Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,397 results
in Robocall / Phone Scam
yorkdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill is hosting a free community event called "Scam Jam" in York County to educate older adults and families about identifying and avoiding scams. The event will feature representatives from state banking and securities, the district attorney's office, police, and AARP, along with fraud prevention games and prizes.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Personal information is the top target for elder fraud, with 72% of cases involving exposed data, making privacy protection critical for older adults who have fixed addresses, long-time phone numbers, and savings accounts. The article recommends enlisting a trusted, tech-savvy family member or friend as a "privacy partner" to help spot phishing scams, adjust security settings, and remove personal information from the web, while cautioning that nearly 58% of financial exploitation of older adults is perpetrated by family members, so trustworthiness must be carefully evaluated. A practical checklist covering phone numbers, addresses, email accounts, bank accounts, medical portals, social media, and shopping accounts helps older adults identify which
wusf.org
· 2025-12-08
Bipartisan senators, led by Sen. Rick Scott, urged federal agencies to increase efforts combating international scams targeting older Americans, citing $3.4 billion in losses during 2023 and transnational criminal networks operating scam labor camps in Southeast Asia. Elder fraud complaints rose 14% in 2023, with many scams originating overseas and linked to trafficked labor, prompting lawmakers to call for coordinated investigations, stronger international law enforcement partnerships, and expanded public awareness campaigns.
indiatvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article addresses online dating safety in India, where dating apps like Tinder and Bumble have become increasingly popular among younger generations. It provides five key safety tips to prevent romance scams: protect personal information from strangers, recognize red flags such as quick declarations of love or requests for money, verify profiles through reverse image searches and social media checks, never send money regardless of claimed emergencies, and use app reporting tools to block suspicious users. The article emphasizes that while online dating offers opportunities for meaningful connections, users must remain vigilant to avoid identity theft, stalking, and financial fraud.
vocal.media
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion in 2022, with losses quadrupling over five years and affecting victims across all age groups, though those 50 and older account for approximately 60% of reported cases. Sarah, an Ohio woman, lost $45,000 to a romance scammer impersonating a successful oil rig worker named Marcus over three months before discovering the entire relationship was fabricated. These increasingly sophisticated, organized international schemes employ specialized teams that steal identities, build emotional connections through psychological manipulation, and exploit fundamental human needs for connection to extract money from victims.
greenwichsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
At a July 2 Retired Men's Association meeting, computer expert Aaron Woodin presented "Don't Fall for It! Recognizing and Avoiding Scams," detailing how scammers exploit trust through tactics like false urgency, emotional manipulation, and enforced isolation. He identified common digital threats including fake event invitations and invoices, scam pop-ups, social media impersonations, phone-based impersonations of tech companies and government agencies, grandparent/romance scams, and SIM Swap attacks. Woodin advised victims to verify contact information independently, shut down suspicious screens, avoid calling numbers on suspicious invoices, add cyber fraud insurance riders, and contact mobile
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers impersonated Geek Squad (Best Buy's tech support subsidiary) more than any other company, with the FTC receiving 52,000 reports; the scam typically begins with fake invoices via email or text claiming unauthorized charges, then directs victims to remote access software (anydesk.com) to steal banking credentials and drain accounts. Red flags include non-official phone numbers, Gmail addresses, and pressure tactics claiming auto-renewal charges, and victims should report such scams to the FTC and Internet Crime Complaint Center.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wichita woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars by Frank Annin, whom she met on the dating app eHarmony in June 2022; Annin used classic romance scam tactics including "love bombing," moving communication off the app, and feigning wealth before disappearing with the money. During trial testimony, a psychologist specializing in geriatrics explained how scammers manipulate victims by creating emotional dependency and how victims may continue believing the relationship is real even after recognizing financial fraud. This marks the first romance scam prosecution in Sedgwick County.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
From January through April 2025, the Federal Trade Commission received over 75,000 reports of government imposter scams, with scammers impersonating U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Social Security, Medicare, and the FTC itself to steal money via phone and text. Consumers lost approximately $204 million total, with median losses ranging from $650 overall to $12,000 for FTC impersonation scams, typically requested through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or banking information. Scammers exploit current concerns about immigration, drug trafficking, and tariffs by claiming intercepted packages contain drugs or threatening arrest warrants to pressure victims into immediate payment.
