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kmvt.com
The Office on Aging in Ketchum, Idaho reported a rise in financial scams targeting elderly residents and hosted a fraud prevention seminar on November 7 featuring officials from the Idaho Department of Finance, AARP, and Idaho Commission on Aging. The event aimed to educate the community about common scams affecting seniors, including fake virus pop-ups and romance scams that exploit lonely individuals for significant sums of money.
timesofsandiego.com
The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation and FBI are hosting free Elder Fraud Prevention seminars during International Fraud Week to educate seniors about recognizing and avoiding scams. In 2023, seniors over age 60 reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, with tech support fraud being the most common crime type affecting this age group ($600 million in losses) and investment scams being the costliest ($1.2 billion). The seminars will cover common fraud schemes including romance scams, tech support fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and investment fraud.
observernews.net
The Florida Securities Dealers and Advisors Association will host a free panel discussion on November 8 in Sun City Center addressing fraud targeting veterans and their families, featuring experts from law enforcement, financial regulatory authorities, and consumer protection services. According to the Federal Trade Commission, veterans lost an estimated $292 million to fraud in 2022, with common schemes including identity theft, phishing scams, romance scams, and investment fraud, with benefits recipients being particularly vulnerable targets.
kgun9.com
Arizona experienced a 36% surge in elder fraud cases from 2022 to 2023, prompting the Green Valley Council to host Fight Fraud Day at a local recreation center, where the Pima County Sheriff's Department warned residents about evolving scams including voice cloning, number spoofing, and romantic fraud schemes that increasingly target the retirement community. The presentation demonstrated how artificial intelligence and voice cloning technology are being weaponized to impersonate family members and create fraudulent stories, with Green Valley residents reporting 2-3 scam attempts daily ranging from telephone fraud to compromised bank accounts. The PCSD provided fraud prevention resources and encourages residents to remain skeptical of unsolic
sdvoice.info
The Department of Justice's annual report documented over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, recovering nearly $700 million and disrupting major transnational schemes. Notable cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying Medicare and Medicaid records to hide inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes finding constitutional rights violations through poor infection control and medical care. The DOJ also addressed broader elder fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through romance scams and government impersonation schemes, stopped $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and advanced prevention through nearly 1,000 elder justice events and a National Elder Fraud Hotline that handle
mynorthwest.com
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested and indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3.3 million in Western Washington. Using false profiles with the name "Giovanni" on dating platforms like Match and Zoosk, Nwadialo posed as a military serviceman and manipulated victims into sending money through various pretexts, including claims about his father's death, military fines, and investment opportunities. One victim alone lost $2.4 million, while others lost between $270,000 and $310,000 each
graphic.com.gh
Two Ghanaian nationals and one U.S. resident were convicted for operating a romance scam that defrauded elderly Americans between March 2019 and March 2022 by creating fake romantic relationships and convincing victims to send money. Sadia Alhassan and Mohammed Saaminu Zuberu, along with co-conspirator Shawn William Smith, were sentenced to prison terms and ordered to pay $581,261.67 each in restitution for their roles as money handlers and coordinators funneling victim funds to scammers based in Ghana. The operation involved receiving packages of cash from victims via postal services, converting funds to money orders
wfhb.org
This article describes a longstanding con technique that thrives in the digital age through emails and social media, where scammers establish false premises (unrelated to money initially) to build trust before requesting financial transfers. Once victims are persuaded of the fabricated facts, fraudsters use them as justification to solicit money, which victims are unlikely to recover once sent.
regtechtimes.com
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian man, was arrested upon arrival at a Texas airport and charged with 14 counts of wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3.3 million. Using fake dating profiles under the alias "Giovanni," Nwadialo posed as a U.S. military member overseas and convinced victims to send money through various pretexts, including military fines and investment opportunities, with one victim losing over $2.4 million. If convicted, Nwadialo faces up to 20 years in prison per count.
