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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
heraldnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud in the New England region resulted in $89.6 million in reported losses across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island in 2023, with Massachusetts accounting for $63.7 million of that total, though the FBI estimates actual losses are significantly higher due to underreporting. The FBI-Boston reports a double-digit increase in financial fraud targeting adults over 60, with investment scams showing the sharpest growth (victimization up 209% and losses up 419% from 2021-2023), largely driven by cryptocurrency schemes, alongside common scams including tech support, romance, and government impersonation fraud. The FBI recommends elderly individuals and their families be
oig.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly Americans by impersonating their grandchildren, attorneys, or court officials to convince victims their grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
rlsmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for serving as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" targeting elderly Americans. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez allegedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New York and New Jersey after call center operatives convinced seniors that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
minotdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (held in June) raises awareness about preventing Medicare fraud, which costs the program an estimated $60 billion annually and affects beneficiaries through identity theft, stress, and health risks. The North Dakota Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) educates beneficiaries, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers on how to detect and prevent fraud, including monitoring insurance statements, refusing unsolicited medical equipment shipments, protecting Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity. Prevention strategies emphasize year-round vigilance, including reviewing Medicare.gov accounts, registering on do-not-call lists, and community members watching for suspicious purchasing patterns among older adults.
telegram.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses in the FBI-Boston Division reached $89.6 million across 2,689 victims in 2023, with Massachusetts accounting for $63.7 million of those losses, and financial fraud targeting adults over 60 increasing by double digits. The most common scams include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, with investment scams showing the sharpest growth (419% increase in losses from 2021-2023, largely driven by cryptocurrency fraud). The FBI emphasizes that actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting and recommends that seniors avoid unsolicited contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, never share personal information with un
goldendalesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with the FBI reporting a 14% increase in complaints and an 11% rise in financial losses compared to 2022. Older adults face heightened vulnerability due to factors including greater trust, financial assets, and lower comfort with technology, with tech-support scams being the most commonly reported fraud type and investment scams causing the largest financial losses. Beyond monetary damage, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including shame, trauma, and erosion of trust, making prevention education critical to combating what experts characterize as an epidemic.
newjersey.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud for acting as a courier in a "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted elderly Americans between 2020 and 2021. Scammers called elderly victims impersonating grandchildren requesting emergency cash for bail or expenses, and Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New Jersey and New York. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
mcall.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud costs Americans over $37 billion annually, with common schemes including contractor fraud, sweepstakes scams, and romance/grandparent impersonation cons. Deputy prosecutor Paul Greenwood, who handled more than 750 elder abuse felony cases in San Diego, highlighted that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated—using AI-assisted text conversations and spoofed caller IDs—while noting that jobless adult children and unvetted caregivers represent the most typical perpetrators. Greenwood recommended 20 protective measures including using bonded caregivers, freezing credit, checking credit reports regularly, and letting unknown calls go to voicemail, while cautioning against romance sc
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams using deepfake technology to impersonate others during video calls are emerging as a major threat, with the FBI reporting over $652 million in losses from romance and confidence scams in the US in 2023. Criminal groups known as "Yahoo Boys," primarily based in Nigeria, are using AI-generated fake video and audio to deceive victims into sending money by posing as romantic interests. To protect themselves, people should avoid sending money to strangers, secure their social media privacy settings, use secure communication channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
m.imdb.com
· 2025-12-08
The provided article does not contain sufficient substantive information about an actual scam. While the headline suggests that Golden Bachelor contestant Faith Martin shared details about falling for an online scam on social media, the article body only contains background information about her appearance on the show and Gerry Turner's failed marriage, with the actual scam details cut off or missing from the text provided.
interestingengineering.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used AI-generated deepfakes of Elon Musk on hijacked YouTube channels to conduct cryptocurrency fraud, with approximately 30,000 viewers tuning into a fake livestream where the deepfake promised to double deposited cryptocurrencies. This marks an escalation in online scams that increasingly exploit deepfake technology and celebrity identities; notably, similar scams involving rapper 50 Cent's hacked accounts generated $3 million in 30 minutes. Users are advised to remain cautious, as these scams operate across international networks and celebrities will never solicit cryptocurrency through social media or livestreams.
