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foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security Administration phishing scams use urgent, alarming messages impersonating government agencies to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading files that steal personal data or install malware. These scams leverage fear and false authority by falsely claiming SSNs are suspended due to serious crimes like money laundering, and often include multiple geographic references and official-sounding details to overwhelm victims into panic-driven action before they can verify the threat.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old, admitted to orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded at least six women across multiple states of millions of dollars by posing as different men (including "Williams Moore" and "Manuel Sykes") claiming to need financial help due to oil rig injuries. Victims from Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas were manipulated into opening cryptocurrency accounts and transferring funds totaling millions, with individual losses ranging from $235,000 to $896,000, which Nwadavid then laundered through his own Bitcoin wallets. The case reflects a broader trend of romance fraud, with the
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, a 35-year-old married Nigerian real estate worker, pleaded guilty to running a sophisticated romance scam that defrauded six women across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas of approximately $1.88 million between January and June 2019. Using fake identities, he posed as men working on oil rigs or in overseas positions, love-bombing vulnerable victims and convincing them to send money for medical emergencies or travel expenses, with one victim losing over $896,000. The case reflects a broader epidemic of romance scams targeting older adults, with the FBI reporting nearly 18,000 complaints in 2024
newskarnataka.com
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old retired teacher in Telangana lost ₹10.2 lakh to a "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonated police and CBI officials via phone calls and WhatsApp video, using forged documents to coerce him into transferring money. The victim realized the deception only after consulting with friends and subsequently filed a complaint with cybercrime police, who have launched an investigation.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
A 35-year-old Nigerian man, Charles Uchenna Nwadavid, pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded six women across Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Kansas of approximately $1.88 million between 2019 and 2024. Using fake identities such as "Williams Moore," "Manuel Sykes," and "Edward Nowak," Nwadavid posed as an oil rig worker and other professionals to build romantic relationships with vulnerable women online, then solicited money under false pretenses including medical emergencies and inheritance claims. The case highlights the growing threat of romance scams targeting women over 60, which
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Canadian citizen, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in July after a multi-state scam targeting elderly victims, with confirmed losses exceeding $309,000 across Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee. In the initial Charlestown, Kentucky case, an elderly resident was defrauded of $27,000 after being tricked into withdrawing funds from his retirement account; three additional elderly victims in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan were nearly victimized for an additional $70,000 before family members intervened. Liu was charged with theft, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, and police believe there are
pasadenanow.com
· 2025-12-08
Huntington Health is hosting a free virtual educational event on July 9 to help community members recognize and prevent financial elder abuse, which affects over 6% of elderly Americans and costs seniors nearly $36.5 billion annually. The presentation will cover common scams targeting older adults and protective strategies, led by an elder abuse prevention advocate, and reflects urgent national trends showing that only 1 in 24 cases of elder exploitation reach authorities, with nearly 47% of incidents involving family members as perpetrators.
wamnnews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Dr. Andrew Miller highlights the growing vulnerability of elderly people to increasingly sophisticated online and AI-powered scams, including deepfake videos and audio that can impersonate known individuals. He recommends that families establish legal protections such as enduring power of attorney, guardianship documents, and advance care directives while elderly relatives retain capacity, and maintain tight controls over financial accounts and data sharing to prevent fraud affecting both finances and healthcare services like fraudulent Medicare claims.
lincolnparishjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This article by law enforcement veteran Wesley Harris contrasts traditional in-person scams targeting seniors—such as the "found money" handkerchief scheme, driveway paving fraud, and fake bank examiner con—with modern technology-based fraud that operates remotely via text messages, phishing links, and compromised payment cards. Harris illustrates how contemporary scams are more difficult to combat because criminals operate from abroad and are largely beyond law enforcement reach, while noting that victims often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment. The article advises consumers to scrutinize suspicious messages for red flags before clicking links or providing personal financial information.
