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AARP New York, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and other officials launched "The Big Shred NY!" initiative, offering 27 free document shredding locations across New York State through May 2025 to help residents safely dispose of personal documents and prevent identity theft. Fraud targeting Americans reached $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase from 2023—with New York State accounting for $534 million in losses, and adults over 50 reporting $159 million in losses from 28,578 documented fraud cases.

The U.S. Secret Service seized the website NFT-UNI.com, which was used in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam that defrauded victims of over $4.5 million from November 2023 to March 2024, including a New York victim who lost $172,405.61. In pig butchering scams, fraudsters build trust with victims through fake online relationships before directing them to fraudulent crypto investment platforms where funds are laundered and disappear. Older Americans are particularly targeted, with the FBI reporting that individuals over 60 lost $3.4 billion to investment fraud in 2023, with cryptocurrency schemes representing $2

JPMorgan Chase is pursuing additional lawsuits against customers who exploited an "infinite money glitch" discovered in August 2024, which allowed users to deposit fraudulent checks via ATM and withdraw funds before the checks bounced. The bank has filed suits in Georgia, Florida, New York, and Texas against individuals accused of stealing amounts up to $75,000 each, and has sent demand letters to over 1,000 customers since October 2024, with a representative stating the bank will pursue cases "for as long as it takes to hold fraudsters accountable."

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a sports news piece about the New York Rangers hockey team's disappointing season, their head coach's dismissal, and player reflections on their performance. It does not contain relevant content for the Elderus fraud research database.

FBI data reveals that scammers stole over $16.6 billion in 2023, a 33% increase despite heightened public awareness, with victims losing an average of $19,000 each. Adults over 60 were disproportionately targeted, filing the most complaints and losing the most money at $4.8 billion total (averaging $80,000 per victim), with investment scams, romance scams, and tech support scams being the leading fraud types.

This article is a promotional piece for SecretBenefits.com, a sugar dating website, claiming it offers a secure platform with verified profiles, transparent pricing, and fraud prevention measures to protect users from common sugar dating scams. The platform advertises features including identity verification protocols, a flexible credit-based payment system, and enhanced security to distinguish itself from fraudulent dating websites in the sugar dating niche.

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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.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand warned that proposed cuts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)—including elimination of nearly 90% of staff and the Office of Financial Protection for Older Americans—will leave seniors vulnerable to fraud and scams. In 2023 alone, over 4,300 older New Yorkers lost more than $200 million to scams, and the CFPB has historically returned over $21 billion to victims while providing critical financial education and fraud prevention resources. Gillibrand called for full restoration of CFPB staffing to maintain protections against elder fraud and financial exploitation.

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The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are creating fraudulent websites claiming to offer REAL IDs online without requiring in-person DMV visits, capitalizing on confusion and urgency as the federal REAL ID requirement took effect on May 7, 2025. To obtain a legitimate REAL ID, applicants must visit their local DMV in person with required documentation; consumers should avoid any online offers and never provide bank account or credit card information. The BBB advises reporting suspicious websites to the BBB Scam Tracker.

Lance Norman, 36, of Queens, was arrested for operating a Publishers Clearing House scam targeting a Columbia County resident who lost approximately $62,000 in cash across two in-person meetings in Hudson. Norman was located in Westchester County with a large sum of cash in his vehicle and was charged with grand larceny and conspiracy, both felonies. New York State Police urged the public to be cautious of prize or sweepstakes scams demanding upfront payments and to report suspicious financial activity targeting older adults.

On May 12, 2025, Lance Norman, 36, of Queens, NY, was arrested for operating a fraudulent Publishers Clearing House scheme targeting an elderly resident of Chatham, NY, who was defrauded of approximately $62,000 across two cash payments. Norman was charged with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree after being stopped by state troopers in Westchester County with a large amount of cash in his vehicle; he admitted to meeting with the victim and receiving the money.

The author experienced two scams: a utility impersonation scam where a caller claiming to be from Con Edison demanded $450 payment via cash transfer for a fake "conversion fee," and a phishing scheme involving unsolicited text messages from someone posing as "Elena" attempting to extract personal information through social engineering. Both scams were avoided when the author recognized the suspicious tactics and verified the claims with legitimate sources and authorities. The piece highlights that scams cost American adults an estimated $47 billion in 2024, with romance scams alone resulting in $697.3 million in losses across nearly 59,000 victims.