walb.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Albany, Georgia are spoofing Phoebe Hospital's phone number and impersonating hospital employees to trick people into disclosing personal information such as Social Security numbers and financial details. Phoebe officials clarified that the hospital does not make unsolicited calls to random community members and warned the public to hang up on suspicious callers requesting sensitive information and report them to local law enforcement.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Prime customers are being targeted by phishers impersonating Amazon to steal personal information such as social security numbers, bank details, and account credentials through fake emails, calls, and texts. In 2024, Amazon removed over 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 fraudulent phone numbers, with scammers commonly claiming false purchase or account issues requiring verification, or threatening automatic subscription renewals at unexpected prices. Amazon recommends verifying purchases through official channels, using secure email verification features, and contacting the company directly if unsure about communications.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer hijacked a woman's Facebook account and impersonated her to target her friends with a fake $150,000 government grant scheme, nearly deceiving a retired tech worker into sending $2,500 in upfront fees. The scam involved the imposter posing as a "Global Empowerment" agent who requested personal information and payment for "approval and shipping," even fabricating photos of cash-filled FedEx boxes. The potential victim avoided financial loss by recognizing inconsistencies in the pitch and continuing the conversation to expose the scam tactics.
southalabamian.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses, with criminals increasingly using emotional manipulation and evolving tactics including fake family calls and data collection through smart home devices. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, unusual payment requests, and promises that seem too good to be true; experts recommend consulting trusted contacts before taking action. Protecting smart devices through password updates, software maintenance, and Wi-Fi security can help prevent data theft and fraud.
diyatvusa.com
· 2025-12-08
A New Jersey man, Pranav Patel, was sentenced to over six years in federal prison for acting as a "money mule" in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded 11 seniors across seven states of nearly $1.8 million between October and December 2023. Overseas scammers impersonated U.S. Treasury agents, convincing elderly victims they were under investigation and needed to surrender cash and gold for "safekeeping," with two Florida victims losing $170,000 and $732,000 respectively. Patel collected and transported the stolen funds and was arrested during a sting operation in December 2023; he was ordered to forfeit $1,
wfmz.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior couple in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania was scammed out of $20,000 through a phishing email scheme in which scammers impersonated Apple Customer Support, claimed fraudulent charges had occurred, and eventually sent someone to their home to collect cash in person. The scammers contacted the couple over 20 times via email, directing them to a fake help-line and falsely telling them Apple had accidentally deposited $20,000 into their account that needed to be repaid. Financial exploitation through such scams is now the leading form of elder abuse reported in Pennsylvania, with an estimated $2 billion annually stolen from older adults in the state.
edhat.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational awareness event scheduled for August 5th in Santa Barbara featuring two local experts who will teach seniors practical strategies to recognize and prevent phone and online scams. The seminar will cover how to spot warning signs of financial exploitation and elder abuse, with speakers including a mortgage banker and an estate planning attorney with combined decades of experience in lending and law.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Hua Liu, was arrested in July after conducting a multi-state door-to-door scam targeting seniors across Ohio, Indiana, New Mexico, and Tennessee, defrauding victims of an estimated $309,000 total. One Charlestown, Indiana resident was tricked into withdrawing $27,000 from his retirement accounts and handing it over in cash; three additional attempted scams in Indiana, Kentucky, and Michigan were prevented by family members, potentially saving another $70,000 in losses. Liu was apprehended at Louisville airport while attempting to flee the country and faces charges including theft, fraud, conspiracy, an
edhat.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational seminar scheduled for August 5th in Santa Barbara featuring local experts who will teach seniors practical strategies to recognize and prevent phone and online scams, as well as warning signs of elder financial exploitation. Speakers include a Wells Fargo mortgage banker and an estate planning attorney with 25 years of experience in financial and legal matters. The free event, hosted at Grace Fisher's Clubhouse, includes refreshments and aims to equip attendees with tools to protect themselves from fraud targeting seniors.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams targeting older adults in the Palm Desert, California area are increasing in sophistication and frequency, utilizing fake phone calls, deceptive emails, and online schemes with tactics enhanced by artificial intelligence. In response, Assemblymember Greg Wallis partnered with the Desert Recreation District to host a free senior scam awareness seminar on August 13, 2025, featuring state agencies and representatives providing current information to help older adults protect themselves before falling victim to fraud.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Nearly 20 people in Hong Kong lost over HK$10 million in online romance scams within two weeks, with 40% of victims over age 60. One 70-year-old man lost his life savings of HK$3 million after a scammer posing as a woman built an online relationship with him over two months, using romantic messages and claims of cryptocurrency expertise to convince him to transfer funds. Hong Kong police warn the public to verify identities through video calls, avoid sending money to online strangers, and be skeptical of investment promises.
travelandtourworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly travelers are increasingly targeted by AI-generated deepfake scams that create convincing fraudulent videos of non-existent vacation destinations, causing significant financial losses to seniors who book trips based on the fabricated content. Scammers use advanced AI technology to produce hyper-realistic videos, fake testimonials, and manipulated voices to lure victims into bookings, exploiting older adults' lower digital literacy and trusting nature. As deepfake technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, authorities warn that awareness, careful verification of travel offers, and digital literacy education are essential to protect vulnerable seniors from this growing fraud threat.
reviewjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A hospice agent conducted door-to-door solicitation in Texas claiming to represent Medicare and offer free hospice services, a newly identified scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare officials warn that legitimate Medicare will never solicit services via unsolicited calls or home visits, and recipients should never share personal information with unknown callers; those suspecting fraud should contact the Medicare fraud hotline at 800-633-4227 or Senior Medicare Patrol at 877-808-2468.
ktlo.com
· 2025-12-08
Local officials are warning residents, particularly seniors, about rising fraud activity in the region, including fake billing, phony tech support, family impersonation, and spoofed caller IDs. The "grandparent scam"—where someone impersonates a relative requesting emergency funds while demanding secrecy—is among the most commonly reported schemes in Baxter County. Law enforcement advises residents to verify contact information independently, never send money through untraceable means like cryptocurrency ATMs, and pause to consult trusted contacts or their bank if something feels suspicious.
noozhawk.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Californians lost over $2.5 billion to cyber scams, with seniors increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes including government impersonation, tech-support scams, grandparent scams, and emerging AI-powered voice cloning tactics. Protection measures include refusing to share personal information over the phone, independently verifying caller identity, discussing scams with family members, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 bipartisan report highlights that fraud and scams cost seniors $4.8 billion in 2024, with investment, cryptocurrency, and romance scams posing the greatest risks to older adults who are often targeted due to politeness, trust, and unfamiliarity with digital technologies. Common scams include Medicare fraud ($80.5 million in losses), imposter scams ($789 million in losses), phishing, and deepfakes, which cause not only financial devastation but also significant emotional and physical health impacts on victims.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
North Branford police conducted an elder fraud awareness presentation at Evergreen Woods Community to educate seniors on prevention strategies. The presentation highlighted that seniors lose more than $3 billion annually to various fraud schemes including romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and government impersonation scams, with tips provided on how to recognize and protect against these threats.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Amazon sent warning emails to hundreds of millions of customers alerting them to phishing scams that use fake renewal notices and fake login pages to steal account credentials and personal information. Scammers use scare tactics and real personal details from previous data breaches to make the emails appear legitimate, then harvest login credentials, credit card information, and other data that can be used for unauthorized purchases or sold to other criminals. Amazon has shut down tens of thousands of phishing websites and phone numbers, and recommends customers verify account status directly through Amazon's website or app, enable two-factor authentication, use unique passwords, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails.
wlwt.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles in text messages claiming recipients owe money for overdue traffic tickets, threatening license suspension, prosecution, and credit damage to pressure victims into clicking malicious links that steal money and personal information. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients to delete such messages, report them as spam, and contact their state DMV directly using official contact information rather than links in unsolicited texts.
cambridgema.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Cambridge Police Department officers via phone calls, using spoofed caller IDs to appear legitimate while demanding personal information or financial payments (often in Bitcoin or gift cards) to clear fake arrest warrants or help fictitious persons in distress. Legitimate law enforcement never requests personal information, financial compensation, or payments over the phone; all sensitive matters are handled in-person at police stations and any penalties are paid directly to official agencies. Victims should contact their financial institutions and report the incident to their local police department.
