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The U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 people nationwide in a health care fraud crackdown targeting elderly and disabled beneficiaries, including several Central Florida residents. The defendants included individuals who filed bogus medical equipment claims totaling millions in Medicare fraud ($9.3 million and $3.4 million in two cases), a nurse practitioner who illegally prescribed 1.5 million Adderall pills and received $800,000, and a hospital nurse accused of stealing fentanyl from patient IV bags. The cases involved conspiracy to commit health care fraud, illegal drug distribution, and theft of controlled substances from medical facilities.

Macomb County Prosecutor Peter Lucido held an educational workshop in June to inform the public—particularly seniors—about common scams and fraud tactics, highlighting how personal information shared online is often sold to third parties and exploited by scammers. The workshop identified four key components scammers use (pretend, payment, prize/problem, and pressure) and covered various fraud methods including spoofing, phishing, vishing, and impersonation of authorities, banks, and tech support. Lucido recommended using "opt out" selections when filling out forms and published a 30-page guide called "S.C.A.M.S." to help prevent identity theft and financial fraud in

Police Chief Denise McCain and representatives from the FBI, Better Business Bureau, and other agencies presented at an East Alabama Regional Planning Commission Summit to educate seniors about fraud targeting older adults. The presentation covered common scams including jury duty imposters, tech support blackmail, grandparent scams using AI-generated voices, lottery scams, and IRS fraud, emphasizing that older adults with good savings and credit are lucrative targets who often delay reporting due to shame or uncertainty about where to report. Key prevention advice included never providing information over the phone, calling loved ones directly to verify requests, and immediately reporting blackmail to police.

The IRS has issued a warning about impersonation scams increasingly targeting seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) via phone calls, emails, and text messages to steal personal information and money. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake caller IDs, and demands for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, often threatening arrest or deportation to coerce immediate compliance. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming tax issues, verify communications directly at 800-829-1040, and never provide sensitive information or make payments without confirming legitimacy through official channels.

**Summary:** In 2023, the FBI reported an 11 percent overall increase in fraud complaints, with a 14 percent surge in scams targeting adults 60 and older, who lost $3.4 billion of the $12.5 billion in total reported losses. Tech support fraud was the leading crime affecting seniors with nearly 18,000 complaints and $600 million in losses, while investment scams proved costliest at over $1.2 billion, and call center schemes disproportionately impacted older adults who lost almost $770 million—more than all other age groups combined, with some victims reportedly taking their own lives. The FBI recommends resisting pressure to

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.

On June 14 in Ewing Township, New Jersey's Attorney General's Office, Medicaid Fraud Unit, Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, and Elder Protection Task Force honored Certified Volunteer Advocates (CVAs) for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. CVAs work with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to regularly visit nursing homes statewide, engage with residents, and advocate for their rights and interests.

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.

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.

AI tools like ChatGPT are enabling scammers to create convincing phishing emails, imitate voices and identities, and automate fraud schemes that bypass traditional red flags like poor grammar. Criminals can now use AI to target larger groups with personalized information, forge identification documents, and rapidly test stolen passwords across multiple platforms, making these scams significantly harder for individuals and banks to detect. Financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase are deploying AI-based fraud detection systems and increasing customer education, while experts recommend protective measures such as credit freezes and password hygiene to mitigate risk.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money. Scammers use tactics such as caller ID spoofing, fabricated urgent debts or prize claims, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The warning is part of broader World Elder Abuse Awareness Day efforts and the IRS's ongoing Security Summit partnership to educate seniors and protect them from these schemes.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics including spoofed caller IDs, false claims of tax debts or prizes, pressure for immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and threats of arrest or deportation. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact via phone, email, or text about tax issues, and victims should hang up immediately and verify communications by calling 800-829-1040.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government agency representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics such as caller ID spoofing, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The IRS advises that legitimate tax issues are initiated by mail, and anyone receiving unexpected calls from alleged IRS agents should hang up immediately and report the incident.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through pressure tactics and threats of arrest or deportation. Scammers demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps while manipulating caller IDs to appear legitimate; the IRS emphasizes it never demands immediate payment through these methods and advises recipients of suspicious calls to hang up and contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify legitimacy.

