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in Scam Awareness
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare Prescription Drug Cap Scams as its January fraud alert, warning seniors about schemes exploiting the new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket prescription drug limit that began January 1, 2025. Common tactics include unsolicited calls requesting personal information, demands for upfront "processing fees" to access benefits, and claims that beneficiaries need additional cards or documentation. The council advises seniors to never share personal information with unsolicited callers, verify Medicare statements, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800-333-4374.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
As of January 1, 2025, Medicare implemented a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap for prescription drugs under Part D, but scammers are exploiting this new benefit through fraudulent schemes including unsolicited calls requesting personal information, demands for upfront "processing fees" to qualify for the cap, and false claims requiring extra documentation or cards. The New York StateWide Senior Action Council warns seniors not to share personal information with unsolicited contacts, to verify Medicare statements, and to report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800-333-4374, noting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in Northeast Ohio are increasingly targeted by imposter scams, with scammers using fear tactics like false emergency claims to pressure victims into immediate payment. Many victims avoid reporting due to shame or fear of losing independence, but authorities urge reporting to prevent future scams and access support services. Resources like the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and Cuyahoga County Scam Squad are available to help victims and educate seniors on recognizing and responding to fraud.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns about "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages that trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Digital coach Grace Buscher recommends that targets question unexpected messages, verify requests through official channels, delete suspicious texts, and report them to authorities and their service providers. The article provides guidance for seniors and the general public to protect themselves from this growing scam threat.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer named Anne was defrauded of €830,000 ($850,000) in a romance scam involving fake accounts impersonating Brad Pitt and his mother, who used AI-generated images and emotional manipulation to build trust over several months. The scammer exploited her vulnerability during a difficult marriage and divorce, initially requesting money for customs fees before escalating demands by claiming Brad Pitt needed funds for cancer treatment. Despite warnings from her daughter and the impersonator's refusal to engage in video calls, Anne continued sending money until mid-2024 when she saw photos of the real Pitt with another woman; she subsequently suffered severe depression
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost $850,000 to a romance scam involving AI-generated images of actor Brad Pitt, beginning in 2023 when a scammer posed as Pitt and his mother on Facebook and eventually convinced her to divorce her wealthy husband and send funds for alleged medical treatment and customs fees. The victim only realized the deception when she saw Pitt with his actual girlfriend; she subsequently filed a complaint in 2024 and sought treatment for severe depression, while the scammer remains at large. The case exemplifies the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud, with Americans losing over $108 million to AI scams annually and an average loss of $14,600
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman was defrauded of over $1 million by a scammer impersonating actor Brad Pitt through AI-generated images and fake text messages between February 2023 and 2024. The victim divorced her millionaire husband after the scammer proposed marriage, then sent $9,000 for customs fees and $800,000 from her divorce settlement after being told the actor needed money for kidney cancer treatment. She discovered the scam after seeing Brad Pitt with his actual girlfriend and filed a complaint in 2024; the scammer remains at large and the victim is undergoing treatment for severe depression.
tmz.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost €830,000 (approximately $850,000) in a romance scam between 2023 and 2024 after being deceived by fake images and messages from someone posing as actor Brad Pitt. The scammer, who initially contacted her on Facebook as "Brad Pitt's mother," manipulated her into believing they were in a romantic relationship and convinced her to send money by claiming it was needed for cancer treatment and due to legal ties from his divorce with Angelina Jolie. The victim realized the deception after seeing photos of the real Brad Pitt with his actual girlfriend, filed a complaint in 2024, an
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincare Inc., an oxygen equipment rental provider, paid Washington state $1.15 million to settle Medicaid fraud charges after overbilling the state's Medicaid program more than 15,000 times between January 2017 and March 2023. The company illegally charged rental fees beyond the three-year legal limit allowed under Washington law, in some cases billing for up to six years, affecting 565 patients and causing over $500,000 in fraudulent charges. As part of the settlement, Lincare must implement billing reforms and comply with Washington's oxygen leasing laws.
financebuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece examining disadvantages of retiring to Florida, rather than an elder fraud or abuse case. It advises prospective retirees to consider practical challenges before relocating, including high housing costs and insurance premiums, hurricane risks, extreme heat and humidity that can worsen health conditions, high summer utility bills, overburdened healthcare systems in popular areas, and limited public transportation options.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
A 93-year-old Georgia resident lost $109,000 after a scammer gained remote computer access by posing as an old friend, convincing him he needed to return an accidentally deposited $100,000. While Georgia's 2023 SPEAR Act allows the state to delay suspicious transactions for up to 25 days and has been used over 550 times, most banks remain under federal regulation and are not required to implement similar protections, leaving seniors vulnerable as Congress debates stronger federal safeguards.
nbcconnecticut.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Connecticut residents, including Deb Paulson, received scam text messages falsely claiming they owed money for EZ Pass tolling violations to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection advises recipients to verify suspicious messages by independently looking up legitimate phone numbers and websites, confirm whether they actually used tolls recently, and report the texts rather than responding to them; those who provided credit card information should contact their credit card companies and freeze their credit with major credit reporting agencies.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
During the Los Angeles wildfires, scammers exploited disaster victims and donors through fake relief fundraisers impersonating celebrities like Kim Kardashian, fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns using stolen photos, fake charity websites, phishing emails posing as FEMA and the Red Cross, fake contractor services, and animal rescue scams. Security experts note that disaster scams proliferate because they combine vulnerability, urgency, and the public's desire to help, with perpetrators ranging from local individuals to organized crime syndicates. Potential victims should verify charities through official channels, avoid clicking unsolicited donation links, and be wary of upfront payment requests or overly urgent appeals
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. The text you've provided is not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse—it is a navigation menu and website header from AARP.org that requires JavaScript to function properly. To complete a summary for the Elderus database, please provide the actual article or transcript content about a specific scam, fraud case, or elder abuse incident.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" scams falsely claiming unpaid tolls on Massachusetts toll roads (E-ZPass/EZDriveMA) have increased since January, with scammers sending text messages to randomly selected phone numbers requesting payment via fraudulent links. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation warns that legitimate EZDriveMA communications never request payment by text and all authentic links include www.EZDriveMA.com; victims should not click links, verify accounts directly through official websites, and report fraudulent messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
fairfaxcounty.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly hiding malicious links in QR codes placed in unexpected locations to trick people into compromising their personal information or accounts. The article provides protective measures including verifying QR code sources before scanning, avoiding codes in unsolicited messages, using secure QR scanners, and maintaining strong security practices on devices. Victims of "quishing" (QR code phishing) scams should contact local police and file reports through the Financial Crimes Information and Online Reporting System (FiCOR).
identityweek.net
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article suitable for the Elderus fraud research database. The content is a conference announcement and promotional page for Identity Week Europe 2026, featuring keynote speakers and sponsor highlights rather than reporting on a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case. While the page includes links to various security and fraud-related topics, no detailed incident information is provided to summarize.
hk-now.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as Eversource representatives are targeting customers with threats of power disconnection to demand immediate payment, exploiting winter urgency and panic. Eversource and Waterbury Police warn that legitimate utility representatives never demand instant payment via phone, require gift cards or prepaid cards, or solicit personal information unsolicited; customers should hang up and call Eversource directly at 800-286-2000 to verify any contact claiming to be from the company. To protect themselves, residents should remember that caller ID can be spoofed, verify requests independently using contact information from their bill rather than search engines, and report suspected scams to local police.
stalbertgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
A St. Albert senior nearly lost over $7,000 to a resurfacing "Grandparent scam" in which a caller impersonated their grandson and requested bail money, though RCMP intervention prevented the loss. The scam typically involves fraudsters contacting victims via phone, email, or social media, posing as a distressed family member needing urgent money for bail or medical expenses, and demanding payment through wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or cash courier pickup. St. Albert RCMP warns that these sophisticated criminal operations are convincing and can target anyone, and recommends victims report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
lamilano.it
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old man fell victim to an impersonation scam when a caller posing as his daughter claimed to need money for a new cell phone, resulting in a €300 loss. The investigation of this single complaint led authorities to identify nine suspects who had perpetrated over 30 similar scams across central Italy using the same technique, defrauding elderly victims of more than €50,000 total. All suspects were referred to judicial authorities for fraud charges.
townline.org
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine, AARP Maine, and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention launched the Maine Rx Elder Fraud Program, a collaborative awareness initiative that will distribute educational brochures about fraud recognition and reporting through Hannaford Supermarkets' 60 in-state pharmacies. The program addresses a significant problem: in the prior year, 397 Mainers filed fraud complaints totaling over $7.1 million in losses, while nationally, Americans aged 60-plus lost $3.4 billion to scams, with actual losses likely higher due to underreporting.
postindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
This piece contains two separate letters: the first urges donations to California wildfire relief efforts through organizations like the California Community Foundation and American Red Cross; the second outlines characteristics of grandparent scams targeting elderly people, including frequent calls, fabricated emergencies, urgency tactics, and requests for wire transfers or gift cards, and recommends verifying claims directly with family members, reporting to law enforcement and the FTC, and establishing family code words as prevention.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer was defrauded of $855,000 over 18 months in an AI-enabled romance scam where perpetrators impersonated actor Brad Pitt and his mother, using AI-generated photos and messages across multiple platforms before claiming he needed money for cancer treatment. The scammers exploited advances in artificial intelligence technology to create convincing fake profiles and communications, a tactic that has become increasingly common—with similar Brad Pitt impersonation schemes in Spain resulting in $350,000 in losses from two women in 2024. Romance scams globally caused over $652 million in losses in the US alone in 2023,
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer lost over €850,000 to a romance scam where a fraudster impersonated actor Brad Pitt using AI-generated videos and fake messages on Instagram, claiming to be in a relationship with her and later requesting money for medical treatment and customs fees. The victim, going through a divorce, was convinced by romantic poetry and fabricated hospital photos until she discovered authentic images of Pitt with another partner. This case is part of a larger pattern, with five individuals arrested in Spain in September 2024 for operating a similar Brad Pitt impersonation scam that defrauded two Spanish women of €325,000.
firstpost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer named Anne lost €800,000 over approximately one year in a romance scam involving a fake Brad Pitt persona. The scammer, posing as Brad Pitt and his mother, built an emotional relationship with Anne through daily messages, poems, and AI-generated videos before claiming to need funds for medical treatment (kidney cancer) and customs duties, exploiting her vulnerability following her divorce and receipt of a €775,000 settlement.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Sports fans attending events in downtown Detroit during high-traffic periods face multiple parking-related scams, including fraudulent parking tickets with QR codes directing victims to fake websites and fake text messages impersonating the city's parking department (using fake domains like detroit-mi.com instead of detroitmi.gov). Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warns that such scams can result in vehicles being ticketed, towed, or stolen, and advises verifying parking tickets through official city websites ending in ".gov" and confirming that texts about parking violations are sent through official mail channels, not text messages.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams are prevalent, with fraudsters impersonating the IRS through unsolicited calls, texts, emails, and social media to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest. The IRS only contacts taxpayers by mail, never by phone or electronic messages, and warns against fake tax advice on social media and demands for immediate payment. Filing taxes early, verifying tax preparers with the Better Business Bureau, and filing documents promptly can help prevent identity theft and refund fraud.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Guernsey Police warned residents about a social media scam involving a company called Modmount Ltd that posed as a news article about income tax and deceptively charged victims $250 after they opened accounts for an "initial investment." Scammers also contacted victims by phone from multiple numbers to pressure them for payment. Authorities advised islanders to be suspicious of suspicious online deals and offers that seem too good to be true, and to hang up on unsolicited calls pressuring them to sign up for schemes.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts drivers are receiving fraudulent text messages impersonating the state's E-ZPass toll system, claiming unpaid tolls of $6.99 and directing recipients to malicious links that steal personal and financial information. The real E-ZPass never sends text messages, so recipients should delete such messages immediately and verify toll balances through official E-ZPass accounts. Anyone who clicked the fraudulent links should contact their bank and credit card company to freeze accounts and change all passwords.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
The Vermont Attorney General's office reported over 3,500 scams in the past year, with computer tech support scams being the most prevalent, followed by identity theft, law enforcement impersonation, and Medicare card phishing. Residents are encouraged to register for the Vermont Scam Alert System to stay informed about emerging fraud threats and to report any scam victimization to the Attorney General's office.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies major online scams targeting people in 2025, including romance baiting (formerly called "pig butchering"), immigration fraud, and AI-generated scams that exploit vulnerable populations. The author advises vigilance against scammers who use social engineering tactics, noting that law enforcement offers limited recourse for victims and recommending awareness of common warning signs to avoid becoming a target.