yahoo.com
Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel, 21, of South Boston was indicted on conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges for his role in a scheme that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County man of approximately $500,000 between February and October. A co-conspirator posed as U.S. Treasury Department official "Sam Wilson" and convinced the victim to withdraw cash and place it in boxes for "safekeeping," with couriers (including Patel) collecting the funds using predetermined security procedures before authorities apprehended Patel in North Adams. The investigation is ongoing, and the conspiracy charge carries a potential sentence of
crypto.news
Coinbase's Chief Information Security Officer identifies social engineering scams as the top threat to crypto users, advising people to ignore unsolicited calls from exchanges, verify contacts through official channels (which can prevent up to 80% of such scams), and avoid sending crypto to unknown individuals. Additional threats include deepfake technology used to impersonate leaders and romance scams exploiting emotional vulnerabilities, with Coinbase addressing these risks through AI-driven fraud detection and machine learning monitoring, while advocating for industry-wide information sharing through initiatives like the Crypto Information Sharing and Analysis Center.
boston25news.com
A 21-year-old South Boston man, Urvishkumar Vipulkumar Patel, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role in a scheme that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County victim of approximately $500,000 between February and October. The scam involved a co-conspirator impersonating a U.S. Treasury Department official who falsely claimed the victim was involved in money laundering and instructed him to withdraw cash and place it in marked boxes for couriers to collect; Patel was arrested after attempting to pick up one of these boxes in North Adams on October 7.
northdallasgazette.com
The Department of Justice released its annual elder fraud report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants that resulted in nearly $700 million in recoveries, including high-profile convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying Medicare compliance records and investigations into New Jersey veterans' facilities for constitutional rights violations. The DOJ's broader anti-fraud initiative addressed over 225,000 seniors affected by romance scams and government impersonation schemes, preventing $27 million in fraudulent transfers and handling over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline. The department emphasized prevention through nearly 1,000 elder justice events, including a national law enforcement summit bringing together
cbs12.com
Three defendants—Tallahassee couple Sadia Alhassan and Shawn Smith, and Ghanaian man Mohammed Zuberu—were sentenced to prison for operating a military romance scam that defrauded elderly U.S. victims of approximately $500,000. The scammers contacted elderly victims online to pose as romantic interests, then instructed them to send money via USPS or commercial carriers to addresses and accounts controlled by Alhassan and Smith, who served as money launderers while Zuberu acted as an intermediary. Alhassan received 18 months in prison, Smith received one day plus community service, and Zuberu received 5
seattlemedium.com
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, resulting in nearly $700 million in recoveries. Notable cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying Medicare/Medicaid records to hide inadequate care, and findings that New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes violated residents' constitutional rights through poor infection control and medical care. The DOJ also addressed broader elder fraud schemes affecting over 225,000 seniors through romance scams and government impersonation, halting $27 million in fraudulent transfers and handling over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline, while promoting prevention through nearly
justice.gov
A 21-year-old South Boston man was indicted for his role in an elder fraud conspiracy that defrauded a 75-year-old Berkshire County victim of approximately $500,000 between February and October 2024. The scheme involved a co-conspirator impersonating a U.S. Treasury Department official who convinced the victim to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using prearranged passpins; the defendant was arrested while attempting to collect one of the cash boxes. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
justice.gov
**Summary:**
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a 40-year-old Nigerian national, was arrested upon arrival in the U.S. and indicted on 14 counts of wire fraud for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of over $3.3 million. Operating under the alias "Giovanni" on dating websites, Nwadialo posed as a deployed military member and convinced victims to send money for various fabricated emergencies, including military fines, funeral expenses, and investment schemes, with one victim losing at least $2.4 million. Wire fraud carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
justice.gov
Three individuals were sentenced for their roles in a Ghana-based romance scam targeting elderly Americans between March 2019 and March 2022. Sadia Alhassan (18 months prison), Shawn William Smith (1 day prison), and Mohammed Saaminu Zuberu (5½ months prison) served as money launderers and intermediaries, receiving funds that victims sent via mail and commercial carriers after being deceived into believing they had romantic relationships with scammers in Ghana. The defendants were ordered to pay $581,261.67 in restitution to their victims.
