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This is an educational piece providing advice on protecting oneself from online scams. The expert outlines common scam types—including phishing emails, fake websites, investment schemes, romance scams, tech support scams, lottery scams, and job scams—and recommends protective practices such as being cautious with personal information, verifying requests directly with service providers, using strong passwords, and remaining skeptical of unexpected messages. The key message is that staying informed and vigilant about evolving fraud tactics significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to online fraud.

A retired IT professional in northeast Ohio, known as "Eastside Eddie," combats robocall and text scams by posing as a victim to waste scammers' time and expose their tactics on YouTube and in community educational classes. Cuyahoga County residents lost over $3.4 million to various scams last year, with two victims losing their homes, prompting both Eddie's vigilante efforts and an official county awareness campaign highlighting common schemes (romance, grandparent, company/government, and lottery scams) and warning signs like requests for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or remote computer access.

A 77-year-old woman lost $130,000 of her life savings to a lottery scam operated by Darien Deventon Smith and Sheniece Elaine Smith of Connecticut, who convinced her in March 2024 that she had won a jackpot and car but needed to pay various "taxes" and "processing fees" to claim the prize. Over months of manipulation, the victim opened multiple bank accounts and purchased money orders at the scammers' direction before becoming suspicious and contacting authorities; both suspects were arrested in February 2025 and face charges of obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Digital payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal are increasingly exploited by scammers, with customers at three banks losing over $870 million to Zelle fraud since 2017 according to a CFPB lawsuit. Common scams include cash flipping schemes, phishing expeditions, fake item sales, counterfeit tickets, software glitch fraud, and security deposit schemes, all of which exploit the irreversible nature of digital transfers. Users should verify requests through official channels, never pay sight unseen, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails to protect themselves from these threats.

Smishing (SMS phishing) scams have surged significantly, with Americans receiving 19.2 billion spam texts in February alone, often impersonating toll agencies, utilities, and financial institutions to trick victims into clicking malicious links or providing payment information. Scammers quickly adapt their tactics to current events—such as NYC's congestion pricing launch in January 2025—to exploit confusion and urgency among consumers. To protect themselves, consumers should register with the National Do Not Call Registry, never click links in unsolicited texts, verify requests by independently calling companies, and report scams to the FBI's IC3 or by forwarding messages to 7726.

Canadians lost $638 million to scams in 2024, with impersonation and investment fraud being the costliest types, as fraudsters increasingly use sophisticated technology including AI to create convincing deepfakes and pose as legitimate organizations or celebrities. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that while fewer cases were processed in 2024 compared to 2023, authorities estimate 90-95% of fraud cases go unreported, and recommend Canadians verify unexpected calls or messages and be aware of red flags such as requests for personal information or unsolicited payment demands. Key prevention strategies include trusting instincts, questioning suspicious communications, and educating seniors about evolving scam tactics.

Dozens of elderly people across the United States lost more than $6.6 million in a lottery scam conspiracy between October 2020 and January 2021, with two Jamaican nationals, Monique C. Clarke and Jon-Michael Hudson, indicted on money laundering charges. The scammers called victims claiming they had won lottery prizes, then convinced them to pay upfront fees for shipping, taxes, and processing by sending checks to money mules who deposited and transferred the funds to the defendants; Clarke personally received over $500,000 and used $150,000 to purchase a luxury Mercedes in Jamaica. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicte

The Michigan State Police urge residents to recognize and avoid common scams transmitted through phone calls, text messages, and social media, including romance scams that manipulate victims into sending money through fake emergencies, tech support scams offering fake virus solutions, and toll payment scams. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, artificial urgency, unusual payment demands (cryptocurrency or gift cards), and requests for personal or financial information. Authorities recommend trusting instincts, consulting trusted contacts or law enforcement if something seems suspicious, and not feeling ashamed to report suspected fraud.

