Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,397 results
in Robocall / Phone Scam
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
Immigration attorney Alma Rosa Nieto warned her 200,000+ Instagram followers that scammers have been using her photos and impersonating her to target undocumented immigrants online. One victim, Cecilia, was scammed out of $2,500 after a fake Nieto page convinced her to send payments via Zelle for immigration case assistance. Nieto advises the public to call her office directly to verify any communications and notes that her legitimate office never requests Zelle payments.
hercampus.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a first-person account from a college student describing her experience with a suspected fraudulent internship opportunity, not a completed elder fraud case. The student was recruited via LinkedIn by a marketing firm with vague credentials, red flags including a LinkedIn profile with no members and communication via text rather than email, and was invited to multiple interview rounds. While the article does not detail financial losses or confirm the scam was completed, it serves as a cautionary tale about job recruitment fraud targeting vulnerable populations—in this case, desperate job-seeking students rather than elders.
kesq.com
· 2025-12-08
The Palm Springs Police Department is warning seniors in the Coachella Valley about increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting older adults through phone calls, emails, text messages, and QR codes to steal personal and financial information. The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert is combating these scams by offering weekly "Teach Tech" classes that educate seniors on how to identify and avoid common fraud tactics, and is seeking volunteers to expand these educational programs to meet growing demand.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Diversion scams targeting seniors are on the rise, with a cluster of burglaries in Philadelphia where two perpetrators worked together—one posed as a worker (fence or electrician) to distract elderly victims while the other burglarized their homes, stealing over $250,000 in jewelry, cash, and valuables. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to having financial savings, living alone, and often being trusting, making them attractive targets. Protection strategies include verifying unknown visitors' identities through official channels, maintaining home security (locked doors, peepholes, good lighting), never opening doors to strangers, and immediately reporting suspicious activity to police.
thenevadaglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman, Barbara Trickle, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a nationwide prize scam that defrauded over $15 million from victims between 2012 and 2018, primarily targeting senior citizens through fake lottery and sweepstakes notices requesting fees of $20-$50. No victims received promised prizes, and federal authorities shut down her printing and mailing business operation through multiple search warrants. The Department of Justice encourages seniors and fraud victims to report similar scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
bitcoinke.io
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised alarm over a surge in "cyber slavery" and organized scam operations targeting vulnerable Nigerian youth, particularly those lured abroad with false job promises in crypto-related fields. Perpetrators force victims into "419 cyber-scam factories" where they conduct mass fraudulent communications under coercive conditions targeting international victims. Recent enforcement actions include the EFCC's arrest of 792 individuals in December 2024 (including 148 Chinese nationals training Nigerian accomplices in romance and investment scams) and an ongoing investigation into the CBEX crypto platform collapse affecting users across multiple African countries.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses totaling $452,356 for local residents, with romance and family emergency scams causing the highest losses ($222,780), followed by technical support scams ($94,300) and cryptocurrency fraud ($55,000). The office is seeing a recent spike in grandparent and bail scams, including cases where scammers sent couriers to victims' homes to collect cash in person, with two separate victims losing $63,000 combined in the first quarter of 2025. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency claims by calling the person directly and to be aware that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement will never
wiscassetnewspaper.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses of $452,356 to local residents, with romance and family emergency scams accounting for the highest losses at $222,780, followed by technical support scams at $94,300 and cryptocurrency fraud at $55,000. Detective Jared Mitkus reported a recent spike in grandparent/bail scams (March 2025), including two cases where victims lost $63,000 total to couriers collecting cash at their homes, and emphasized that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement never collect bail payments in person. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency calls by directly contacting the family member
nbcnewyork.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It appears to be a promotional piece about consumer reporter Lynda Baquero and her commitment to responding to consumer inquiries. It contains no information about fraud, scams, elder abuse, or consumer harm that would be relevant to the Elderus database.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in California's Bay Area are impersonating FasTrak, the state's electronic toll collection system, sending text messages claiming users owe small amounts (such as $3.95) with urgent warnings to pay or face penalties and links to fraudulent websites. The scams have become increasingly sophisticated, now featuring correct spelling, official logos, and convincing websites that mimic legitimate sites, making them difficult for consumers to identify. To protect themselves, recipients should verify messages directly through official FasTrak websites or customer service rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
intelligentciso.com
· 2025-12-08
VIPRE Security Group's analysis of 1.45 billion emails in Q1 2025 found that 92% were spam (67% malicious), with cybercriminals increasingly shifting toward "low-tech" human-focused attacks like callback phishing scams (now 16% of phishing attempts) and malicious SVG image file attachments (34% of phishing attachments) to bypass traditional defenses. The US was the primary target and source of spam, with the manufacturing sector most frequently targeted, highlighting the need for stronger awareness of social engineering tactics alongside technological security measures.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
The "wrong number" text scam is increasingly prevalent, with approximately 25% of Americans receiving such messages, which criminals use to validate active phone numbers and build trust before conducting "pig butchering" schemes or stealing personal information. Text message scams caused consumers to lose $470 million in 2024, a five-fold increase from 2020, with scammers using AI to tailor believable messages and identify vulnerable targets through social media. To protect yourself, do not respond to unknown numbers, mark messages as spam using your phone's reporting features, and forward suspicious texts to 7726.
