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Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
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kolotv.com
· 2025-11-30
Nevada experienced a significant surge in senior fraud reports, with a 52% year-over-year increase and seniors losing over $21 million in 2024 alone, making it one of the hardest-hit states alongside New Hampshire and Arizona. Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults through phishing emails and fake delivery schemes, particularly during holiday shopping seasons when seniors are shopping online more frequently. To stay safe, seniors should verify sender information before clicking links, shop only on secure websites, and be cautious of unexpected delivery notifications or requests for personal information.
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-11-30
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador is warning residents about scams using fake jury duty notices sent via text, phone, and email to pressure people into paying fines or facing arrest—a scheme particularly targeting seniors. The scammers use spoofed caller IDs and official-looking documents to appear legitimate, but legitimate courts never demand payment through links or threaten arrest by phone. To protect yourself, ignore these messages, hang up immediately, and report suspected scams to ReportScamsIdaho.com rather than clicking any links or providing personal information.
standardspeaker.com
· 2025-11-30
Americans lost a record $16.6 billion to scams in 2024, with 73% of people having experienced online fraud, and losses are expected to spike during the holiday shopping season as scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics like fake websites, phishing emails, and counterfeit delivery notifications. The most vulnerable populations need to be especially vigilant, as they're often the primary targets of these schemes. To protect yourself, verify website URLs for security (HTTPS), check for spelling errors on sites, and be cautious of unsolicited payment requests from supposed delivery services.
iberkshires.com
· 2025-11-30
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles is warning residents about text message scams claiming they owe money for traffic violations and threatening license suspension if payment isn't made immediately. The RMV never contacts people via text about payment and only accepts payments in person or through its official website at mass.gov/RMV. Anyone receiving such texts should delete them immediately, avoid clicking any links, never share personal information, and report the scam to warn others.
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-11-30
The FBI San Diego Field Office is warning holiday shoppers about common scams that increase during the season, including non-delivery scams, fake charities, gift card fraud, and auction fraud that cost thousands of people money each year. To protect yourself, the FBI recommends being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, avoiding suspicious links and payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers, verifying websites use secure "https://" connections, and researching charities before donating. By staying vigilant and doing research before shopping or donating online, consumers can help prevent scammers from taking advantage of holiday season spending.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-11-30
During Cyber Monday shopping, scammers are using artificial intelligence to create convincing fake deals and impersonate legitimate brands through fraudulent ads and giveaways, potentially tricking shoppers into giving away money or personal information. To protect yourself, always type website addresses directly into your browser rather than clicking links from ads or social media, and verify any delivery issues by visiting the official vendor or carrier website instead of responding to text messages. These simple steps can help you avoid common scams and shop safely online.
mashable.com
· 2025-11-30
# Amazon Black Friday Impersonation Scam Alert
Amazon is warning its 300+ million users about a widespread holiday scam using fake notifications and malicious websites to steal financial information and account credentials, with cybercriminals registering over 700 fraudulent domains using keywords like "Black Friday" and "Christmas" to deceive shoppers. The scam uses fake delivery messages, too-good-to-be-true deals on social media, and requests for payment information through unofficial channels to target unsuspecting holiday shoppers. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unsolicited notifications, verify you're on Amazon's official website before entering account details, and be skeptical of deals advertised outside official channels.
newsnationnow.com
· 2025-11-30
"Pig butchering" scams—sophisticated fraud schemes run by international criminal networks primarily based in Malaysia and the Philippines—are targeting elderly people, entrepreneurs, and cryptocurrency investors by using social engineering to trick victims into sending money, cryptocurrency, or gift card codes. Experts have launched Operation Shamrock, a nonprofit dedicated to educating bankers and at-risk individuals about these billion-dollar scams that often involve trafficked workers forced to participate. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited contact urging you to invest or send money, verify requests through independent channels, and never send cryptocurrency or gift cards to unknown parties, especially if you're being pressured to act quickly.
fox9.com
· 2025-11-30
# Holiday Shopping Fraud Warning
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes and fake websites to impersonate trusted brands during the holiday shopping season, affecting one in three Americans. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts, verify URLs directly on official retailer websites, use credit cards instead of debit cards, and be skeptical of urgent "limited-time offers"—especially from unfamiliar sellers on social platforms.
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WCCO - CBS Minnesota
· 2025-10-06
A survey across 11 countries found that Americans are the most-targeted population for scams globally, receiving approximately 100 scam attempts monthly or about 25 fraudulent contacts per week, including an average of nine scam calls, nine fraudulent emails, and seven suspicious text messages. The data suggests scammers view Americans as particularly vulnerable, with new scam variations emerging regularly, including work-from-home schemes and payment solicitations.
