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in Identity Theft
malwarebytes.com
· 2026-06-05
Travel scams are widespread and exploit the combination of high-value payments, urgency, and personal data required when booking flights, hotels, and rentals. Common tactics include fake travel websites that steal payment information, phishing emails impersonating legitimate brands, and fraudulent rental listings that push victims to communicate off-platform. To protect yourself, verify websites directly through official channels rather than clicking links in emails or ads, use reputable booking platforms with built-in protections, and be skeptical of urgent messages claiming booking problems.
nbcnews.com
· 2026-06-05
Scammers are stealing the identities of immigration lawyers and using AI to clone their images, voices, and websites to defraud vulnerable immigrants seeking legal status, creating fake contracts, forged documents, and even fabricated court hearings. Immigration attorney Angel Leal Jr. and many others have become victims of this scheme, which exploits the desperation and fear in immigrant communities; the FTC reported over 1 million identity theft scams in the U.S. last year with losses exceeding $3.5 billion. To protect themselves, immigrants should verify an attorney's credentials directly through official bar association websites, avoid paying upfront fees to unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to the FBI or FTC.
stimson.org
· 2026-06-04
Artificial intelligence is being weaponized by both criminals and legitimate platforms in the ongoing battle over fraud and scams, with criminal organizations using AI tools to enhance their scam operations while tech companies deploy AI to detect and block these threats. This Stimson Center event discussion explored how scammers are leveraging AI and deepfakes to evade detection, as well as how platforms can use AI to improve security and identify new fraud tactics. The takeaway for users is to remain vigilant about AI-enabled scams that may appear more sophisticated and convincing, while relying on trusted platforms that invest in AI-powered security measures to protect them.
lovinmalta.com
· 2026-06-04
A Maltese resident lost approximately €18 million in a romance scam orchestrated by Nigerian criminals, with a mother-daughter duo arrested for allegedly receiving and laundering the stolen funds through multiple bank accounts. The scam involved identity theft and computer fraud, with a third suspect still at large. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly turn romantic or involve requests for money, verify identities through video calls, and never send funds to people you haven't met in person.
gorhamtimes.com
· 2026-06-04
A 90-year-old widow lost $20,000 to cybercriminals in a case highlighting the growing problem of elder fraud affecting vulnerable older adults. To protect seniors, families should maintain regular communication about scams, establish financial power of attorney documents, carefully vet caregivers, and immediately alert banks if fraud occurs. Resources like the National Do Not Call Registry and Eldercare Locator can provide additional protection and support.
iol.co.za
· 2026-06-04
Scammers are using high-pressure video calls where they impersonate police officers and falsely accuse victims of serious crimes—such as drug trafficking or sexual assault—to pressure them into sending money under the guise of "security checks." A 50-year-old woman in Stellenbosch lost nearly R10,000 after being terrorized into believing she was a wanted drug lord, only to realize the money would never be returned. To protect yourself, be aware that legitimate police will never contact you via video call demanding immediate payment, and verify any such claims by contacting your local police station directly using an official phone number.
edhat.com
· 2026-06-03
Elder fraud is a widespread and growing crisis, with Santa Barbara County alone reporting 357 complaints in 2025 resulting in over $34 million in losses—though actual losses are likely much higher due to underreporting driven by victim shame and confusion about where to report crimes. Scams targeting seniors range from sophisticated international schemes like phishing and fake tech support calls to personal betrayals by caregivers and local opportunists who exploit vulnerable, wealthy seniors. To protect yourself or loved ones, report suspected fraud promptly to local law enforcement or the FBI, and be wary of unsolicited calls, online requests for personal information, and offers that seem too good to be true.
independent.com
· 2026-06-02
Elder fraud is a growing crisis affecting communities nationwide, with Santa Barbara County alone reporting 357 fraud complaints in 2025 resulting in over $34 million in losses—though the actual numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting from embarrassment and confusion about where to seek help. Scams targeting seniors range from sophisticated international schemes like phishing and fake tech support calls to local betrayals by dishonest caregivers and acquaintances exploiting vulnerable victims. Victims and families should report suspected fraud to local law enforcement, the FBI, or their state's adult protective services, and anyone aware of elder fraud should encourage victims to come forward despite any shame or fear.