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Meta Platforms' Facebook and Instagram have become major conduits for internet fraud, accounting for nearly half of reported scams on JPMorgan Chase's Zelle payment platform between summer 2023 and 2024, with similar patterns documented by British and Australian regulators. An internal 2022 Meta analysis found that 70 percent of newly active advertisers were promoting scams, illicit goods, or low-quality products, driven by cryptocurrencies, AI, and overseas crime networks. The company has been reluctant to remove repeat scammers or add fraud prevention measures that might impact its $160 billion advertising business, despite repeated employee warnings.

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A New York watchdog group issued an alert warning Medicare cardholders about medical identity theft, where scammers use personal health information or Medicare numbers to fraudulently bill for services. The alert emphasizes that Medicare, the IRS, and Social Security will never call requesting information, and advises victims to monitor statements, contact their doctor's office, call Medicare at 1-800-Medicare, or call the New York State Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-333-4374 for assistance.

The New York Statewide Senior Action Council warned of a spreading Medicare scam involving medical identity theft, where criminals obtain seniors' confidential medical information to fraudulently bill for services and supplies. The alert comes as the FTC reports identity theft has risen since late 2023, with thousands of Americans—particularly older adults—falling victim annually; authorities advise seniors never to share Medicare or Social Security numbers with unsolicited callers and to verify suspicious claims directly with Medicare (1-800-Medicare) or their doctors.

Governor Hochul issued a consumer alert warning NBA fans purchasing tickets to the New York Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals games at Madison Square Garden to avoid ticket scams, which surge during high-demand sporting events. The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection provided tips to prevent fraud, including purchasing only from official venues and trusted sources, avoiding online marketplaces and street scalpers, and verifying seller legitimacy before completing transactions.

**Summary:** Rakeshkumar Patel, a 36-year-old Indian national living illegally in the U.S., pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. Patel and co-conspirators posed as federal agents over the phone, convincing victims their identities were compromised and their accounts under investigation, then instructed them to withdraw life savings and convert them to cash or gold bars, which Patel and other couriers collected in person. Patel faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.

An 82-year-old retired urban planner named Brian Ketcham lost significant money to romance scammers on the dating website Dream Singles, communicating with profiles of women (primarily one named "Vasilisa") who likely did not exist in real life. After his death in 2024, his children discovered hundreds of printed chat transcripts and documented evidence of the scheme, which required him to purchase credits for each message sent to the fake profiles. The article explores how his initial skepticism gradually eroded as the scammers built emotional connections with him, ultimately resulting in financial loss before his death.

Rakeshkumar Patel, 36, from Flushing, New York, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in a scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of over $2 million. The scam targeted senior citizens across multiple states, including Delaware, and resulted in federal charges accepted by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews.

A 36-year-old Flushing, New York man pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scam that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. The scheme involved fraudsters posing as federal agents who convinced victims their identities had been compromised, then instructed them to liquidate life savings and convert funds to cash or gold bars, which couriers like the defendant collected from victims' homes. The defendant faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.

Suffolk County police warn of a new banking fraud scheme targeting Long Island seniors using AI-generated voice calls and spoofed bank numbers to trick victims into revealing PIN numbers and allowing criminals to steal their cards and money from ATMs. Multiple banks are alerting customers about these fraudulent hotlines, with surveillance identifying alleged ringleaders in Bohemia and Garden City who specifically target elderly and vulnerable individuals. Authorities advise people to hang up when prompted for personal information and to contact their banks directly if they suspect fraud.

AARP New York is advocating for passage of legislation (S.6379/A.7019) that would allow banks to place holds on suspicious transactions and refer cases to law enforcement to prevent elder financial fraud. According to an FBI report, scams targeting New Yorkers age 60 and older resulted in over $257 million in losses from more than 6,200 victims in 2024, an increase from $203 million stolen from 4,300 victims in 2023. The proposed measure, already adopted by 24 other states, would train financial institution employees to identify and intervene in cases of financial exploitation before transactions are completed.

The New York State Department of Motor Vehicles issued an alert warning residents of phishing text scams where fraudsters impersonate the DMV to steal personal information, often claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threatening license suspension or registration revocation. Over 170 phishing scams were reported across upstate New York regions in 2024, and the DMV recommends residents verify communications, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report incidents to [email protected] or the Federal Trade Commission.

