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engadget.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta has removed over 116,000 accounts in 2025 linked to romance scams where fraudsters impersonate celebrities or U.S. military members to build relationships and solicit payments via gift cards and cryptocurrency. The scams, which cost victims over $500 million in 2021 according to the FTC, often originate in West African countries and operate across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, with AI technology making it increasingly easier for scammers to create convincing fake identities and deepfake videos.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of increased romance scams around Valentine's Day, in which fraudsters build trust with victims through fake personas (sometimes impersonating celebrities) and social media research, then exploit that rapport to solicit money for fake investment opportunities, cryptocurrency schemes, or fabricated emergencies like medical bills or travel costs. The agency advises protecting yourself by limiting personal information shared online, using reputable dating sites, verifying profiles, taking relationships slowly, avoiding pressure to go offline, and never sending money to online-only contacts, particularly those claiming to be overseas.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
As Valentine's Day approaches, scammers are exploiting the holiday with malicious tactics: Check Point Software identified over 18,000 Valentine's-themed websites since early 2025, with approximately 1 in 72 being malicious, including phishing emails impersonating legitimate brands to steal money and personal information. North Carolina consumers lost over $16 million to romance scams in 2023 alone, with experts warning to verify sender addresses, avoid suspicious links, and reject requests for money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards from online romantic interests.
about.fb.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit Valentine's Day and other occasions by impersonating military personnel, celebrities, or fake dating agencies across social media and messaging platforms to build trust with victims before soliciting money via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. A tech company disrupted multiple romance scam networks operating across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, and other platforms, with schemes originating from Nigeria and Kenya targeting users in the US, UAE, Japan, Africa, and other regions. The company recommends users verify identities, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and use platform safety tools to protect against these schemes.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Kate Kleinert, a 71-year-old widow, lost $39,000 over four months to a romance scammer posing as a UN surgeon named "Tony" who built trust by involving his supposed children and eventually requesting money for medical emergencies and legal bail. Romance scams cost victims $1.14 billion in 2023 across 64,003 reported cases, with scammers using sophisticated psychological manipulation to build emotional investment before exploiting targets for money, often via cryptocurrency which is difficult to recover.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam artists are sending fake E-Z Pass text messages from Philippine numbers (+63) claiming recipients have unpaid tolls and requesting sensitive personal information. The legitimate E-Z Pass and Tolls by Mail services confirm they never request personal information via text or email, and this scam has been reported across multiple states including New York, California, Florida, and Texas.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning about a rise in online romance scams, increasingly enhanced by AI technology, which cost victims over $1 billion in 2023. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media or dating apps, build relationships over months, then request money for emergencies or investments ("pig butchering scams"), using AI-generated images, voices, and messages to appear authentic and evade video calls or in-person meetings. Red flags include requests to move conversations off the original platform and consistent excuses to avoid video verification, with victims urged to report scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
abc15.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies three major Valentine's Day scams to watch: impostor websites that mimic legitimate retailers using fake photos and logos, romance scams where fraudsters build fake dating profiles to extract money after establishing emotional connections, and wrong-number ploys where scammers initiate contact to gather personal information. The article advises consumers to recognize red flags such as unrealistic discounts, requests for cryptocurrency payments, rapid relationship progression, and pressure for secrecy, and recommends reporting suspected fraud to the FTC, FBI, local law enforcement, or the Arizona Attorney General's office.
myfox28columbus.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams resulted in $823 million in losses nationally in 2024, with the FBI recording over 17,800 complaints in 2023 alone; Ohio authorities have investigated eight cases since early 2023. Scammers create fake dating profiles to build trust with victims over weeks or months before introducing fraudulent investment schemes, often targeting older individuals and draining their savings. The Ohio Department of Commerce advises protection measures including avoiding offshore money transfers, verifying identities through reverse image searches, meeting in person when possible, and consulting only licensed investment professionals to confirm credentials.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Skimming scams, which involve criminals stealing credit card data through devices placed on ATMs, fuel pumps, and point-of-sale terminals, increased 96% in 2023 and cost U.S. consumers over $1 billion annually. Major enforcement actions include a three-year FBI investigation targeting Romanian organized crime that resulted in 48 arrests and recovery of 8,000 stolen card numbers and approximately $1 million in seized currency. Consumers can protect themselves by inspecting card readers for tampering, using chip or tap-to-pay technology, monitoring accounts for unauthorized transactions, and choosing well-lit fuel pumps near store attendants.
