Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
10,158 results
in Scam Awareness
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
June Walker, a Detroit woman, paid $15,000 over four years for a rent-to-own lease from a fraudulent "landlord" who had no authority to lease the property; after making her final payment in 2021, she faced eviction by the actual owner, Boccafe LLC. Texas entrepreneur Jerry Gumbert learned of Walker's story and donated $45,000 to help her purchase the home outright in 2022, giving her ownership of the house she had worked to restore. The "fake landlord" scam is prevalent in Detroit, affecting an estimated one in ten residents facing eviction, and involves scammers collecting rent payments on properties they do not
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Between December 30 and January 5, Needham Police responded to multiple fraud incidents including check fraud, identity fraud on Elder Road, credit card fraud on Hunnewell Street, bank fraud, and a gift card scam, along with reports of suspicious communications and a stolen mailbox. While specific dollar amounts were not disclosed, the department advised victims on how to proceed and continues investigating the cases. The police encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
observer-reporter.com
· 2025-12-08
CHROME Federal Credit Union launched the Trusted Contact program in late 2024, a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau-recommended service that allows members to designate a trusted contact without granting financial access, enabling the credit union to reach out if potential fraud is detected. The initiative responds to a documented surge in elder fraud, with $3.4 billion in losses reported in 2023 and elder fraud complaints rising 14% year-over-year. CHROME, which serves approximately 14,000 members across eight Southwestern Pennsylvania counties, positioned the program as a critical protection tool amid growing fraud and scam awareness concerns.
malaymail.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Malaysia's Commercial Crime Investigation Department reported 770 love scam cases resulting in RM45.9 million in losses, with elderly women aged 61 and above representing the highest demographic affected at 173 victims. Approximately 75.6% of all love scam victims were women, with syndicates primarily using Facebook and WhatsApp to identify and manipulate emotionally vulnerable targets through increasingly sophisticated tactics.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This article announces Sheryl Harris, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs in Ohio, as the recipient of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection Partner Award for her long-standing work combating scams and elder fraud. Harris leads the Scam Squad initiative, which coordinates multiple agencies to alert residents about scams, encourage reporting, and share information with appropriate law enforcement, while also championing the Consumer Sentinel Network database and using innovative communication methods like text alerts to reach communities. Her contributions include creating plain-language scam alerts, collaborating on the Stop Senior Scams Act working committees, and establishing herself as a trusted voice on consumer protection through her journalism and community engagement efforts.
witf.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers and credit union representatives are advocating for new legislation to protect seniors from elder financial abuse, citing tech support scams, romance scams, and investment frauds as prevalent threats. They are urging updates to Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act to mandate reporting of suspected elder financial abuse and allow banks to place temporary holds on suspicious transactions while notifying law enforcement and aging agencies. The groups emphasize that trained bank employees can serve as critical safeguards against financial exploitation of older adults.
floridapolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
Gift card scams remain a prevalent fraud method in which scammers impersonate authority figures (like bosses) via spoofed emails using social engineering tactics, requesting victims purchase gift cards and share the codes. The article highlights that while gift card schemes typically involve smaller amounts (hundreds of dollars), related scams like wire transfer fraud and fake vendor invoices can result in losses reaching hundreds of thousands or millions, with recent examples including a University of Central Florida incident and U.S. Treasury hacking allegedly by Chinese government actors. Protection strategies include verifying requests through independent phone numbers, using two-factor authentication, strong passwords, and advanced threat protection tools.
timesleader.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Wilkes-Barre was scammed out of $58,400 after receiving a fake Microsoft security alert on her computer; she granted the scammer remote access to her device, which allowed them to view her bank balance and convince her to transfer funds to a Bitcoin account. Wilkes-Barre Police used the incident to issue public awareness about common scams including phishing, romance, job offer, and tech support schemes, advising residents to verify the legitimacy of contacts before sharing personal information or clicking links.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting the California wildfires by creating fake donation pages and impersonating charities and government agencies to steal money from people wanting to help and to target disaster victims seeking assistance. People should verify organizations through legitimate channels (such as Give.org), watch for red flags like misspelled URLs and phishing emails, and avoid clicking links from unverified social media ads or unsolicited contacts, as AI-enhanced scams are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.
