect themselves by recognizing common banking scams. The article outlines ten prevalent scam tactics—including check-cashing schemes, phishing, fake websites, advance fee fraud, and government imposter scams—and provides specific protective strategies such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, using secure checks, and contacting official customer service lines to confirm requests.

This educational article outlines common financial scams targeting seniors and the general public, including phishing, investment fraud, imposter scams (grandparent and IRS varieties), computer scams, romance scams, lottery schemes, charity fraud, and fake debt relief services. The article provides red flags and warning signs for each scam type, such as urgent requests, unsolicited offers, promises of guaranteed returns, and requests for upfront payments. Key protective measures include awareness of common scam tactics, verification of organizations before sharing information, and skepticism toward unsolicited offers or high-pressure requests.

Akiel Doman, 34, of North Miami Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 44 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $234,995 in restitution for operating a nationwide lottery fraud scheme targeting seniors between May 2020 and July 2022. Doman and associates called victims across the United States falsely claiming they had won lottery prizes, then instructed them to pay upfront fees or taxes to claim their winnings, directing the money to Doman's bank accounts. The conviction also included criminal contempt charges for violating a 2019 court order that had previously prohibited him from participating in lottery fraud schemes.

In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to fraud, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics to steal money and personal information. The article outlines 10 common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake websites, advance fee schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective measures such as verifying bank URLs, never clicking unsolicited links, and avoiding upfront payments for promised services.

Social Security scammers typically use four tactics: impersonating trusted agencies, claiming problems or prizes exist, pressuring immediate action, and requesting payment via gift cards. A scam survivor shares her experience losing $39,000 to a romance scam, while the Social Security Administration provides resources on recognizing scams and protecting personal information through their website and SSA Talks audio series.

On February 13, the Shelter Island Public Library hosted an educational Zoom presentation on senior scams led by Tom McCann of Senior Services of North America, covering common fraud schemes including phone scams, sweepstakes/lottery fraud, home improvement cons, and reverse mortgage scams. McCann emphasized that seniors are particularly vulnerable due to loneliness, increased home time, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential disabilities, and recommended protective measures such as recognizing red flags (urgency, requests for money, and offers that seem too good to be true), using the do-not-call list, monitoring credit reports, and enabling two-factor authentication.

A December 2024 survey of 1,001 U.S. consumers found that Americans across all age groups are falling victim to evolving scams tailored to their demographics: Gen Z faces fake job offers, verification code scams, and account cloning, while baby boomers (ages 60-78) are particularly vulnerable to delivery scams, romance scams, and prize/gift card fraud. Of those who encountered scams in the past two years, one-fifth lost money, with 76% losing up to $1,000 and 6% losing more than $5,000, with business owners and self-employed workers experiencing the highest loss rates (40-43%).

A federal grand jury indicted two people from Jamaica—Monique Clarke, 28, and Jon-Michael Hudson, 33—for operating a lottery scam conspiracy that defrauded at least 51 elderly victims of more than $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The scheme involved calling victims claiming they'd won lottery prizes, then demanding upfront payments for taxes and fees, with money mules depositing victim checks into accounts and funneling cash to the defendants; Clarke alone received over $500,000 and used part of it to purchase a Mercedes-Benz in Jamaica. Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison if convicted, and authorities

An 84-year-old woman in Volusia County, Florida was defrauded out of approximately $32,500 in a fake Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes scam in June 2023, after being told she won $1 million and needed to pay upfront taxes. Two suspects were arrested, including 25-year-old Shania Baptiste, who was extradited from New York and faces felony charges of fraud and grand theft; the victim had sent two checks ($20,000 and $12,500) despite warnings from bank and store employees that she was being scammed. The case highlights the ongoing threat of PCH impersonation scams targeting

Thirty New York organizations, including AARP, have signed a letter supporting Governor Hochul's proposal to allow banks to place holds on transactions suspected of involving elder financial exploitation. According to FBI data, elder fraud complaints increased 14% nationally in 2023 with associated losses up 11%, and New York ranks among the top five states for elder fraud complaints and monetary losses. An AARP survey found 88% of New Yorkers age 45 and older support the proposed measure to protect vulnerable seniors from scammers using sophisticated methods to target older adults.