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending unsolicited text messages to drivers claiming they owe tolls to state agencies and demanding immediate payment via links that harvest banking or credit card information. N.C. Quick Pass, the legitimate North Carolina tolling agency, clarified it only texts from number 696277 and never requests payment via text. The FTC recommends consumers avoid clicking links in unexpected texts, verify legitimacy through official channels, and report suspicious messages to their carrier or 7726 (SPAM).
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Dallas tops the list of U.S. cities targeted by scam text messages impersonating toll payment services, followed by Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Orlando, according to a McAfee report. Scammers send fraudulent texts claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls and include phishing links designed to steal personal and financial information such as driver's license numbers for identity theft purposes. The FBI has been warning about this scheme since last year, with over 10,000 fraudulent domains registered impersonating toll and package delivery services.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Merck Employees Federal Credit Union partnered with Carefull, a financial safety service, to provide members with fraud protection tools including real-time account monitoring, identity protection, and issue resolution services. The partnership addresses rising elder fraud and sophisticated scams by offering 24/7 alerts and expert support to help members detect unauthorized transactions quickly and recover funds, with education components to help members learn fraud prevention strategies.
businesswire.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Merck Employees Federal Credit Union has partnered with Carefull, a financial safety service, to provide members with proactive account monitoring, identity protection, and fraud resolution tools to combat rising elder fraud and scams. The partnership offers all MEFCU members, their parents, and caregivers 24/7 account monitoring and real-time alerts for unusual transactions, addressing the gap in protection for older adults who may not regularly check their accounts.
advisorhub.com
· 2025-12-08
Marjorie Kessler, a senior investor in Tampa, Florida, lost nearly $1.75 million to scammers impersonating government officials who convinced her to withdraw funds for safekeeping in a U.S. Treasury account. Morgan Stanley was ordered to pay $843,000 in compensatory damages for failing to investigate her unusual withdrawal requests and neglecting to establish a trusted contact on her account as required by regulations, though the arbitration panel deducted the first transfer amount due to insufficient evidence of negligence.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, cybercriminals exploited Valentine's Day through romance scams, phishing campaigns, and fraudulent e-commerce offers, with romance scams alone affecting 58,734 Americans and resulting in approximately $697 million in losses. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence to create convincing fake profiles, deepfake videos, and chatbots that bypass traditional detection methods, while Valentine-themed phishing emails surged dramatically, with half of all such spam classified as scams between mid-January and early February. Red flags include requests to move conversations to private channels, quick declarations of love, excuses to avoid in-person meetings, and requests for money or personal information.
nationaltechnology.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A UK Safer Internet Centre study found that 80% of children aged 8-17 encounter online scams at least monthly, with 46% having fallen victim to one at some point; common scams include fake giveaways, phishing, and fake websites, primarily discovered on social media (35%) and emails (17%). While 9% of victims lost money multiple times, the research noted that most young people employ protective strategies like blocking suspicious accounts (87%) and consulting parents (79%), highlighting the need for continued support and stronger online safety regulations.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An Australian woman's mother fell victim to a romance scam in 2022-2023 when she developed an online relationship with a man using stolen photos and a fabricated identity, eventually sending him money despite never admitting the full extent of financial loss. The incident prompted her daughter Kylee to found Two Face Investigations to investigate romance scams, revealing that the industry is highly sophisticated, transnational organized crime involving AI-generated deepfakes, stolen identities, and networks of scammers sharing tactics and manuals. Kylee emphasizes that victims often delay reporting due to shame and embarrassment, which hinders law enforcement efforts, and that dating apps lack the fraud protections that banks and telecommunications
cronkitenews.azpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Arizona experienced over $47 million in losses from online romance scams during 2022-2023, ranking fifth nationally, with elderly residents particularly targeted by scammers who build false relationships to extract money. Common tactics include professing instant love, moving conversations off dating platforms to private channels, refusing to share photos, and requesting money—sometimes stringing victims along for extended periods. Authorities warn that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing false identities, and many victims remain unreported due to embarrassment.