lifehacker.com
Last year saw 2.6 million fraud reports with $10 billion in losses, as scammers employ psychological manipulation tactics to deceive victims. The article identifies three primary techniques scammers use: impersonating authority figures to exploit deference, creating time pressure and artificial scarcity to trigger emotional responses, and using incremental requests (foot-in-the-door) to gradually escalate victim cooperation. Awareness of these tactics—such as recognizing that legitimate authorities welcome verification and that legitimate businesses never demand snap decisions—can help people protect themselves from Romance Scams, Impostor Scams, Delivery Scams, and similar frauds.
theglobeandmail.com
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence—including deepfakes, convincing emails, and fake trading bots—to perpetrate investment fraud, with a Canadian study showing people invested 22% more in AI-enhanced scams compared to traditional ones. Vulnerable populations include elderly investors, recent immigrants, and younger self-directed investors, with documented cases including a man from Barrie, Ontario who lost $11,000 to a deepfake video of Justin Trudeau in September 2023. The Ontario Securities Commission found that investor education about warning signs reduced AI scam investments by 10%, while technology-based detection tools proved most effective, reducing fraudulent investments by nearly one-
theregister.com
Shan Hanes, CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank, a local church, and an investment club in an 8-week period after being lured into a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam via WhatsApp. The scam crashed the bank and devastated the small city of Elkhart; the FBI recovered approximately $8 million in stolen funds that will be returned to victims. Hanes exploited his position of trust and 30-year tenure at the bank to authorize fraudulent wire transfers without serious oversight.
infosecurity-magazine.com
Since the announcement of Oasis reunion shows in late August, hundreds of UK fans have been scammed through fake ticket listings, primarily on social media, losing an average of £346 each with some victims losing up to £1,000. Those aged 35-44 were most frequently targeted, and approximately 90% of the scams originated from fake Facebook ads or posts directing victims to pay upfront for non-existent tickets. New regulations taking effect in October will require banks to reimburse APP fraud victims up to £85,000, while Meta has agreed to share threat intelligence with UK banks to help remove fraudulent accounts.
wired.com
**Scammer Payback Answers Scam Questions** (11/05/2024)
YouTube scambaiter Pierogi from Scammer Payback identifies key red flags of scams, including pressure to make quick decisions, requests for remote computer access, and demands for payment via gift cards, Cash App, wire transfers, or Bitcoin. The video addresses common scam types including tech support pop-ups, romance scams (citing a case where a 90+ year old woman was defrauded of tens of thousands of dollars by someone posing as a celebrity), and explains why scammers prefer gift cards for money laundering and anonymity, while demonstrating
bobsullivan.net
A man named Dennis fell victim to a combined crypto and romance scam, losing his life savings and eventually taking his own life after being manipulated into borrowing additional money through an LLC when his initial funds were depleted. His adult children, Laura and Matt, shared their father's story to raise awareness about how scams—which affect people of all ages, not just the elderly—can lead to devastating psychological consequences, including suicide. The piece emphasizes the importance of open, non-judgmental communication with loved ones about online scams and the mental health crisis they can trigger.
commbank.com.au
This article identifies the five most common scams affecting Australians: investment scams (where fake ads lead to fraudulent investment offers), remote access scams (where scammers gain device access via phone impersonation), romance scams (involving fake online identities and requests for money), phishing (fraudulent emails/texts impersonating legitimate sources), and payment redirection scams (using fake email addresses to redirect business payments to fraudulent accounts). The article provides descriptions of how each scam operates and warning signs to watch for, serving as an educational guide for consumers to recognize and avoid these fraud schemes.