An 80-year-old woman named Ngoc in Phan Thiet, Vietnam lost her entire life savings of VND3 billion (approximately US$117,000) to an elaborate prize-drawing scam between June 2023 and January 2024. Scammers posing as employees of a non-existent "Perfect Southeast Asia Joint Venture Shopping Center" convinced her to purchase hundreds of items at inflated prices (4-10 times their actual value) by promising high-value prizes and lucky draw codes, instructing her not to open packages; when she requested pickup of the goods in January 2024, the scammers took 36 items an

Local law enforcement agencies in Hamlet, North Carolina are warning residents about persistent financial scams, including gift card scams, prize scams, and imposter schemes involving government agencies, tech support, and family members. One resident lost $16,000 in a relative-in-trouble scam in January 2024 when a suspect posing as the victim's grandson claimed to be in jail and arranged a cash pickup at a restaurant; the suspect, Bryan Buonjiovanni, 19, of Canada, was later arrested and charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. Police recommend residents verify requests through independent contact with family members, never purchase gift cards for payments, and create secret family passwords to prevent

Phillip Priolo, a 61-year-old from Florida, was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and four counts of mail fraud for operating a mass mailing scheme from March 2015 to December 2016 that defrauded thousands of elderly victims. The scheme involved sending millions of personalized-appearing notices falsely claiming recipients had won a cash prize and requesting an upfront fee to collect it; victims who paid never received the promised prize. Priolo faces up to 20 years in prison per count, with sentencing to be scheduled later in 2022.

Grandparent scams targeting seniors in Niagara County involve fraudsters posing as family members in distress and requesting money via gift cards or cash to avoid legal consequences; one local victim lost $24,000 after being told a family member was in jail. According to law enforcement, these scams are widespread across multiple states and increasingly use artificial intelligence to clone victims' voices, with perpetrators often operating from outside the region and employing local accomplices to collect payments. Sheriff officials recommend hanging up to verify claims directly with family members and note that legitimate law enforcement never requests gift cards or cash over the phone.

The Pleasant Community Education Outreach Service (CEOS) in Point Pleasant, West Virginia held a meeting on March 13 where member Elaine Matheny presented an educational lesson on scams targeting senior citizens, covering ten types of fraud including telephone scams, IRS scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and lottery scams, along with prevention tips. The lesson, written by Gina Taylor and Carter Taylor, was designed to educate the community on how to recognize and avoid common elder fraud schemes.

Romance scams are evolving with AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake relationships, with scammers targeting Arizonans of all ages—particularly isolated seniors—to extract thousands of dollars through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster impersonating Brad Pitt using AI-generated hospital images, exemplifying how scammers build trust over months before requesting wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited contact with urgency, requests for personal information, upfront payment demands, and suspicious grammar, and can verify photos through reverse image searches.

Romance scams are evolving to incorporate AI-generated videos and images to impersonate celebrities and create fake online relationships, with scammers targeting people of all ages but particularly vulnerable seniors who feel isolated. A French woman lost $850,000 to a fraudster claiming to be Brad Pitt who used AI to fabricate hospital photos and impersonate the actor, requesting money for medical treatment. Consumers should watch for red flags including unsolicited urgent contact, requests for personal information, and demands for upfront payments, and can verify suspicious photos through reverse image searches.

An elderly widow who had accumulated significant wealth through early Coca-Cola investments lost her entire fortune to an online scammer despite family warnings and police intervention; she now lives in assisted living on a $5,000 monthly VA pension with only $1,000 remaining after care costs. The article documents this case alongside similar romance scams targeting affluent seniors, including a 73-year-old Boeing retiree who lost over $20,000 to a scammer posing as an MSNBC anchor, and notes that banks typically cannot reimburse authorized transfers to scammers. Prevention strategies emphasized include skepticism of online offers, resistance to pressure tactics, verification of contacts, an

A 76-year-old retired lawyer lost $740,000 in retirement savings to con artists who posed as federal investigators, convincing him he was helping with a fraud investigation. The article notes that retirees are frequent targets due to presumed savings, trust, cognitive vulnerabilities, and isolation, and outlines common scams including phishing emails, phone impersonations, and fake online sales, while recommending verification of unexpected requests, strong passwords, and reporting fraud rather than remaining silent due to embarrassment.

