Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,397 results
in Robocall / Phone Scam
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Pranav Patel, an Indian-origin man, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison and ordered to forfeit $1,791,301 for his role as a money mule in a scheme targeting senior citizens between October and December 2023. Operating from overseas call centers, the perpetrators impersonated US Treasury Department officials and defrauded elderly victims by threatening arrest warrants or claiming to safeguard their money and gold, with Patel collecting funds and valuables from victims across the eastern United States. One victim was forced to sell his home due to the scam, and Patel was apprehended in December 2023 while attempting to collect what he
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece highlights common scams targeting older adults, including phishing texts (such as fake toll fee notices), grandparent scams, and email fraud. Key protective measures include not clicking links from unknown senders, avoiding payment via gift cards or digital transfer apps, verifying suspicious requests with trusted contacts, and reporting scams to banks, local authorities, and the FTC. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to social isolation and the scammers' use of urgent language and emotional manipulation to bypass critical thinking.
madriverunion.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Online Fraud Protection for Seniors
Seniors face increasing risk from online fraud due to their trust and limited tech experience, with common scams including phishing, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. The article recommends protective measures such as verifying sender identity, confirming requests through known contacts, never granting device access to unsolicited callers, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected scams to banks, the FTC, or local authorities. The McKinleyville Senior Center offers free computer assistance and is hosting a fraud prevention seminar with Coast Central Credit Union on June 27.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam text messages are increasingly prevalent, with the FTC reporting $470 billion stolen via text scams in the past year, up significantly from $372 million in 2023. Common scams include fake fraud alerts (like Apple Pay warnings), bogus toll notices, and phony job offers, which scammers distribute at scale using AI-powered automation and personal information harvested from the dark web. To protect yourself, avoid replying to or clicking links in unexpected texts, verify requests directly with companies using known contact information, and report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726 (SPAM).
conduitstreet.mdcounties.org
· 2025-12-08
Government imposter scams resulted in over $400 million in losses last year, with reported victims jumping 50 percent from 2022 to 2024, according to FBI and FTC data. Scammers pose as DMVs, tax offices, and court systems via email, phone, and text, demanding payments for fake tolls, jury duty, or taxes, increasingly using generative AI and spoofed ".gov" addresses to appear legitimate. To combat these scams, state and local agencies are urged to implement public awareness campaigns, stronger email authentication, and secure digital portals to protect residents and maintain trust in government services.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly half of mobile users encounter scams daily, with younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) disproportionately targeted across calls, texts, emails, and apps. Social engineering scams are prevalent, affecting one in three users, while 74% have encountered phishing, smishing, or vishing attempts, with extortion scams rising due to AI sophistication. Despite these risks, fewer than one in five users employ protective measures like antivirus software or VPNs, and 75% of victims report serious emotional consequences including anxiety, depression, and lost trust.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
In observance of World Elder Abuse Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation Field Office in Atlanta highlighted that millions of seniors are victimized annually by financial scammers who exploit their trust, with the FBI reporting that seniors lost $8.4 billion to scams in 2024. The IRS provided information on common schemes targeting older adults, including romance scams, lottery scams, government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and tech support scams, and encouraged oversight of seniors' finances by multiple trusted individuals. Resources for fraud prevention and reporting include the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311), the FBI's Internet Crime Center, the Pass It On
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Thai police dismantled a romance scam call center operation run by 27 Vietnamese nationals operating from luxury villas in Bangkok suburbs, which defrauded victims of an estimated 39 million baht (approximately $1.1 million USD) monthly since March 2024. The gang created fake online profiles posing as affluent professionals and investors, then manipulated primarily Vietnamese victims into transferring money through fabricated financial emergencies, conducting their scheme primarily via the Zalo messaging app across 27 workstations. Police seized 116 mobile phones, 45 computers, and arrested all 27 suspects who had entered Thailand on tourist visas in October 2024.
am1100theflag.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to address a widespread text message scam targeting Minnesotans, in which fake DMV messages claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threaten arrest to coerce online payments. The scam has been reported across multiple states including Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, and Smith has requested intervention from the Department of Justice to combat the scheme's scale and sophistication.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Arkansas seniors suffered $27.25 million in fraud losses during 2024, part of a national epidemic where those over 60 lost $4.885 billion to scams—a 46% increase from 2023. Common schemes targeting older adults include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and money mule schemes, which succeed because seniors tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting mechanisms. The FBI recommends seniors verify unknown contacts through reputable sources, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited contact, never share personal information with unverified parties, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or IC3.gov.