wsls.com
· 2025-12-08
An AARP survey found that over one-third of U.S. adults who purchased from social media ads experienced fraud. The article provides three protective measures: avoid clicking suspicious ads by retyping retailer URLs directly, research unfamiliar sellers through the Better Business Bureau, and dispute charges if products are misrepresented or undelivered. Consumers are encouraged to report suspected scams to local law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
newslj.com
· 2025-12-08
This article compiles multiple elder fraud alerts and prevention tips: A Wyoming resident received an extortion email falsely claiming malware access (a common scare tactic), while another fell victim to a phishing email impersonating Microsoft to steal account credentials. The Identity Theft Resource Center predicts cybercrime will surge in 2025 due to reduced government resources and increased AI exploitation, while identity fraud cost Americans $43 billion in 2023—with veterans particularly vulnerable, losing $477 million that year to service-focused scams. Key prevention measures include verifying sender identities, avoiding suspicious attachments and links, using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and monitoring credit reports regularly.
womansworld.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes four common gift card scams: payment scams where fraudsters demand gift card payments instead of credit cards (often posing as government agencies or businesses), fake e-gift card offers sent via email or text that contain malicious links to steal personal information, phony balance-checking websites designed to phish for card details, and drained gift card scams where criminals copy card numbers from retail shelves before they're purchased. The article recommends verifying senders before clicking links, using official retailer websites to check balances, and being cautious of unsolicited gift card offers to avoid losing money that is difficult to recover once stolen.
themortgagepoint.com
· 2025-12-08
Rental scams are increasingly affecting U.S. renters, with 93% believing such scams are common and 90% worried about becoming victims, according to Rently's Rental Scams and Fraud Report. Facebook hosts 88% of fraudulent listings, and victims reported significant financial losses, with 62% losing over $500, 48% losing over $1,000, and 8% losing more than $5,000 through fake deposits, application fees, and rent payments. The report calls for stronger fraud prevention measures including identity verification, secure payment systems, and public education to combat the emotional and financial harm these scams inflict on renters.
ksby.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of donation scams targeting both disaster relief donors and Southern California wildfire victims, noting that fraudulent charities typically emerge after major disasters and often initiate contact rather than waiting for donors to find them. To avoid scams, donors should verify charities through trustworthy resources like Give.org, avoid clicking suspicious links, look for specific program descriptions, and check state charity registration records. Reporting suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center is recommended, though recovering money from fake charities—often operating outside the United States—is unlikely.
kenyans.co.ke
· 2025-12-08
On January 10, Kenyan detectives arrested 14 suspects involved in a Ksh174 million (approximately $1.34 million USD) gold scam targeting a US businessman. The arrests followed weeks of surveillance and a raid in Nairobi's Lavington area, where authorities seized documents, stamps, and seals used in the fraud scheme, along with evidence of 2,820 kg of gold that had been smelted between March and May of the previous year. The investigation also implicated two US citizens and a Congolese accomplice who were separately arrested and charged with conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretenses.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Kern County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement (claiming to be "Sergeant Youngblood") and demand electronic payments via gift cards or bitcoin to resolve alleged warrants, missed court appearances, or jury duty violations, threatening arrest if payment is not made. The scammers use spoofing technology to display the Sheriff's Office callback number and may pressure victims to visit the Sheriff's Office afterward. The Sheriff's Office clarified that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment over the phone and that warrant arrests are made in person, not via phone calls.
westerniowatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Rural seniors are frequent targets of scammers, particularly through the Grandparent Scam, where fraudsters request money in non-traditional forms. According to Michelle Reinen of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, establishing a secret family passcode can serve as an effective protection measure to prevent seniors from sending money to scammers impersonating grandchildren or other family members.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin's Division of Trade and Consumer Protection reports an increase in impersonation scams where callers spoof law enforcement phone numbers to pressure victims into immediate payments for alleged crimes, missed jury duty, or unpaid fines. The scammers may call multiple times from different numbers and request cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency—forms of payment that legitimate law enforcement never demands. Consumers should hang up on suspicious calls and independently verify by contacting the agency directly using a verified phone number.
evoke.ie
· 2025-12-08
A man in his 30s, dubbed the "Tinder Swindler" by victims, was arrested in Dublin on suspicion of romance fraud targeting women on dating apps, allegedly scamming hundreds of euros from victims by posing as a wealthy Oxford graduate and businessman before requesting money for fake banking emergencies. The suspect, who operates under multiple aliases and has been active for at least eight years, also allegedly engaged in blackmail and insurance fraud; he was released after questioning and gardaí are appealing for additional victims to come forward. Multiple women reported falling victim to his scheme, with estimates suggesting hundreds of potential victims across various dating platforms.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered phishing emails are becoming increasingly effective and scalable threats, achieving 54% click-through rates while costing scammers as little as four cents per email and increasing profitability by up to 50 times. Canada reported $531 million in cybercrime losses in 2022, with phishing being a major vector that allows attackers to harvest personal information from social media and craft highly personalized fraudulent messages targeting login credentials, bank accounts, and identity theft. The article recommends protective measures including verifying sender authenticity, scrutinizing links, limiting social media exposure, enabling multifactor authentication, and consulting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for guidance.