finrafoundation.org
The FINRA Foundation partners with organizations including the Cybercrime Support Network, Better Business Bureaus, and AARP to educate consumers about financial fraud and support scam survivors through counselor-led peer programs, interactive workshops, and helpline services. The Foundation provides free resources including publications, educational tools, games, and a documentary to help consumers recognize fraud red flags, verify investment professionals, and protect themselves from various scams including romance imposter scams and disaster-related fraud.
rgj.com
This article is not about elder fraud or scams targeting seniors. While it mentions that Nevada ranked high in "romance crimes" as part of a broader study on dating conditions for single adults, the piece focuses on general dating challenges (unemployment, mental health resources, cost of living) rather than elder fraud or abuse. The romance scam reference is included only as one data point in a ranking of states for single people, not as a detailed analysis of fraud patterns or victimization.
**Recommendation:** This article is outside the scope of an elder fraud research database and should not be included in Elderus.
ckom.com
Saskatoon Police Service warned the public about "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, which begin with unsolicited contact via text, email, or dating apps and use romance and fake investment promises to defraud victims. Fraudsters gain trust, direct victims to fraudulent investment platforms showing false returns, then demand additional fees before cutting off contact, often leaving victims with losses of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. Police advise Canadians to avoid unsolicited investment offers, consult registered financial professionals, and report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and local authorities.
business-live.co.uk
HSBC UK has alerted nearly two million customers, particularly those over 65, about a gold impersonation scam where criminals pose as police or bank officials to convince victims to purchase gold and hand it over under the pretense of safekeeping or evidence collection, with victims losing hundreds of thousands of pounds. The bank reports a significant surge in scam activity between July and September 2024, including investment fraud (averaging £33,739 losses), bank/police impersonation (averaging £20,772 losses), and romance scams (averaging £31,000 losses), with September 2024 marking the highest rate of scam incidents in the past year.
marketech-apac.com
A TransUnion report on Hong Kong fraud reveals that 51% of Gen Z and 41% of Millennials report being targeted by fraud schemes over three months, with Millennials experiencing the highest victimization rate at 7%. Vishing (fraudulent phone calls) and phishing were the most common attack methods, while digital fraud attempts in Hong Kong reached 5.7% of transactions in H1 2024—10% higher than the global average—with the community sector (dating and forum sites) recording the highest fraud rates at 15%.
communityjournal.net
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants targeting older adults, recovering nearly $700 million and disrupting major transnational schemes. High-profile cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh nursing homes for falsifying records to hide inadequate care, and investigations into New Jersey veterans' facilities for constitutional rights violations and unsafe conditions. The DOJ also addressed fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through cases ranging from romance scams to government impersonation schemes, stopped $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and expanded prevention efforts through nearly 1,000 elder justice events and a National Elder Fraud Hotline that received over
firstpost.com
Fraud is now the leading crime against seniors in Canada, with sophisticated scams exploiting technological vulnerabilities and seniors' social isolation. Common schemes include grandparent fraud ($9.4 million in losses from 2,494 victims), romance scams (Canadians lost $59 million in 2022), and phishing attacks ($58 million in losses in 2022), all enhanced by AI and voice simulation technology. Despite widespread awareness campaigns, seniors remain vulnerable due to lower digital confidence (only 26% feel very confident with technology) and emotional manipulation that overrides caution.
journee-mondiale.com
The United States observes National Slam the Scam Day on March 7th annually, an awareness campaign established by the Federal Trade Commission in 2020 to educate the public about fraud prevention. Common scams include phishing emails, fake charities, tech support schemes, romance scams, and grandparent scams targeting the elderly—such as the case of 78-year-old Martha, who lost $5,000 after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from her grandson. The FTC recommends protecting oneself by verifying information, never sharing personal details unsolicited, monitoring credit reports, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities.
journalnow.com
This article provides educational guidance on avoiding romance scams, particularly around Valentine's Day when people are more vulnerable to online dating fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost $1.3 billion to romance scams in 2022, with scammers typically cultivating relationships for months before requesting money under false pretenses such as emergencies. Experts recommend moving online relationships slowly, being wary of requests to communicate off dating apps, and recognizing red flags such as requests for money or overly fast relationship progression.