nwahomepage.com
· 2025-12-08
**Elder Fraud on Rise in Arkansas and Nationally**
The FBI reported that seniors over 60 lost $4.885 billion nationally in 2024 across 147,127 fraud complaints—a 46% increase from 2023—with Arkansas seniors alone losing $27.3 million to investment scams, technical support scams, money mule schemes, and romance fraud. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting and may be unfamiliar with reporting channels like IC3.gov. The FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts through legitimate sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited communications, never sharing personal information with unverified parties
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Attorney General's office held an educational conference in Warren addressing growing scam threats targeting seniors, including cryptocurrency scams, lottery fraud, and online relationship schemes aimed at stealing life savings and personal identity information. Experts advised older adults to be cautious with online links and downloads, research before acting, and consider freezing their credit with the three major credit reporting agencies. Resources for assistance include Pro Seniors' free legal hotline at (513) 345-4160 and local adult protective services.
mercercountyoutlook.net
· 2025-12-08
Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI issued a public reminder about elder fraud, which caused $4.885 billion in losses across 147,127 complaints in 2024—a 46% increase from 2023. In Ohio specifically, seniors over 60 lost more than $95 million in 2024, with significant losses in investment scams ($31 million), romance scams ($11 million), and tech support scams ($10 million). The FBI emphasizes that scammers target elderly Americans because they are perceived as trusting and financially stable, and advises seniors to verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspecte
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Nacha has released new tools to help banks and financial institutions identify and support victims of elder financial abuse, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Adults over 60 in the U.S. lose an estimated $38.5 billion annually to elder financial abuse, with an average loss of $83,000 per victim, often perpetrated by trusted individuals rather than strangers. The guidance emphasizes establishing clear escalation protocols and training staff to recognize fraud, as 92% of older adults want financial institution employees trained to prevent exploitation.
local10.com
· 2025-12-08
South Florida FBI agents are warning seniors about rising elder fraud trends, with impersonation scams (including AI-generated voice calls mimicking grandchildren and tax/immigration-related schemes) and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment fraud among the most prevalent tactics. According to FBI Florida data, tech support scams affect the most victims (235 cases), while investment scams cause the highest financial losses at $13.3 million across 105 cases, with agents advising potential victims to stay calm, verify requests through third parties, and recognize urgency tactics as red flags.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP's Fraud Watch Network developed a universal fraud prevention framework called "Pause. Reflect. Protect." to help consumers recognize scams across all types. The campaign identifies three common triggers present in most fraud attempts—unexpected contact, emotional surge, and sense of urgency—and teaches an "active pause" response where people step back to reflect on the situation before taking action, similar to how "Stop, Drop and Roll" reduced fire injuries.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
Jefferson County, Tennessee authorities warned of two recent scams: truck drivers were targeted at a Love's Travel Stop on Interstate 40 on June 11, where suspects lured victims into betting games and stole money and jewelry; additionally, a phishing scam involving text messages falsely claiming to be from the Tennessee Department of Vehicles threatened recipients with fines and legal action for unpaid traffic tickets and included malicious links. The scam is part of a multi-state pattern targeting residents in at least 10 states with fraudulent DMV messages demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
A Maple Grove woman lost over $450,000 in bitcoin, gift cards, wire transfers, and cash to scammers posing as U.S. government agents between March and April. The suspects initiated contact via unsolicited email in early March, then used WhatsApp to communicate with the victim and falsely claim they needed funds for a federal investigation, promising reimbursement. The case represents at least the second major cryptocurrency theft in Minnesota involving email-based fraud, with suspects remaining at large.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman named Brittany received a spoofed call appearing to be from her sister, in which a man claimed to be holding her hostage and demanded $750 via digital payment apps, threatening violence while playing audio of screaming in the background. When Brittany attempted to send $200 through Cash App, the app's fraud detection flagged the transaction as a scam and automatically refunded it, prompting her to verify her sister's safety and confirm the call was fraudulent. Authorities recommend using code words with family members, avoiding clicking suspicious links that enable account hacking and call spoofing, and reporting such scams to law enforcement.
menafn.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old Michigan administrative assistant lost $26,000 to a romance scam involving a man posing as a French project manager named "Richard" who used deepfake videos during Skype calls to appear authentic. Over several months, the scammer emotionally manipulated the victim into taking out loans under the pretense of needing legal and translation help in Qatar, then disappeared when confronted. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams, with projections estimating eight million deepfakes will be shared worldwide in 2025, approximately one-fifth of which involve romantic fraud schemes.