DMVs across multiple states (New York, Florida, California) are warning drivers about phishing text messages ("smishing") falsely claiming unpaid traffic violations and threatening penalties to steal personal and financial information. These scams are part of a growing trend; Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts in April alone, and the FTC reported Americans lost over $12 billion to fraud in 2024. Experts recommend not clicking links from unknown numbers, registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, and remaining skeptical of unsolicited requests for personal information.

Two seniors in Suffolk County were targeted by bank impersonation scams in which fraudsters posed as bank employees, convinced victims their accounts were compromised, and picked up their debit cards in person—resulting in $5,150 in ATM withdrawals by unidentified accomplices. Suffolk County officials highlighted these incidents to warn about the rising threat, noting that scams targeting New Yorkers 60 and older caused over $257 million in losses from 6,200 victims in 2024, a significant increase from 2023.

DMVs in multiple states are warning drivers of phishing text messages ("smishing") falsely claiming unpaid traffic violations and threatening penalties to trick recipients into revealing personal and financial information. This scam is part of a larger trend of SMS phishing attacks, with Americans receiving 19.2 billion spam texts in April alone, and fraud losses exceeding $12 billion in 2024. Experts recommend registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, avoiding links from unknown numbers, and remaining skeptical of requests for personal information.

A New York man pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over $2.1 million between May 2023 and May 2024. The scheme involved posing as federal agents to convince elderly victims that their identities were compromised, then instructing them to liquidate savings and convert funds into cash or gold bars, which the conspirators collected in person. Rakeshkumar Patel, 36, was arrested near Millsboro, Delaware in May 2024 and faces more than five years in federal prison upon sentencing.

The New York State DMV issued an alert about phishing scams using fraudulent text messages falsely claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension, with over 170 cases reported across upstate New York regions in 2024. These scams attempt to steal personal information or install malicious software by impersonating the DMV, which does not send unsolicited text messages requesting personal data. Residents are advised to delete suspicious messages immediately and report incidents to the DMV or the Federal Trade Commission.

The New York State DMV is warning residents of phishing text scams where fraudsters impersonate the agency to steal personal information, often claiming victims have outstanding traffic tickets that must be paid by a deadline or face license suspension. Over 170 such phishing scams were reported across upstate New York regions in 2024, with red flags including poor grammar, threatening language, and suspicious URLs. Victims should avoid clicking links or sharing personal information and can report suspected phishing to the DMV or Federal Trade Commission.

Toll fee smishing scams—fraudulent text messages claiming users owe payment for tolls—have surged in waves since 2024, with the FBI and FTC issuing warnings and state DMVs in New York, Florida, and California recently alerting residents to the threat. In April 2025 alone, Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts, and text-based fraud attempts generated approximately $470 million in criminal revenue according to the FTC's 2024 data. The article advises consumers to verify sender phone numbers and domain names, check official toll agency websites, avoid engaging with messages, use mobile security features, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's Internet Crime

Chautauqua County DMV is warning residents about phishing text messages falsely claiming to be from the New York DMV, demanding immediate payment for traffic fines and threatening vehicle registration suspension. Phishing scams have doubled since 2022 and are among the top three scams reported to the Better Business Bureau, affecting people across all age groups with some victims losing over $1,000. To protect themselves, residents should avoid clicking suspicious links, verify messages directly with their local DMV, check for spelling errors and suspicious web addresses, and never share personal information via text or email.

Nadine Jazimne Wade, a 30-year-old Bronx resident, was sentenced to 63 months in prison for laundering over $2 million in proceeds from romance scams targeting elderly victims across the United States between 2016 and 2021. Scammers based in Nigeria and South Africa used fake identities to build romantic relationships with victims online, then convinced them to send money to bank accounts controlled by Wade, who rapidly moved the funds through cash withdrawals, vehicle purchases, and transfers to other scheme members. Wade was ordered to pay $1,772,618 in restitution and forfeit $2,261,791.

Nearly 7,500 AARP members and New Yorkers delivered letters to state legislative leaders urging support for bills (S.6379 and A.7019) to protect older adults from financial exploitation, following an FBI report showing scams targeting New Yorkers age 60+ resulted in over $257 million in losses from more than 6,200 victims in 2024—a significant increase from $203 million in 2023. The proposed legislation would require bank employees to identify signs of financial exploitation, place holds on suspicious transactions, and refer cases to law enforcement. AARP is calling on lawmakers to pass this measure before the 2025 legislative session ends in June

**Summary:** The New York State Police warned of an ongoing phone spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials to extract sensitive personal information like Social Security numbers from victims, often threatening arrest or legal action. Legitimate government agencies never demand personal information or threaten consequences over the phone; recipients should hang up immediately, avoid sharing any data, and verify calls by contacting agencies directly using trusted numbers.