The Internal Revenue Service warned South Carolina seniors about a rising trend of impersonation scams targeting older adults who are deceived by fraudsters posing as government officials or IRS agents. Scammers use manipulated caller IDs, fabricated claims of tax debts or lottery winnings, and pressure tactics demanding immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to steal personal information and money. The IRS advises recipients of suspicious calls to hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling official IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 rather than returning the scammer's call.

North Carolina's fraud watchdogs warned of rising scams targeting seniors, with particular focus on financial elder abuse during World Elder Abuse Month in June. The N.C. Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force released a 23-minute fraud prevention video and streamlined reporting resources, including a new 2-1-1 hotline for victims to access appropriate assistance and a Department of Justice no-scam line (1-877-5-NO-SCAM) for reporting fraud. Officials emphasized that scammers impersonate government, law enforcement, and family members to steal money and information, and urged older adults to verify identities before sharing information over phone, email, text, or

North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force released a new 23-minute fraud prevention video and expanded resources to combat rising scams targeting seniors, following World Elder Abuse Day in June. According to the FTC, Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023 with a median loss of $500, with scammers increasingly targeting smaller amounts to avoid law enforcement detection. The state now offers simplified reporting through a dial-211 hotline, the N.C. Attorney General's fraud hotline, and AARP's Fraud Watch helpline to help victims recognize and report fraud without shame.

Medicare will never initiate calls to you—if you receive an unsolicited call claiming to be from Medicare, it is a scam. The NY Statewide Senior Action Council and NYS Senior Medicare Patrol offer educational resources and fraud detection assistance to help seniors protect their Medicare information and identify potential scams. A Senior Safety Summit held in Chautauqua County on June 21 provided seniors an opportunity to connect with representatives from law enforcement, consumer protection, social services, and elder law organizations to learn fraud prevention strategies and address personal safety concerns.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, in which fraudsters pose as government officials from the IRS, Social Security Administration, and Medicare to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or prize claims), and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into quick compliance. The IRS recommends that anyone receiving unexpected calls from alleged IRS representatives should hang up immediately and verify any claims by calling the official IRS customer service line at 800-829-1040.

The IRS has issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting South Carolina seniors, in which fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) or businesses to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated claims of debts or prizes, pressure for immediate action with threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment through cryptocurrency, wire transfers, gift cards, or payment apps. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls to hang up immediately, avoid returning calls to provided numbers, verify communications directly with the IRS at 800-829-1040, and report suspected sc

Healthcare scams targeting vulnerable populations—including older adults, new mothers, surgery patients, and people with chronic conditions—have caused Americans to lose $10.3 billion to internet fraud in 2022 alone. Common scams involve impersonators contacting victims via phone, text, or email to steal personal information, banking details, or convince them to wire money by creating a sense of panic about their healthcare coverage. To protect yourself, verify caller identity before sharing sensitive information, read communications carefully for red flags, avoid clicking suspicious links, and contact your healthcare provider directly if you're unsure about any request.

June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, highlighting that while consumers over 60 lose money to scams less frequently than younger people, they lose significantly larger amounts when victimized—averaging nearly $1,000 compared to under $500 for those under 60. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent scams (using impersonation and AI voice cloning), Medicare scams during enrollment periods, and tech support scams falsely claiming to be from Apple or Microsoft. The article provides prevention strategies for each scam type and guidance on how to supportively help victims by responding with empathy, listening to their experience, validating their story, and assisting with reporting and recovery steps.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, in which fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, false claims of tax debt or prize winnings, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, verify communications through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report suspicious activity.

The IRS has renewed warnings about impersonation scams targeting older adults, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent debts or prize claims, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling the official IRS number (800-829-1040) rather than using any number provided by the caller.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens in Kansas and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated tax debts or refunds, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of suspicious calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and contact IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.

In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office is promoting fraud awareness to combat the rising tide of financial crimes against seniors. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, phishing, and romance schemes. The IRS employs education, criminal investigations, and public-private partnerships to combat elder fraud, with recent prosecutions including a home health care operator sentenced to 45 months for stealing over $1 million from elderly clients and an investment fraudster sentenced to

The IRS issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting older adults in North Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials or businesses to steal personal information and pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Common tactics include fabricating urgent tax debts or refund claims, spoofing caller IDs, and threatening arrest or deportation to create a sense of urgency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls and verifying communications through official channels (800-829-1040) or their online account portal.