tech.hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old woman from Udupi, Karnataka lost ₹7.9 lakh in a FedEx courier scam where fraudsters impersonating FedEx officials and Mumbai Police claimed her parcel contained illegal items (passports, debit cards, and MDMA drugs) and demanded money for police verification via Skype. The scam exploits victims by creating false urgency around seized parcels and fake law enforcement involvement to extract payments, though legitimate authorities never demand money for criminal verification purposes.
itpro.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly two-thirds of finance professionals have been targeted by deepfake fraud, with 44% actually falling victim, according to new research by Medius. Cybercriminals are using AI-generated audio impersonating C-suite executives to trick finance employees into making unauthorized payments to fraudulent suppliers, with a notable case in which Arup's employee transferred £20 million to scammers. The research reveals critical vulnerabilities: 80% of finance workers said they would authorize payments based on a CEO or CFO's call, yet only 16% prioritize deepfake protection and just 5% are aware of defensive technology being used.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme involved scammers posing as grandchildren, attorneys, or court personnel to convince elderly American victims that their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
nj.com
· 2025-12-08
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an international "grandparent scam" that operated from Dominican Republic call centers and targeted elderly residents in New Jersey and New York between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers impersonated grandchildren, their attorneys, or court officials to convince victims that their grandchildren needed bail money and legal fees, with Valdez serving as a courier to collect tens of thousands of dollars from the victims. The case highlights the ongoing threat of grandparent scams targeting elderly Americans, with the public encouraged to report suspected elder fraud to the FTC.
siliconeer.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with California accounting for over $620 million across 11,000+ reports, and monolingual Chinese seniors in the Bay Area facing particularly high risk. Common scams targeting elders include investment fraud (especially cryptocurrency), tech support scams, romance scams, and impersonation schemes (often posing as government officials), with typical victims losing over $33,000. Experts recommend immediate reporting to financial institutions and law enforcement (FBI at 1-800-CALLFBI), noting that shame, language barriers, and fear of retaliation prevent many victims—particularly Asian Americans—from coming forwar
radio.wpsu.org
· 2025-12-08
Officials in Centre County hosted a "Scam Jam" event featuring fraud awareness education, as prosecutors report increased losses among seniors due to AI and new technology-enabled scams. A deputy district attorney highlighted a case where an elderly woman lost $20,000 to an AI voice scam impersonating her grandson, while recommending protective measures such as family passwords and direct verification of urgent requests. The educational initiative provides seniors with practical advice on avoiding common scams like card skimmers and AI-based fraud schemes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" that targeted elderly Americans between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers from call centers in the Dominican Republic impersonated victims' grandchildren or legal representatives, claiming the grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez and other couriers to collect tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
The "boss scam" or "CEO scam" involves scammers sending text messages impersonating a person's supervisor, requesting they purchase gift cards or perform urgent financial tasks, often claiming to be using a friend's phone. Scammers identify targets by researching company structures on LinkedIn and other social media platforms to find employees, then exploit people's busy schedules and fear of disappointing authority figures. Experts recommend verifying unusual requests directly with the sender through another communication method, avoiding reply responses, and reporting scam texts to authorities using forwarding or built-in phone blocking features.
uhsystem.edu
· 2025-12-08
Job scams target students through unsolicited emails designed to extract personal information and potentially involve them in criminal activity. Red flags include generic greetings, free email accounts (Gmail/Yahoo/Outlook), grammatical errors, requests for personal information via Google forms or alternative communication channels, and lack of legitimate contact information. Students should verify job opportunities through their university career services, research companies thoroughly on established job boards, and report suspected scams to university information security and police.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
Six individuals were charged in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded Florida seniors of more than $250,000, where scammers impersonated attorneys and claimed victims' grandchildren had been arrested in accidents and needed bail money urgently, with victims instructed not to tell anyone due to fake "gag orders." Two victims each lost over $50,000 after being contacted multiple times with escalating stories, and the criminals used unknowing ride-share drivers as couriers to collect cash placed in boxes by the victims. Arrested suspects include Gennesis Castro and Ada Tido, who face charges including organized fraud and criminal use of personal identification.
manhattanda.org
· 2025-12-08
Nelson Counne, 71, was sentenced to 4-to-8 years in prison after pleading guilty to stealing more than $1.8 million from at least five women through romance and investment scams between 2012 and 2021. Using fake identities and posing as a wealthy retired art dealer, Counne met victims through online dating apps, gained their trust, and persuaded them to invest in fraudulent opportunities (including purported Alibaba and tech startup deals), then used their money to appear wealthy to new victims and repay those who grew suspicious. The Manhattan District Attorney emphasizes that romance scams remain a persistent threat and urges potential victims to report such crimes.
