Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,148 results
in Phishing
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
A California man was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded two elderly Arizona women of hundreds of thousands of dollars. AARP Arizona warns that romance scammers exploit desires for companionship through dating apps and other platforms, with warning signs including premature declarations of love, requests for money, and broken promises to meet in person. Victims should avoid sending money to online contacts, be aware that advancing AI technology makes scams more convincing, and contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network (1-877-908-3360 or AARP.org/fraudwatchnetwork) for free assistance.
manchesterjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece explains how romance and relationship scams differ from other crimes and why victims often experience shame rather than sympathy. Scammers target lonely or grieving individuals through social media, slowly building trust over time before repeatedly requesting money for fabricated emergencies or personal crises—making these scams more psychologically damaging than single-incident crimes like robbery. The article advises early intervention by trusted third parties and provides resources including the AARP Consumer Hotline (877-908-3360) for victims seeking help.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
Following a record $1.3 billion Powerball win in Portland in April, the Oregon Lottery warned the public about associated scams, including a text message falsely claiming the winner was donating prize money to randomly selected citizens and asking recipients to call a number to claim winnings. The lottery emphasized that unsolicited messages with urgency or requests for personal information are red flags, and stressed that the Oregon Lottery never asks winners to pay fees to access winnings.
mymotherlode.com
· 2025-12-08
Canada experiences significant fraud across multiple schemes, including identity theft, phone scams impersonating government officials, and mortgage fraud, with Canadian authorities estimating over $30 million lost since 2014 from RCMP impersonation and tech support scams combined. A survey found 34 percent of Canadians have experienced at least one type of fraud, with experts recommending protective measures such as creating unique passwords, screening calls, shredding personal documents, and using licensed professionals for financial transactions. Mortgage fraud has risen dramatically in Canada due to vulnerabilities in the borrowing process that rely heavily on borrower-provided information, making it easy for fraudsters to submit false details about income, employment, or
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A study of 644 older adults in the Chicago area found that 16.4% were vulnerable to government imposter scams, falling for a fictitious Social Security and Medicare benefits fraud attempt by providing personal information or Social Security numbers, while an additional 15.1% engaged but remained skeptical. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that vulnerability to fraud affects many seniors regardless of cognitive status, though those with lower financial literacy and scam awareness were most susceptible. The findings underscore that elder fraud poses significant public health and economic threats, with victimization potentially leading to serious consequences including hospitalization and depression.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used deepfake technology to target Mark Read, CEO of WPP, creating voice clones and fake accounts using publicly available photos and YouTube footage to impersonate him in Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp communications with senior executives. The fraudsters aimed to extract personal details and money by posing as Read and requesting the setup of a new business, but the attack was unsuccessful due to employee vigilance. Read warned colleagues of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks targeting senior leaders that employ psychological manipulation tactics tailored beyond typical scams targeting vulnerable populations.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's San Francisco office warned of an escalating cyber threat involving criminals using AI technology to create highly convincing phishing emails, voice clones, and video impersonations to deceive individuals and businesses into revealing sensitive information or approving fraudulent transactions. The bureau noted that AI-enhanced attacks are particularly effective because they feature proper grammar, spelling, and personalized content tailored to specific targets. The FBI recommended that individuals remain vigilant against urgent requests for money or credentials, while businesses should implement technical safeguards, employee training, and multi-factor authentication to combat these sophisticated scams.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old engineering consultant from Grant Road was defrauded of Rs 45,000 after receiving an unsolicited message claiming his gas connection would be disconnected for an unpaid bill. The scammer posed as a gas company employee, convinced the victim to download a malicious link under the pretext of updating bill details, and siphoned the funds from his bank account. Police registered a case under cheating and IT Act provisions as scammers expand from electricity bill fraud to gas connection schemes.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns that college students are increasingly targeted by job scam fraudsters who use fake job postings or spoofed emails impersonating professors to lure victims. The typical scheme involves mailing a check to the student, requesting they wire a portion to another account; the check later bounces after the student has already sent their own money to the scammer. Students can protect themselves by refusing any job that sends payment before work begins, verifying company legitimacy online, contacting supposed senders directly through known channels, and requesting job details in writing.