wndu.com
· 2025-12-08
Mishawaka Utilities warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonating utility company representatives threaten immediate service disconnection and direct victims to call a 1-800 number to make emergency payments. The utility company clarified that it does not conduct business through unsolicited calls demanding immediate payment via specific phone numbers to avoid service shutoff.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2025, authorities warned that while technology and AI have improved seniors' quality of life, these same advances are increasingly being used to defraud them—with financial abuse being the most common form of elder abuse in Canada. Seniors are targeted because they have accumulated wealth, and fraudsters exploit AI and online platforms to conduct scams largely outside regulatory jurisdiction. The BC Securities Commission created "Scamtones"—specialty ringtones in various musical genres—to remind seniors to be cautious of suspicious phone calls and spark conversations with family members about investment fraud prevention.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
CIRO issued a warning on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day noting that scams targeting seniors are rising, with approximately 30% of CIRO enforcement cases involving seniors and one in five Canadians approached with possible investment fraud, primarily through unsolicited emails, texts, calls, and social media messages. The organization provided protective measures including being cautious with unsolicited communications, safeguarding personal information, obtaining legal advice before signing major documents, establishing a Power of Attorney, and naming a trusted contact person with financial advisors, while emphasizing that victims should report suspected fraud immediately to avoid secondary "recovery scams."
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Ohio surgeon lost $1 billion to a romance scam involving a fake Ukrainian model within one month of his wife's death, while in New Delhi, a woman lost Rs 5 lakh ($6,000) when scammers impersonated her phone service provider during a family medical crisis. Globally, seniors lost $4.8 billion to cyber fraud in 2024 (US), with India projected to lose Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($14.4 billion) in 2025, driven by psychological manipulation that exploits neurobiological changes in aging brains, cultural conditioning toward authority and politeness, and widesprea
actionnewsjax.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in Baker County, Florida are being targeted by two related scams: one where fraudsters impersonate bank fraud department staff to convince victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into other accounts, and another where callers pose as sheriff's deputies claiming arrest warrants exist and demanding phone payment to avoid arrest. The Baker County Sheriff's Office warns that they never request payment over the phone and urges anyone affected to contact Detective Lieutenant David Mancini.
cbs19news.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens and vulnerable adults across the United States are being targeted at increasing rates by scammers using phone calls, emails, text messages, and artificial intelligence; in 2024, seniors lost nearly $4.9 billion across 147,000 complaints nationally, with Virginia seniors (age 60+) losing over $106.5 million in more than 3,800 reported incidents. Common scams targeting elders include the "Grandparent scam" using AI voice impersonation, text message schemes regarding undelivered packages and unpaid tolls, and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Officials recommend verifying contact information independently, resisting pressure to act quickly, and avoiding payment methods like gift cards
chicago.suntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chicago resident was targeted by scammers posing as AT&T who used social engineering to obtain two-factor authentication codes, gaining access to his account and compromising his sister's phone line within 24 hours. Two-factor authentication scams are increasingly common nationwide, with criminals obtaining victim information through data breaches and phishing, then manipulating the security codes to control accounts and devices. The key defense is to hang up on unsolicited calls claiming account problems and instead contact your bank, carrier, or company directly using known phone numbers, as legitimate companies won't pressure you to provide security codes over the phone.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fraudulent text messages to trick victims into paying fake fees, with popular schemes including the E-ZPass scam (claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license revocation) and DMV scams (impersonating state driver licensing offices). Additional common scams involve fake job offers via text from sites like Indeed with malicious links, and Facebook ads for fake Joann Fabric sales exploiting the retailer's closure.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This article is a compilation of ten cyber crime news summaries curated by the Future Crime Research Foundation. Key cases include: a ₹3.34 crore fraud call center bust in Lucknow where 15 individuals lured youth via fake job ads on WhatsApp and Facebook to run scams targeting 1,000+ people; a Pune woman defrauded of ₹8.4 lakh in a matrimonial scam; a Mumbai man who lost ₹32 lakh in a cryptocurrency romance scam; and a multi-state investment and digital arrest scam network spanning Odisha, Gujarat, and West Bengal. The compilation also covers international
actionnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is urging elderly Americans and their families to be vigilant about elder fraud, particularly ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, highlighting that investment scams, technical support schemes, and romance scams target seniors by exploiting their vulnerability and trust. The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $4.8 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, with California alone accounting for over $832 million in elder fraud losses. The FBI recommends scrutinizing unsolicited communications, verifying unknown sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, and reporting suspected fraud to local law enforcement or through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
northcentralpa.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Philadelphia marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) to highlight the growing crisis of elder fraud, reporting that Americans over 60 filed over 147,000 complaints in 2024 with losses totaling approximately $4.8 billion nationally, while Pennsylvanians over 60 alone reported 6,300 complaints resulting in $151 million in losses. The FBI emphasizes that elder abuse takes multiple forms and urges the public to recognize scam attempts, resist pressure to act quickly, protect personal information, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement. Education, community outreach, and victim support services are identified as critical tools in protecting vulnerable seniors from exploitation.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Yunming Fan, 36, of San Gabriel was arrested in Auburn, California for an elder fraud scheme in which he contacted an elderly victim online claiming she owed thousands of dollars due to a computer error from a payment app, then demanded she withdraw cash for a courier pickup. The victim provided a small amount of money before recognizing the scam and contacting authorities; detectives then monitored further conversations as Fan demanded tens of thousands more and eventually attempted to pick up cash at her home, where he was arrested and charged with felony conspiracy and theft by false pretenses. Investigators suspect Fan and related suspects may have been conducting similar cash pickup scams in the area.
