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in General Elder Fraud
smnewsnet.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to combat transnational elder fraud schemes costing billions of dollars, with recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases include Troy Murray, who sold a database of over seven million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery fraudsters and laundered $1.6 million in proceeds, and Dennis Anderson and Frank Angelori, who brokered lead lists to Jamaica-based scammers from 2015-2020. Individual victims lost significant sums, with one Arizona victim losing over $400,000 to a lottery fraud scheme.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County law enforcement warned seniors about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters posing as federal officers contact victims via pop-up ads or phishing texts, claiming their finances are compromised and directing them to purchase gold bars and deliver them to fake "couriers" at public locations. Victims are typically deceived into withdrawing their life savings, with recent cases in Montgomery County alone involving losses of nearly $800,000 and $900,000, and authorities note that recovery of stolen funds is nearly impossible. Authorities advise seniors to avoid answering unknown numbers and clicking suspicious pop-up ads.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Medicare fraud costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $60 billion annually, with recent investigations uncovering widespread schemes including unordered genetic testing kits, phantom billing for medical equipment, and catheter scams affecting individuals across Indiana and beyond. Notable prosecutions include a North Carolina man laundering $3 million in a $100 million DME scam and two Texas residents charged with $359 million in fraudulent genetic testing claims. Seniors should protect themselves by never sharing Medicare numbers with unverified callers, monitoring billing statements for unauthorized charges, and reporting suspicious activity to Medicare, the Senior Medicare Patrol, or the HHS Fraud Hotline.
blumenthal.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chuck Grassley introduced a resolution designating June as National Elder Abuse Awareness Month to address the widespread problem of elder fraud and abuse affecting American seniors. According to the resolution, an estimated one in six older Americans experienced some form of abuse in a community setting, yet only one in 24 cases of elder abuse and one in 44 cases of financial exploitation are reported to authorities. The resolution calls for increased public awareness and prevention efforts to protect vulnerable seniors from physical abuse, emotional exploitation, financial scams, and neglect.
folsomtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Folsom Police issued a community alert about fraudsters posing as law enforcement officers in calls targeting senior citizens, claiming victims owe bail, fines, or have missed jury duty, then demanding payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never calls to demand money and urged residents to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls to the non-emergency line at 916-355-7231.
uchealth.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole $3.4 billion from older U.S. adults in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, using tactics like romance scams, fake investments, and Medicare fraud that exploit fear and greed. Beyond financial losses, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including anxiety, shame, depression, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation, requiring individualized mental health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Older adults are particularly targeted due to their assets, trust in authority, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential cognitive changes that impair fraud recognition.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
This episode examines increasing litigation trends in elder fraud and financial exploitation cases, which commonly involve multiple payment systems including wire transfers and electronic fund transfers. The discussion highlights the challenges financial institutions face in balancing regulatory compliance with customer service while defending against negligence and breach of contract claims related to elder fraud incidents. State legislators are implementing new protections for elderly individuals as the legal landscape around elder financial exploitation continues to evolve.
oklahomawatch.org
· 2025-12-08
Vietnam veteran Leroy Theodore, Sr., a quadriplegic stroke survivor, became the subject of a guardianship dispute after St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa initiated efforts to obtain legal control of his finances and medical decisions in April 2024, despite his daughter Valerie Parks holding power of attorney and having been cleared of neglect allegations by Adult Protective Services in March. The hospital and state denied the family access to Theodore for 1.5 months while competing guardianship claims were filed in two different courts, raising concerns that Theodore's case exemplifies a growing nationwide pattern of guardianship fraud targeting vulnerable elderly patients for financial gain.
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on protecting older Americans from scammers, Senator Dick Durbin questioned witnesses about crypto ATM fraud, which resulted in nearly $247 million in losses to seniors in 2024, and introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to combat the scams. Witnesses from AARP, USTelecom, and the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center confirmed that criminals are funneling elderly victims to crypto ATMs by convincing them they are saving themselves from legal prosecution, with crypto transactions now common in nearly all transnational elder fraud cases. Durbin also warned seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from government agencies and urged passage of
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, an Indian national on a student visa, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud at least 25 elderly Americans through phishing scams and impersonation of government officials between July and August 2024. The conspiracy stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold, with a total intended loss of at least $2.7 million, with Patel personally collecting stolen funds and distributing portions to co-conspirators. Patel was arrested in August 2024 after retrieving a box containing $130,000 from a victim's residence and pleaded guilty in March 2025.
mhobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints increased 46% in 2024, with victims nationwide losing $4.885 billion—a 43% increase from 2023—while Arkansas seniors over 60 alone lost more than $27 million. The FBI identifies investment schemes, technical support scams, romance fraud, and money mule operations as common tactics targeting elderly individuals perceived as more trusting and financially stable. The FBI recommends seniors research unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud through their tip line or online complaint center.