lancasteronline.com
· 2026-06-02
Pennsylvania's Attorney General and a state Senator are pushing lawmakers to strengthen protections for elderly residents against online scams and fraud, citing growing threats from artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Currently, bank employees cannot stop transactions even when they suspect a customer is being scammed, so the proposed legislation would give financial institutions the power to intervene if they believe an elderly client is at risk. The bipartisan bill, which hasn't yet passed, aims to modernize the state's elder protection laws for the first time in decades and would help prevent identity theft and phone spoofing scams.
pcmag.com
· 2026-06-02
Scammers are using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate children or loved ones in kidnapping and emergency scams, extracting audio samples from social media or public videos to create convincing fake voices that demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency. Parents and other targets are particularly vulnerable because these emotionally manipulative calls trigger panic, making people less likely to verify the caller's identity before sending money. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying any urgent requests for money by independently contacting your loved ones through a known phone number, being skeptical of pressure to pay via cryptocurrency, and limiting personal audio and video content on public social media accounts.
vermontpublic.org
· 2026-06-02
Vermont residents lost over $26 million to cyberfraud in 2025, with nearly 1,600 people reporting scams—a dramatic increase from 937 victims the previous year—as criminals increasingly target businesses through phony emails and use cryptocurrency to move stolen funds. While older adults remain frequent targets, people in their 40s reported the highest losses, and business-based scams like fake invoices caused the most damage overall. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited business emails requesting payments, verify requests through independent contact information, avoid cryptocurrency transfers for investments or tech support, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
privateinternetaccess.com
· 2026-06-01
Phishing scams—where criminals impersonate trusted sources like banks or coworkers to steal sensitive information—remain the most common cyberattack, with 3.8 million attacks recorded in 2025, capable of causing devastating losses from identity theft to millions in business damages. These attacks are increasingly sophisticated, using AI-generated messages, deepfake audio and video, and near-perfect fake login pages to manipulate people through psychological tactics like urgency and fear. To protect yourself, verify sender identities through official channels before clicking links or sharing credentials, be suspicious of unexpected urgency or requests for sensitive information, and use multi-factor authentication on important accounts.
abhs.in
· 2026-06-01
Americans lost over $21 billion to cybercrime in 2025—a 26% increase from 2024—with over 1 million complaints filed for the first time, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center report. Investment scams, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where criminals build trust over weeks before directing victims to fake cryptocurrency platforms, were the largest loss category at $8.6 billion, often involving AI-generated fake identities and voices that make impersonation nearly impossible to detect. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities online, verify identities through independent channels before sending money, and remember that legitimate investments won't pressure you to use cryptocurrency or unfamiliar platforms.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-01
Seniors over 60 are increasingly targeted by identity theft and fraud, filing over 201,000 complaints in 2025 with average losses of $38,500—nearly double younger victims' losses—while total fraud costs to older adults range from $10 billion to $81 billion annually. Scammers exploit the fact that seniors have multiple financial accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that can be breached using publicly available information like birthdates and Social Security numbers, and new AI voice-cloning technology makes impersonation easier than ever. Adult children can help protect aging parents by securing their personal information across all accounts and being cautious of unexpected calls, particularly those requesting verification details or claiming to be family members in distress.
noticias.foxnews.com
· 2026-05-31
Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, with victims averaging losses of nearly $38,500—almost double younger victims' losses—making seniors the most defrauded age group according to FBI data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they typically have multiple financial and government accounts (banks, Medicare, Social Security, pensions) that scammers can exploit, and new threats like AI voice cloning now allow fraudsters to impersonate loved ones convincingly. To protect aging parents, adult children should help them implement credit freezes, secure their sensitive personal information (like Social Security numbers and birthdates) used for account verification, and remain vigilant about phone calls from grandchildren or others requesting money, especially when voice authenticity seems uncertain.
radaronline.com
· 2026-05-31
Celebrities are frequent targets of fraud and scams, just like the general public. High-profile cases include Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber facing a $100,000 extortion attempt involving a fake photo of their daughter, TV host Andy Cohen unknowingly giving scammers access to his bank accounts after a fake fraud alert call, singer Jewel allegedly being embezzled of over $100 million by her own mother and former manager, and actress Anne Hathaway's ex-boyfriend defrauding investors of $6 million while posing as a Vatican official. To protect yourself, never give account access to unsolicited callers claiming to be from your bank—instead hang up and call your bank directly, carefully vet people handling your finances, and be cautious about sharing personal information or photos that could be used for extortion.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-05-30
Washington state residents lost over $18 million to imposter scams in 2025, with scammers frequently posing as government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration to trick victims into giving up money and personal information. People over 60 have been hit particularly hard, with fraud losses in that age group increasing 400% since 2020, while scams targeting family and friends have tripled from 2024 to 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from government agencies or businesses you know, verify caller identity through official channels before sharing information, and never click links or download files from suspicious sources.