wrhi.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The IRS warns taxpayers to guard against evolving tax season scams including phishing emails, impersonation phone calls, identity theft, fake tax preparers, social media fraud, charity scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Protection strategies include verifying IRS communications through official channels, protecting personal information, using legitimate tax professionals, and reporting suspicious activity to the IRS.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior decorator lost €850,000 ($850,000) to scammers who impersonated actor Brad Pitt using fake social media accounts, AI-generated images, and fabricated stories about kidney treatment and frozen bank accounts due to divorce proceedings. After the victim appeared on French television to share her story, she faced severe online harassment and mockery, prompting the network to remove the interview from its platforms to protect her wellbeing. The case illustrates how romance scams, increasingly sophisticated through AI technology, continue to target vulnerable individuals, with romance fraud losses in the U.S. exceeding $1 billion in 2023.
witn.com
· 2025-12-08
An Edgecombe County resident was scammed after responding to a fake Craigslist rental listing posted by Stephanie Folkenroth, who fraudulently posed as a homeowner and forged a lease agreement. The victim paid a deposit and first month's rent before discovering the property was not actually available for rent, and law enforcement is seeking Folkenroth to file charges.
wng.org
· 2025-12-08
Connie Grundmann lost her entire life savings of $98,400 to a government impersonation scam that began with a fake Microsoft security alert on her computer in spring 2023. A scammer posing as an FTC agent named "Alvaro Bedoya" convinced her through fear and fake verification methods to purchase gift cards, withdraw cash from ATMs, and deposit funds into Bitcoin over three days. The FTC reported that consumers lost $76 million to government impersonation scams in 2023, while the FBI documented that tech support scam victims lost nearly $1 billion that same year, with actual losses likely much higher due to underreporting.
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
True Corporation is partnering with the Royal Thai Police to establish a joint "War Room" at police headquarters to combat call centre scams targeting Thai citizens. The initiative will integrate data from both organizations to identify and dismantle criminal networks using Simbox devices, irregular call patterns, and fraudulent SMS schemes through AI technology and advanced analytics. True Corporation has also implemented stricter SIM registration procedures, deployed the "True CyberSafe" alert system, and established a specialized fraud prevention team, while police launched the Cyber Check app to help the public verify suspicious phone numbers and bank accounts.
saga.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams cost UK victims over £612 million in 2023, with people aged 55-64 being disproportionately targeted and losing more than £133 million collectively; the average loss per victim was £25,000, though some lost significantly more. Scammers exploit older adults by targeting those with disposable income and leveraging fears about retirement, inheritance tax, and social care, often attempting multiple frauds against the same victims. Red flags include unsolicited contact, promises of unrealistic returns, and pressure to make quick decisions, with experts advising victims to seek independent financial advice before investing.
bernama.com
· 2025-12-08
Two women in Pahang were defrauded of RM327,829.36 by scammers impersonating police officers and Bank Negara Malaysia officials. A 66-year-old retail shop owner lost RM216,175.88 after being convinced she had legal issues and instructed to transfer funds from multiple accounts for an "investigation," while a 62-year-old retired teacher lost RM111,653.48 through 17 transactions after being told she had unpaid credit card charges. Police advised the public to verify suspicious claims directly with authorities rather than responding to unsolicited calls.
senatenj.com
· 2025-12-08
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs held an educational seminar for over 150 senior residents at Holiday City Berkeley on January 14, providing information on scams and fraud targeting seniors along with state program resources. The event, organized at the request of state legislators, distributed three informational guides on identity theft, consumer shopping, and disaster-related scams. The 9th District Delegation has also introduced legislation (S-1887 and A-4593) to create a new criminal offense for financial exploitation of the elderly, with the Senate having unanimously passed S-1887.