thecipherbrief.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber-enabled scams originating primarily from criminal gangs in Southeast Asia, India, and Nigeria have become a global security emergency, with over 57,000 Americans scammed daily, resulting in $158 billion in annual losses and an average victim loss of $14,197 ($33,915 for seniors). These transnational fraud operations, often run by Chinese crime bosses using forced labor, fund additional criminal activities including human trafficking, drug manufacturing, and hostile nation weapons programs, while U.S. law enforcement capacity is severely overwhelmed and can only address a fraction of cases.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams increase around Valentine's Day, targeting vulnerable individuals across all demographics who may be emotionally invested in fake relationships created by sophisticated scammers using fabricated social media profiles and forged documents. Common warning signs include rapid declarations of love, refusal to meet in person or video call, requests for secrecy, and requests for money or to receive funds on their behalf. The best defenses are to avoid keeping relationships secret, verify identities through reverse image searches, consult trusted friends and family who can spot red flags, and never send money to someone you haven't met in person.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's "Operation Level Up" notified over 4,300 individuals of cryptocurrency investment fraud between January 2024 and January 2025, preventing approximately $285 million in losses through interventions in romance scams and "pig butchering" schemes. The operation highlights a growing threat, as Americans lost over $5 billion to crypto fraud in 2023, with elderly individuals particularly targeted, and experts warn that scams could surge in 2025 due to advances in artificial intelligence.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia has passed new legislation strengthening protections against online, banking, and telecommunications scams, with businesses facing fines up to $50 million for inadequate scam defences and victims gaining clearer pathways to compensation. The laws establish a sector-specific framework requiring banks to verify payee identities, telecommunications companies to detect scam numbers, and social media platforms to verify advertisers and prevent fake scam ads. Over 10,000 scams were reported in 2023/24, though recent data suggests anti-scam measures are helping reduce complaint numbers.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Americans over $1 billion in 2023, with organized networks of overseas scammers targeting vulnerable people on dating apps and social media. A central Florida woman lost her entire life savings of over $600,000 to a scammer impersonating Elon Musk using AI voice technology, transferring large sums through wire transfers and ATM withdrawals to purchase gift cards. Red flags include relationships that move quickly, no in-person meetings, claims of celebrity or military status, and requests for money or investment participation; victims should report incidents to the FBI's IC3 website and the FTC.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
In November, a 66-year-old retired health care worker in Hilton Head, South Carolina, lost $7,500 in a crypto scam after someone impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed she had missed jury duty and threatened jail time, directing her to deposit cash into a Coinstar ATM that converted it to cryptocurrency. The scam represents a growing trend targeting seniors through crypto kiosks, with Beaufort County reporting $3.1 million in crypto scam losses to law enforcement in the past year alone, prompting calls for stronger fraud prevention measures by cryptocurrency ATM operators and legislators.
njjewishnews.timesofisrael.com
· 2025-12-08
Communities First Initiative, the Jewish Community Housing Corporation of Metropolitan New Jersey, and Valley Bank presented an educational program on avoiding scams, frauds, and identity theft to seniors at a housing facility in South Orange. The bilingual presentation is part of Project Thrive, a response to rising victimization of senior citizens by scams and fraud, designed to provide financial education and resources that help seniors protect themselves.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly adults aged 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics tailored to exploit seniors' wealth and vulnerabilities. The most common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (averaging $2,000 per victim), investment/cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, texting scams, home improvement scams, and imposter scams, with scammers often using social media and high-pressure tactics to build trust before manipulating victims into sending money. Prevention strategies include staying connected with elderly loved ones, remaining skeptical of online connections, and being aware
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
New York residents lost over $25 million to romance scams in 2024, with scammers targeting singles—particularly older adults who are widows, widowers, or divorcees—by creating fake profiles and building trust over weeks or months before requesting money for investments, emergencies, or travel. The New York Department of State advises individuals to avoid sending money to people they haven't met in person, never share personal or banking information with online contacts, and be wary of those who make excuses to avoid meeting or request cryptocurrency investments.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a Valentine's Day warning about romance scams, which target tens of thousands of Arizonans through dating apps, dating sites, and social media platforms. Scammers create fake profiles to build trust with victims before requesting money through lies about emergencies, sick relatives, military service, or investment opportunities. The advisory provides warning signs—such as quick declarations of love, requests for wire transfers or gift cards, and broken plans to meet in person—and recommends victims avoid sending money to strangers, verify stories with loved ones, and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center or Arizona Attorney General's office if victimized.
cbs7.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service issued a Valentine's Day warning about romance scams, in which fraudsters create fake identities to build trust with victims online before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. The agencies advise people to avoid sending money to online contacts they haven't met in person, watch for inconsistencies in profiles, be wary of relationships that escalate quickly, and report suspected scams immediately.
businesswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Sextortion has emerged as one of the most devastating romance scams, with fraudsters using fake profiles to manipulate victims into sharing intimate content before threatening exposure and demanding ransom payments. The FBI reported over 12,000 complaints in 2023 resulting in millions in financial losses, severe psychological trauma, and in some cases fatalities, with younger and newer online daters being particularly vulnerable. The article recommends that social media and dating platforms implement stronger identity verification measures, including biometric and government ID verification, to eliminate fake profiles and make it harder for scammers to operate across multiple platforms.
fbi.gov
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Los Angeles Field Office warned the public about romance scams, in which criminals create fake online identities to build trust with victims on dating sites and social media before requesting money under false pretenses. In 2023, approximately 18,000 victims nationwide reported nearly $700 million in losses to romance scams, with over 2,000 California victims alone losing more than $100 million, and scammers particularly targeting women over 40 who are widowed, divorced, elderly, or disabled. The FBI recommends verifying online contacts through photo searches, being cautious of quick declarations of love or requests to go offline, and never sending money to people met only online.
moodys.com
· 2025-12-08
Moody's identified 1,193 new entities and people globally with potential ties to romance scams in 2024, marking a six-year high and 14% increase from 2023. Romance scammers build fake online identities to manipulate victims into sending money or financial information, with older adults and emotionally vulnerable individuals (such as those experiencing divorce or grief) being particularly targeted. Financial institutions must strengthen their anti-fraud screening processes using advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, robust anti-money laundering protocols, and cross-sector collaboration with regulators and law enforcement to detect and prevent these schemes.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency fraud reached record levels in 2024, with scam wallets receiving an estimated $9.9-$12.4 billion, driven largely by a 40% surge in "pig butchering" romance scams where criminals build fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent investment schemes. Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence and organized platforms like Huione Guarantee (which received $375.9 million in crypto in 2024) while expanding geographically from Southeast Asian compounds to locations like Nigeria, often employing human trafficking victims to conduct the fraud. The report warns that the scam ecosystem is becoming more professionalized, with criminal groups creating specialize
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The PACT Act expanded VA benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances, but scammers have exploited this by impersonating VA employees and offering to help veterans access benefits for illegal fees. The article provides seven protective strategies, including verifying company credentials, avoiding pressure tactics and unrealistic promises, being cautious of phishing attempts and unsecured websites, limiting social media sharing, and recognizing red flags in communications such as non-.gov email addresses and spelling errors.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scammers are targeting desperate job-seekers through platforms like LinkedIn, with a Houston man nearly falling victim to a scheme involving a fake $2,500 check after eight emails of communication without phone or in-person contact. The FTC and job platforms warn applicants to research positions thoroughly, never pay upfront fees, verify recruiter legitimacy, and avoid sharing personal information like résumés with unverified contacts. Red flags include unrealistically high pay for minimal work, lack of phone/video interviews, and inability to find the employer or recruiter online.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending smishing texts claiming victims owe unpaid toll charges, often impersonating E-ZPass or state tolling agencies, and directing recipients to click malicious links to steal personal information and money. The FBI received over 2,000 complaints about this scam in April 2024 alone across multiple states. Consumers should verify toll charges directly with legitimate state tolling agencies using recognized phone numbers or websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
socialmediatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta released Valentine's Day safety reminders about romance scams, which cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023. Romance scammers typically pose as attractive, successful individuals (often claiming military or business backgrounds) on dating apps and social media, building trust before requesting money or promoting fraudulent investments. Meta is expanding in-app warnings and partnering with third-party organizations to detect and disrupt romance scam operations, including those impersonating U.S. military members and fake dating agencies.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. This appears to be a navigation menu or sitemap from a banking association website (likely the American Bankers Association), listing various topics, training programs, conferences, and committees. It does not contain an article about a scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case.
To use Elderus effectively, please provide an actual news article, transcript, or case description about elder fraud or abuse.
wealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies the ten states with the strongest elder-care protections based on metrics including elder fraud rates, prevention expenditures, and care organizations. Massachusetts ranked first in the WalletHub analysis, and the article highlights that federal protections have expanded, such as the Senior Safe Act (signed May 24, 2018) which provides liability immunity for reporting senior exploitation. The article advises financial advisors to understand their states' elder-abuse laws, fraud prevention services, and long-term care resources as their clients age.