ctinsider.com
· 2026-05-29
Senior Americans lost over $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, representing a 59% increase from the previous year, with phishing, tech support scams, and investment fraud being the most common schemes reported. Those 60 and older should proactively plan for financial caregiving arrangements and stay vigilant by learning to recognize fraud through resources like the SEC's Investor.gov website, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's elder fraud prevention guides, and the FDIC's Money Smart curriculum. Families are encouraged to have conversations now about who will help manage finances and monitor accounts to prevent costly exploitation before a crisis occurs.
broadandliberty.com
· 2026-05-29
Philadelphia District Attorney's office charged five men in connection with a utility bill scam that defrauded at least 150 senior citizens—primarily Black women—of over $500,000 since June 2024. The scammers impersonated representatives from gas, electric, and water companies, visiting victims' homes under the pretense of fixing account problems while stealing banking information and making unauthorized withdrawals. Seniors should verify utility company contacts independently by calling the official company number and never provide bank details or PIN numbers to unsolicited callers or visitors.
santaclaritamagazine.com
· 2026-05-29
Elderly residents across Southern California have become targets of increasingly sophisticated fraud and abuse schemes, including a $17 million identity theft and real estate loan ring that forged documents to steal home equity from seniors, unlicensed care facilities that neglected vulnerable residents, and deed theft that allowed homes to be sold without owners' knowledge. The article advises that the most effective protection involves proactive planning—such as creating durable powers of attorney, funded living trusts, and recording homeowner alerts at the County Recorder—rather than attempting to recover after fraud has occurred, which is significantly more difficult and expensive.
nbcmiami.com
· 2026-05-29
Scam survivors are increasingly turning to peer support groups, such as those offered by FightCybercrime.org, to recover from sophisticated cybercrime schemes that cause both devastating financial losses and emotional trauma including shame, isolation, and psychological distress. The article highlights real victims who lost significant money to romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and identity theft, emphasizing that the emotional recovery process can be as damaging as the financial impact. Support groups help survivors understand their experiences, connect with others facing similar situations, and work through the cognitive conflict between their rational and emotional responses that made them vulnerable to scammers in the first place.
pulse.ng
· 2026-05-29
Nigerian police arrested a mother and daughter, Urowhe Diana and Rokibat Imoru, along with a manhunt for a third suspect, Emmanuel Amanfo, for operating a romance scam that defrauded a victim in Malta of over ₦18 million. The scammers created fake identities to build romantic relationships with victims and then solicited money, which was funneled through multiple Nigerian bank accounts and eventually transferred to accounts controlled by the suspects. People should be cautious about online romantic relationships, especially those that quickly escalate to requests for money, and verify the identities of people they meet online before sending any funds.
wired.com
· 2026-05-29
Cybercriminals have stolen booking information from at least 350 hotels across 50 countries and are using those real reservation details in highly targeted phishing messages to trick travelers into revealing credit card information. The scam, called "reservation hijacking," is particularly effective because it includes legitimate details like guest names, check-in dates, and hotel names, making fraudulent links appear authentic. Travelers should be cautious of unsolicited messages about their hotel bookings and verify any requests for payment or personal information by contacting hotels directly through official phone numbers or websites rather than clicking links in messages.
wsbradio.com
· 2026-05-28
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to create fake vacation rental listings and phishing emails that look increasingly legitimate, targeting summer travelers with unrealistic deals and AI-generated photos that lack real-world details. Cybersecurity experts warn that if a rental seems too cheap or looks suspiciously perfect (like a magazine cover with no neighbors visible), it's likely a scam, especially since fraudsters are harvesting personal information from data breaches to make their schemes more convincing. To protect yourself, carefully verify listings through official booking websites, scrutinize unusually discounted deals, and never share payment or personal information without thoroughly reviewing the listing and sender's legitimacy.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are systematically targeting veterans by mining military records, VA databases, and public data sources to build detailed fraud profiles for identity theft and financial crimes. Veterans are particularly vulnerable because much of their sensitive information—including Social Security numbers, discharge papers, and service details—is scattered across semi-public federal databases and sold by data brokers. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information, monitor your credit reports regularly, verify requests from VA or military-related organizations directly, and consider a credit freeze if you believe your information has been compromised.