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Dick Durbin testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on elder fraud, reporting that Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in the prior year, with average losses of $83,000, representing a 43 percent increase year-over-year. He highlighted the particular threat of cryptocurrency ATM scams, which caused nearly $247 million in losses in 2024, a 31 percent increase, with one case involving an elderly Illinois woman losing her entire $40,000 life savings. Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to require operators to register with regulators, display scam warnings, implement transaction limits, and ref
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian nationals, including alleged kingpin Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, were arrested in June 2025 and face extradition to the United States for a $100 million fraud scheme operating from 2016 to 2023. The syndicate conducted Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams by impersonating company officials through spoofed emails to trick victims into wire transfers, and also ran romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, through dating platforms and email. At least one business and eight individuals suffered confirmed losses exceeding $100 million, with the suspects now in Ghanaian police custody pending extradition proceedings.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian businessman Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng and multiple associates have been charged in coordinated U.S. federal prosecutions for operating transnational romance and inheritance scams targeting elderly Americans between 2013 and 2024. Boateng allegedly led a decade-long scheme convincing seniors they could claim gold and jewels if they paid fabricated taxes and fees, while related defendants in Ohio and elsewhere defrauded elderly victims through fake romantic relationships and fraudulent business deals, laundering proceeds to Ghana and other countries. These cases represent part of a broader Department of Justice crackdown on international fraud networks preying on seniors, announced in conjunction with World Elder
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Otaniyen Iduozee, a Nigerian citizen on a student visa, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable Americans, primarily elderly and isolated individuals. Iduozee controlled fraudulent bank accounts and funneled victim money through various transactions to Nigeria, playing a central role in the money laundering operation. Upon completing his sentence, he has agreed to be deported from the United States.
graphic.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
Three separate indictments targeting Ghanaian nationals were unsealed in U.S. federal courts as part of a crackdown on transnational romance fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans. The cases involve multiple defendants accused of operating romance and inheritance scams from 2013 to 2024, using fake romantic engagements and false promises of wealth to defraud seniors of large sums of money, with proceeds laundered through Ghana and other locations. Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng was arrested in Ghana and faces extradition, while other defendants face wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
Five Texans were sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 9 to 40 years for their roles in a transnational fraud scheme that defrauded approximately $17 million from at least 100 victims worldwide, including vulnerable elderly individuals, between January 2017 and the sentencing date in June 2025. The scheme involved multiple fraud types including online romance scams, business email compromises, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud, with proceeds laundered through bank accounts in Africa and Asia. The defendants collectively received nearly 160 years in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are online confidence schemes where cybercriminals build trust with victims (often through romance or friendship) before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities, with the U.S. Attorney's Office recently seizing $225 million in cryptocurrency stolen from 400 victims worldwide. These scams, which operate at an industrial scale from compounds in countries like India, the Philippines, and Myanmar, typically target older Americans and lonely individuals, using fake identities and fabricated investment platforms from which victims cannot withdraw funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers online, especially those promoting investment opportunities, and verify the legitimacy of any investment before sending money.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A Broken Arrow woman testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about romance scams targeting seniors, sharing how her mother lost $350,000 to a scammer before passing away—a tragedy April Helm attributed directly to the fraud and sleep deprivation tactics used by scammers. Advocates testified that adults lose between $7 billion and $62 billion annually to romance scams, urging Congress to establish a task force and strengthen enforcement measures to prosecute these criminals and protect elderly victims.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An Eagan, Minnesota couple in their 70s nearly lost $125,000 to a scam after receiving a fraudulent call impersonating the Federal Trade Commission, instructing them to transfer funds to Bitcoin to "protect" their identities following a recent data breach. A vigilant bystander at a local eatery noticed something suspicious and called 911, allowing police to arrive and stop the transaction moments before completion. The incident highlights the rising prevalence of identity theft scams targeting seniors through impersonation of trusted government agencies.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A Broken Arrow woman testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about the rising threat of romance scams targeting seniors, sharing how her mother lost $350,000 to such a scam before her death. The hearing featured multiple advocates presenting data showing Americans lose between $7 billion and $62 billion annually to romance scams, emphasizing the need for federal action including the creation of a task force and stronger protections for elder victims.
