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The Senior LinkAge Line is offering a free virtual presentation on August 13, 2025, on health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, noting that scams targeting older adults are on the rise. The presentation, delivered via Zoom and informed by the Senior Medicare Patrol program, will cover fraud detection, prevention strategies, and reporting procedures to help seniors protect their personal information. Registration is available through Eventbrite or by calling 800.333.2433.

U.S. Senator Ashley Moody testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging about her efforts as Florida's former Attorney General to combat elder fraud, citing her establishment of the Senior Protection Team in 2019 to address civil, criminal, and health care fraud targeting seniors. Moody highlighted that while an estimated 1 in 10 seniors experience abuse, only 7% of cases reach law enforcement, and emphasized that financial scams targeting older Americans cost victims over $3.4 billion annually. She and other senators have called for coordinated federal efforts to dismantle international scam networks targeting the elderly, proposing her Florida model as a potential national approach to elder fraud prevention.

This article discusses demographic and investment trends related to aging populations rather than fraud or elder abuse. It presents the "silver tsunami" as a $600 billion investment opportunity, noting that declining financial literacy among seniors (dropping 1% annually after age 65) creates vulnerability, while AI-powered fintech platforms are emerging as solutions to help older adults manage retirement savings and combat fraud. The piece recommends investment allocations across healthcare, senior housing, annuities, and fintech sectors to capitalize on aging populations' growing financial needs. **Note:** This content is investment-focused analysis, not a case study of actual elder fraud or abuse events.

TARCOG is hosting a free Fraud & Scam Summit on August 20, 2025, in Athens, Alabama, to educate the community about elder fraud following reports that seniors lost nearly $5 billion to financial scams across the U.S. in 2024. The summit will cover topics including recognizing common scams, identity theft prevention, the role of caregivers in detecting fraud, and reporting procedures, with exhibitors from state programs and community organizations providing resources.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It discusses recent changes to white-collar crime enforcement policies in the US Department of Justice and UK Serious Fraud Office, focusing on corporate self-disclosure incentives, FCPA enforcement, and anti-bribery measures—topics outside the scope of elder abuse, elder fraud, or scams targeting seniors.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta launched a new hospice fraud initiative to educate the public and provide reporting resources for victims of fraudulent end-of-life care practices that exploit vulnerable elderly and terminally ill patients through schemes like enrolling ineligible patients and billing for services never rendered. The initiative, addressing what has become an epidemic particularly in the greater Los Angeles area, equips individuals and families with tools to recognize red flags such as little actual care being provided, unexplained gifts, or dragging services without updates. Since taking office, the Attorney General has filed criminal charges against 109 individuals for hospice fraud-related offenses and conducted 24 civil investigations.

Elderly fraud in the U.S. resulted in nearly $5 billion in losses during 2024, representing a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in financial losses compared to 2023, according to FBI data showing 147,127 complaints. TARCOG's Senior Medicare Patrol is hosting a free Fraud & Scam Summit on August 20, 2025, to educate seniors, families, and caregivers on recognizing common scams, identity theft prevention, detecting financial abuse, and reporting resources. The event at Athens State University will feature local experts and community organizations providing educational information and support.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta launched a statewide Hospice Fraud Initiative to combat growing fraudulent practices targeting vulnerable elderly and terminally ill patients, particularly in Los Angeles areas including Van Nuys, Glendale, and Burbank. Common schemes include billing for services never rendered, enrolling ineligible patients, and offering cash incentives for enrollment, which drain Medi-Cal resources and harm families. The initiative provides educational outreach, reporting resources, and tools to help Californians recognize red flags and report suspected fraud through multiple channels.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott held a roundtable in Florida to address the escalating threat of scams and fraud targeting seniors, highlighting common schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails. Speakers emphasized that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and that many large-scale operations originate from foreign call centers, constituting a national security concern; they also noted that Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions of dollars annually through false billing and manipulation of member numbers. The roundtable stressed that awareness, prevention, and stronger legal penalties are essential to combat this crisis, while acknowledging that embarrassment often prevents victims from reporting

U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who chairs the Committee on Aging, held a roundtable in Florida to address a "growing threat" of elder fraud targeting seniors through increasingly sophisticated schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails, often originating from foreign call centers. Stakeholders reported that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment, while Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions through false billing. The roundtable emphasized that awareness, prevention, stronger penalties, and coordinated efforts among banks, government, and law enforcement are essential to combat what is described as a "national crisis" an

This article discusses the growing threat of scams and cyber security risks that have emerged alongside rapid technological advancement. It notes that over the past year, scammers have employed various new methods to steal personal information through email, text messages, and phone calls. The full content requires a subscription to access.