mynews4.com
· 2025-12-08
Two suspects, Mohjid Singh and Habri Harmal, were arrested on February 12 in South Reno after defrauding victims of $49,000 through impersonation of Amazon and FTC officials, with the perpetrators continuing to pressure victims for additional payments after the initial theft. The arrests resulted from a joint operation by multiple law enforcement agencies including Washoe County Patrol, Property Detectives, and the Human Exploitation and Recovery Operations Unit, with both suspects charged with felony theft, exploiting an elderly or vulnerable person, and conspiracy. The Sheriff's Office cautions the public that legitimate law enforcement will never demand payment by phone and advises residents to verify claims
hellorayo.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Cheshire woman in her 60s lost over £50,000 to a romance scammer who posed as "Derek," a man she met in a Facebook widows' group in 2020 and never met in person. The scammer manipulated her with fake photos and fabricated stories about medical bills and business expenses, eventually convincing her to withdraw her entire pension and invest in cryptocurrency accounts. UK banking data from 2024 shows romance scams resulted in nearly £8 million in losses, with an average scam totaling £5,009, and victims ranging from 19 to 96 years old.
thewirechina.com
· 2025-12-08
This appears to be a bio/promotional blurb rather than an article about a specific scam or fraud case. Sue-Lin Wong, a correspondent for The Economist, has created an eight-part podcast series called "Scam Inc" that investigates online scamming as a global industry, though the full details of specific cases or findings are not included in this excerpt.
santander.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Santander bank data reveals that customers lost nearly £8 million to romance and friendship scams in 2024, with nearly half of cases originating on social media platforms like Facebook (£1.3+ million in losses). Victims ranged from ages 19 to 96, though the largest concentration was 19–35-year-olds with 77% being male, and February saw particularly high losses of £800,000 including one case of £262,000. The bank warns of common warning signs including requests for money from unmet contacts, avoidance of video calls, and pressure to keep relationships secret, and recommends verifying identities, removing emotion from financial decisions,
irishexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
Founder Lisa Jordan fell victim to a fake website scam when she purchased a White Fox Boutique hoodie from a fraudulent site that closely mimicked the official retailer; she discovered the deception weeks later when the order never arrived and White Fox Boutique confirmed she had not ordered from their legitimate website. The article highlights how scammers create convincing counterfeit websites that appear in Google search results and recommends consumers verify website legitimacy using tools like CheckMyLink and Trustpilot, watch for warning signs like suspicious emails, pressure to act quickly, and suspicious domain extensions (.net or .org), and confirm the padlock security symbol before making purchases.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
A Harris County deputy prevented an elderly woman from losing over $13,000 at a convenience store Bitcoin ATM after discovering she had been instructed by scammers to deposit her money there under the false claim that her bank account had been hacked. The woman had been told not to contact police, but Deputy Mendez's intervention stopped the fraud before any money was transferred. The incident highlights the importance of recognizing and reporting suspicious requests involving cryptocurrency transfers and bank account threats.
rocktownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Dayton, Virginia is hosting an educational event called "Coffee with a Cop" on February 21, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Dayton Market to address the rising prevalence of senior scams. The event, organized by the Dayton Market and Dayton Police Chief Justin Trout, will educate seniors about common fraud schemes and provide tips for avoiding victimization.
romesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified new Medicare card scams as its February fraud alert, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue replacement cards and cautioning against calls requesting personal medical information or offers for upgraded card formats. Scammers use tactics like impersonating Medicare representatives and falsely claiming cards need replacement to trick beneficiaries into divulging sensitive data; seniors should verify callers independently and report suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374. Medicare fraud nationally costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually, making awareness and prevention critical for protecting seniors' personal information and benefits.
seattlemedium.com
· 2025-12-08
Chase and the Seattle Police Department partnered with Kin On Seattle Community Center to hold a senior financial health workshop aimed at protecting seniors from online fraud and scams, with particular attention to romance scams that increase around Valentine's Day. The workshop emphasized that seniors are highly targeted due to their vulnerability and financial resources, and outlined key prevention strategies including being cautious with strangers online, verifying identities, avoiding emotional manipulation, never sending money to people met only online, protecting personal information, and trusting instincts when something feels suspicious.
theweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers operating primarily from overseas (notably Nigeria and Ghana) use fake dating profiles with stolen photos to build false romantic relationships with Americans, then manipulate victims into sending money. The FBI and FTC report that romance scams caused over $1 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 64,000 victims, and scammers employ sophisticated tactics including impersonating celebrities and military members. To protect themselves, people should avoid sending money to online-only contacts, verify profile photos through reverse image searches, and be cautious about sharing personal information on social media and dating platforms.