wlky.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport after police connected him to impersonation scams targeting seniors across multiple states including Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee. Liu allegedly defrauded victims of approximately $400,000 by posing as a Department of Treasury employee and convincing them to withdraw money from retirement accounts, with one documented victim losing $27,000. Police are continuing to identify additional victims and investigate co-conspirators believed to be in other countries.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Older Americans are increasingly targeted by fraud schemes, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion in 2023—an average of $33,915 per victim—according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Many of these scams, including impersonation schemes and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency frauds, are allegedly coordinated or tolerated by the Chinese Communist Party, with recent indictments in Ohio and California involving Chinese nationals charged with defrauding elderly victims out of thousands to millions of dollars. Experts emphasize that only 10-15 percent of senior fraud victims report their losses, suggesting the actual problem is far larger than reported figures indicate
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Two UK men, Raymondip Bedi and Patrick Mavanga, were sentenced to a combined 12 years in prison for operating a cryptocurrency fraud scheme between 2017 and 2019 that defrauded victims of over $2 million. The pair posed as financial advisers, cold-called inexperienced investors, and directed them to fake cryptocurrency websites through companies CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP, causing severe financial and emotional harm to victims, some of whom lost their life savings. The case highlights the challenges in enforcing crypto regulations, as the prosecution took years to complete due to FCA case backlogs.
thezebra.org
· 2025-12-08
A high school student named Wesley Driscoll, inspired by his personal experience with a phone scam, founded Silver Guard Seniors to help protect elderly citizens from fraud. The organization is hosting a free scam-prevention event on July 26 in Alexandria, Virginia, featuring former FBI agent John Schwartz and other experts who will educate seniors about recognizing common schemes like romance scams and refund fraud, while addressing the shame and secrecy that often surrounds elder financial abuse.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A restaurant manager in Mumbai's Borivli neighborhood was arrested for operating a dating scam in conspiracy with 21 conartists from Delhi and Ghaziabad. The scheme involved creating fake female profiles on dating apps to lure victims to the restaurant, where inflated bills (up to Rs 35,000) were presented and payments diverted to private UPI accounts, with the restaurant staff receiving a cut of proceeds. Police arrested 22 individuals total and recovered equipment worth Rs 3.7 lakh, though they suspect multiple victims across locations have not reported the fraud.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A UK survey of 1,000 adults found that 60% have had to help elderly relatives stay safe online, with 41% believing their older loved ones could be duped by scammers. The study revealed that 26% of older Brits have encountered scams and 21% have been victims of financial fraud, with common unsafe practices including clicking dubious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), and using simple passwords (51%). Experts emphasize that digital safety education and family conversations about cyber threats are essential to protecting vulnerable seniors from evolving online scams.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice issued a memorandum outlining its white-collar crime enforcement priorities, which include fraud targeting government programs (Medicare, Medicaid, defense spending), complex market frauds (Ponzi schemes, investment fraud, and elder fraud), trade and customs violations, and national security-related financial crimes involving foreign adversaries. The DOJ also prioritized money laundering, drug manufacturing-related crimes, and violations of controlled substances laws, while noting that corporate misconduct may be addressed through individual prosecution or civil remedies rather than corporate criminal charges, with reduced penalties offered for companies that self-disclose and cooperate with the department.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A UK poll of 1,000 respondents found that 41% of those with older loved ones believe they would fall for a scam if targeted, with 26% of older Brits having already experienced a scam and 21% falling victim to financial fraud. Common risky online behaviors among seniors include clicking suspicious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), oversharing personal information (55%), using weak passwords (51%), and poor password management practices such as writing them down or reusing them across accounts. Experts emphasize that online safety education and intergenerational conversations about cyber security are critical to protecting vulnerable older adults from increasingly sophisticated threats.
signalscv.com
· 2025-12-08
Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a 41-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable Americans of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming to represent Spanish banks and promising nonexistent inheritances, then convincing victims to send upfront fees for taxes and delivery costs through a network of U.S.-based intermediaries. Akhimie faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence, and the case highlights the broader crisis of elder fraud in the U.S., with 147,127 complaints totaling $4.
13abc.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses the growing problem of elder fraud targeting America's aging population, noting that perpetrators are not always strangers but may include people known to victims. The piece provides guidance on recognizing signs of elder fraud and implementing protective measures for elderly loved ones.
fox5ny.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting seniors are rising and stealing billions of dollars, with scammers using impersonation, urgency tactics, and AI-generated voice cloning to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or transferring money through digital payment services. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable targets because they are often more trusting, less tech-savvy, and less likely to report fraud, while also possessing strong credit and substantial savings. The FBI recommends protecting yourself by refusing to share sensitive information with suspicious callers, verifying contact information through official company websites, and immediately ceasing communication if a scam is identified.