kxxv.com
· 2025-12-08
IRS tax debt scam calls are circulating in Central Texas, with scammers posing as IRS agents and requesting personal information, bank details, and payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Temple Police reported 142 scams since 2021 (62 in 2024 alone), and authorities warn residents to never provide personal information to callers, hang up suspicious calls, and contact agencies directly using official website contact information rather than numbers provided by callers. The legitimate IRS does not collect payments over the phone.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
On January 15, 2025, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody held a Senior Scam Seminar attended by over 500 seniors in Marion County and released a new educational resource called "Scams at a Glance: Grandparent Grifts" to help seniors identify and report grandparent scams. Grandparent scams involve imposters posing as family members claiming to be in emergency situations to solicit money, with victims often unable to recover funds; the resource provides tips including verifying claims directly with family, avoiding wire transfers and gift cards, and contacting law enforcement if an in-person payment meeting is requested. Since 2019, Attorney General
witl.com
· 2025-12-08
Two impersonator scams are currently active in Michigan targeting residents. The first involves a scammer posing as "Sgt. Common" claiming to represent law enforcement and requesting callbacks about "confidential legal matters," while the second involves someone named "Isaac Miller" impersonating Publishers Clearing House and demanding $500 upfront for a fake "claimer's card" to collect a nonexistent prize. The Ingham County Sheriff's Office advises residents not to engage with these callers and to contact legitimate authorities directly, noting that real law enforcement and prize notifications never demand upfront payment.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman was scammed out of approximately $850,000 by someone impersonating Brad Pitt in a romance scam that began in 2023 through Facebook and continued over several years. The scammer used AI-generated images, love poems, and false claims about needing money for cancer treatment and bank access issues to manipulate the victim into sending increasingly large sums, leading her to eventually divorce her husband. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud, with Brad Pitt's representatives warning the public not to respond to unsolicited celebrity contact, as the actor maintains no verified social media accounts.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A French woman lost over $850,000 to a scammer who used AI deepfake technology to impersonate Brad Pitt over an 18-month period, convincing her they were in a romantic relationship and that he needed money for cancer treatment. Brad Pitt's spokesperson issued a statement warning against responding to unsolicited online messages from celebrities, particularly those not active on social media. Romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals—especially older adults—cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023, with scammers exploiting emotional loneliness and leveraging sophisticated AI technology to create convincing fake communications.
thewrap.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French interior designer lost $850,000 to a romance scammer who impersonated Brad Pitt, claiming frozen bank accounts and medical expenses over the course of a year-long online relationship. Brad Pitt responded by warning fans to avoid unsolicited online messages from celebrities and to recognize this as a common catfish scheme, noting this was not the first time he had been impersonated for such frauds.
wltx.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost her life savings of $850,000 to scammers posing as Brad Pitt through fake social media accounts, AI-generated images, and WhatsApp messages, who claimed the actor needed money for medical treatment. After revealing her story on French television, she faced severe online harassment and mockery, prompting the network to withdraw the interview to protect the vulnerable victim. The case illustrates how artificial intelligence has increased the sophistication of romance scams, with the FTC reporting over $1 billion in romance scam losses affecting 64,000 Americans in 2023 alone.
dailysabah.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost her life savings of 830,000 euros ($850,000) to scammers impersonating Brad Pitt through fake social media accounts, WhatsApp, and AI-generated images, who convinced her they were in a romantic relationship and needed money for medical treatment. Brad Pitt's representative warned fans against responding to unsolicited online contact and noted that the actor has no official social media presence, while experts highlight that AI technology has increased the risk of identity theft and romantic fraud schemes. Similar scams targeting other women using Pitt's identity have been reported in Spain, with five suspects arrested in September 2024.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chicago hair stylist lost $20,000 in the "phantom hacker" scam, in which fraudsters impersonated a Bank of America representative, warned her of suspicious account activity, and convinced her to wire money to a "protected" account for safekeeping. The FBI reports this scam is growing rapidly and notes that scammers use phone number spoofing to appear as legitimate banks, with victims unlikely to recover funds once they authorize transfers. Legitimate financial institutions never ask customers to move money elsewhere, and consumers should remain skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming fraudulent activity.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Truth Social has become a hub for online scams including phishing, advance fee fraud, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment fraud, with security researchers receiving over 30 scam messages within hours of creating a test account. A Central European threat actor alone distributed over 500 phishing messages impersonating brands like Netflix and Spotify to steal login credentials since March 2024, while the platform's large interest-based groups (some with 100,000+ members) enable scammers to target victims at scale with upfront payment requests ranging from $250 to $1,000. Social media scams broadly have generated $2.7 billion in reported losses since 2021, according to the
geaugamapleleaf.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Attorney General's Office provided guidance on recognizing common scams that disproportionately target seniors, who represent 15% of the population but account for more than 30% of reported fraud. Key red flags include requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or immediate payment; unsolicited calls creating urgency or fear (such as impersonating the IRS or Social Security); phishing for personal information; and contractor scams requiring large upfront payments. The office recommends verifying caller identity independently, remembering that scammers can spoof phone numbers, and following the principle that if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.