Scammers impersonating federal agencies caused Americans to lose approximately $1.3 billion in the past year, with financial losses surging over sevenfold since 2019. Generative AI technology, particularly voice cloning, has made these impersonation scams more convincing and successful, with criminals posing as Medicare, IRS, law enforcement, and other federal officials to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive information or paying fraudulent fees. The article emphasizes that federal agencies need enhanced tools and tactics to combat these evolving threats, as these scams exploit public trust in government institutions.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use high-pressure tactics and spoofed caller IDs to demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency for fictitious tax debts or false refunds. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency to hang up immediately and instead contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.

Quincy Police arrested a suspect for residential burglary at a retirement home who allegedly stole credit and debit cards from elderly residents' apartments. Police and senior advocates warn that criminals target seniors due to their trust and desire for connection, though most crimes against the elderly involve scams conducted via phone, online, or mail. Authorities recommend family members help protect seniors by reviewing their mail and accounts for suspicious charges, discussing scam recognition, monitoring for unauthorized contact, and maintaining regular check-ins to catch fraud early.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting seniors in Illinois and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government agency officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The IRS advises recipients of unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and contact legitimate IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify any communications.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting Mississippi seniors, where fraudsters pose as IRS or government agency representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake urgency, and demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, often spoofing caller IDs to appear legitimate. The IRS advises that anyone receiving an unexpected call claiming to be from the IRS should hang up immediately and not return the call, as the IRS initiates contact by mail about account issues.

North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference highlighting the rising epidemic of elder fraud, with statistics showing that approximately 1 in 10 seniors becomes a victim, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses nationwide in 2022 (an 84% increase from 2021), with individual victims losing an average of $40,000. The task force identified five major scam types targeting seniors: sweetheart scams, sweepstakes scams, impostor scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, while warning that scammers increasingly use AI to replicate voices. Victims can report fraud to local authorities, the FBI's Internet Crime

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting seniors in Illinois and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, never returning calls using provided numbers, and verifying legitimacy by contacting IRS customer service at 800-829-1040.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning on June 12, 2024, about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors who are deceived by fraudsters posing as IRS or other government agency representatives. Scammers use manipulated caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios, and pressure victims to make immediate payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to steal personal information and money. The IRS recommends that anyone receiving unsolicited calls from alleged IRS representatives should hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling the official IRS customer service line at 800-829-1040.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors nationwide, particularly in Louisiana, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use advanced tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated debt claims, and pressure for immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers to exploit victims. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls about tax issues and verifying legitimacy by calling official IRS customer service at 800-829-1040.

The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens nationwide, including in Mississippi, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money. These scams use tactics such as fabricating urgent debts or prize claims, threatening arrest or deportation, and demanding payment through untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency and to report suspected scams to the IRS at 1-800-366-4484.

On June 15, 2024, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlighted that financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, costing older adults an estimated $23 billion annually. The U.S. Attorney's Office has expanded efforts to combat elder fraud through initiatives including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, which targets foreign-based schemes, the Money Mule Initiative to disrupt fraud networks, and Senior Scam Alerts educating the public about common schemes such as Social Security impostor scams, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.

This is a personal essay by columnist Mary Mitchell about retirement planning and lifestyle, not a news article about fraud or elder abuse. While the piece briefly mentions that scammers target seniors and that elder fraud resulted in $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase), the main focus is Mitchell's advice on avoiding depression, staying active, protecting finances from scams, decluttering thoughtfully, and appreciating retirement privileges. The fraud reference serves as one of five general retirement tips rather than detailing a specific scam incident.