New Yorkers have reported receiving scam messages claiming they owe money for unpaid E-ZPass or tolling charges, with such scams increasing after holiday travel periods like Memorial Day weekend. Scam experts note these fraudulent messages exploit the timing of heavy travel to appear more credible to potential victims.

The New York State Police warned residents about an escalating phone spoofing scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement through spoofed caller IDs, threatening legal action or arrest to coerce victims into revealing Social Security numbers and personal information. The scam exploits fear-based tactics and technology that manipulates caller ID displays; authorities emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never demands personal details or threatens arrests by phone. Residents are advised to hang up immediately on suspicious calls, verify caller identity through official agency numbers, and report incidents to the New York State Police.

New York State Police warned of a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement or government officials, using spoofing technology to make calls appear legitimate while demanding Social Security numbers and personal information under threats of arrest. State Police clarified that legitimate agencies never request sensitive information or threaten legal action by phone.

NY State Police warned residents of phone spoofing scams in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement to extract sensitive personal information like social security numbers. The agency emphasized they never call to demand personal information or threaten arrest, and advised residents to refuse information requests, avoid sending money, hang up immediately, and verify calls by contacting agencies directly using trusted numbers.

A woman in her early 30s was targeted by a romance scam in which her online boyfriend of six months, claiming to work on an offshore oil rig in Dubai, requested $10,000 to cover a family emergency and asked her to borrow the money from coworkers and relatives. The victim's coworker recognized the classic scam indicators and warned her, eventually discovering that the victim had already sent the scammer $50-500 in smaller amounts over six months before the relationship ended when she couldn't provide the larger sum. The victim eventually acknowledged the scam after the "boyfriend" ghosted her when she proved unable to obtain the money.

A Delaware woman lost $701,529 in gold bars between August 2023 and February 2024 after scammers posing as federal agents claimed her identity had been stolen and she was under investigation; they told her the Treasury would safeguard gold bars she purchased to resolve the matter. When authorities caught the scheme, they arrested Rakeshkumar Patel, an Indian national illegally residing in New York, who pleaded guilty after attempting to collect an additional $300,000 in gold in May 2024. The scam was part of a larger fraud operation targeting older affluent adults across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, with a combined loss of $2.1

A multi-state text scam impersonating the North Carolina DMV claimed recipients had unpaid traffic tickets or toll charges and threatened vehicle registration suspension or required payment of $6.99 within hours. The fraudulent texts included links to fake websites mimicking official DMV sites, designed to steal personal information or payment card details from drivers across North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Florida. The NC DMV advises recipients not to respond, to block the sender, and to report the messages to the FTC via text to 7726.

Scammers in Wisconsin are impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation DMV by sending text messages claiming unpaid traffic violations or final notices, attempting to trick recipients into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. The Wisconsin DMV received a large volume of complaints on June 2 and noted similar scams had recently targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. The DMV advises residents not to respond to unsolicited texts, avoid clicking links, and warns to be suspicious of communications requesting money or creating urgency.

**Summary:** A senior fraud prevention forum is being held in Glenmont, NY on June 23 to educate seniors and community members about avoiding common scams and fraud. The event, hosted by Senator Patricia Fahy, AARP New York, and local officials, highlights that senior fraud costs consumers over $3 billion annually and has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic.

DMV officials across multiple U.S. states issued advisories in May warning citizens about text message scams impersonating the DMV and demanding payment for fake "outstanding tolls" or traffic violations, with messages threatening license suspension, penalties, or legal action. The fraudulent texts use official-looking ".gov" links and domain variations (such as "ezpassnj") to appear legitimate, targeting unsuspected victims in at least ten states including New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California. Authorities recommend recipients delete the messages immediately, avoid clicking links or providing information, and report the scams to the FTC or their service provider via the SPAM hotline (7726).

This educational article outlines scam prevention strategies shared at a training session in New York targeting older adults. Key advice includes slowing down, consulting friends or neighbors before responding to suspicious requests, and avoiding sharing personal information—as scammers rely on speed and isolation to succeed. Common scams affecting seniors include romance scams, postal fraud, charitable giving scams, and text message schemes, with perpetrators often prioritizing theft of personal data (like Social Security numbers or credit card information) over individual payments.