ktvq.com
· 2025-12-08
Montanans lost $21.1 million to fraud in 2023, a 24% increase from 2022, with impostor scams and identity theft being the primary culprits. A new jury duty scam variant is proliferating in Montana, where scammers impersonate sheriff's deputies demanding $3,000 for missed jury duty, then direct victims to Coinstar machines to transfer funds; victims range from their 20s to 80s, though younger people are increasingly targeted due to their responsiveness to phone-based communications and social media. Experts advise ignoring suspicious calls, texts, and emails, as scammers continuously evolve their
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado homebuyer lost nearly $100,000 in down payment savings to a wire transfer scam after receiving a realistic-looking email that appeared to be from his bank requesting the transfer to complete his home purchase; the scammers had gained access to his emails and included accurate account information to make the request seem legitimate. The FBI received over 2,000 wire fraud complaints daily in 2023, with Americans losing $311 million total to wire transfer scams according to the FTC. To protect themselves, homebuyers should verify wire transfer requests by calling their bank directly using a number they find themselves, use secure portals through title companies, and never send funds without direct verbal confirmation from the intende
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice announced completion of the Money Mule Initiative, a campaign that disrupted transnational fraud networks by taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate scams targeting Americans, particularly elderly victims of lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. More than 20 individuals were criminally charged, including cases involving $4.5 million laundered from romance scams targeting elderly victims, a grandparent scam operation using couriers to collect cash from seniors, and a tech support fraud scheme that collected approximately $7 million from elderly victims. The initiative combined criminal prosecutions, warning letters to unknowing participants,
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, an annual campaign that resulted in criminal charges against over 20 individuals and warning letters to approximately 2,970 money mules involved in facilitating fraud schemes. The initiative targeted networks that transmit stolen funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters, with cases including two men accused of laundering $4.5 million from romance scams and business email compromises targeting elderly victims, and five defendants who acted as couriers collecting cash from grandparent scam victims. The agencies emphasized the importance of public education to prevent unknowing individuals from becoming money mules, as many are initially victimized by romance or lottery scams before being manipulated into ass
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency user lost nearly $68 million in an address poisoning scam but recovered over 96% of the stolen funds after negotiating with the attacker, who agreed to return 22,960 ETH (approximately $65.7 million) in exchange for a 10% fee. The victim's security team identified leads about the attacker's identity, which aided in the negotiation. The incident underscores the importance of verifying wallet addresses before sending cryptocurrency and demonstrates that calm communication can sometimes lead to fund recovery in crypto scams.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Following devastating Oklahoma tornadoes, MoneyGram warned consumers about fraudulent charity scams where victims average losses of $824 by sending money transfers to fake organizations with names similar to legitimate charities. The company identified five red flags including high-pressure tactics, wire-transfer-only payment demands, and lack of organizational information, and advised consumers to recognize, react to, and report suspected scams to authorities.
marketplace.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational episode of "Marketplace Tech" examines how financial scams work and how to identify them, featuring the experience of Shannon from Minnesota who lost over $80,000 to an impersonation scam. A scammer posing as a sheriff's deputy falsely claimed Shannon missed a federal court appearance and threatened jail time, extracting multiple "bail bond" payments totaling $80,000 through threats and false legal information. The episode explains that scammers use phone number spoofing technology to impersonate legitimate officials and conduct research on targets to create convincing scripts that lend authenticity to their schemes.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
WPP CEO Mark Read fell victim to an unsuccessful deepfake scam in which fraudsters cloned his voice and created an AI-generated video of him to impersonate him on WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams, attempting to solicit money and personal information from company executives. The attack was thwarted due to employee vigilance, and Read subsequently issued guidance to staff warning them to be cautious of sophisticated cyber-attacks that exploit virtual meetings, AI, and deepfakes, particularly targeting senior leaders.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency whale lost approximately $71 million worth of Wrapped Bitcoin on May 3, 2024, after falling victim to an address poisoning scam, where the fraudster created lookalike addresses to trick the victim into sending funds to wrong accounts. In an unusual turn of events, the scammer began returning the stolen funds, with approximately $34.7 million recovered within days through transfers from multiple addresses, though the motivation behind the return remains unclear. As of the article's writing, over $45 million had been returned, with recovery ongoing due to the funds being distributed across numerous addresses.