pasenategop.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania Governor signed Senate Bill 649 into law in 2025, classifying deepfakes and digital impersonations as criminal "digital forgeries" to combat AI-enabled scams targeting elderly citizens, teenagers, and small businesses. The law allows law enforcement to prosecute those who create and distribute non-consensual digital representations of real people with intent to defraud or injure, while preserving protections for parody, satire, and legitimate artistic expression. Attorney General Dave Sunday stated the law provides crucial tools to investigate and hold offenders accountable for exploiting seniors through digital deception schemes.
ohsers.org
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams are surging, with scammers using "wrong number" texts and fake toll/parking fee alerts to build trust with victims and steal money or personal information. AI-assisted targeting tailors messages by area code and uses social media to identify vulnerable targets, with losses reaching $470 million in 2024—a five-fold increase since 2020. The best defense is not responding to texts from unknown numbers, as any response confirms the phone number is active and can lead to relationship-building tactics, investment solicitation, or account takeover attempts.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Adults over 60 lost over $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with impersonation, romance, tech support, and emerging "grandparent scams" using AI voice cloning being the most common threats. The article provides six protective practices: avoid unknown calls/texts, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, recognize urgency and emotional manipulation tactics, and refrain from sending money to unknown contacts via any payment method.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Montreal woman lost $14,510 to a bank investigator scam where fraudsters spoofed an RBC phone number and convinced her to make account changes while logged into her banking app, claiming to protect her from fraud; RBC initially denied her refund claim, stating she was responsible because she actively participated in the transactions. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported 677 victims of this scam in the first half of 2024 with $11.7 million in losses—nearly double the previous year—while Montreal police identified at least 220 RBC customers victimized with estimated losses of $1.5 million.
pa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed SB 649 into law, establishing third-degree felony charges for using artificial intelligence to create non-consensual deepfakes or voice clones to defraud or harm residents. The law specifically targets AI-generated scams affecting older adults, such as fake grandchild voice impersonations used to extort money, with Pennsylvania's Department of Aging reporting nearly 18,500 financial exploitation cases in FY 2023-24—nearly double the number since 2017. This legislation strengthens protections for Pennsylvania's fifth-largest older adult population by giving law enforcement new tools to prosecute AI-driven fraud schemes.
kjzz.org
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency ATM scams are increasingly targeting older adults, with scammers using phone calls, social media, and text messages to direct victims to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs via fraudulent QR codes under the pretense of protecting funds or making investments. Scammers now operate as organized criminal networks rather than isolated actors, with reported losses ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per victim—including cases of a woman losing $700,000 and another losing $200,000. A particularly sophisticated variation called "pig butchering" begins as romance scams on social media before morphing into cryptocurrency investment schemes designed to extract all available funds from victims.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
As AI advances, traditional scam detection methods like spotting poor spelling and grammar are no longer reliable, according to cybersecurity experts. An Avast survey of 1,001 New Zealand adults found that while 74% worry about older loved ones falling victim to scams and 84% have warned them about online threats, only 53% of seniors actually change their behavior—with common vulnerabilities including writing passwords on paper (44%) and ignoring advice about suspicious links. The most prevalent scams targeting older adults are tech support scams, phishing, and fake invoices, with phone calls remaining a primary entry point for fraud.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Ohio woman with no criminal history, Ann Mayers, robbed a credit union at gunpoint in April 2024 after losing her life savings to an online scam in which a fraudster posing as a U.S. Customs official convinced her to send thousands of dollars; she also borrowed $65,000 from a friend to cover what she believed were legitimate fees. Mayers was arrested within two hours, confessed immediately, and was sentenced to 4–5.5 years in prison after pleading guilty, highlighting how financial fraud can drive vulnerable individuals to desperate and criminal actions.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, fraud cost Americans an estimated $158.3 billion according to the FTC—equivalent to $434 million daily—with consistent year-over-year increases in reported fraud incidents. Recognizing this crisis, policymakers and organizations including AARP and the Aspen Institute are developing a national fraud strategy, while the newly launched National Elder Fraud Coordination Center aims to investigate and prosecute fraud criminals using organized crime investigative techniques. The article emphasizes that individuals can help combat fraud by reporting scams and educating others to prevent victimization.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michel Duarte Suarez, a 50-year-old Cuban national, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a scheme from Panama to steal approximately $803,000 from an 82-year-old victim's bank account over four months using forged checks and fraudulent signatures. Suarez and his South Florida-based co-conspirators laundered the stolen proceeds through his Miami company, Online Electronics, with co-conspirators returning 50% of the fraud to Suarez. He faces up to 30 years in prison on charges of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and mail fraud, plus a mandatory additional two years for aggravated identity theft, with sentencing scheduled for September 29, 2025
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
San Francisco attorney Drexel Andrew Bradshaw was disbarred by the California Supreme Court for misconduct involving an elderly client whose estate he managed as trustee. Between 2013 and 2018, Bradshaw created a construction company and billed the trust $150,000 for unbid work, took out reverse mortgages on the client's home without authorization, and lied to investigators during disciplinary proceedings. The Supreme Court ordered him to pay the trust beneficiaries $1.85 million plus interest and found him unfit to practice law, effective August 2.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
James and Maureen Wilson of Baltimore County were sentenced to 12 and 4 years in prison, respectively, after defrauding insurance companies of over $20 million through a 25-year scheme involving more than 40 fraudulent life insurance policies and money laundering across multiple accounts and trusts. The couple was ordered to pay $16 million in restitution to victims, $2.7 million to the U.S., and forfeit nearly $14.8 million. The case highlights a broader problem in Maryland, where the FBI reported that over 3,200 residents over 60 lost $80 million to scams in 2024.