amp.scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
Two teenagers in Hong Kong—a 16-year-old girl and 18-year-old man—were arrested for defrauding an 85-year-old woman of HK$50,000 (US$6,369) through a phone scam in which they impersonated her daughter and claimed to need bail money. The victim discovered the fraud after contacting her actual daughter, and the suspects were apprehended the same day when they attempted to solicit additional "bail money." Both were charged with conspiracy to defraud, which carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence in Hong Kong.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 lost nearly $5 billion to online scams in 2024, a 43% increase from 2023, with over 147,000 victims averaging $83,000 in losses each according to FBI data. Major scam types include investment fraud ($1.8 billion), tech support scams ($1 billion), and government impersonation schemes ($200 million), increasingly leveraging AI and deepfakes. The article recommends family members and communities take preventive action through regular personal check-ins, education about common scam tactics, and directing seniors to trusted resources like the FTC and FBI rather than relying solely on technology.
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans over 60 lost nearly $5 billion to elder fraud schemes in a 43% increase from the previous year, with approximately 150,000 complaints reported to the FBI. Common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud, romance schemes, investment fraud, and government impersonation, increasingly enhanced by artificial intelligence technology that can mimic voices and create more convincing deceptions. The FBI recommends seniors protect themselves by avoiding sharing personal information with unverified contacts, researching unsolicited communications, resisting pressure for quick financial decisions, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
Lawrence Hall of Columbus lost $149 after responding to a robocall scam in which he ordered an item over the phone but never received it or a refund. The Ohio Attorney General's Office advises residents to avoid answering calls from unfamiliar numbers, not to share personal information with callers, and to report robocalls online, noting that seniors are particularly vulnerable to these scams due to isolation and their tendency to answer phones.
rdrnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The City of Roswell issued a warning after water customers received fraudulent phone calls and text messages from an unknown individual impersonating city officials and demanding payment while attempting to obtain financial information. The scam is part of a broader pattern of impersonation fraud targeting residents, including fake calls about arrest warrants, jury duty, and utility shutoffs, with scammers using caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate and creating urgency to prevent victims from verifying their identity. Authorities recommend hanging up, independently verifying the caller's identity through official websites or phone numbers, and advise seniors to consult trusted relatives before sharing personal information.
9to5mac.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use AI tools and deepfakes to impersonate trusted contacts and commit identity theft, potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in fraudulent loans or credit card debt opened in victims' names. The article advises protecting yourself through multiple security measures: use a password manager to create unique passwords for each account, replace old weak passwords (especially for financial services), adopt passkeys where available, and enable two-factor authentication via authenticator apps rather than text messages.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating process servers in phishing calls, claiming victims have non-existent court cases, liens on their homes, or unpaid debts, and threatening immediate legal consequences or arrest. The callers use intimidation tactics and secrecy about details to pressure victims into quick action, often to unknown or blocked numbers. To protect yourself, verify any legal claims directly with courts or official agencies rather than responding to unsolicited calls.
irishexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common scams affecting Irish people and provides warning signs to recognize them. Key scam types include phishing through fake bank alerts, fake competition wins, malicious pop-ups, counterfeit online shopping sites, emotional manipulation scams (including voice cloning and deepfakes), hacked social media accounts, and pressure tactics using urgency. The article advises verifying suspicious messages by contacting organizations directly, checking for personalization in communications, avoiding clicking unfamiliar links, and reporting confirmed scams to local gardaí with supporting documentation.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A social media engagement scam targets job seekers, particularly students aged 16-25, through unsolicited texts and calls offering remote work earning up to £800 per day by liking and sharing TikTok content. Victims are initially sent small fraudulent payments, then asked to pay fees for "training" to unlock higher earnings; typical losses range from hundreds to thousands of pounds, with cases escalating from initial contact to confirmed fraud within days. The scammers use victims' banking details for money laundering and may recruit them as "money mules," and the scam's rapid cycle and high volume pose a significant threat despite individual loss amounts being lower than traditional investment fraud.
futurecio.tech
· 2025-12-08
A LexisNexis Risk Solutions study found that the Asia Pacific region is experiencing a surge in fraud, with human-initiated attacks rising 61% year-on-year, while countries like Japan and Hong Kong face significant losses from romance scams, investment fraud, and authorized push payment (APP) fraud. To combat these evolving threats, financial institutions in APAC are increasingly adopting AI-powered fraud detection systems that analyze user behavior and intent rather than relying solely on traditional anomaly detection, alongside explainable AI (XAI) approaches that provide transparent reasoning for flagged transactions to build customer trust and meet regulatory requirements.
wbhm.org
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Day, officials warned that seniors lost $4.8 billion to financial scams in 2024, with common schemes including romance scams, sweepstakes fraud, impersonation of government agencies and tech support, and family emergency requests. The FBI and IRS recommend seniors avoid sending money to strangers, sharing personal financial information online, and responding to pressure to act quickly or sign unfamiliar documents. Suspected fraud can be reported to the IRS Atlanta Field Office at 470-639-2228 or via email.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
UK victims lost over £106 million to romance fraud in the 2024/25 financial year, with 9,449 reported cases representing a 9% increase, according to City of London Police data. The average loss per victim was £11,222, with the 50-59 age group suffering the highest financial impact (£22.1 million total), though male victims slightly outnumbered female victims for the second consecutive year. Police believe the actual figure is significantly higher due to underreporting caused by victim shame and embarrassment, and they have launched a public awareness campaign to educate people about the emotional manipulation and financial exploitation tactics used by romance scammers.
privatebank.jpmorgan.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals use social engineering tactics to target elderly individuals who are less familiar with technology and may trust official-looking communications, often isolating victims and creating pressure to share personal information or money. The article illustrates two common scams: a phishing email impersonating a charity that stole Jane's financial details when she donated to a fake disaster relief campaign, and a phone scam where "Amazon" and "FBI" impersonators convinced Gerald to withdraw cash before he recognized the fraud when asked to convert funds to Bitcoin. The best defense against these scams is community support from trusted friends, family, and financial advisors rather than acting alone.
concordmonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational column advises readers to assume all unsolicited emails, texts, and phone calls from organizations are scams, as fraudsters have become highly skilled at impersonating legitimate entities and fabricating personal details. The author highlights common scam tactics including fake DMV/Medicare/bank requests, charity donation schemes, and "grandchild in danger" extortion, while warning that artificial intelligence now enables criminals to create convincing audio and video impersonations of known contacts. The recommended defense is to never transfer money or share sensitive information unless you initiated contact, and instead verify requests by independently looking up official contact information or using a pre-arranged "safe word" with loved ones.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
**Smishing Scams Surge as Mobile Fraud Rises**
Online scams generated $16 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from 2023, with smishing (fraudulent text messages impersonating banks, government agencies, and delivery services) emerging as a prevalent threat. To protect against smishing, individuals should verify sender IDs, never share personal information via text, avoid clicking unsolicited links, enable spam filtering, and take time to pause before responding to urgent requests. Victims should immediately stop communicating with scammers, report the message to their bank and carrier, monitor accounts for unauthorized activity, change passwords, and watch their credit reports for
irishexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams affecting Irish people and warning signs to watch for, including phishing scams (fake bank alerts and delivery notifications), fake competition wins, malicious pop-ups, counterfeit online shopping sites, emotional manipulation scams (including deepfakes and voice cloning), hacked social media accounts, and high-pressure tactics. The piece advises always verifying suspicious messages by contacting organizations directly, checking for personalization in legitimate communications, ignoring unsolicited alerts, and reporting confirmed scams to local authorities with documentation of emails and account details.
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI released a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reminder highlighting that elder fraud caused $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, representing a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses from 2023. Seniors are frequently targeted through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule schemes because they are often perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report fraud. The FBI advises seniors to verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement, the FBI's tip line, or