**Article:** "What can I do about all these scams? Tips and tricks to keep you and your loved ones safe" Beaufort County, South Carolina residents—particularly older adults—face a high risk of scams, with the state ranking seventh nationally for fraud cases. Common schemes targeting seniors include cryptocurrency scams (up 900% since 2020), contractor fraud, phone solicitation, and religious impersonation scams. The FTC advises identifying scams by recognizing when scammers impersonate legitimate organizations, create false urgency or prize claims, and pressure immediate action or unusual payment methods.

An 85-year-old woman from Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, was defrauded of over $35,000 by Shania Baptiste, 25, from Brooklyn, and accomplices who convinced her she had won $1 million in the Publishers Clearing House Sweepstakes and needed to pay taxes and fees upfront. Bank tellers initially warned the victim about the scam, but the suspects instructed her to visit a different bank by falsely claiming the funds were for family home repairs in New York. Baptiste was extradited to Florida and charged with Organized Scheme to Defraud and Grand Theft over $20,000, with $20

Scammers exploit digital payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal to steal money from users, with customers at three banks losing over $870 million to Zelle scams since 2017. Common schemes include cash flipping, phishing, fake item sales, fake tickets, software glitches, and security deposit scams, all leveraging the difficulty of reversing digital payments once sent. Users should verify requests through official app channels, never pay sight unseen, and manually update apps through legitimate app stores rather than clicking suspicious links.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about four types of imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2–8, 2025): investment scams using "get rich quick" schemes, grandparent scams requesting urgent bail or medical fees, romance scams exploiting isolated individuals, and other fraudulent schemes that manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. The agency recommends verifying information independently, being suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics and urgent requests, and contacting relatives directly before sending funds.

**Summary:** A Bankrate Financial Fraud Survey found that 34% of U.S. adults experienced financial fraud or scams in the past 12 months, with 37% of victims losing money to schemes ranging from fake prize claims to job recruitment and investment scams. Of Americans scammed in the past year, 90% had their personal financial information accessed or targeted, though 57% of those attempts were unsuccessful; baby boomers and Generation X experienced the highest lifetime fraud rates at 73% and 71% respectively, and experts warn that economic stress and the pending wealth transfer of baby boomers may embolden scammers.

A resurgence of toll-charge texting scams is circulating, where recipients receive messages claiming unpaid tolls in states they may or may not have visited, with links directing them to fake websites requesting payment. Law enforcement officials note that scammers increasingly replicate legitimate toll company messaging (like FastTrak or EZ Pass) and create sophisticated fake websites, making scams harder to identify, though legitimate toll agencies never request payment via text and instead send physical mail with license plate photos. Police advise recipients to verify they actually visited the state in question and to research any suspicious requests before responding, as scammers are becoming increasingly skilled at mimicking legitimate communications across multiple platforms including email and phone calls.

This article from the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office provides educational information on common scam tactics, including impersonation of government agencies and businesses, spoofed caller IDs, and pressure tactics demanding immediate payment via cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards. The piece emphasizes that scammers create false emergencies or threats to bypass victims' critical thinking and lists reporting resources including the FTC and the District Attorney Consumer Fraud Department at (209) 953-7730. It also highlights local support services through the Family Justice Center for victims of various crimes including elder abuse.

National Slam the Scam Day (March 6, 2025) is an awareness initiative by Social Security's Office of the Inspector General to combat government imposter scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials from trusted agencies like the SSA and IRS to steal money and personal information. The advisory highlights the "4 P's" of scams—pretend, problem, pressure, and payment demand—and emphasizes that legitimate government agencies never request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods. Individuals are urged to stay alert, hang up on suspicious contacts, guard personal information, and report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.

Revolve CEO Michael Mente lost $5.4 million in 2021 after falling victim to a fake Mercedes-AMG One luxury car sale scam perpetrated by Texas resident Traveon Rogers, who posed as French dealer Jean-Pierre M.R. Clement. Mente discovered the fraud in 2022 when U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed him the payment had been stolen and the dealer didn't exist. Rogers has since faced multiple lawsuits for similar schemes, allegedly defrauding another buyer of $3.19 million in a separate nonexistent AMG One deal, and has been charged with forging contracts and impersonating car deal

Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with investment scams accounting for nearly half at $5.7 billion and bank transfers and cryptocurrency being the most commonly exploited payment methods. The Federal Trade Commission data shows 38% of consumers reported losing money to fraud in 2024, up from 27% in 2023, with the number of fraud reports remaining stable at 2.6 million. Michigan consumers alone reported $204 million in losses, with seniors ages 60+ losing $45.9 million, though younger consumers are also increasingly victimized.