The IRS has warned Americans about tax scams targeting older adults that surge during filing season, with IRS impersonation being the most common fraud type. Scammers pose as government agencies or tax professionals using spoofed caller IDs and high-pressure tactics demanding untraceable payments (cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers), with adults aged 65-74 most frequently targeted; a McAfee survey found 48 percent of Americans received fake IRS messages, and 79 percent of those experienced collection attempts or threats. The IRS clarified it will never demand immediate payment via prepaid cards, threaten arrest, or request sensitive financial information by phone, and warns that AI-enhanced deep

According to the FTC's 2024 Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book, while younger people (ages 20-29) report fraud more frequently than seniors, adults aged 70 and older experience significantly higher median losses, with those 80+ losing a median of $1,650 per incident and seniors collectively losing $2.3 billion in 2024. Overall fraud losses in the United States reached $12.5 billion in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), with business imposters and government imposters being the most common scams targeting older adults, followed by tech support and lottery scams.

West Virginians reported over $27 million in fraud losses in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission, as scams continue to rise across the state through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The article outlines common scam tactics including IRS/Social Security impersonation, romance scams, tech support scams, and phishing emails, and advises consumers to watch for red flags such as urgent language, requests for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and unfamiliar contact information. Key protective measures include not answering unknown numbers, never clicking suspicious links, verifying charities before donating, and reporting suspected scams to authorities.

Imposter scams are among the most commonly reported forms of fraud, according to Federal Trade Commission data, with scammers posing as trusted businesses, government entities, family members, or romantic interests to deceive victims. While older adults typically lose larger sums when victimized, people in their 30s and 40s report the highest fraud victimization rates per age group, with scammers using tactics like fake Facebook accounts, urgency-creating threats, grandparent schemes, and romance scams to trick victims into sending money, gift cards, or personal information. Common scam tactics include impersonating utilities or banks threatening service shutoffs, posing as stranded relatives needing emergency funds

This educational article outlines four primary Microsoft-targeting scams: tech support scams (fraudsters posing as Microsoft IT staff to gain device access and install malware), text messaging scams (impersonating banks, IRS, delivery services to steal personal data), phishing scams (deceptive emails with malicious links targeting Microsoft Teams and other platforms), and Microsoft Teams scams (including malicious GIFs and voice phishing). The article provides protective measures for each scam type, emphasizing that users should never call unsolicited numbers, click suspicious links, respond to fraudulent texts, or open attachments from unknown senders.

Four individuals were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering as part of a sweepstakes scam that defrauded elderly and vulnerable victims of over $4.5 million across Pennsylvania and the United States. The defendants and their co-conspirators contacted victims claiming they had won multi-million-dollar prizes and used forged documents to convince them to send money in taxes and fees, which was then laundered through bank accounts and money mules to conspirators in Jamaica. All four defendants were arrested between March 14-27, 2025, and face sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

This educational article identifies four common Microsoft-targeted scams: tech support scams where fraudsters pose as Microsoft IT staff to gain device access and install malware; text messaging scams impersonating banks, the IRS, or delivery services to steal personal information; phishing scams using fake emails and links to trigger malware downloads; and Microsoft Teams scams involving malicious GIFs and voice phishing. Protection strategies include never calling unsolicited numbers or clicking popup links, verifying texts by calling organizations directly, avoiding suspicious email links, and being cautious of malicious attachments on Teams.

This article describes four common scams targeting seniors: Social Security Administration impostor scams that use caller ID spoofing to trick victims into moving money to gift cards; tech support scams where criminals pose as representatives from recognized companies to gain remote device access and obtain banking information; lottery scams where perpetrators impersonate officials and extract fees from supposed foreign lottery winners; and romance scams conducted through dating sites and social media where scammers build relationships to solicit money. These represent a small fraction of the scams seniors face, with detailed information available through the Department of Justice's elder justice resources.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned residents in 2024 about the state's top 10 complaint categories, with the Consumer Protection Division receiving over 3,900 complaints across 30+ scam types. Notable 2024 trends included significant increases in social media hacking/account locking and imposter scams, particularly schemes directing victims to cryptocurrency ATMs to send money to fraudsters. The top complaints involved auto fraud (623), internet/social media issues (593), imposter scams (376), home improvement fraud (332), and personal goods/services complaints, with the Attorney General's office urging Iowans to verify sellers, avoid prepayment and cryptocurrency

American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded, with fraudsters increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and impersonation scams. Key fraud types include AI-driven impersonation, phishing emails, investment/cryptocurrency scams (which rose to $3.96 billion in losses), tech support scams, and romance scams (which caused $1.14 billion in losses with a median loss of $2,000 per victim). Consumers should watch for red flags such as rushed messages, inconsistencies, and suspicious email addresses to protect themselves from these evolving schemes.