dailyamerican.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers employ constantly evolving tactics including fake emails, texts, and social media profiles to deceive victims, with Pennsylvanians losing approximately $400 million through text messaging scams alone. To avoid becoming victims, consumers should guard credit and debit cards, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, verify company contact information independently, refrain from posting vacation photos on social media, and be cautious during high-risk periods like summer travel and back-to-school shopping when scams increase. Victims can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission or FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wect.com
· 2025-12-08
The Brunswick County Sheriff's Office warned of a phone scam targeting family members of detained individuals, in which a caller impersonating an officer requested $800 for "ankle monitor hookup fees" to secure a detainee's release. The victim's husband had not actually been served with a warrant or had release conditions set at the time of the fraudulent call. Law enforcement clarified that officers never solicit money by phone for release and directed residents to report such calls to the sheriff's office.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Honolulu Police Department warned of a fake arrest scam in which fraudsters impersonated attorneys and demanded bail money for purportedly arrested relatives. One resident nearly lost $8,000 after being told her son was arrested in a car crash, but bank staff identified the call as suspicious and the victim confirmed her son was safe. Police advised that bail payments are only accepted at police stations, and urged residents to ignore calls from unknown numbers and never share personal information or send money to unfamiliar callers.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
A surge in SMS phishing scams impersonating Amazon has increased more than 5,000% since July 8, with attackers sending millions of text messages claiming refunds or delivery issues to lure users to fake Amazon websites designed to steal login credentials. The scam targets Amazon users indiscriminately based on the high likelihood that recipients have made recent purchases, with organized criminal gangs operating at industrial scale from beyond U.S. law enforcement reach. Amazon advises recipients to delete suspicious texts immediately, verify accounts through official channels, and enable two-factor authentication, while the company reported taking down over 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 phone numbers used in impersonation schemes
news.ua.edu
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are posing as University of Alabama students on GroupMe, Snapchat, and other social media platforms to sell fake football tickets, requesting untraceable payments through Venmo, CashApp, or Apple Pay before blocking victims and disappearing with their money. To protect against this fraud, the university recommends using official platforms like MyTickets or SeatGeek, avoiding social media ticket sales, meeting sellers in person at safe locations, and never sharing personal information or using untraceable payment methods. Victims should immediately report scams to University Police at 205-348-5454.
ama-assn.org
· 2025-12-08
Two federal agencies—the DEA and CMS—issued warnings about scams targeting physicians that impersonate government officials to fraudulently obtain medical records, personal information, or payments. The DEA alerts physicians to impersonation schemes claiming to investigate their practices via phone or letter, while CMS warns of fraudulent requests for medical records or alleged Medicare debt payments. Both agencies emphasize that their personnel do not initiate contact via unsolicited calls, emails, or faxes demanding information or payment, and recommend reporting suspicious incidents to the FBI or Federal Trade Commission.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article compiles common complaints about everyday "scams" in American life that are legal but perceived as exploitative systems. Examples cited include the for-profit healthcare and insurance industries, inflated wedding vendor pricing, timeshares, ticket resale markups, and separate dental/vision insurance requirements. The piece reflects public frustration with systemic practices that appear designed to extract maximum profit from consumers rather than provide genuine value or protection.
wobm.com
· 2025-12-08
Phone scams targeting New Jersey seniors have surged significantly, with scammers using sophisticated tactics like spoofed caller IDs and emotional manipulation to exploit older adults' willingness to engage in conversation and trust callers claiming to be family members or banks. Common schemes pressure victims to act quickly without verification, and scammers exploit seniors' unfamiliarity with modern fraud tactics. Protective measures include teaching seniors not to share information with suspicious callers, verifying numbers by hanging up and calling back independently, and contacting New Jersey's consumer affairs division or local police fraud departments for assistance.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The article describes five active scams in the Valley area: fake delivery drivers posing as legitimate couriers to extort payment for nonexistent packages, sweepstakes fraud schemes that have resulted in losses exceeding $100,000, fraudsters using stolen personal information to open vehicle accounts in victims' names, scammers impersonating police officers and bail bondsmen to extort payment, and unlicensed door-to-door salespeople operating without required permits. Residents are advised to verify identities before sharing personal information, hang up on suspicious callers, and familiarize themselves with local soliciting regulations to protect against these schemes.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Turlock Police arrested 40-year-old Yuwen Zheng in connection with an elaborate fraud scheme targeting a senior citizen, who lost thousands of dollars after being deceived by perpetrators posing as representatives from established companies and government agencies. Zheng was apprehended at the victim's residence while attempting to collect additional cash in person, and detectives believe there may be additional elderly victims in the Turlock area and beyond. Zheng was booked on charges of theft by false pretenses and elder abuse.
srpressgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this article's content because the full text is behind a paywall and not accessible. The available excerpt only mentions that "Seniors vs. Crime" addresses elder fraud in the Panhandle region and references the growing concern of elder fraud due to internet misinformation and spam calls, but the substantive details of what happened, specific cases, or prevention strategies are not included in the provided text.