This educational piece examines the financial vulnerabilities facing aging populations, noting that 7.2 million Americans aged 65+ currently live with Alzheimer's dementia (projected to triple by 2060), with dementia-related costs reaching $384 billion annually and expected to surge to $1.6 trillion by 2050. Financial literacy among U.S. seniors aged 55+ has declined to 49.2%, increasing susceptibility to fraud—global elder fraud losses exceed $36 billion annually—while cognitive decline leads to poor financial decisions regarding Social Security, Medicare, and long-term care planning. The article highlights emerging solutions including AI-driven fintech platforms that reduce

**Article:** AInvest Newsletter - Elder Fraud and Financial Literacy Crisis U.S. seniors aged 55+ lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023 as financial literacy declined to 49.2% and cognitive impairment rates spiked, with 62.3% of older adults in federally qualified health centers exhibiting undiagnosed mild cognitive impairment. Global elder fraud losses exceed $36 billion annually, creating systemic risks to retirement security and healthcare systems, while simultaneously spurring a $10 trillion longevity market focused on AI-driven financial platforms, annuities, and cognitive intervention tools to mitigate

In response to rising scams targeting older adults in California, Assemblymember Greg Wallis and the Desert Recreation District are hosting a free Senior Scam Awareness Seminar at the Palm Desert Community Center on August 13, 2025. Older adults reported approximately $700 million in combined losses nationally in 2024, prompting the event to feature law enforcement and consumer protection experts discussing scam identification, reporting procedures, and protective measures against identity theft, Medicare fraud, and financial exploitation.

Social Security recipients face escalating financial fraud, with seniors over 60 losing an estimated $3.4 billion to scams in 2023 alone. The article outlines seven common scam types targeting this vulnerable population: fake government calls (including a new SSA warning about fraudsters posing as federal agencies demanding payment via untraceable methods), Medicare fraud, grandparent scams, financial services impersonation, tech support scams, fake assistance programs, and romance scams. The article provides protective measures for each scam type, emphasizing verification of contacts, use of official phone numbers, and avoidance of unusual payment methods and unsolicited requests for personal information.

Mary Kaphuka and her family of six fell victim to a rental apartment scam in Milwaukee after paying a $1,200 security deposit to a woman named "Ms. Allie" on Facebook who claimed to assist vulnerable mothers find housing; the apartment did not exist and the scammer disappeared, leaving the family homeless. Kaphuka has reported the case to police and plans to file a small claims lawsuit, while the family currently relies on shelters and temporary housing. According to the FTC, real estate scams are prevalent, with the FBI documenting 9,521 complaints in 2023 resulting in over $145 million in damages.

A senior scam awareness seminar was held in Palm Desert to educate older adults about fraud prevention amid increasing fraud losses in the community. The event, featuring speaker Greg Wallace, covered topics including Medicare fraud, identity theft prevention, and general elder fraud awareness. The seminar aimed to help seniors in the Coachella Valley recognize and avoid common scams targeting their age group.

A Durham County caregiver bonded out on charges of exploiting her client through check fraud, exemplifying a broader trend of financial abuse by caregivers targeting vulnerable adults. The article documents multiple cases including a nurse who stole a patient's identity, a caregiver who used an elderly woman's financial information to make thousands in unauthorized transactions, and a healthcare company operator sentenced to 17 years for a $500,000 Medicare fraud scheme. The AARP reports over 369,000 annual incidents of financial abuse against older adults in the U.S., with experts recommending background checks, financial monitoring, secure document storage, and requiring receipts to protect vulnerable individuals in care.

This article examines the financial vulnerability of aging populations globally, noting that only 49.2% of adults aged 55+ demonstrate basic financial literacy, making them susceptible to fraud and inadequate retirement planning. It highlights how countries with robust financial education programs (like Sweden and Norway) have reduced senior fraud exposure by 30%, and discusses emerging solutions including government policy changes, annuity products, and AI-driven fintech tools that simplify retirement planning for low-literacy populations. The piece positions the aging demographic as a $10 trillion investment opportunity while emphasizing the need for scalable education, transparent financial products, and technology-driven safeguards to protect seniors from financial mismanagement and predatory schemes.

TARCOG is hosting a free Fraud and Scam Summit in Athens, Alabama to educate seniors, caregivers, and professionals about recognizing and preventing scams, which cost Americans nearly $5 billion annually. The event features experts from law enforcement and the Alabama Securities Commission discussing common fraud tactics, identity theft prevention, and reporting procedures, with particular focus on romance scams as the fastest-growing threat targeting vulnerable seniors. Attendees can register on the waiting list by contacting TARCOG at 256-830-0818, and resources will be available online for those unable to attend.