kiro7.com
· 2026-05-26
Scammers are increasingly difficult to detect online because they're using advanced technologies like AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to create convincing deceptions that bypass traditional warning signs. In 2025 alone, the Federal Trade Commission received over one million reports of imposter scams, with reported losses reaching $3.5 billion—a 20% increase. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited demands for money, verify requests through official channels before sharing sensitive information, and be cautious of investment opportunities promising high returns with little risk.
nigeriannewsdirect.com
· 2026-05-26
British and Nigerian authorities arrested 31 suspected cybercriminals in a coordinated operation targeting organized fraud networks that operated through messaging groups to conduct romance scams, impersonation schemes, and money laundering across both countries. Victims—including British residents who lost significant sums like £80,000—were psychologically manipulated and emotionally exploited by criminals operating sophisticated, transnational criminal enterprises rather than individual scammers. People should be cautious of online romantic relationships that move quickly, avoid sending money to people they've only met online, and report suspicious activity to local authorities and banking institutions.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-25
Scammers are exploiting the familiar CAPTCHA security check by creating fake versions that trick users into opening hidden command windows and pasting malicious scripts that install StealC malware on their computers. The malware then silently runs in the background to steal sensitive information like passwords and financial data without the victim's knowledge. To protect yourself, be suspicious of any CAPTCHA that asks you to use keyboard shortcuts, open command windows, or paste code—legitimate security checks never require these actions.
aol.com
· 2026-05-25
A California couple, Gina Abercrombie and Justin Teel, were convicted of identity theft and financial abuse after stealing over $800,000 from Abercrombie's stepfather, Randy Hansen, a golf course owner, between 2017 and 2022. The scheme involved the couple impersonating Hansen and fraudulently applying for business loans in his name, with the fraud escalating significantly over the five-year period. To protect yourself, be vigilant about monitoring your financial accounts and credit reports regularly, especially if you have family members with access to your personal information, and consider placing fraud alerts or credit freezes if you suspect suspicious activity.
tntribune.com
· 2026-05-24
This Memorial Day, the Better Business Bureau warns military members, veterans, and their families to be alert for scams that exploit patriotic emotions and charitable giving, including fake charities, phishing emails, fraudulent moving companies, predatory loans, and fake military discounts. Scammers specifically target service members and veterans through schemes like benefits buyout plans, fake rental listings requiring wire transfers, and high-pressure life insurance sales. To protect yourself, research businesses and charities before donating or purchasing, verify organizations through BBB.org and Give.org, and avoid wiring money to unfamiliar sources.
streamlinefeed.co.ke
· 2026-05-24
A retired teacher in Meru County lost her entire KES 7.5 million pension to a sophisticated fake gold investment scheme run by an international syndicate that used forged documents, fake assay certificates, and corporate office fronts to convince her the investment was legitimate. The scam is part of a broader pattern of gold fraud operations based in Nairobi that has drawn scrutiny from international financial watchdogs and contributed to Kenya's presence on financial crime watchlists. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities promising high returns, verify the legitimacy of any company through official channels before sending money, and never trust deals that pressure you to act quickly or bypass normal banking procedures.
welivesecurity.com
· 2026-05-23
Scammers are creating fake FIFA and World Cup websites that mimic official ticket and merchandise platforms to steal money and personal data from eager soccer fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America. Victims are finding these fraudulent sites through sponsored search results, social media ads, and deceptive emails, often falling for them because they're impatient about securing tickets before they sell out. To protect yourself, verify you're on the official FIFA website by carefully checking the URL, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or ads, and use trusted payment methods rather than direct bank transfers.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-23
Scammers are sending convincing fake inheritance emails claiming recipients are entitled to unclaimed estates and demanding action within 48 hours to create urgency. The emails look professional with official language and formatting, but clicking the "Check My Unclaimed Inheritance" button leads to data theft. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected inheritance claims, never click links in unsolicited emails, and verify any legitimate claims by contacting financial institutions directly rather than through email links.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-22
Scammers are sending fake Geek Squad billing emails claiming urgent charges of $489.99 for protection plans you never signed up for, designed to pressure recipients into clicking payment links before they think carefully. Red flags include generic greetings without personalization, a confusing mix of unrelated company names (Geek Squad, Razorpay, QuickTax), and artificial urgency claiming charges within 48 hours. To protect yourself, ignore these emails entirely, verify any billing alerts directly with the company's official website or phone number, and remember that legitimate subscription services don't work through unsolicited payment links or demands.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2026-05-22
Five people were arrested in Philadelphia for an organized fraud scheme that targeted at least 35 seniors, stealing over $500,000 since June 2024, with investigators believing there may be more than 150 victims. The scammers posed as representatives from banks and utilities like PECO and the Water Department, convincing seniors to hand over their debit cards and PINs by claiming there were account problems that needed fixing. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls about account issues, never give out debit card information or PINs to unsolicited callers, and verify any claims by calling the official number on your billing statement directly.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-21
A woman in Arizona lost nearly $10,000 after scammers impersonated law enforcement officials and convinced her she had missed jury duty and owed a fine. The fraudsters used real names of local judges and officers, created a false sense of urgency about potential arrest, and instructed her to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin through an ATM to pay the supposed penalty. To protect yourself, be aware that legitimate courts never demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency or cash, and always verify official claims by independently contacting the actual government agency using publicly listed phone numbers rather than calling back the number provided by the caller.