gillibrand.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, American consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud, with older adults losing a record $4.8 billion, according to FBI data. Senators Gillibrand and Warren called for a Government Accountability Office investigation into how recent federal budget cuts—including the elimination of 90% of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's staff—have impaired the government's ability to protect seniors from scams and implement recommended inter-agency coordination measures. The senators cited testimony from fraud victims whose losses resulted in devastating financial and health consequences.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraud theft in the United States reached an estimated $158.3 billion in 2023, equivalent to $434 million daily, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In response to the escalating fraud crisis, new initiatives are emerging, including the Aspen Institute's national fraud strategy (with AARP involvement) and the April launch of the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, which applies organized crime investigation techniques to build cases against fraud perpetrators. The article emphasizes that individuals play a crucial role by reporting suspected scams and sharing information about fraud schemes to protect potential victims.
selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. House lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter to Google CEO commending the company's efforts to combat scams linked to Chinese Communist Party entities that drain billions from Americans annually, particularly "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams and tech support schemes that target vulnerable seniors. The letter requests information on Google's technologies to block malicious ads, browser-based scams, and AI-driven detection capabilities, noting that these transnational criminal operations caused an estimated $10 billion in crypto fraud losses in 2024 alone.
hollywoodreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old woman in the rural South lost approximately $100,000 in bitcoin to scammers impersonating actor Kevin Costner over several months, luring her with romantic messages and promises of a production company job before standing her up at a hotel meeting. The scam is part of a larger billion-dollar celebrity impersonation scheme that exploits lonely victims through AI-generated deepfakes, fake messaging accounts, and social media, prompting Hollywood to pursue legislation like the "No Fakes Act" to protect artists' likenesses and voices from unauthorized use.
nwestiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams involve criminals creating fake personas on dating sites and social media to build false relationships and extract money from victims through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. The Federal Trade Commission estimates approximately 64,000 Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with seniors—particularly widowed and divorced individuals—being frequent targets. Red flags include refusal to meet in person or video call, rapid escalation of romantic declarations, requests to move to private messaging platforms, and endless excuses for financial assistance, with some victims also being coerced into becoming "money mules" for money laundering schemes.
businessnewsthisweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Recent CDC data indicates that approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ experience elder abuse annually. A comprehensive analysis of senior safety across U.S. states, measuring scam reports, homicide rates, violent death rates, and quality of life, ranked Massachusetts as the safest state for seniors (score: 89.96), followed by Minnesota (89.03) and Nebraska (88.78), with scam rates against seniors ranging from 95.5 to 141.1 reports per 100,000 people depending on the state.
fox43.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior living resident in Silver Spring Township, Pennsylvania was targeted by a scam in which a man impersonating an FBI agent demanded $27,000 in cash to prevent her arrest. A relative recognized the fraud and alerted police, who arrested a 39-year-old suspect at the victim's home before the money was handed over; the suspect was charged with theft by deception and criminal conspiracy. Authorities are investigating similar incidents in coordination with federal agencies and remind the public that legitimate law enforcement never demands cash or gift cards over the phone.
local21news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old man was arrested in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania after impersonating an FBI agent to scam a senior citizen out of $27,000 in cash on July 8. The victim was convinced to withdraw the money after the suspect demanded payment to avoid arrest, but her son recognized the scam and called police, who intercepted the call and made the arrest. The suspect faces felony charges for theft by deception and conspiracy.