bobsullivan.net
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent text messages to drivers claiming unpaid tolls (typically $12-$13) and threatening $50 late fees, directing victims to fake toll authority websites to steal personal and financial information. The FBI received 2,000 complaints from three states by April, expanding to 12 states by May, with Florida authorities issuing a crackdown due to the state's 700 miles of toll roads. Authorities advise recipients to independently verify toll claims through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS's 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies 12 major tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing emails/texts, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls, social media scams, dishonest tax preparers, and fraudulent tax credits. The scams particularly target non-English speakers and elderly individuals through threats and false claims. Taxpayers are advised to verify information directly through official IRS channels, use reputable tax professionals, and report suspicious activity to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies twelve prevalent tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing/smishing emails, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls threatening arrest, social media misinformation, dishonest tax preparers, and schemes targeting non-English speakers and elderly populations. Key protective measures include verifying charity status through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, remembering that the IRS initiates contact by mail rather than phone, consulting only reputable tax professionals, and setting up IRS accounts directly through official websites. Taxpayers are advised to report suspicious activities to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a crackdown on smishing scams targeting SunPass customers, where scammers operating internationally impersonate toll agencies through text messages to steal personal and financial information or install malware on victims' phones. The Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit has shut down at least ten fraudulent websites mimicking SunPass, and authorities advise residents to avoid clicking suspicious links and instead visit official websites directly to handle toll-related transactions.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department lost $220,000 in a fraud scheme where a scammer impersonated their ambulance vendor and redirected the down payment to an overseas account. At least two other fire departments were victimized by the same fraudster around the same time; the department recovered $100,000 through their bank and is pursuing fundraising efforts to replace the lost funds, with Montgomery County police and the FBI investigating.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal authorities warned New Hampshire residents about two phone scams in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officers, claiming either that the target failed to respond to a jury duty summons and threatening arrest unless a fine was paid, or alleging criminal charges and demanding bail via virtual currency machines. Officials emphasized that legitimate law enforcement would never contact citizens by phone to collect fines, taxes, or bail money, and urged residents to report such calls to the U.S. District Court in Concord.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a BuzzFeed Community call for submissions from people who have experienced various types of scams, including Facebook ticket fraud, romance scams, sextortion, and impersonation schemes where scammers pose as friends or use fake identities to extract money or personal information. The article aims to collect real-life scam stories to raise awareness and help others avoid similar situations.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warned residents about fraudulent SunPass toll scams after over 2,000 residents reported falling victim to the scheme, which uses fake text messages (smishing) with links to fraudulent websites mimicking the legitimate SunPass.com site. Authorities shut down approximately 10 fake SunPass websites and advised residents to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead visit the official SunPass website directly, particularly since Florida's extensive toll road system makes residents vulnerable targets for this type of fraud.
dunyanews.tv
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns that scammers increasingly use AI chatbots to automate fraud schemes, including romance scams and phishing attacks, making them difficult to distinguish from real people. Readers should watch for three warning signs: impeccable spelling but wooden phrasing, consistently fast response times, and unusually quick detailed replies that suggest no thinking time. The article also advises establishing a "safe word" with loved ones and asking for shared personal memories to detect AI voice clones used in phone scams, particularly when callers request money via cryptocurrency or gift cards.
aspentimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers stole $188 million from over 11,000 victims across Colorado, with Summit County experiencing 80 fraud reports so far this year totaling tens of thousands in losses. Common scams include phone and email schemes where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement, the IRS, tech support, or claim urgent family emergencies or warrant arrests. Victims are advised to be suspicious of unsolicited messages offering unrealistic rewards, report suspicious activity to law enforcement, and file complaints with StopFraudColorado.gov or IC3.gov, though most stolen funds are unrecoverable once scammers operate from overseas jurisdictions.
thecyberwire.com
· 2025-12-08
This podcast episode discusses job board scams and social engineering tactics targeting job seekers. The hosts highlight techniques scammers use to impersonate legitimate companies and government agencies, including spoofed phone numbers and vague claims about background investigations, and emphasize the importance of verifying caller information independently rather than calling back suspicious numbers directly.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Facebook users had their accounts hacked and exploited to post fake Taylor Swift ticket scams, defrauding friends of hundreds of pounds each; Lloyds Bank estimated British fans lost £1 million in ticket scams, with 90% originating on Facebook. Users reported that Facebook failed to respond to numerous reports of the hacks and scam posts, leaving victims feeling powerless, though the platform eventually removed accounts after BBC contact. The scammers used sophisticated tactics including AI-generated posts and blocked warning comments from legitimate account holders.