malaya.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams are surging in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia, with perpetrators using dating apps to quickly build emotional connections, move victims to private channels, and solicit money or personal information for potential blackmail. The Facebook awareness group Online Alerto educates users on red flags—including rapid declarations of love, financial requests, inconsistent information, and reluctance to meet in person—and recommends protective measures such as reverse image searching and cautious information sharing. These scams affect both direct victims and individuals coerced into participating in fraudulent schemes.
wheninmanila.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are rapidly increasing globally, particularly in Southeast Asia, affecting both direct victims and those trafficked into perpetrating the scams. The Online Alerto Facebook community provides free resources to help people recognize red flags—such as rapid declarations of love, requests to move communication off dating apps, avoidance of in-person meetings, and requests for money—and offers protective strategies including reverse image searches, video call verification, and careful social media scrutiny. Users are advised to maintain skepticism about offers that seem too good to be true and to never share financial information or inappropriate photos with unverified online contacts.
staysafeonline.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported nearly 10,000 Americans fell victim to real estate scams in 2023, losing over $145 million, with one in four home buyers and sellers targeted by fraudulent activities. The article outlines five common real estate scams including wire transfer fraud (where criminals intercept payment instructions), predatory lending targeting vulnerable populations like seniors, and mortgage/foreclosure relief scams that demand upfront fees without delivering services. Protection strategies emphasize verifying payment instructions through secure channels, consulting trusted financial advisors, avoiding pressure tactics, and educating all parties involved in real estate transactions about fraud risks.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
An individual was scammed by fraudsters impersonating an Xfinity customer service representative who collected payment information over the phone for a supposedly late bill; the scammer's fraudulent payments appeared to post initially but the account was eventually shut down, requiring multiple lengthy calls with actual Xfinity representatives to resolve. According to an FTC report, scammers impersonating major companies like Best Buy, Geek Squad, Amazon, PayPal, Apple, and Comcast/Xfinity defrauded U.S. consumers of over $200 million, using increasingly sophisticated tactics across email, text, and online channels that mimic legitimate company communications to pressure victims into quick action.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams targeting travelers have surged, with fraudsters using generative AI to create convincing fake travel websites and listings that steal credit card information or install malware on devices. According to a McAfee report, 30 percent of adults have fallen victim to or know someone who has fallen victim to online travel scams. Experts recommend paying only through official websites, avoiding suspiciously low prices, researching unfamiliar sites, and being wary of generic reviews and missing contact information to protect against these increasingly sophisticated threats.
elpasoinc.com
· 2025-12-08
An 87-year-old El Paso resident lost approximately $10,000 after falling victim to a tech support scam impersonating Microsoft, during which scammers convinced her she had fraudulent Amazon charges and obtained her personal financial information. El Paso experienced 93 elder fraud reports totaling $6.2 million in losses this year, with the FBI noting that common schemes include investment scams, tech support scams, government impersonation, and romance scams—many originating from organized crime rings in Eastern Europe and Africa. The FBI reports that nationwide, seniors over 60 filed 101,068 fraud complaints in 2023 resulting in $3.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A criminal gang used stolen identities to fraudulently obtain approximately £430,000 worth of mobile devices, with one victim, Steve Taylor, having over £5,000 in unauthorized contracts opened across five companies in his name. Despite having CCTV evidence showing someone else signing the contracts, mobile phone providers continued pursuing Taylor for payment until authorities intervened and the companies registered the contracts as fraudulent. This type of identity theft scam involving mobile phone contracts is identified as a rising crime trend.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
Adults over 64 are increasingly targeted by scams on social media, with common schemes involving investments, romance, and home improvement fraud; red flags include pressure to act urgently, requests for unusual payment methods (Zelle, Venmo, debit cards), and unrealistic offers. According to the Department of Justice, elder financial abuse costs older Americans at least $36.5 billion annually, with seniors experiencing cognitive decline, social isolation, and low financial literacy being most vulnerable. The BBB recommends victims contact local police and their financial institution immediately and report scams through BBB.org/ScamTracker.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting educational presentations throughout July 2024 for seniors, employees, and the general public on financial fraud prevention and investor protection. Topics include avoiding identity theft, selecting investment professionals, preventing elder financial fraud, recognizing common scams, and cybersecurity best practices, with sessions held at libraries, government offices, and community organizations across Pennsylvania.