desertsun.com
· 2025-12-08
Los Angeles officials are warning residents affected by recent wildfires that scammers are actively targeting vulnerable victims through false job postings, impersonation of government employees and FEMA agents, phone/text phishing attempts, unsolicited in-person solicitations, and fraudulent donation schemes. Law enforcement recommends verifying credentials through official channels, avoiding sharing personal information via social media or unsolicited contacts, never paying through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and trusting your instincts if something feels suspicious. County Sheriff Robert Luna pledged that perpetrators—including those impersonating firefighters to commit burglaries—will face prosecution.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Authorities warn that scammers use multiple tactics year-round to defraud victims, including "pig butchering" investment scams where perpetrators gain trust before stealing money (with one recent case involving a 66-year-old who lost $170,000 to a fake Facebook investment banker), AI-generated travel scams that have increased 500-900% and use fake websites and phishing, and utility scams where fraudsters impersonate companies like PG&E to demand immediate payment, causing customers over $334,000 in losses in 2024 alone. Experts recommend verifying suspicious offers directly with companies, avoiding clicking unknown links, paying attention to detail inconsistencies
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Maryland senior, Judith Boivin, lost nearly $595,000 to a government impersonation scam in which fraudsters posed as FBI agents and Rockville Police, claiming her Social Security number was involved in a federal drug investigation and asking her to move funds to a "government safety locker" for protection. The scammers used spoofed caller IDs, fake FBI email addresses with .com domains, assigned case IDs, and maintained contact over months to build trust and credibility. Government impersonation scams—where criminals pose as FBI, IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or other agencies to pressure victims into immediate payments or asset transfers—are widesprea
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scams proliferate each season, with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, mail, and fake websites to steal money or personal information—tactics include demanding payment for back taxes with threats of arrest, filing fraudulent tax returns using victims' Social Security numbers, and phishing emails directing people to bogus IRS sites. To protect themselves, taxpayers should file early, use IRS Identity Protection PINs, verify caller identity independently with the IRS, watch for poor grammar in suspicious communications, use trusted tax preparers, and remember that the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media requesting personal or financial information.
abcnews.go.com
· 2025-12-08
As wildfires devastated Los Angeles County, authorities warned the public about scammers creating fraudulent charities and nonprofits to exploit donors' generosity, with elderly individuals, immigrants, and non-English speakers identified as particularly vulnerable targets. Officials recommended verifying organizations through sites like Charity Navigator and the Better Business Bureau, using traceable payment methods instead of cash, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement, emphasizing that perpetrators would face prosecution.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scams resurface each season with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail to pressure victims into paying taxes owed or stealing personal information via tax identity theft and phishing schemes. Key prevention strategies include filing taxes early, obtaining an Identity Protection PIN, verifying IRS communications through official channels, and using trusted tax professionals, as the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media requesting personal or financial information.
carscoops.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ohio woman lost over $600 in a rental car scam after finding a fake Hertz customer service number online and being convinced by a fraudster to purchase two Walmart gift cards to resolve a payment issue on her rental. The scammer claimed the first $320 gift card wasn't the exact amount needed, then requested a second $312 card before disconnecting the line and never reactivating her vehicle. The incident underscores that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards, and victims should always verify phone numbers through official websites rather than online searches.
abc12.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Lions fans about ticket scams ahead of the playoffs, advising buyers to purchase from reputable websites using credit cards and to avoid money transfer apps like CashApp and Venmo that offer limited fraud protection. The alert also cautioned against common scams including overpayment check schemes, impersonation calls from fake bank representatives, and unsecured websites, emphasizing that banks never request customers send money to verify transactions.
ptbotoday.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Peterborough Police Service issued a warning about a phishing scam circulating in the community, wherein victims received threatening emails falsely claiming their online activity was being monitored and demanding cryptocurrency payment to prevent disclosure to contacts. Police advise residents to avoid opening suspicious emails from unknown sources, refrain from clicking links, and report such messages to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre or local police.
citizensvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
During natural disasters like wildfires and floods, scammers impersonate FEMA officials, utility companies, and contractors to prey on vulnerable victims by requesting personal information, charging fraudulent fees for disaster aid, or demanding upfront cash payments for repairs. The FTC warns disaster victims to verify contact through official channels, avoid anyone creating urgency or requesting immediate payment, and conduct background checks on contractors before hiring. In 2023 alone, the FTC received reports of approximately 1 million identity theft cases, 2.6 million fraud cases, and 1.9 million other scam reports.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A family friend scammed British Columbia seniors out of $300,000 in what authorities are investigating as a financial exploitation case. The incident highlights the vulnerability of seniors to fraud perpetrated by individuals within their trusted social circles.
wibx950.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
An upstate New York senior lost over $10,000 in a phone scam on January 12, 2025, when scammers impersonated government agencies, utility companies, tech firms, or relatives to solicit money and personal information. The New Hartford Police Department is warning residents to never send money or gift cards over the phone, hang up on suspicious callers, verify claims independently, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Detroit Lions fans in January 2025 to be cautious when purchasing playoff game tickets online, as scammers exploit excitement around the team's playoff run. Common ticket scams include payment app fraud (using P2P services like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle) and fake check schemes where buyers send counterfeit checks for more than the ticket price and request refunds. Nessel recommends only purchasing tickets through official sources and remaining vigilant about sharing personal information or accepting suspicious payment methods.
atg.wa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Lincare Inc., an oxygen equipment provider, overbilled Washington state's Medicaid program more than 15,000 times between January 2017 and March 2023 by charging rental fees beyond the legally allowed three-year period, in some cases billing for up to six years. The fraudulent billing affected 565 Washington patients and resulted in over $500,000 in overbilling, for which Lincare paid the state $1.15 million in restitution. The company has agreed to implement billing reforms and retain independent experts to ensure compliance with Washington's oxygen leasing laws.
classicrock961.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas law enforcement is warning residents about four active scams targeting the state, with particular focus on impersonation scams where criminals falsely claim to be police officers, sometimes spoofing legitimate police phone numbers, and demand payment for alleged outstanding debts or missed court appearances to avoid arrest. One victim lost $9,500 in Bitcoin to this scam; police advise that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment by phone and recommend hanging up on suspicious callers and contacting your local non-emergency police line to verify.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
On January 9, 2025, Tulare Police arrested 28-year-old Hailong He in connection with an investment scam that defrauded an elderly victim of $130,000. The suspects posed as a trading company and used a fictitious phone application to convince the victim to invest money, arranging in-person cash pickups at his home and pressuring him for an additional $90,000 under false pretenses of account closure fees. Police conducted surveillance and apprehended the suspect during a planned third transaction, charging him with Financial Elder Abuse, Theft Under False Pretenses, and Grand Theft.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Internet scams cost Americans $12.5 billion in 2023, with Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud being the most prevalent scam in the UK, costing £459.7 million annually and involving fraudsters persuading victims to transfer money under false pretenses. Mastercard has developed AI-powered tools, including its Consumer Fraud Risk Tool and Decision Intelligence technology, that analyze transactions for fraud indicators and can block fraudulent attempts in 50 milliseconds, with UK banks using these systems reporting a 12 percent reduction in APP scam losses. The technology uses machine learning and generative AI to detect emerging fraud patterns while protecting consumer privacy and could prevent nearly £100 million in scam-relate
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
The Massachusetts Attorney General and AAA issued a warning about "pig butchering" scams, in which victims are contacted through dating apps, social media, or messaging platforms and gradually manipulated into making increasingly large investments. Scammers build trust by allowing victims to see fake gains and even withdraw small amounts initially, then steal the funds and demand additional money for fabricated taxes and fees. The agencies advise consumers to be wary of relationships that develop quickly, resist pressure to invest, verify identities through reverse image searches, and be cautious of requests to pay fees to access investments.
reformer.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are emotionally destructive fraud schemes where criminals build fake relationships over months or years to exploit victims financially and psychologically, with the FTC reporting 64,000 cases in 2023 resulting in over $1 billion in losses. Warning signs include unmet in-person meetings, distant locations, picture-perfect photos, quick moves to private communication, and delayed money requests designed to build false trust. Family and friends concerned about a victim should avoid shaming language, approach conversations with patience and sincerity, and seek help from trusted third parties rather than using aggressive confrontation.