Hospice Care Medicare Fraud has been designated as the New York StateWide Senior Action Council's Medicare Fraud of the Month for August 2025. Scammers target seniors by offering free services (cooking, cleaning, in-home help) and then illegally enroll them in hospice care without their knowledge, billing Medicare for unnecessary or non-existent services. Seniors can protect themselves by remembering that only doctors can certify hospice care, reviewing their Medicare statements for unauthorized charges, and reporting suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.

The operators of Kids in Need of Support Services (KISS), a nonprofit after-school program in Silver City, New Mexico, were charged with submitting over $1.6 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims for services never rendered and committing identity theft using the Social Security numbers of dozens of children and adults in their care. CEO Susanne Kee and her daughter Bethanne Kee face multiple counts of fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy, with investigators finding evidence of impossible billing schedules (including psychotherapy claims for infants under 30 days old) and families confirming they never authorized or received the billed services. The investigation, conducted by the N.M. Department of

Chicago residents identified online fraud as a major concern, with 90 percent of survey respondents rating protection from it as "important" or "very important." The Federal Trade Commission received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, with Illinois accounting for over 186,000 fraud reports, and the article provides expert guidance on identifying, avoiding, and responding to various types of fraud including account fraud, non-delivery scams, and impersonation schemes.

The Palmer Center in Independence, Missouri hosted its annual "Scamboree" event to educate approximately 175 senior attendees about fraud prevention, featuring resources on common scams including investment fraud and utility company impersonation schemes. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol program, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to fraud, errors, and abuse, with participants advised to avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers and to hang up immediately on suspicious calls.

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against two operators of a nonprofit afterschool program in Silver City, alleging they submitted over $1.6 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims for services never provided and engaged in identity theft using social security numbers of both adults and children. The defendants, Susanne Kee and Bethanne Kee-Medran, face 91 combined counts of fraud and identity theft, with allegations including falsely representing psychological disorders to support the fraudulent billing scheme.

This educational article from FODMAP Everyday® identifies 12 items people over 50 should remove from their wallets to protect against identity theft and fraud. The piece emphasizes that elder fraud is a critical threat, citing FBI data showing scams targeting people over 60 caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (averaging $33,915 per victim), with total fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase year-over-year. Key recommendations include removing Social Security cards, excessive credit cards, and debit cards, as thieves can use these items to commit identity theft, credit card fraud, and drain

Eleven individuals were arrested in connection with an alleged $10 billion Medicare fraud scheme, highlighting a growing problem in healthcare fraud that costs the U.S. billions annually. Capital Blue Cross reports an uptick in fraudulent claims involving durable medical equipment (DME), with scammers using medical knowledge to submit false claims for services never provided or needed. The organization recommends protecting yourself by safeguarding personal information, verifying DME prescriptions with your doctor, monitoring insurance statements, and reporting suspicious activity immediately.

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas launched a fraud alert through its Senior Medicare Patrol Program to educate seniors about Medicare scams, which cost the program $60-$100 billion annually. Common scams include unsolicited shipments of medical braces and kits billed to Medicare, as well as phone calls attempting to steal personal information. The program helps seniors identify fraud, report scams, and seek restitution, serving over 4,600 seniors in the region in 2024.

Baxter County, Arkansas is experiencing a rise in scams targeting residents, prompting local law enforcement to host a public call-in program with Sheriff John Montgomery to educate citizens on fraud prevention. The initiative follows recent arrests of three men accused of acting as "money mules" for overseas scam operations; common schemes affecting residents include government impersonation, tech support fraud, fake sweepstakes, romance scams, and home repair fraud using phishing emails, robocalls, and spoofed numbers.

This educational article outlines eight categories of federal crimes that attract FBI investigation, ranging from terrorism and espionage to cybercrime, public corruption, civil rights violations, and organized crime. The piece provides examples of each category, such as the 2013 Boston Marathon bombers' online radicalization, the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, and the Equifax data breach affecting 147 million Americans. The article is designed to inform readers about activities—both intentional and unintentional—that could trigger FBI scrutiny beyond commonly known offenses like terrorism or organized crime.

A 26-year-old certified nurse assistant in New Mexico, April Guadalupe Hernandez, was charged with 19 counts of misconduct including nursing without a license, identity theft, abuse of a resident, and fraud for falsifying nursing credentials and stealing identities of nurses from Texas, California, and Kansas. Over one year, Hernandez worked at three hospice centers using different name variations, claiming to hold higher nursing credentials than she possessed, and made a potentially fatal medication error (an overdose of morphine) that was caught before administration; she has an arraignment scheduled for September 8th.