gcmaz.com
· 2025-12-08
An educational seminar titled "Senior Scams and Fraud Protection" is being held in Flagstaff to help seniors recognize and prevent fraud targeting their age group. The seminar covers common scams, red flags such as requests to purchase prepaid cards or use Bitcoin ATMs, and protective resources, with free attendance available through registration with organizers.
yourdailyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Insurance reports a spike in insurance fraud cases affecting all consumers through increased premiums, with particular targeting of seniors through door-to-door fake insurance sales, deceptive annuity/investment schemes, prescription fraud, and staged accident claims. The department received over 10,000 Medicare fraud complaints in 2023 involving unauthorized billing for medical supplies and duplicate charges, and provides 14 protective tips including verifying agent credentials, obtaining written estimates, protecting personal information, and reviewing explanation of benefits statements.
putnamcountycourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens are receiving calls from scammers impersonating their grandchildren, claiming to be arrested on drug charges and requesting immediate financial assistance. This "grandparent scam" relies on voice disguise and emotional manipulation to pressure elderly victims into sending money urgently. The scam targets the natural instinct of grandparents to help their grandchildren in crisis.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ontario woman nearly lost $6,000 after a Facebook Marketplace scammer sent her a fraudulent link disguised as an e-transfer payment for a $40 item she was selling; the fake link redirected her to a phishing website designed to mimic her bank, where she unknowingly entered her banking credentials. After her bank completed a 10-day investigation, the victim received a full refund and warned others to be cautious when selling online, as scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics to create convincing fake banking websites.
wng.org
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. State Department released an annual report highlighting how human traffickers are exploiting encrypted messaging, digital currencies, social media, and online platforms (dating apps, gaming sites, fake job websites) to recruit and exploit victims, while a growing trend involves trafficking people for organ harvesting. Law enforcement and NGOs are countering these efforts using artificial intelligence, data analytics, and monitoring of online platforms, with recent international operations resulting in multiple arrests and seizures of trafficking infrastructure. The report notes that traffickers target not only women and girls but also children, with thousands of teenagers annually becoming victims of sextortion scams demanding money in exchange for not publicizing sexual images.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-08
Billionaire Mark Cuban's Gmail account was compromised after he received a fraudulent call from someone posing as a Google representative who claimed to detect unauthorized access and then exploited Google's account recovery methods to gain entry. Cuban publicly warned his followers via X (Twitter) to disregard any emails sent from his account after 3:30pm PST on Saturday, June 22, 2024, and called out Google for the security vulnerability. Social media users attributed the breach to social engineering and phone number spoofing rather than a direct Google failure.
tribune.com.pk
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration issued a warning about a widespread scam falsely claiming recipients would receive a $600 payment increase or stimulus check, which generated over 463,000 calls to the SSA in a single day. Social Security-related scams are the most prevalent government imposter scams in the U.S., with consumers losing more than $126.5 million last year, and the SSA emphasized that legitimate cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) are automatic and do not require beneficiaries to provide additional information. The legitimate 2025 COLA will be announced in October with changes reflected in January payments, projected at a 2.57% increase.
arabtimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old disabled Kuwaiti man lost his entire bank balance of 1,000 dinars in a video call scam where a fraudster impersonated a military captain claiming to offer disability assistance. The victim disclosed his banking information and OTP code to the impostor, resulting in the funds being stolen just before Eid. The elderly man reported the incident to police (Case No. 983/2024) and appealed to authorities for assistance in recovering the stolen funds.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
In June 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office and San Diego FBI recovered over $3.3 million in a coordinated operation targeting fraud schemes against seniors, obtaining more than 40 seizure warrants for $5.6 million since January 2024. The effort highlights California's disproportionate cyber fraud problem, with the state leading the nation in both victim count (over 77,000 in 2023) and losses ($2.1 billion), and emphasizes the need for early reporting of suspected fraud to interrupt transactions before funds are transferred. Common schemes targeting elderly victims include cryptocurrency investment scams (highest losses) and tech support/government impersonation scams
lowincomerelief.com
· 2025-12-08
This week's news roundup covers resources for low-income Americans and seniors facing summer heat, including HUD's expansion of financial assistance for air conditioning costs (benefiting 600,000+ public housing units lacking central AC). A critical warning alerts people to a dangerous scam falsely promising a $600 Social Security increase in June that requires filling out applications—the government warns this is a phishing scheme designed to steal personal information, as legitimate COLA increases are announced in October and require no applications. The article also covers proposed Medicare reforms and affordable medication programs for seniors.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Walker County Sheriff's Office issued a warning about a recent surge in telephone scams where fraudsters impersonate sheriff's deputies, threatening arrest or legal action to pressure victims into providing personal information or making immediate payments using spoofed phone numbers. The sheriff emphasized that his department never solicits personal information or money by phone and advised residents to verify callers' identities independently, avoid sharing personal information, remain skeptical of urgent threats, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
An 84-year-old woman in White Settlement, Texas was targeted by a scammer who impersonated her bank's security team and threatened her into depositing $40,000 via Bitcoin ATM. Police intervened when a Good Samaritan called authorities, recovering $23,900 that the victim had already deposited, which was returned to her by officers. The case underscores that legitimate banks and law enforcement never call to demand money or payment.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Harriet Spring lost $1.6 million of her elderly mother's life savings to scammers impersonating ING bank over several months of phone calls and emails, with the funds eventually transferred through multiple Australian banks and becoming untraceable. Despite her mother's bank questioning the unusual transfer to a Westpac "holding account" and confirming ING was not offering the advertised rate, the bank did not warn her of potential fraud before processing the transaction. Spring is now advocating for government action and bank accountability, as Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in the previous year.
themirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Stephen Carr, a pensioner from Ontario, Canada, lost nearly $500,000 to a fake cryptocurrency trading platform he discovered through YouTube, investing progressively from October 2022 to January 2023 after seeing false account growth. When asked to pay $150,000 to withdraw his funds, he realized the platform was a simulation with no real connection to any actual trading system, forcing him to sell his house and reorganize his life. The article also notes that elder fraud losses increased 84% in 2022, with victims losing $3.2 billion nationally.
studycafe.in
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old retired financial professional from Maharashtra lost Rs. 2 crore to a stock market investment fraud orchestrated through WhatsApp, where scammers added him to a group, posed as investment experts, showed fake profits and a fraudulent mobile app, and convinced him to transfer funds across 24 transactions before requesting additional "withdrawal taxes" that triggered his suspicion. The article advises investors to avoid unsolicited investment offers via WhatsApp or social media, verify claims independently through qualified financial advisors, be wary of promises of high returns with no risk, and never transfer large sums without proper due diligence to legitimate, recognized companies listed on official stock exchanges.
zeenews.india.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old retired investor from Mumbai lost Rs 2.56 crore in an online share trading scam that began in December 2023 when scammers added him to a WhatsApp group posing as representatives of an American investment company. The fraudsters used a fake website with a virtual trading account showing false profits to gradually convince the victim to invest incrementally, starting with Rs 50,000 in February, and later demanded an additional 20% investment to cover claimed stock market losses. When the victim requested a refund, his account access was blocked and the scammers became unreachable, prompting him to file a police complaint.
moneylife.in
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old senior citizen in Mumbai lost over Rs2 crore (approximately $240,000 USD) to an online investment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp with promises of high returns in share trading; the fraudster provided app download links and bank account details for transfers, using a Ponzi scheme disguised as legitimate investment. The article explains that such cyber fraud schemes targeting seniors operate by paying early investors to build trust before disappearing when victims attempt to withdraw profits, and recommends potential investors verify that entities are registered with India's Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) and conduct proper due diligence before investing.
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
Retired social worker Nancy Wills spoke at the Johnson County Senior Center about elder abuse awareness, highlighting that financial exploitation is the fastest-growing form of elder abuse, with only one in 24 cases reported to police. Wills advised seniors to avoid answering unfamiliar phone numbers, ignore telemarketers, and verify unexpected requests for money by calling family members directly rather than complying immediately. The presentation emphasized that scams targeting seniors are nationwide, occurring in 90% of cases within victims' homes and frequently perpetrated by family members.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The film *Thelma* stars 94-year-old June Squibb in her first leading role as a grandmother who is scammed out of $10,000 by a con artist posing as someone claiming her grandson needs help—a common scheme known as the "grandparent scam." Inspired by writer-director Josh Margolin's grandmother's actual experience, the action comedy follows Thelma as she pursues the scammer across Los Angeles. The filmmakers note the scam is becoming increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, with audiences frequently reporting personal or family experiences with such schemes.