theamericangenius.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Elder Fraud Report 2023: FBI Data on Senior Scams
The FBI's Elder Fraud Report 2023 documents $3.43 billion in losses from 101,068 seniors over 60, averaging $33,915 per victim with an 11% increase from 2022—though actual figures likely exceed these numbers due to underreporting. Tech and customer support scams were most common, while investment scams caused the largest losses at $1.2 billion, with romance, identity theft, and personal data breach scams also prevalent in the top five. Protection strategies include avoiding suspicious links and ads, using only legitimate company websites for contact information
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 800,000 people across Europe and the US were defrauded by a sophisticated network of approximately 76,000 fake online designer shops operated from China, with victims sharing credit card details, security codes, and personal information while attempting to purchase discounted goods from brands like Dior, Nike, and Prada. The organized operation, which began in 2015 and processed over 1 million orders in the past three years, attempted to collect as much as €50 million, though most consumers received no items; approximately 22,500 shops remain active. Security experts warn that the harvested personal data could be used for future phishing attacks, identity theft, and potentially
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Online scams via direct messages and texts are widespread globally, with perpetrators often being victims of human trafficking who are coerced into conducting the fraudulent schemes. The article highlights the dual victimization occurring in these scam operations, where trafficked individuals are forced to participate in financial fraud targeting others.
montgomery.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting PECO customers with sophisticated tactics, falsely claiming service disconnection is imminent unless immediate payment is made, often exploiting confusion around recent system upgrades. PECO advises customers never to share account or billing information with unverified callers, texters, or visitors, and instead to call PECO directly at 800-494-4000 to verify any service-related communications.
baynews9.com
· 2025-12-08
Victoria Zerillo, a 49-year-old general manager of a nonprofit providing repair services to Sun City Center seniors, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing over $410,000 through wire fraud and embezzlement from December 2015 to November 2022. The scheme involved doctored bank statements, unauthorized ATM withdrawals, and fraudulent credit card charges, and was uncovered when a resident with a finance background noticed rising service rates and investigated the company's finances. This case is part of a broader problem in Florida, where seniors lost more than $300 million to various scams in the prior year, making the state second-highest in the nation for elder fraud.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The FTC has issued an alert about a "growing wave" of government and business-impersonation scams targeting retirees' savings, with Amazon being among the most frequently impersonated companies due to its massive customer base. Common scams include fake refund offers with phishing links, fraudulent Prime subscription renewal notices with unusually high prices directing users to fake login pages, fake delivery/order problems requesting payment or personal information, and suspicious purchase confirmation calls designed to catch victims off guard. Consumers are advised to always verify account information directly through official apps or websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
roundrocktexas.gov
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational workshop announcement (event has passed) where Silver Safe and Secure, a nonprofit organization, offered a 90-minute training session to help seniors recognize and avoid online scams. The workshop covered common fraud types including phishing, tech support, and romance scams, along with red flags, verification methods, safe browsing practices, and reporting procedures—in response to the 2022 FBI finding that Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.1 billion to fraud that year.
marcumllp.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2023 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report shows that fraud targeting individuals over age 60 is increasing significantly, with this age group reporting $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from 2022 and more than all other age groups combined. The 101,068 complaints filed by seniors represented a 14% year-over-year increase, with tech support fraud, personal data breaches, and romance scams being the most common crimes, while investment fraud produced the highest individual losses and increased over 400% in two years. The report emphasizes that actual fraud figures are likely higher than reported, as many elderly victims fail to report crimes due to embarrass
northjersey.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer introduced bipartisan legislation seeking $60 million in federal funding over six years to help states combat senior scams through enforcement, technology, and education initiatives. The bill comes as seniors lose over $3.4 billion annually to scams involving impersonation, fake deliveries, and social media fraud, with over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reporting scams to the FBI in 2023 alone. Gottheimer also plans to urge social media companies to add warning labels, flag scammers, and improve fraud reporting tools on their platforms.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Google conducted an experiment using generative AI to help users understand why phishing emails are flagged as threats, finding that AI excels at explaining malicious message detection rather than detecting threats themselves. While Google's Gemini Pro detected 91% of phishing messages, it was less efficient than specialized AI programs, but it successfully analyzed malicious documents by identifying red flags like mismatched phone numbers and urgency-creating language. The technology remains experimental with no specific product announcement, partly due to the high computing power required to run such systems at Gmail's scale.
homelandprepnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11 percent increase from 2022—with tech support scams ($600 million), investment fraud ($1.2 billion), and call center schemes ($770 million) being the most costly. California alone reported over 11,000 complaints totaling $620 million in losses, and the FBI noted that some victims were forced to remortgage homes, deplete retirement accounts, or take their own lives due to financial devastation. The FBI recommends seniors verify contact information independently, avoid quick decisions, never share personal information with suspected scammers, and report fraud immediately to law enforcement
castanet.net
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational opinion piece in which a senior citizen shares personal experiences and advice about avoiding scams. The author describes encountering various fraud attempts over decades, including Nigerian bank schemes, a fraudulent eBay car listing, fake CRA phone calls, and a spoofed Norton Antivirus renewal email, and advises seniors to never respond to unsolicited emails or click links, and to block suspicious contacts.
moneycontrol.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The content provided is a website header and cookie/consent policy for Moneycontrol, a financial news and information platform. It contains no information relevant to the Elderus database.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A 16-year-old boy in Scotland was targeted by sextortion scammers who posed as a young girl, tricked him into sharing an intimate image, then threatened to distribute it to his contacts—tactics that led to his suicide. His parents are now raising awareness about the scam, which primarily targets young men, and calling for social media companies to implement stronger protections for teenagers against these predatory criminals who use psychological manipulation and panic tactics.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Package delivery scams use fake text messages impersonating major carriers like USPS, UPS, or FedEx to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and providing personal information or payment for fake fees. Americans reported $330 million in losses from text scams in 2022, more than double the prior year, making this a rapidly growing threat. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links or calling numbers from unsolicited texts and instead verify package issues directly through the retailer or shipper's official website.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece about common banking scams in 2024, reporting that consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023. It describes seven prevalent scams—including fake bank websites, malicious apps, phishing communications, check washing, check overpayment schemes, money transfer fraud, and account takeover attacks—and provides protective measures for each, such as verifying bank legitimacy through official channels, downloading only reputable apps, and monitoring bank statements regularly.
963kklz.com
· 2025-12-08
QR code scams are increasing in Nevada, particularly in public parking lots where fraudsters use fake codes to collect payment information, but also in restaurants, bars, and shopping malls. To protect yourself, inspect QR codes for signs of tampering or replacement stickers, manually type web addresses instead of scanning codes, and be especially cautious of unsolicited QR codes in emails, texts, or letters offering prizes or free goods. Las Vegas tourists should be particularly vigilant in parking areas and near attractions.
newjersey.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens at a Fair Lawn Senior Center learned about scams targeting older adults, with one attendee sharing how he nearly lost $1,000 to a gift card scam before CVS staff alerted him. Rep. Josh Gottheimer unveiled a Senior Security Strategy that includes requiring social media platforms to add warning labels to fraudulent accounts, establishing an SEC grant program for state scam response efforts, and notes that over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reported scams to the FBI last year. The key advice is to never provide personal information when contacted by phone, email, or social media, and to report suspected scams to local police or the FBI.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Peter Gray, 35, was convicted and sentenced to 56 months in prison in February for defrauding four women of approximately £80,000 through romance scams on Tinder. Rather than directly requesting money, Gray gained victims' trust as a romantic partner, then secretly photographed their identification documents and bank cards to steal their identities and take out loans in their names, with individual victims losing between £9,000 and £20,000. His victims reported feeling intuitive red flags about his behavior, including suspicious gestures like sending flowers to addresses he shouldn't have known and taking unauthorized photos of personal documents.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
In April, Apple notified iPhone users in 92 countries that they were targeted by mercenary spyware attacks, with many victims located in India and Europe; the incident was linked to a Chinese spyware campaign called "LightSpy," though details remain unclear. Mercenary spyware, which can cost millions of dollars to deploy, is typically used by nation-state actors to target specific high-profile individuals such as journalists, dissidents, and government workers through sophisticated "zero-click" attacks that require no user interaction. Apple states that its Lockdown Mode feature can protect against such attacks, and notes that the vast majority of users will never be targeted by this type of advanced threat.