states.aarp.org
This article covers a "Scam Jam" educational event in Richmond, Virginia organized by AARP Virginia where law enforcement and fraud prevention experts educated about 30 seniors on common scams targeting older adults. Presenters from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol discussed various fraud schemes including mail theft, identity theft, durable medical equipment fraud, and AI-powered impersonation scams, while offering practical protective strategies such as mailing checks directly to post offices and shredding personal documents.
pressdemocrat.com
Alfred Mancinelli, a 79-year-old widower, lost approximately $1 million in retirement savings and his granddaughter's college fund to romance scammers impersonating professional wrestler Alexa Bliss and others over several years. Despite his son Chris's attempts to intervene and protect his assets, Alfred remained convinced he was in a genuine romantic relationship and even sued his son, demonstrating how romance scams isolate victims and make them resistant to help. The case illustrates a broader trend where older Americans are disproportionately targeted for costly online scams, with Americans losing an estimated $652 million to romance and confidence scams in 2023 alone.
tokyoreporter.com
A woman in her 50s, a teacher in Fukuoka City, was defrauded of 42 million yen through a romance scam in which a person she met on social media posed as a romantic interest, gained her trust, and then convinced her to invest money through a fraudulent investment site. Police identified this as a "social media romance scam" and noted that Fukuoka Prefecture has experienced over 5.6 billion yen in losses from social media scams as of September, urging the public not to transfer money to unknown persons.
themirror.com
Since 2015, US Marine Corps officer Kagan Dunlap has been targeted by romance scammers who steal his photos and impersonate him on dating apps, deceiving thousands of women globally into sending money ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. The scammers use various tactics including AI voice imitation and elaborate military deployment stories, and some have even contacted his wife, leaving him to repeatedly verify his identity to victims who discover the fraud through reverse image searches.
local.aarp.org
This article presents educational advice from a Scam Jam event in Richmond, Virginia, where experts from organizations including AARP Virginia and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service provided seniors with strategies to protect themselves against fraud. Speakers described various scams targeting older Americans, including durable medical equipment fraud, mail theft, identity theft, phishing, and AI-powered impersonation calls, and advised attendees to avoid unsolicited contacts, protect personal information, and use secure mailing practices. The event emphasized that fraudsters use both low-tech methods like mail theft and high-tech tactics like voice manipulation, and stressed that seniors should be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
wham1180.iheart.com
A 79-year-old man named Alfred Mancinelli lost nearly $1 million in retirement savings and his granddaughter's college fund to a fraudster posing as WWE superstar Alexa Bliss between 2018 and the COVID-19 pandemic, believing he was in a romantic relationship with the impostor. The scammer, whom Mancinelli called "Lexi," requested money for hospital treatments and manipulated him emotionally by fabricating stories about humiliation by WWE leadership. Mancinelli's family was unable to convince him of the fraud, and he subsequently died following complications from neck surgery after a fall.
washingtoninformer.com
The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants for elder fraud, abuse, and neglect, resulting in nearly $700 million in recoveries and disruption of major transnational schemes. Key cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh-area nursing homes for falsifying compliance records and an investigation into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes for constitutional rights violations through inadequate care. The DOJ's broader efforts addressed fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through romance and impersonation scams, blocked $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and handled over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline while hosting nearly 1
thenewsenterprise.com
Since 2020, the Better Business Bureau has received over 4,000 reports of investment scams, with cryptocurrency-based schemes increasingly migrating to social media platforms like TikTok where scammers quickly build trust and solicit money. These scams typically begin with fake investment opportunities promising rapid returns; victims are directed to send funds via digital wallet services, after which scammers either disappear or demand additional "service fees" while claiming to multiply the initial investment. To avoid such scams, consumers are advised to use good judgment (legitimate investments rarely guarantee huge returns), research contacts and companies thoroughly before engaging, refuse intimidation tactics, treat digital wallet transfers as irreversible cash, and report suspected sc
thefinanser.com
This is an opinion/educational piece rather than a news story about a specific scam incident. The author discusses trust in financial systems while highlighting the case of Kirat Assi, who was victimized by a decade-long romance scam (2009-2018) involving elaborate catfishing on Facebook orchestrated by her cousin using approximately 60 fake profiles impersonating a fictional cardiologist. The piece emphasizes that as financial technology rapidly evolves, fraud opportunities increase, and individuals must decide whether to trust regulated financial institutions or decentralized systems, with the author advocating for regulated entities as the safer choice.