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-08
A smishing scam targeting drivers across the DMV region (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) uses text messages impersonating toll agencies to trick recipients into sharing personal information through fraudulent links. The FBI recommends recipients report the scam to IC3.gov, verify accounts through official toll service websites, contact legitimate customer service, and secure their financial accounts if they clicked any links or shared information.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
Following wildfires in Los Angeles, California issued emergency protections against price gouging through January 2026, limiting price increases to 10% on housing, materials, and services. State Attorney General Rob Bonta warned of multiple scams targeting displaced residents, including fake charities, contractor fraud demanding deposits, and impersonation schemes targeting elderly individuals, immigrants, and non-English speakers; violators of price gouging laws face up to $10,000 in fines and jail time.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned wildfire victims and residents to be vigilant against price gouging and fraudulent scams following deadly wildfires that destroyed over 12,300 homes and buildings and killed at least 24 people. Bonta advised residents to verify licenses for contractors and charities, avoid paying large upfront sums, monitor financial accounts, and research organizations before donating by confirming their registration with the Attorney General's Registry of Charities. He emphasized that fraudsters often exploit disasters by creating fake charities and crowdfunding pages, and urged victims to report suspected scams to local law enforcement.
nij.ojp.gov
· 2025-12-08
A National Institute of Justice-funded analysis of seized scammer databases containing records on over 1.3 million victims from 1999-2018 found that older adults experienced disproportionate harm from mail fraud compared to younger victims. Victims in their 70s and 80s suffered more fraud incidents and lost significantly more money, with those in their 80s accounting for nearly 30% of total losses despite representing fewer than 15% of victims. The study also found that older adults were more likely to become repeat victims, with those in their 70s and 80s being 9% more likely to be defrauded again compared to victims in their 50s
apnews.com
· 2025-12-08
After natural disasters like wildfires and floods, scammers exploit vulnerable victims by impersonating government agencies (FEMA, utilities) and contractors to steal personal information or demand upfront payments for aid and repair services. People in heightened emotional states should verify callers directly with organizations, be skeptical of urgency tactics, and confirm contractor licenses and insurance before paying anything. The FTC advises that legitimate FEMA aid is always free, and recommends getting multiple estimates, reviewing online complaints, and monitoring credit reports for signs of identity theft or fraud.
arynews.tv
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru, India, lost Rs 1.2 crore (approximately $144,000 USD) in a "digital arrest" courier scam that began in December 2024 when she received a fraudulent call claiming she was involved in money laundering and had illegal items in a package. The scammer pressured her to transfer funds from her investments, borrowed money, and savings to verify her financial assets, promising a refund once her case was resolved, before disappearing with the funds. Police have opened an investigation into the case.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A West Delhi man lost Rs 9 lakh after fraudsters posing as electricity department officials called him, initially requesting a small payment of Rs 13, then tricked him into downloading a malicious app that gave them remote access to his smartphone and bank account. Between December 29-31, the scammers conducted multiple unauthorized transactions, which the victim discovered and reported to police. The scam employed a common tactic of building trust through small initial payments and personal details before deploying malware to gain device access.
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Bank of Valletta customers lost thousands of euros after falling victim to scammers impersonating the Malta Finance Ministry through fraudulent phone calls, messages, and emails requesting personal banking information. The Finance Ministry issued a public warning clarifying that it never requests personal or banking details via these communication channels and advised recipients of suspicious communications to avoid sharing information, clicking links, or attachments, and to report incidents to authorities. Law enforcement and the ministry are collaborating to address the scam, which prompted multiple police reports when the bank identified the fraudulent activity.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
iPhone users are receiving phishing text messages impersonating delivery services like USPS, DHL, and FedEx that trick recipients into replying with "Y" to disable iMessage's built-in link protection, allowing scammers to activate malicious URLs that may lead to pages requesting credit card information. To avoid the scam, users should verify sender details for spelling errors or suspicious numbers, check the official company website directly for delivery updates, and use iMessage's "Report Junk" feature before replying to suspicious messages.
bethesdamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Rockville man, Ravinklejeet Mathon, was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a gold bar scam targeting a 94-year-old Silver Spring resident who nearly lost $230,000. Mathon posed as a federal agent, convincing the victim his identity had been stolen and directing him to purchase gold bars for safekeeping; detectives disrupted the scheme by substituting metal tools for the gold bars during a sting operation and arrested Mathon when he attempted to pick up the package. This was Montgomery County's first conviction in a local gold bar scam, and the case reflects a broader pattern of organized international fraud targeting elderly victims.
siouxfallslive.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
This is a personal essay by an 81-year-old former reporter reflecting on the vulnerability of older adults to financial scams. The author discusses why seniors are targeted—they tend to have accumulated savings, grew up in an era of greater trust, and often lack confidence with technology—while noting that many fall victim through confusion, desire to help others, or emotional manipulation rather than greed. The piece emphasizes that scams undermine societal trust and suggests that older adults should be slower to trust and quicker to question, particularly in the digital realm.