capeargus.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals deliberately target adults 65 and older through socio-economic crimes like romance fraud, fake investments, and phishing, exploiting age-based stereotypes and vulnerabilities such as memory issues, social isolation, and limited digital confidence. A research study by Dr. Suleman Lazarus and colleagues emphasizes that recognizing "ageism in cybercrime"—where older adults are purposefully targeted because they are perceived as easier to deceive—is essential to building effective defenses. Better awareness, clearer guidance, and stronger support systems are needed to protect older adults online, as the issue stems not from lack of money but from lack of confidence navigating digital financial systems.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
The RCMP arrested Gareth West, 38, on July 4 in Quebec, alleging he was the ringleader of a grandparent scam that defrauded American seniors of $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. West and 24 other Canadians operated call centers near Montreal, impersonating grandchildren in distress and lawyers to convince elderly victims in 40+ U.S. states to send bail money, which was then transferred to Canada via cash delivery and cryptocurrency. West faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted and is being held pending possible extradition to the United States.
mainlinemedianews.com
· 2025-12-08
Con artists continuously develop new scams targeting seniors, with recent tactics including AI-based fraud, unpaid toll/fine texts, investment schemes, and romance scams, while older methods like the grandparent scam remain prevalent. One in ten older adults in the U.S. experience financial exploitation annually, losing billions in retirement savings, prompting support for the bipartisan Senior Security Act of 2025. Experts advise seniors to never share information via unsolicited calls or texts, verify requests independently through official channels, and remain skeptical of requests that seem too good to be true or create urgency through fear.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to scams, with seniors accounting for $4.8 billion in losses, prompting Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren to request a Government Accountability Office investigation into staffing cuts at federal consumer protection agencies including the CFPB, FTC, and FBI. The senators argue that the Trump administration's actions—including firing approximately 90% of CFPB employees and implementing the Department of Government Efficiency—have severely undermined fraud prevention efforts at a time when they are most needed. The GAO has been asked to assess how these cuts have impacted the government's ability to implement fraud prevention recommendations and protect
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
James and Maureen Wilson of Baltimore County were sentenced to 12 and 4 years in prison, respectively, for operating a 25-year insurance fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded insurance companies and investors of over $20 million. The couple opened more than 40 fraudulent life insurance policies, laundered proceeds through multiple bank accounts and trusts, and failed to report approximately $7.7 million in income on tax returns; they were ordered to pay $16 million in restitution and forfeit nearly $14.8 million.
amityvillerecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with the percentage of victims who lost money jumping from 27% to 38% according to FTC data. While seniors are frequently targeted through "elder fraud," financial scams affect consumers of all ages across the internet and smartphone platforms. The FTC recommends verifying requests before sharing money or personal information, avoiding wire transfers and unsolicited payments, using credit cards for stronger fraud protection, and never trusting unverified caller IDs or sharing sensitive information in response to unexpected contact.
ncoa.org
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses the Older Americans Act (OAA), a 1965 federal law that funds essential services for seniors including meals, senior centers, caregiver support, job training, transportation, and elder abuse protections. The article notes that while OAA-funded programs are effective and widely used, they lack public visibility because services are delivered through community organizations without prominent federal branding. The proposed FY26 federal budget threatens these programs with significant cuts, including elimination of health promotion initiatives and a $5 million reduction in elder rights funding that would eliminate various elder abuse and exploitation prevention efforts.
nbcpalmsprings.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in Adams County, Pennsylvania was defrauded of $16,000 by scammers impersonating Microsoft IT support who convinced her to purchase Bitcoin and Walmart gift cards. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the case, which represents a common elder fraud scheme combining tech support impersonation with cryptocurrency and gift card payment methods.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Parents of victims from devastating Texas floods were targeted by scammers, according to officials who disclosed the scheme to CNN's Audie Cornish and Houston Chronicle Senior Columnist Lisa Falkenberg. The article describes how scammers exploited the tragedy and vulnerability of grieving families in the aftermath of the disaster.
fdic.gov
· 2025-12-08
Financial exploitation costs seniors an estimated $27 billion annually and can occur through theft by family members, caregivers, or scammers. Key prevention strategies include monitoring bank and credit accounts regularly, protecting personal financial information, carefully selecting powers of attorney, reviewing credit reports, taking time with major financial decisions, and remaining alert to common scams like grandparent fraud and fake check schemes. Additional protections include registering with the Do Not Call Registry, avoiding unsolicited deposit requests, and limiting personal information shared on social media.