newskarnataka.com
**Summary:**
A woman government engineer in Bengaluru was defrauded of ₹80,000 by a man impersonating an assistant to Karnataka's IT Minister, who falsely promised help securing a job posting and used threats to extort money. The accused remains at large as police investigate under charges including impersonation of a public servant and cheating. This incident reflects a broader fraud trend in Karnataka, with Indian authorities reporting over 7.4 lakh fraud complaints in the first four months of 2024 alone, totaling significant financial losses across trading, investment, and romance scams.
sbs.com.au
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is suing telecommunications company Optus for engaging in unconscionable conduct by selling unwanted phone products to hundreds of vulnerable customers, including First Nations people from remote areas and individuals with disabilities or financial disadvantages, then pursuing them for resulting debts. Additionally, scam-related complaints in Australia reached a record high, with an 81% increase in complaints to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority in 2023-2024, with phishing, spoofing, remote access scams, bank impersonation scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types.
ncoa.org
Deepfakes are AI-generated videos, photos, and audio that realistically fabricate or alter someone's likeness, increasingly used by criminals to execute scams targeting older Americans, who lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023. Common deepfake scams include investment schemes (such as an 82-year-old losing $690,000 to a fake Elon Musk video), romance scams (with victims in Hong Kong losing over $46 million), political misinformation, extortion/grandparent scams (which generated over $13 million in losses from 2020-2021), and celebrity endorsement frauds. Understanding
seacoastcurrent.com
The article outlines several prevalent scams targeting Mainers, particularly seniors, including fake jury summons demanding payment via gift cards, the "grandparent scam" where callers pose as jailed relatives requesting bail money, online dating scams that build trust before requesting funds, and caller ID spoofing that masks scammers' true identities. Key advice includes never sharing personal information or sending money to strangers, avoiding suspicious links, and warning elderly relatives about these common fraud schemes.
indystar.com
Romance scams occur when criminals create fake online identities to build trust with victims and manipulate them into sending money, with victims losing thousands of dollars. Christopher Maxwell, a reformed scammer from Nigeria who stole up to $30,000 from individual victims, now works to raise awareness by sharing warning signs including requests to avoid video calls, suspicious military profiles, and refusals to meet in person. Key prevention strategies include demanding video calls before deepening relationships, conducting in-person meetings, verifying identities, and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.
indystar.com
After her husband's death, Indianapolis widow Rosalie Douglass turned to online dating and was targeted by romance scammers who posed as wealthy professionals; over the course of a year, she wired more than $430,000 to two different scammers, depleting her retirement savings and forcing her to take a reverse mortgage on her home. The FBI reported 88,262 fraud victims over age 60 in 2021, growing to 101,068 in 2023, with romance scams accounting for $1.1 billion in losses nationally in 2023. Experts warn that seniors new to online dating are particularly vulnerable to romance scams and should be alert to requests
wkbw.com
An educational forum held at Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union in Lakewood, New York reviewed common scams targeting older adults, who lost $3 billion to fraud in the previous year according to the FBI. The session covered gift card scams, holiday shopping fraud, romance scams, AI-enabled impersonation scams, and political donation scams, offering prevention tips such as purchasing gift cards at checkout, avoiding suspicious links, ignoring payment requests from strangers online, verifying callers through specific photo requests, and declining unsolicited donation calls. Authorities advised against sharing personal information on social media, as it increases vulnerability to password guessing and impersonation.