wchstv.com
· 2025-12-08
Charleston Police and Chase Bank hosted a scam awareness workshop for seniors in Charleston, West Virginia, where attendees learned to recognize common fraud schemes including E-Z Pass, jury duty, and romance scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, West Virginia residents lost approximately $27 million to fraud and scams in 2024 and are on pace to lose more in 2025. Experts advised seniors to verify requests with trusted sources directly, avoid sharing personal information via phone or email, and report scams immediately to police and their banks, noting that once money reaches scammers—typically operating overseas—it is nearly impossible to recover.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 20 Hong Kong residents lost HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) to online romance scams over two weeks, with 40% of victims aged over 60. One notable case involved a 70-year-old man who lost HK$3 million in savings plus HK$1 million in debt after being befriended via WhatsApp by a scammer posing as a neighbor, who then gained his trust through romantic messages and convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency. Police recommend verifying identities through video calls, avoiding rushed emotional or financial commitments with online strangers, and using the "Scameter" tool to check suspicious contacts and websites.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado author lost nearly $160,000 to a combined romance and investment scam in 2024, first depositing over $100,000 into a cryptocurrency platform recommended by a woman he met on a dating app, then losing an additional $50,000 to a fake scam recovery service when he attempted to retrieve his funds. After filing reports with the FBI, Colorado Attorney General's office, and FTC, Kern received no response and is now focused on repaying his parents, whose retirement funds he borrowed from to pay the fraudulent recovery service. The case exemplifies how romance scams—which ranked in the top 10 FBI complaints for 2024—often escalate into secondary frau
dailydot.com
· 2025-12-08
A 5th-grade teacher received a convincing scam call from someone impersonating a sheriff's department official claiming she had failed to appear for jury duty and faced citations and arrest warrants. She avoided falling victim by questioning the caller's information and verifying with her local sheriff's department non-emergency line, which confirmed it was a scam—noting that legitimate jury duty failures are handled by mail, not threatening phone calls. The teacher's warning highlights that this scam is circulating widely, with multiple commenters reporting they experienced similar calls or were actually defrauded by the scheme.
chronline.com
· 2025-12-08
An Eastern Oregon woman in her 60s lost $600,000 to scammers posing as federal agents who instructed her to purchase gold bars and transfer ownership to them for "safekeeping," though intervention by state officials prevented an additional $300,000 loss. A second woman in the region also lost $60,000 in a similar silver bar scam. Oregon Department of Justice officials warn that government agencies, banks, and tech companies never request customers buy precious metals or transfer ownership, and advise people to hang up on unsolicited callers and report suspicious activity to authorities.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
An Athens woman fell victim to a law enforcement impersonation scam in which a caller posed as a police officer and requested money to secure a family member's release from jail. Reports filed with Athens-Clarke police indicate that residents and businesses in the area continue to be targeted by telephone scams, with victims unaware they are speaking with con artists.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
Actor Chris Carmack and his wife Erin Slaver lost $2,000 to an online shopping scam after paying for cushions that never arrived and could not recover their money once the seller disappeared. The couple publicly shared their experience on Instagram as part of a McAfee cybersecurity campaign encouraging scam victims to report their stories, noting that billions of dollars are lost annually to scams. The article emphasizes that victims should report scams to the FTC, save all documentation, and speak openly about their experiences to help others recognize warning signs.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
Crystal Quast, a Canadian author, lost $2,500 to an Amazon imposter publishing scam before a friend at the company revealed she was dealing with fraudsters. Canadian fraud losses reached $647 million in reported cases in 2024, up from $577 million in 2023, with an estimated 90-95 percent of fraud going unreported. As banks have strengthened defenses against unauthorized fraud, criminals have shifted to "authorized fraud" schemes like investment and romance scams that manipulate victims into voluntarily transferring funds, creating new detection challenges for financial institutions.
pressherald.com
· 2025-12-08
At least 13 Mainers reported receiving text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, using a fake law reference and threatening license suspension to create panic and prompt immediate payment. Maine has seen a significant rise in government impersonation scams, with 98 reported victims in 2024 compared to about 40 annually from 2020-2022, while phishing and spoofing scams jumped from fewer than 100 victims yearly to 357 victims in 2024. Experts recommend acting quickly if scammed by freezing credit with all three major agencies, monitoring financial accounts, and reporting the incident to local police and relevant companies.
abc7amarillo.com
· 2025-12-08
Amarillo Police issued a warning about a scam targeting Amarillo National Bank members, in which scammers impersonate the bank's card center and attempt to obtain customers' full card numbers or PINs. The bank emphasized that legitimate representatives will never request this sensitive information and advised customers to hang up and call the official number (806) 378-8000 if they suspect fraudulent contact.