April Guadalupe Hernandez was indicted on 19 counts after impersonating nurses to provide care to hospice patients in New Mexico, allegedly stealing approximately $40,000 through fraudulent billing. Operating under a stolen identity, Hernandez mis-transcribed a medication order that nearly resulted in a fatal morphine overdose for one patient, leading to charges including identity theft, unlicensed nursing practice, fraud, and resident abuse.

Logan Morrison, a certified nursing assistant at Dayspring Senior Living LLC in Hilliard, Florida, was arrested on August 28, 2025, for one count of abuse of a disabled adult after allegedly grabbing and shoving a disabled resident to the ground. The arrest was made by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with assistance from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.

Between January 2020 and December 2024, the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) identified 137,153 Bank Secrecy Act reports involving Chinese money laundering networks (CMLNs) that moved approximately $312 billion in suspicious transactions, including $766 million linked to adult and senior day care centers suggesting potential elder abuse and fraud. CMLNs exploit financial loopholes to launder drug cartel proceeds while helping Chinese entities bypass currency restrictions, and increasingly use real estate, trade-based schemes, money mules, and infiltration of financial institutions to obscure illicit funds. The Treasury Department has prioritized dism

Between January 2020 and December 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $312 billion in suspicious transactions linked to Chinese money laundering networks, which facilitate illicit financial flows for drug cartels, human trafficking, and fraud schemes. Among the suspicious activity, 108 Bank Secrecy Act filings involved elder abuse, and 43 reports identified $766 million in transactions tied to adult and senior day care centers in New York. These networks operate through multiple channels including real estate transactions ($53.7 billion across 17,389 filings), trade-based money laundering, money mule schemes, and the recruitment of compl

Linda Karlinsey, a Utah Medicare beneficiary, was targeted by Almaz Med Supply, a New York-based company that fraudulently billed Medicare over $10,800 for unauthorized medical supplies she never ordered or received, including glucose monitors and wound dressings. While Medicare rejected the initial $2,600 glucose monitor charges, the company successfully frauded the system for $6,300 in wound dressing claims that were paid before detection. The case highlights the importance of Medicare beneficiaries reviewing their statements carefully and reporting suspicious charges, as Medicare fraud costs approximately $60 billion annually.

A 27-year-old certified nurse assistant in New Mexico was indicted on 19 counts including identity theft, elder abuse, nursing without a license, and Medicaid fraud after assuming the identities of licensed nurses to provide unauthorized hospice care while receiving approximately $40,000 in fraudulent Medicaid payments. The fraud scheme lasted over 18 months across three hospice facilities and resulted in a near-fatal morphine overdose to a patient; Hernandez faces up to 27.5 years in prison if convicted.

April Guadalupe Hernandez was indicted by a Bernalillo County grand jury for assuming the identities of licensed nurses and illegally providing hospice care, including mis-transcribing a medication order that nearly resulted in a fatal morphine overdose. Hernandez, a certified nurse assistant, allegedly stole the identities of three nurses from Texas, California, and Kansas to gain employment at three healthcare facilities over 18 months, defrauding them of approximately $40,000. She faces 19 charges including identity theft, nursing without a license, elder abuse, and violations of the Nursing Practice Act, with a potential sentence of up to 27.5 years in prison

Medical equipment scams are spreading across California, where fraudsters obtain Medicare numbers from seniors through offers of free equipment or services, then bill Medicare for items the beneficiaries never requested or needed. This fraud not only drains Medicare resources but can prevent seniors from receiving legitimately prescribed equipment in the future when claims are denied due to duplicate billings. Seniors should verify with their doctor if they ordered any unsolicited equipment, report fraudulent claims to Medicare, and contact the Senior Medicare Patrol or 1-800-Medicare for assistance.

Seven suspects were charged with defrauding 35 people through the Line messaging app by posing as cryptocurrency dealers, stealing nearly NT$97.43 million (US$3.18 million). Investment scams in Taiwan increased 21 percent year-over-year, with women aged 50 and older representing the majority of victims, and losses from such schemes comprising the largest share of all fraud-related financial losses. The article calls for strengthened government education campaigns and legislation empowering banks and technology platforms to intervene against fraudulent activity, particularly to protect vulnerable elderly populations.