Medicare fraud costs the nation $60 billion annually, with Michigan experiencing a rise in scams targeting the 22% of its population enrolled in Medicare. Common scams include imposters claiming to be from Medicare calling to verify personal information and healthcare providers billing for unnecessary services; seniors are advised to hang up on any calls claiming to be from Medicare, monitor their Explanation of Benefits monthly, and report suspicious charges. Last year, 23 Michigan home health-care operators were charged with Medicare fraud totaling over $61 million in fraudulent billings.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein released a resource card in June 2024 to help seniors and families navigate long-term care options and understand available health insurance plans, addressing concerns about costs, staffing, and residents' rights in care facilities. The initiative, part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, connects residents with state and federal agencies and includes the Department of Justice's Medicaid Investigations Division, which has recovered over $1 billion in restitution and penalties since 1979 and investigates fraud and abuse in Medicaid-funded facilities.

**Summary:** North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey warned residents about door-to-door scammers impersonating N.C. Department of Insurance agents to sell fake insurance policies. At least two recent incidents were reported, marking the fourth occurrence since 2020, with fraudsters sometimes presenting fake business cards bearing the department's logo. The department clarified that it does not sell insurance and urged consumers to report such impersonation attempts to law enforcement.

The Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center hosted a free scam awareness presentation featuring Michigan's Assistant Attorney General Kristen Stinedurf, who addressed phishing, AI scams, and fraud warning signs across calls, texts, mail, and email. The presentation, held in partnership with the Tri-County Office on Aging, targeted seniors new to Medicare and technology who receive frequent scam-related communications, aiming to help attendees recognize and avoid fraud.

Medicare fraud costs the government billions annually and affects beneficiaries through fraudulent billing schemes ranging from unnecessary medical tests to identity theft using stolen Medicare numbers. Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) work to help beneficiaries and caregivers prevent and detect fraud, with Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (held annually in June) providing education on common scams including unwanted COVID-19 test kits, genetic testing, and durable medical equipment schemes. Beneficiaries can protect themselves by monitoring Medicare statements, refusing unsolicited offers for free services or equipment, and immediately reporting suspicious charges to Medicare.

Medicare fraud costs an estimated $60 billion annually and affects beneficiaries through loss of medical identity, time, stress, and potential health consequences. The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol launched Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 5-6) to educate beneficiaries, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers on protective measures such as monitoring insurance statements, verifying medical equipment orders, safeguarding Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity.

Medicare fraud costs the system an estimated $60 billion annually and directly harms beneficiaries through stolen medical identities, increased stress, wasted time navigating fraudulent claims, and potential health complications. Perpetrators exploit the Medicare system to commit identity theft and financial crimes that extend beyond monetary losses to affect seniors' medical records and care.

Blue Shield of California issued a Medicare Fraud Prevention Week alert warning seniors about scammers targeting personal and financial information, noting that healthcare fraud costs up to $300 billion annually in the U.S. and that older adults lost nearly $770 million to call center schemes in 2023—more than all other age groups combined. The health plan recommends Medicare beneficiaries protect themselves by never sharing personal information unsolicited, refusing free offers for medical care, and contacting Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227 if they suspect fraudulent activity.

**Article:** Blue Shield of California Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Alert Blue Shield of California warned Medicare beneficiaries during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 3-9, 2024) about scams targeting seniors seeking personal, financial, and health plan information. Healthcare fraud costs the U.S. up to $300 billion annually, with older adults accounting for 40% of call center fraud complaints and 58% of losses—nearly $770 million in 2023, more than all other age groups combined. The organization recommends seniors protect themselves by never sharing personal information, verifying callers through official numbers like 1-800-MEDICARE, reviewing Explanation of Benefits statements

Senior Medicare Patrol Hawaii is hosting Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 3-9) to educate the public about Medicare fraud schemes, offering a free webinar on June 8 and providing resources like the "My Health Care Tracker" booklet to help seniors detect fraudulent claims. Medicare loses approximately $60 billion annually to false claims, and the program teaches seniors and their caregivers how to prevent, detect, and report fraud by monitoring billing statements, protecting their Medicare numbers, and reporting suspected identity theft.

**Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Educational Piece** Senior Medicare Patrol Hawai'i is promoting Medicare fraud awareness during June 3-9, highlighting that Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to false claims. The organization recommends beneficiaries use a free "My Health Care Tracker" booklet to log health services and cross-check against billing statements, monitor for unauthorized use of their Medicare number, and never share their Medicare number with unsolicited callers—while caregivers, families, and community members should watch for suspicious medical equipment deliveries and encourage loved ones to protect their Medicare information as they would a credit card number.