Philip Lehman's 80-year-old mother and 85-year-old stepfather experienced financial mismanagement due to early-stage cognitive impairment, including unpaid bills, missed tax filings, and excessive duplicate online purchases, prompting Lehman to obtain power of attorney and eventually move them to assisted living. A 2022 study found that over 7 million older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia manage their own finances despite difficulty doing so, and Americans 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with average losses near $34,000 per case. Natural age-related changes in the brain's prefron

The Trenton Police Department issued a public advisory on social engineering scams, which use psychological manipulation rather than technical hacking to exploit trust, fear, and urgency in order to steal personal information and valuables. Common scam types include phishing, vishing, smishing, baiting, pretexting, quid pro quo schemes, and scareware, all of which exploit gaps in user awareness and cybersecurity knowledge. The department recommends verifying requests through official channels, remaining skeptical of urgent demands, carefully checking URLs, protecting sensitive data, and reporting suspected scams immediately.

Modern scam artists now use email, text, and phone calls to impersonate officials and solicit money, with Americans losing over $10 billion to imposter scams in 2023. A notable case involved an 85-year-old Riverdale woman who lost $70,000 after being threatened with utility shutoffs and home vandalism. While older adults lose the most money to scams, awareness and protective measures like monitoring accounts, avoiding gift card requests, and reporting suspicious activity to the FTC or local law enforcement can help prevent fraud.

This educational article outlines major scams targeting older adults, including "pig butchering" (cryptocurrency investment fraud built through relationship manipulation), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using AI voice cloning), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article advises seniors and their families to watch for red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and to have trusted individuals review any communication requesting personal information or payment before responding.

**Financial Scams on the Rise; Community Education Efforts Expand** U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2023—a 25% increase from the previous year—with email and phone calls being the most common scam methods and imposter scams most frequently reported. Pineland Bank, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, and the Nassau County Council on Aging are partnering to offer free fraud awareness seminars to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding financial scams, noting that fewer than half of victims report incidents due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Experts advise consumers to become informed about evolving scam

This educational article identifies five major scams targeting seniors: "pig butchering" (long-term cryptocurrency investment schemes), tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams (sometimes using voice-cloning AI), and sweepstakes/lottery scams. The article explains that older adults are targeted due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, and recommends seniors watch for red flags including urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, crypto), poor grammar, and suspicious requests—while seeking a second opinion before sharing personal information or money.

This article outlines common scams targeting seniors, including "pig-butchering" schemes that build trust over time before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, as well as tech support scams, government impersonation scams, grandparent scams using voice cloning, and sweepstakes frauds. Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to larger savings, higher trust levels, and potential unfamiliarity with technology, compounded by factors like cognitive decline and social isolation. Key prevention strategies include teaching seniors to recognize red flags such as urgency, requests for untraceable payments (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), poor grammar, and soliciting personal information—and encouraging them to verify

Washington Trust Bank employees launched a Senior Fraud Awareness workshop series in April 2023 to combat rising scams targeting older adults, after branch staff witnessed seniors being pressured to withdraw cash while on phone calls with scammers. The trio of bank managers has conducted five workshops in Spokane senior living communities and plans to expand regionally, providing FTC data, practical fraud prevention tips, and resources for reporting elder fraud. According to federal data, older adults lost over $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023 alone, with estimates suggesting actual losses could reach $61.5 billion.

Elder fraud targeting adults 60 and older has become increasingly sophisticated in the digital age, with government impersonation scams alone costing Americans over $394 million in 2023—a 63% increase from the previous year. Common schemes include government agency impersonation (using caller ID spoofing to demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency), tech support scams (fraudsters claiming to fix nonexistent device problems to gain remote access), and foreign lottery scams (requiring victims to pay escalating fees). Protection requires understanding that legitimate government agencies typically contact via official mail, not phone calls or emails, and being aware of scammers' use of fear and urgency to bypass victim verification

A housewife in Tripura lost ₹22,000 to cyber fraudsters who called claiming she had won a ₹5,000 Google Play lottery prize and convinced her to share her One Time Password (OTP), granting them access to her Ujjivan Bank account. The victim, Mahamaya Acharya, had recently received a loan and fell victim to the scam within days, with the money siphoned by the next evening. Police advise that legitimate schemes never require OTP sharing or advance payments and urge the public to remain cautious before divulging personal information.