abc30.com
· 2026-05-20
A jury convicted Gina Abercrombie and her fiancé Justin Teel of identity theft and elder financial abuse after they stole over $800,000 from Abercrombie's stepfather, Randy Hansen, a golf course owner, between 2017 and 2022. The couple fraudulently impersonated Hansen and took out business loans in his name in an escalating scheme that prosecutors described as deliberate and coordinated. The case serves as a cautionary reminder to monitor accounts and financial activity closely, especially for elderly relatives, and to be cautious about who has access to personal and financial information.
abc30.com
· 2026-05-20
A California couple, Gina Abercrombie and Justin Teel, were convicted of stealing over $800,000 from Abercrombie's elderly stepfather, Randy Hansen, through identity theft and financial abuse between 2017 and 2022—including fraudulently taking out business loans in his name. The five-year scheme targeted Hansen, who owned a Valley golf course and died in 2020, with prosecutors noting the fraud escalated significantly over time as the defendants grew bolder. To protect yourself, monitor your credit reports regularly, be cautious about who has access to your personal information, and consider placing fraud alerts or credit freezes if you're an older adult or have vulnerable relatives.
yahoo.com
· 2026-05-20
A couple, Gina Abercrombie and Justin Teel, were convicted of stealing over $800,000 from Abercrombie's stepfather, Randy Hansen, a golf course owner, through identity theft and financial abuse between 2017 and 2022—including fraudulently obtaining business loans in his name. The elaborate scheme escalated over five years and prosecutors plan to seek the maximum sentence of 5 years and 4 months in prison for both defendants. To protect yourself, monitor your financial accounts regularly, place fraud alerts on your credit report if you're concerned about identity theft, and be cautious about sharing personal information with family members or others who have access to your documents.
wnbf.com
· 2026-05-20
New York seniors lost over $408 million to scams last year, with fraud affecting the state at a rate of nearly $47,000 per hour, prompting AARP New York to launch initiatives like their "Big Shred NY!" campaign to help residents safely destroy sensitive documents. Identity theft remains a significant threat as scammers continue using old-fashioned methods like searching through trash for personal information, while imposter scams and poor security habits such as reusing passwords are among the most common fraud tactics. AARP recommends residents avoid answering unsolicited calls, use multifactor authentication, and take advantage of free fraud prevention workshops and resources available year-round to protect themselves.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-19
Scammers are sending fake Amazon recall text messages that impersonate the company to trick people into clicking malicious links and potentially compromising their accounts. These messages use convincing details like order numbers and safety warnings, but contain red flags such as generic greetings, vague product descriptions, suspicious links unrelated to Amazon's official domain, and requests to leave the official Amazon platform. To protect yourself, only access your Amazon account through the official website or app, verify any recall notices directly through Amazon's legitimate channels, and never click links from unsolicited text messages—especially those claiming urgent safety issues.
insightnews.com
· 2026-05-19
Governor Tim Walz signed eleven bills into law that include new protections for renters and homeowners, expanded mental health services in prisons, and a statewide framework to protect older Minnesotans and vulnerable people from financial fraud and exploitation. Key housing reforms address submeter billing practices and homeowners association governance, particularly benefiting renters in shared-meter buildings and first-time Black homeowners who have faced surprise charges and hidden assessments. To protect themselves, renters should review their lease terms carefully regarding digital rent payments and submeter charges, while homeowners should scrutinize HOA documentation and request transparent governance disclosures before purchasing property.