mycentraljersey.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a growing "smishing" scam targeting E-ZPass users and toll service customers with fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid tolls (typically $3.95-$12.55) and requesting immediate payment via malicious links to steal personal and financial information. Scammers are also using similar tactics for package delivery, tax, and utility bill scams, with AI being used to improve the fraudulent messages; victims should delete suspicious texts immediately, never click links requesting payment or personal information, and if compromised, freeze accounts and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired woman in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin lost her entire savings of $24,000 to a cryptocurrency scam after scammers impersonated Microsoft and her bank, convincing her to transfer money to a Bitcoin ATM under the false pretense of protecting her account from fraud. Local police reported an alarming increase in similar crypto scams over the past year, with some departments posting warning signs at Bitcoin ATMs to alert residents to common scam tactics. Once the money was transferred to the ATM, it was lost and likely moved internationally.
ktemnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Following natural disasters in Texas, scammers target vulnerable residents seeking repairs and relief, with 63% of state residents falling victim to post-disaster scams according to Instant Roofer data, and Hurricane Beryl alone causing $2 billion in damage and displacing 1.4 million people. Common scams include fraudulent contractors, fake FEMA representatives, phony charities, and identity theft schemes. To protect yourself, verify business reviews, get all agreements in writing, avoid upfront payments, and be cautious of unsolicited relief offers and utility shutoff threats.
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Barbara Trickle, an 80-year-old Las Vegas resident, pleaded guilty to operating a prize notice scam that defrauded over $15 million from thousands of elderly victims across the United States between 2012 and 2018. Using her printing and mailing company, Trickle designed and distributed millions of fraudulent letters claiming recipients had won cash prizes but needed to pay small upfront fees ($20-$50) to claim them; victims received only cheap trinkets or bogus reports and were repeatedly targeted with additional mailings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service shut down the operation in February 2018, and authorities warn the public to avoid responding
etvbharat.com
· 2025-12-08
Truecaller announced Scamfeed, a new in-app community feature that allows users to anonymously report and discuss scams in real-time, creating a crowdsourced early warning system against fraud. The platform enables users to share experiences with various scam types—including phishing, impersonation, dating scams, and financial fraud—and check if others have reported similar suspicious activity, helping users identify red flags and protect themselves and their networks.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams using remote access software (such as AnyDesk and TeamViewer) have become increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters posing as financial advisers or IT technicians to trick victims into granting device access, allowing them to steal funds, personal data, and banking credentials. These scams cause significant financial losses and serious long-term psychological consequences, including damage to credit ratings and erosion of trust. Criminals typically initiate contact via phone, email, or social media, impersonate trusted institutions, and once granted access, transfer funds to untraceable accounts, purchase cryptocurrencies, or manipulate online banking systems.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article describes an educational event held by AARP Virginia that presented information about six types of scams targeting older adults, paired with wine tastings. The scams covered included cryptocurrency fraud (where victims are tricked into depositing cash at crypto ATMs), jury duty scams (imposter calls claiming arrest is imminent unless fines are paid), and romance scams, with volunteers providing recognition strategies and prevention advice for each.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
· 2025-12-08
A criminal ring operating from Cambodia used deepfake technology to create fake personas of attractive women and men to conduct romance and investment scams, defrauding over 100 victims of approximately $8.39 million since March 2024. Police arrested 10 suspects and booked 35 others involved in the operation, which targeted vulnerable populations including people with disabilities, the elderly, and homemakers, with individual losses ranging from approximately $1,400 to $560,000. The scammers built elaborate fake identities with detailed backstories and video call capabilities to gain trust before requesting money for living expenses or directing victims to fraudulent investment platforms.
messagemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
The Palm Springs Police Department is warning senior residents in the Coachella Valley about increasingly sophisticated online scams that target older adults through phone calls, emails, text messages, and QR codes to steal personal and financial information. The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert is combating the problem by offering weekly "Teach Tech" classes that educate seniors about common scams and how to identify warning signs, with the center seeking additional volunteers to expand the program and address a waiting list of interested seniors.
asianjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Nevada officials warned seniors about rising SSA impersonation scams, following an FTC report showing Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with adults aged 70 and older heavily targeted. Scammers use spoofed numbers and fear tactics—claiming suspended Social Security numbers or unpaid taxes—to extract personal information, with Filipino-American seniors particularly vulnerable due to language barriers and cultural factors. Authorities recommend hanging up on suspicious calls, never providing personal information unsolicited, and reporting incidents to the FTC or Nevada Attorney General's office, while community groups advocate for multilingual prevention resources.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio officials are raising awareness during Older Americans Month about the escalating threat of scams targeting seniors, noting that complaints in the state's Division of Securities increased 22% from 2023 to 2024 (247 to 302 complaints), while nationally seniors lost $1.6 billion to fraud between January and May 2024. Scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated voice cloning and cryptocurrency schemes, with seniors targeted due to perceived vulnerability and financial assets. Officials recommend protective measures such as verifying identities, resisting pressure tactics, monitoring accounts, and utilizing available fraud resources and monitoring services.
10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio seniors lost an average of $18,000 each to scammers in the past year, totaling $54 million statewide, with artificial intelligence making fraud increasingly sophisticated. Rising threats include fraudulent text messages mimicking legitimate banks and federal agencies, as well as data breaches at senior care facilities, such as a breach affecting over 50,000 people at HCF Management. Authorities recommend seniors monitor credit regularly, file fraud reports to help track criminal trends, and consider credit freezes or free credit monitoring to protect themselves.
localmemphis.com
· 2025-12-08
Tennessee residents are being targeted by a phone scam impersonating the SafeTN App, with fraudsters sending text messages claiming recipients owe overdue toll fees and threatening license suspension to pressure immediate payment. The scam messages often contain links to fake government websites designed to steal personal information. Officials advise residents to never click suspicious links, verify communications through official channels using known phone numbers and "@tn.gov" email addresses, and report such messages to their carriers.
ic3.gov
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of discount medical insurance scams that promise reduced rates but provide no actual coverage, resulting in millions in annual losses and primarily targeting people seeking affordable healthcare through unsolicited contact. Washington state issued a cease-and-desist order against one fraudulent company after over 100 complaints, with victims reporting misrepresented coverage, denied refunds, and unauthorized charges; specific cases included Pennsylvania residents pressured into plans with no actual coverage, a Texas senior deceived into unwanted dental insurance, and a Maryland man left responsible for $7,000 in surgery costs after his purchased plan was not accepted by his hospital. To protect themselves, consumers should verify that insurance companies are licensed in their state through the state
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The article highlights economic anxiety-driven scams targeting Americans facing recession fears and inflation concerns. Two prevalent scams are detailed: fraudulent "subsidy card" schemes on social media falsely promising government assistance for groceries and rent (legitimate programs like SNAP exist but aren't advertised online), and fake federal grant scams that contact unsuspecting victims claiming they've won free money—real grants are free to claim and rarely awarded to individuals. The article advises verifying opportunities through official channels like 211.org for assistance programs and Grants.gov for legitimate grants.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of sophisticated scams where fraudsters impersonate doctors, police, and bank officials using spoofed numbers and "smishing" texts, often targeting previous fraud victims through social media with promises of fund recovery. These schemes employ AI and deepfakes to appear legitimate, with scammers posing as recovery experts or FBI officials to steal personal information and money a second time. The article recommends staying calm when contacted by suspected scammers, avoiding unknown contact numbers, refusing remote access or software downloads, using strong antivirus protection, and considering personal information removal services as defensive measures.
hawaiibusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Hawai'i residents lost $61.6 million to fraud in 2024, with scams ranging from romance and cryptocurrency schemes to employment and ticket fraud. While younger people now fall victim to scams as frequently as older adults due to increased online activity and confidence with technology, older adults typically lose larger amounts of money per incident, with romance scams having the highest median loss at $6,099. Experts advise victims and potential targets to pause and step away from high-pressure situations to recognize scams, as fraudsters rely on creating urgency and emotional manipulation to bypass critical thinking.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cambodia-based gang with North Korean ties operated the Huione Group, which facilitated "pig butchering" romance scams and other cyber fraud against Americans, stealing at least $4 billion between August 2021 and January 2025. The scammers used dating apps, social media, and professional networking sites to pose as romantic interests or business contacts, convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency or transfer funds for fake business ventures. The U.S. Treasury Department announced a proposed rule to sever Huione's access to the American financial system, with one victim, Beth Hyland, losing $26,000 after being manipulated into sending bitcoin payments through ATMs to a Nigeria
fhtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers tailor their fraud tactics by age group, targeting Gen Z with employment and crypto scams on social media, millennials with investment fraud via text and email, Gen X with retirement-focused investment schemes, and seniors with romance, home improvement, and crypto scams that often result in losses of $10,000 to $100,000 or more. Seven key warning signs of scams include unsolicited contact from strangers, requests for money or wire transfers, artificial urgency, coaching about what to tell financial institutions, and discouragement from trusting banks. The article advises verifying suspicious offers through Google searches, consulting trusted contacts and financial institutions, and recognizing that fraudsters use
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for Southern Illinois partnered with the Du Quoin Public Library to host a fraud prevention seminar educating seniors on common scams targeting them via phone, text, email, and online platforms, including schemes where fraudsters impersonate federal agents to extort money. Prosecutors from the Southern District of Illinois presented information on fraud schemes, federal cases, and tips for detecting scams, noting that local scammers have previously defrauded seniors in the region of substantial portions of their life savings.
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, more than 4,300 older New Yorkers were defrauded, losing over $200 million, as older Americans nationwide lost $3.4 billion to scams. The Trump administration is attempting to dismantle the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by firing approximately 90% of its staff, including nearly all employees of the Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans, which provides fraud education and counseling to seniors. This action threatens to leave vulnerable older adults without critical protections and resources, despite the CFPB having returned over $21 billion in compensation to Americans harmed by financial fraud since its creation.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen for a cryptocurrency investment scam on Facebook, where scammers posed as her offering "Expert Crypto Trader" services with falsified certificates. California has reported over 190,000 cases of alleged financial abuse against seniors from January 2022 to February 2025, with cryptocurrency, phishing, romance, and government impersonation scams being prevalent, particularly in Fresno and Madera counties. Experts recommend seniors avoid sending money to unknown individuals, verify claims through official sources, and report suspected fraud to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.
nbcpalmsprings.com
· 2025-12-08
Palm Springs Police issued a warning to seniors about a surge in phone scams, cautioning residents not to provide money over the phone. Chief Andy Mills highlighted concerns about police impersonation scams and other fraud targeting elderly residents in the Coachella Valley area.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole $243.5 million from Colorado victims and over $16 billion nationwide, according to FBI data—a $56 million increase in Colorado compared to 2023. Seniors aged 60 and older reported 3,125 complaints involving $74.5 million in losses, with the most costly schemes being investment fraud ($90 million), business email compromise ($48 million), and personal data breaches ($23 million). The FBI warns that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using social media, dating sites, and text messages to build trust before pitching fraudulent cryptocurrency and other investment schemes, with recovery of stolen funds typically
futurism.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-powered "realtime deepfakes" to commit fraud against elderly and younger users alike, altering their appearance and voices in live videos to impersonate trusted individuals or create convincing false identities. Common schemes include romance scams, Medicare fraud, and the "grandparent scam," in which criminals impersonate a loved one's voice to coerce money or sensitive information; one Canadian grandmother lost $9,000 CAD to such a scam. While elderly users are traditionally vulnerable, research shows younger generations (Gen Z, millennials, Gen X) are 34 percent more likely to lose money to fraud overall, though the growing sophist
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The FBI has issued a warning about fraudulent discount medical insurance schemes that cost victims millions annually, targeting people seeking affordable healthcare with misleading offers that promise coverage but provide none. Scammers use unsolicited contact and high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into quick sign-ups, with documented cases including a Pennsylvania couple and Maryland resident who discovered their policies provided no coverage after medical events, leaving them responsible for thousands in bills. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, reviewing policy documents carefully, and avoiding upfront payments to protect against these scams.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
A Louisville mother received a scam call using AI-generated voice cloning technology to impersonate her 10-year-old daughter claiming to be in a car accident; a man identifying himself as "Hector" then threatened to kidnap the child and demanded the mother meet him, but she immediately verified her daughter was safe at school. The FBI has issued warnings about criminals using artificial intelligence to clone voices and impersonate loved ones in crisis scenarios, and experts recommend families establish safe words, verify callers' locations, and never send money to unknown individuals.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using advanced tools like generative AI to defraud mobile consumers, with annual losses exceeding $1 trillion globally according to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. Google is rolling out AI-powered scam detection features for Android users, including real-time warnings in Google Messages and phone call analysis, while experts recommend supplementing these tools with additional security measures like strong antivirus software to stay ahead of evolving fraud tactics.
munsifdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Secunderabad lost ₹1.31 lakh after being scammed by a fraudster posing as an army officer interested in renting her flat. The scammer used a "reverse payment mode" trick, convincing her to first receive and then refund a test amount to "confirm the transaction," after which he disappeared and became unreachable. The victim filed a complaint with Cyber Crime Police, and authorities warned the public to verify identities and avoid sharing financial information without proper authentication.
postbulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old Rochester woman lost $2,000 in a phone scam in February 2022 when a caller impersonating a Geek Squad representative convinced her to purchase Target gift cards to cancel a subscription. After the woman photographed and sent the gift card codes to the scammer, she realized the fraud had occurred. Police emphasized that legitimate businesses never request payment via gift cards.
komando.com
· 2025-12-08
A 90-year-old Nashville grandmother lost $6,000 to an elaborate "grandparent scam" in which scammers used a deepfaked voice impersonating her granddaughter Amanda, claiming she needed money immediately after a car accident; a person came to her home to collect the cash. The victim only discovered the fraud when she called back requesting to speak directly with her granddaughter, highlighting how the scam exploited her love and the urgency of the emergency. The article recommends families establish a code word for emergency calls and adjust elderly relatives' phone settings to accept only saved contacts to prevent similar incidents.
b105country.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin Public Service warned customers of a scam in which fraudsters impersonate utility company representatives and demand immediate payment to avoid service disconnection, creating false urgency to panic victims into providing banking information for theft. The scam targeted residential customers, businesses, and religious organizations across Wisconsin, with scammers requesting payment details to steal money and personal identity information. WPS advised customers to hang up suspicious calls and contact the company directly to verify any service issues.
commercialappeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Task scams targeting job seekers have "skyrocketed," with reports quadrupling from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in the first half of 2024, according to FTC alerts. These scams lure victims through unsolicited texts or WhatsApp messages promising online work through gamified apps, then request victims invest their own money (often in cryptocurrency) with promises of commissions, resulting in losses of hundreds to thousands of dollars per victim—with task scams accounting for nearly 40 percent of the $220 million in total job scam losses in early 2024. The FTC and BBB advise avoiding unsolicited job
columbiavalleypioneer.com
· 2025-12-08
On April 21, Columbia Valley RCMP responded to a report from a gas station employee who suspected an elderly customer was being scammed after they attempted to purchase Apple gift cards; officers located the victim and provided fraud education. The RCMP warned of an increase in online gift card scams where fraudsters impersonate phone companies, the Canada Revenue Agency, and family members to request payment, targeting seniors who should be educated that no legitimate companies accept gift cards as payment.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Generative AI has significantly enhanced phishing and fraud schemes by producing grammatically correct, localized content in regional languages and dialects that previously escaped scammers' reach, making traditional red flags like poor spelling obsolete. AI chatbots now effectively initiate romance scams and impersonation fraud, while AI-generated audio deepfakes are already being used in real-time to target company employees, though video deepfakes remain less convincing despite high-profile cases like the $25 million Hong Kong fraud.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen in a cryptocurrency investment scam when friends congratulated her on launching a crypto business; the fraudulent Facebook post falsely claimed she was a certified "Expert Crypto Trader" and garnered 160+ responses, though the actual number of victims who sent money remains unknown. California's Department of Social Services received over 190,000 reports of financial abuse against seniors between January 2022 and February 2025, with experts noting that older adults are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency, phishing, impersonation, and romance fraud, especially as AI technology makes these schemes more convincing.
nbcpalmsprings.com
· 2025-12-08
Palm Springs Police issued a warning to seniors about sophisticated scam tactics targeting older adults, highlighting the growing threat of phone-based fraud in the community. The alert emphasized the importance of financial safety and fraud prevention measures for vulnerable populations.