10news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old Los Angeles resident, Eric Anthony Olivas, was sentenced to one year in jail and two years probation for attempting to collect $50,000 in cash from a 75-year-old Carlsbad senior as part of a transnational scam. The victim, Dale Marsh, had been deceived by an overseas scammer posing as Norton antivirus support after receiving a suspicious text message; however, law enforcement and the FBI intervened with an undercover sting operation using fake cash, preventing the loss. The case highlights a growing problem in San Diego County, where seniors lost $108 million to fraud scams in 2024, with money
bethesdamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County held a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day event highlighting scams targeting seniors, including tech support impersonation, government impostor schemes, and gold bar frauds. Maryland reported 1,385 complaints of tech support and government imposter scams in 2024 with nearly $30 million in losses—up 41% in complaints and 15% in losses over three years—while 84% of financial exploitation perpetrators were family members. Officials emphasized prevention through account monitoring, power of attorney transparency, and assertiveness in refusing suspicious requests, noting that recovery of scammed funds is rarely possible.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two men—Jinrong Shi, 28, of New York, and Jiyang Zhong, 27, a Chinese national—were indicted on federal charges for running "grandparent" and "tech support" scams targeting elderly victims in Northeast Ohio (Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren) in May and June 2024. The defendants, working with a network of co-conspirators using "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers," defrauded victims of over $201,000 by posing as law enforcement or tech support personnel and arranging cash pickups at victims' homes or directing victims to mail money. The laundered proceeds
americascreditunions.org
· 2025-12-08
Credit unions are actively combating senior fraud through financial education programs, fraud task forces, and legislative advocacy. The industry urged Senate support for the TRAPS Act to establish a task force examining payment scams, while opposing expanded fraud liability that would strain resources and undermine consumer protections. Credit unions emphasize educating older Americans and their families about fraud detection methods to prevent scams targeting seniors.
shreveportbossieradvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
Door-to-door solar panel scams in northwest Louisiana have victimized residents with high-pressure sales tactics, leaving some liable for over $40,000 in fraudulent loan repayments for units marketed as "free." Fraud is also evolving to include online scams such as phishing emails, impersonation of law enforcement and government agencies via phone and text, and cryptocurrency and gift card fraud, with Louisiana experiencing nearly $47 million in fraud losses in 2023. Experts recommend protective measures including posting no-soliciting signs and avoiding clicking unknown links, answering unfamiliar calls, or engaging with unrecognized communications.
nationwidemediacentre.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Nationwide Building Society survey of 2,000 students found that 28% have been scammed, with purchase fraud (46%), WhatsApp impersonation scams (39%), and blackmail/sextortion scams (29%) being the most common types. The research revealed a rising trend of blackmail scams targeting younger people on social media, often linked to romance scams where perpetrators extract private images or information before demanding money under threat of exposure to victims' contacts.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A courier was sentenced to one year in jail after being caught in an undercover sting operation for participating in elder fraud schemes. The courier's role involved physically collecting money from elderly victims as part of a larger fraud operation. The sentence resulted from law enforcement's undercover investigation targeting individuals who facilitate financial exploitation of seniors.
broadandliberty.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder abuse and fraud targeting seniors remains a persistent problem, with the FBI reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023. Criminals exploit elderly individuals through various schemes including investment scams, technical support fraud, romance scams, and home invasions, targeting them because they are perceived as polite, trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI emphasizes the need for public education about these scams and their devastating financial and emotional impacts on victims and their families.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jamaican national Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie was extradited to the United States in June 2025 to face charges for participating in a romance and lottery sweepstakes scheme that defrauded an 85-year-old Arizona resident of over $400,000 between 2015 and 2019. Bellinfantie and co-conspirators posed as romantic interests and falsely claimed the victim had won lottery prizes, requesting money for taxes and fees, while sending flowers to reinforce the deception. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Family members can commit financial fraud against seniors in retirement, with red flags including unusual account activity, missing valuables, suspicious signatures, and unauthorized changes to wills or powers of attorney. Experts recommend protecting yourself through estate planning, forming a trusted financial care team, automating bill payments, securing personal information, obtaining legal documents like powers of attorney and wills, and implementing dual signatures or co-trustees to prevent any single person from having complete financial control.
hilinetoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying efforts to combat financial fraud targeting seniors in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting recent prosecutions including a Montana case where a man allegedly stole over $1 million from an elderly victim through an India-based scam. Officials are urging community members to monitor older adults for signs of abuse or suspicious financial activity and report concerns to authorities, with victims able to access support through the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults are vulnerable to financial fraud from family members and trusted individuals, not just external scammers. Experts recommend protecting against family financial abuse by establishing a trusted team to oversee finances, automating bill payments, monitoring accounts regularly, organizing legal documents (power of attorney, wills), requiring dual signatures for major transactions, and watching for red flags such as unusual financial activity, missing valuables, and unauthorized account changes.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men, Jinrong Shi (28) and Jiyang Zhong (27), were indicted on 10 counts for defrauding elderly victims in Northeast Ohio through "grandparent" and "tech support" scams in May-June 2024, stealing over $201,000 from residents in Cleveland Heights, Willoughby, Canton, and Warren. The defendants worked with a criminal network of "fraud callers" and "fraud couriers" who convinced victims to withdraw cash and used passwords to gain trust, then laundered proceeds across state lines and through cryptocurrency accounts in China. Both men face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
massretirees.com
· 2025-12-08
The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program, a national initiative to combat healthcare fraud and errors, presented educational workshops at its 11th Statewide Conference in May, emphasizing the billions of dollars annually lost to healthcare fraud and abuse. The program recommends that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries maintain personal healthcare journals tracking all medical encounters, medications, and services, protect sensitive documents like Medicare cards, and ask key questions at medical appointments to detect errors and fraud. The MA SMP provides free educational sessions statewide and estimates that approximately 98,000 lives are lost annually due to medical errors, underscoring the importance of consumer engagement in preventing costly and health-damaging healthcare fraud and unnecessary treatments.
turnto23.com
· 2025-12-08
California seniors lost nearly $833 million to scams in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year, with romance and technology scams being the most prevalent in Bakersfield and Kern County. The FBI highlighted a case involving a retired educator who was defrauded after being contacted by a scammer posing as an attractive woman through a text message, demonstrating how emotional vulnerability can be exploited. To protect themselves, seniors should independently verify claims, check with the Better Business Bureau, resist pressure to act quickly, and never send money or gift cards to unverified individuals.
lethbridgeherald.com
· 2025-12-08
**Seniors and Financial Fraud - Overview and Rising Threats**
People age 60 and over lost $3.4 billion combined to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through evolving methods including phone impersonation, online platforms like Facebook, and cryptocurrency schemes. Common scams include the grandparent scam, tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes that exploit seniors' trust and lower technological proficiency. Law enforcement notes that fraudsters now use sophisticated tools and AI to appear more credible, making it essential for seniors to remain vigilant about unsolicited contact and requests for personal or financial information.
ctnewsjunkie.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chuck Grassley introduced a resolution designating June as National Elder Abuse Awareness Month in recognition of the widespread problem affecting seniors. According to the resolution, approximately one in six older Americans experienced some form of abuse in a community setting in the previous year, yet elder abuse remains vastly underreported, with only one in 24 cases reported overall and just one in 44 cases of financial exploitation reported. The resolution calls for increased public awareness and prevention efforts to protect seniors from physical abuse, emotional exploitation, financial scams, neglect, and other forms of exploitation that frequently occur in private homes and care facilities.
boernestar.com
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI highlighted the growing threat of elder fraud, reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses compared to 2023. Seniors are targeted for various scams including investment schemes, technical support fraud, romance scams, and money mule operations because they are often perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report crimes. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts online, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information or money with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud immediately to local law enforcement
secondwavemedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The United Way of Bay County is hosting a free Senior Fraud Prevention Workshop on June 27 to educate seniors and their families on protecting themselves from financial scams, with topics including recognizing common fraud tactics and steps to take if fraud is suspected. According to the FBI, scammers defraud senior citizens of approximately $3 billion annually, making this educational initiative part of a broader effort supported by a $30,000 Huntington Bank grant to assist vulnerable residents in Bay County.
theprescotttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Since January 1, 2025, the Prescott area has experienced over $2 million in reported scam losses, with seniors particularly vulnerable to romance scams, bank impersonation schemes, warrant scams, and gift card fraud. Notable cases include a $632,000 romance scam and gift card losses exceeding $33,000, with scammers using emotional manipulation and pressure tactics to request untraceable payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic platforms. The Prescott Police Department urges residents to remain vigilant, hang up on suspicious callers, and contact their 24/7 dispatch line at (928) 445-3131 if they suspect fraud.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams, with the FBI reporting 17,910 complaints and $672 million in losses in 2024. Scammers build fake online relationships through stolen photos and personas on dating apps and social media, using emotional manipulation ("love bombing") to gain trust before requesting money, gifts, or sensitive information. Victims—who are often lonely, grieving, or trusting—experience lasting emotional and financial damage, with cryptocurrency increasingly used as the payment method due to its difficulty in tracing.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals on student visas, Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel and Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, were convicted in a $2.69 million elder fraud scheme targeting at least 25 elderly U.S. citizens through phishing and impersonation of government officials; Patel received 63 months in prison and was arrested in Texas attempting to collect $130,000 in illicit proceeds. The U.S. Embassy in India issued a formal warning that visa holders engaging in illegal activities face immediate visa revocation and permanent ineligibility, highlighting a growing pattern of international student fraud exploited for elder scams.
mobileidworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Two California brothers-in-law, Ayman Alaaraj and Ahmad Nassar, were indicted on 17 counts of bank fraud and identity theft for stealing $794,000 from elderly victims through phone number porting schemes that bypassed two-factor authentication security measures. The defendants allegedly took control of victims' phone numbers to intercept security codes and gain unauthorized access to financial accounts, transferring funds without permission. The case highlights growing vulnerabilities in SMS-based authentication systems and carries potential sentences of up to 30 years in prison for each defendant.
valley.newhavenindependent.org
· 2025-12-08
Harry Danley Jr., a city public works employee in Ansonia, was arrested and charged with first-degree larceny in June 2024 for allegedly convincing an 85-year-old woman with mild dementia to write him approximately $25,000 in checks. Danley claims the money were loans he intended to repay after selling his home, not theft, and maintains he should face civil rather than criminal charges, though police note he has missed multiple repayment deadlines and still owes the victim $23,770. The case is scheduled for court on July 22, 2024.
news.outsourceaccelerator.com
· 2025-12-08
Pranav Patel, a 33-year-old Indian national, was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in federal prison for operating as a money collector in a $1.79 million government impersonation scam that targeted elderly Americans, with co-conspirators posing as government agents and threatening victims with arrest to extort cash and gold. Patel traveled along the East Coast collecting packages from vulnerable seniors, including one victim who was forced to sell his home after losing his life savings. Law enforcement recovered most of the funds after arresting Patel during a planned collection operation, though overseas call center operators remain under investigation.
diyatvusa.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals studying in the United States were sentenced to prison for their roles in separate elder fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans. Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel received 63 months for operating as a "money mule" in a phishing scam impersonating federal officials that defrauded at least 25 elderly victims of over $2.6 million, while Moinuddin Mohammed received 8 years for a similar impersonation scheme resulting in nearly $6 million in losses. Both cases highlight growing transnational fraud operations exploiting vulnerable seniors through government impersonation and threats of legal action.
wsbradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta is participating in a national initiative to prosecute perpetrators of elder fraud through cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement agencies. The office employs a two-pronged strategy combining prosecution of offenders with community education and prevention efforts, as these scams—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams—cost seniors billions of dollars annually and often deplete life savings. Victims or those aware of elder fraud can report incidents to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
wect.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported $12.5 billion lost to fraud in 2024, with the Social Security Administration being a top target for imposter scams. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, mimicking federal logos and sending fake links and documents to both younger and older adults, though elderly victims (70+) lose significantly larger dollar amounts. Government agencies never request payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or precious metals, and victims should report suspicious activity to the SSA's Office of Inspector General.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau and ComEd warn that con artists intensify scams during summer months, exploiting busy vacationers through fake vacation rental listings, fraudulent ticket sales, impostor utility worker calls threatening service disconnection, and door-to-door home repair schemes. Both organizations advise consumers to research companies before engaging with them, never send cash or personal information to unsolicited contacts, verify utility worker identities through official ID badges, and contact companies directly rather than responding to suspicious calls or visits.