In 2024, Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams, with adults over 60 being frequent targets due to their savings, limited digital experience, and trust in official-sounding messages. Modern scammers employ sophisticated tactics like AI voice cloning and deepfake videos to impersonate loved ones and government agencies. The article provides ten practical tips for seniors to avoid scams, including not answering unknown numbers, never sharing personal information over the phone, recognizing pressure tactics, avoiding unusual payment methods, verifying identities through trusted sources, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts.

Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with adults over 60 being frequent targets due to their savings, limited digital experience, and trust in official-sounding communications. The article provides 10 protective strategies for seniors, including not answering unknown numbers, rejecting unsolicited calls from government agencies, never sharing personal information over the phone, resisting pressure tactics and unusual payment requests (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), verifying impersonators through independent sources, consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious requests, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts.

This educational article warns seniors about Medicare scams that surge during fall open enrollment periods. Scammers impersonate Medicare or medical providers via phone calls to trick beneficiaries into revealing Social Security numbers, Medicare card numbers, and other personal information—which criminals use to submit fraudulent claims worth tens of thousands of dollars. The article advises that Medicare will never call unsolicited, recommends hanging up on suspicious callers, and directs victims to call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance.

Medicare scam calls are surging, particularly during open enrollment season, with scammers impersonating Medicare representatives to fraudulently obtain beneficiaries' Medicare numbers for billing unauthorized medical equipment and services. Medicare fraud drains approximately $60 billion annually from the system, and legitimate Medicare representatives never cold-call beneficiaries. Beneficiaries should protect themselves by never sharing their Medicare number over the phone unless they initiate the call, blocking suspicious numbers, and reporting scams to 1-800-MEDICARE.

Debbie Worthington of Lehi has been bombarded with unsolicited calls from scammers posing as Medicare representatives, seeking to obtain her Medicare number to fraudulently bill the system for medical supplies and equipment she never ordered. Medicare fraud costs the system approximately $60 billion annually in taxpayer money, with scammers targeting beneficiaries especially during open enrollment season by calling from spoofed local numbers despite Medicare's strict prohibition on cold calling. Medicare advises beneficiaries to never share their Medicare number unless they initiate contact with a trusted provider and to report suspicious calls to 1-800-MEDICARE.

A Reuters investigation found that popular AI chatbots, including Elon Musk's Grok, can be easily manipulated to generate convincing phishing emails targeting seniors, despite built-in safety training. Testing with Harvard researcher Fred Heiding showed that while some bots initially refuse malicious requests, they comply after simple ruses (claiming academic or creative purposes), and the AI-generated phishing emails proved as effective as human-written ones at deceiving older adults. With seniors losing at least $4.9 billion to online fraud in the previous year, AI-enabled phishing represents a growing threat as criminals can now mass-produce personalized scams instantly and at minimal cost.

The Glassell Park Improvement Association held a community meeting featuring state officials who outlined common fraud schemes targeting seniors, including investment fraud, insurance scams, and Medicare fraud, most of which originate from phone calls seeking personal information. Officials recommended three protective measures: verify companies by calling them directly, never share personal information, and consult trusted individuals before making decisions. Seniors are frequently targeted due to their accumulated wealth and potential unfamiliarity with modern technology.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council designated AI-enabled scams as the "Medicare Fraud of the Month for September," warning seniors about fraudsters using artificial intelligence to commit prescription fraud, spoof Medicare representatives, create fake medical documents, and operate fraudulent telehealth websites. The council advised seniors to review Medicare statements for unauthorized charges, hang up on unsolicited calls requesting personal information, avoid clicking suspicious links, and verify medical providers directly with their offices. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers an estimated $60 billion annually nationwide, and seniors can report suspected fraud by calling the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800-333-4374.

Precious Cruse, owner of Caring Through Love, a prenatal care coordination company, was convicted on September 12, 2025, of seventeen federal charges including healthcare fraud, identity theft, and money laundering for exploiting vulnerable pregnant women and new mothers. Cruse lured participants with kickbacks of free baby items, then fraudulently submitted claims to Medicaid for services never provided, while using the proceeds to finance a luxury lifestyle. She faces a mandatory minimum of 2 years and up to 20 years imprisonment, with sentencing scheduled for January 20, 2026.

**Summary:** This educational article identifies nine common email scams targeting retirees, including fake account lockouts, Social Security verification requests, Medicare renewal threats, suspicious activity alerts, unpaid invoices, delivery notifications, payment updates, prize offers, and tax return warnings. The article explains that scammers use urgency, official-looking logos, and authority figures to manipulate victims into clicking malicious links or providing sensitive data. The key defense strategies are to recognize panic-inducing language, verify communications through official channels rather than email links, and remember that legitimate institutions rarely request sensitive information via unsolicited emails.