foxnews.com
· 2026-05-17
When you Google your name, scammers can easily access the personal information that appears in the top search results—including your address, social media profiles, phone number, and details about relatives—all without hacking or paid tools. This publicly available information helps fraudsters personalize their scams through calls, texts, and emails to make them seem more credible and trustworthy. To protect yourself, you should Google your own name to see what's publicly visible, run a personal data exposure scan to identify information already circulating online, and consider removing your details from people-search sites or requesting that search engines de-index pages containing your personal information.
wfmd.com
· 2026-05-17
When you Google your name, scammers can easily access the same public information that appears in search results—including your address, LinkedIn profile, photos, and relatives' names—without needing any hacking skills or paid tools. This readily available personal data becomes a "seed" that scammers use to target you with precision, researching details about your location, employer, and family to craft convincing fraud schemes. To protect yourself, Google your own name to see what's publicly visible, consider using personal data exposure scans to identify information already circulating online, and be cautious about what personal details you share on social media and public platforms.
cnn.com
· 2026-05-16
A Tennessee woman named Gabryele Watson was sentenced to 20 months in prison for running an elaborate adoption scam targeting thousands of couples over seven years. She would impersonate pregnant teenagers on social media, build relationships with hopeful adoptive parents by discussing baby names and sending fake ultrasound photos, then emotionally abuse them with threats of harming the babies or their children. The scam caused significant psychological harm to vulnerable couples desperate to adopt, though Watson never actually solicited money—instead profiting through identity theft of the pregnant teenagers she impersonated.
theguardian.com
· 2026-05-16
Scammers are increasingly targeting wealthy athletes through sophisticated schemes ranging from phishing and AI-enabled cyberattacks to fraud by trusted advisers, making sports fraud a billion-dollar criminal enterprise. Notable cases include Shohei Ohtani's interpreter stealing $17 million for gambling debts and an investment adviser defrauding NBA players of $5 million through unauthorized transfers and inflated insurance sales. Athletes and fans attending major sporting events are advised to be cautious with ticket purchases, verify communications from trusted contacts independently, and carefully vet financial advisers and inner-circle members handling their money.
outlooknewspapers.com
· 2026-05-16
Seniors across the country are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated fraud schemes, with losses reported by adults 60 and over skyrocketing from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024, according to the FTC. Scammers use tactics like fake dating profiles, romance scams, and "pig butchering" schemes (where they build trust over months before tricking victims into depositing money into fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms) to exploit vulnerable older adults. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited messages on dating apps and social media, avoid sharing financial information with online contacts you haven't met in person, and verify investment opportunities through official channels before sending money.
wbay.com
· 2026-05-16
Scammers in Winnebago County, Wisconsin are escalating their tactics by showing up in person at residents' homes, posing as federal agents, police officers, or IRS officials to demand payment for fines or pose as couriers. Victims of all ages have lost significant sums to these in-person scams as well as online schemes like identity theft, cryptocurrency cons, and romance scams, with some cashing out entire retirement accounts. The sheriff's office urges residents to verify any claims by closing the door, calling local authorities to confirm legitimacy, and exercising caution even when dealing with someone face-to-face, since physical presence can make scams seem more credible.
globalnews.ca
· 2026-05-14
Canadians are experiencing digital fraud in online dating platforms and forums at a rate of 11.9 percent—significantly higher than the global average of 8.1 percent and up 63 percent from the previous year, according to a TransUnion survey. Fraudsters are using "relationship-driven" tactics to build trust with users on dating apps, gaming communities, and social media before exploiting them for financial gain or personal information. To protect yourself, be cautious of individuals you meet online who quickly build rapport or ask for sensitive information, and verify identities before sharing personal or financial details.
phillymag.com
· 2026-05-14
Financial scams are surging across Philadelphia and nationwide, with reported losses hitting $16.6 billion in 2024, using increasingly sophisticated methods like fake text messages impersonating bosses or government agencies to trick people into purchasing gift cards or clicking malicious links. Victims aren't necessarily careless—scammers use stolen data from past breaches and AI technology to make their schemes more convincing and targeted. To protect yourself, experts recommend staying skeptical of unexpected requests (especially those demanding urgency), verifying requests through official channels by calling the organization directly, and being cautious about sharing personal information online.