San Ramon student Adya Gupta founded Impactt Kids, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that provides scam education training to seniors and caregivers to help them recognize and avoid phone and internet fraud. The initiative, inspired by Gupta's grandmother who frequently receives scam calls, has trained seniors at local living centers on identifying scam calls, phishing emails, and fraudulent IRS, Medicare, and lottery schemes, with participants reporting successful fraud prevention as a result. The program plans to expand by integrating AI-powered scam detection tools and establishing a hotline for seniors to verify suspicious calls.

A FINRA Investor Education Foundation study of 905 fraud victims (mean age 75) identified by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service found that older adults are more vulnerable to opportunity-based scams (prize, product, and investment fraud) when they engage in high-exposure activities like opening junk mail, entering sweepstakes, and answering unknown calls. Key vulnerability factors include older age, loneliness, financial fragility, and risky financial behaviors, leading FINRA to recommend educational programs addressing loneliness, financial literacy, telemarketing exposure reduction, and distinguishing legitimate from fake lotteries and sweepstakes.

Phishing scams, particularly fake shipping notices impersonating UPS, are the most common fraud targeting Minnesotans, with 69 percent of state residents reporting low confidence in spotting such attempts. One in five Minnesotans have received localized phishing messages that reference nearby towns or businesses, making them increasingly difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications. The article advises consumers to verify deliveries directly through official websites, avoid clicking suspicious links, and be wary of urgent language and requests for personal information.

"Smishing" (SMS phishing) scams involve criminals sending vague text messages from spoofed numbers to lists of phone numbers obtained through data breaches or random generation, with the goal of getting recipients to respond and confirm their number is active. Once a response is received, scammers build rapport through casual conversation before pivoting to requests for money, investment opportunities, malware links, or personal information for account hijacking. The safest defense is to not respond to suspicious texts, block and report them, and recognize that these carefully crafted messages exploit high SMS open rates (98%) and response rates (45%) to identify and manipulate vulnerable targets.

This AARP educational article provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding common scams targeting consumers. Key fraud tactics covered include sweepstakes scams requiring upfront payment or personal information, fake checks used to exploit processing delays, fake QR codes directing victims to phishing sites, and cybercriminals stealing personal data. The article recommends protective measures such as creating strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping software updated, pausing before responding to urgent communications, and verifying checks through banks before acting on funds.

An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman, Barbara Trickle, pleaded guilty to organizing a prize notice fraud scheme that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly victims, by mailing millions of fraudulent notices claiming they had won cash prizes requiring $20-$50 fees to collect. Operating from 2012 to February 2018, Trickle used her printing and mailing business to produce the notices and stole over $15 million before the scheme was shut down by federal authorities.

**Summary:** Barbara Trickle, 80, of Las Vegas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a prize notice scam from 2012 to February 2018 that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly, of over $15 million. Trickle and her co-conspirators mailed fraudulent notices claiming victims had won cash prizes and would receive them upon paying $20-$50 fees; victims instead received worthless reports or trinkets and were subsequently inundated with additional fraudulent mailings. The scheme was shut down following a U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigation and court order.

Barbara Trickle, 80, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a printing and mailing business that produced millions of fraudulent prize notices between 2012 and 2018. The scheme targeted thousands of Americans, particularly elderly and vulnerable victims, who were told they could claim large cash prizes by paying fees of $20-$50, resulting in approximately $15.5 million in total losses. Trickle faced a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a minimum fine of $250,000.

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.

An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a printing and mailing business that produced millions of fake prize notices between 2012 and 2018, defrauding victims of over $15 million. The scheme instructed recipients to pay $20-$50 fees to claim non-existent cash prizes, then either sent worthless items or inundated victims with additional fraudulent mailings. The defendant supervised the lasering, printing, and mailing of the notices targeting vulnerable community members.

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

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.

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.