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Yahoo Finance
· 2025-10-04
An educational alert reports that 73% of US adults have experienced online scams, with reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in 2024 according to FTC data. The article highlights common scam types, including dating scams where fraudsters pose as romantic interests and trick victims into clicking malicious "verification" links that capture payment information and enroll them in unauthorized recurring billing services.
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NBC Bay Area
· 2025-10-02
During government shutdowns, scammers capitalize on the crisis by impersonating government agencies and contacting people via phone or email with threats to revoke benefits or offers of emergency funds, demanding personal data or payments in exchange. Security experts warn that any unsolicited government contact during a shutdown should be treated with suspicion, as legitimate agencies are unable to reach out during closures. Common scams include threats to withdraw Social Security and other government benefits.
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Atlanta News First
· 2025-09-28
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes and fake celebrity images to target Atlanta Braves fans on social media, creating fraudulent fan pages with names similar to legitimate ones that post fabricated stories about players giving away money or vehicles. The fake pages use undetectable AI-powered impersonations of real celebrities and athletes to deceive followers, with scammers leveraging artificial intelligence to make their deceptions increasingly difficult to distinguish from authentic content.
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FOX Carolina News
· 2025-09-13
South Carolina ranks disproportionately high in scam calls and texts compared to other states and previous months, according to TrueCaller's monthly data tracking. Scam activity shows seasonality patterns, with increased fraud attempts during severe weather events like hurricanes and coastal damage. The caller ID and spam-blocking service provider attributes the targeting to both predictable seasonal trends and state-specific vulnerabilities.
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23ABC News | KERO
· 2025-09-08
A 2025 identity theft survey shows impersonation scams are on the rise, with scammers impersonating banks, law enforcement, and trusted contacts via text, calls, and emails—often using AI to target victims more precisely. Victims are increasingly sharing sensitive personal information including social security numbers, driver's license numbers, passport numbers, financial account details, and passwords, putting them at risk for financial and identity fraud. The Better Business Bureau and Identity Theft Resource Center urge consumers to be cautious about unsolicited contact and not share personal information, even if the message appears to come from someone they know.
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Bangkok Post
· 2025-09-08
This episode from the Bangkok Post examines Thailand's growing cyber scam epidemic, which has expanded into a trillion-dollar industry over the past three years as both scammer and victim numbers have surged. The content outlines common scam tactics including advance-fee schemes (fake Nigerian prince emails), phishing attacks impersonating banks and government agencies to steal identity and funds, and tech support scams where fraudsters pose as Microsoft to gain computer access. The episode illustrates how modern cyber scams are adaptations of centuries-old swindle techniques now conducted through digital channels.
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CBS Mornings
· 2025-09-06
This educational piece outlines warning signs and protection strategies against modern scams, particularly AI scams and romance scams. It highlights that scammers stole a record $16.6 billion through internet crimes like identity theft and online impersonation in 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year—by exploiting personal data left behind through online activity. The article recommends protective measures including investigating your digital trail through Google searches, managing social media profiles, and being aware of how data brokers collect and sell personal information to third parties.
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ABC10
· 2025-09-04
California seniors lost $1.7 billion to fraud in 2024, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through digital devices using evolving tactics like spoofing and gift card scams. Experts from AARP and Chase Bank conducted educational workshops in Sacramento to help seniors recognize common scams and protect their identities, emphasizing that awareness and vigilance are key to prevention.
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Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV
· 2025-08-29
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages impersonating package delivery services and toll collection agencies, using urgent language to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Key red flags include messages claiming delivery delays or payment issues that demand immediate action, which is a common scam tactic. Consumer Reports advises staying vigilant and recognizing artificial urgency as a warning sign of text message fraud.
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KCRA 3
· 2025-08-28
A Sacramento woman lost $28,000 of her life savings in a sophisticated scam that began with a fraudulent PayPal email. After calling what she believed was PayPal customer service, a scammer convinced her that her identity had been used to open 22 accounts linked to money laundering, then pressured her to withdraw cash and hand it to someone posing as a Social Security official. Thompson's surveillance camera captured her handing over the box of cash, and she is now sharing her story as a warning to other seniors, while Sacramento police investigate the case.
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Sunrise
· 2025-08-27
Australians lost $175 million to scams in the first half of the year, with fraudsters increasingly using artificial intelligence to create highly convincing schemes targeting everyday people. Common scams impersonate government services like Services Australia, MyGov, Centerlink, and Medicare to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information through malicious links and phishing emails. To protect yourself, recognize that scammers often use sophisticated tactics to get you to click links or provide sensitive data, and be cautious of unsolicited communications claiming to be from government agencies.
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FOX23 News Tulsa
· 2025-08-27
Scammers are using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate loved ones in "vishing" (voice phishing) schemes that target families with emergency-based fraud calls. With as little as 15 seconds of audio, attackers can create a convincing voice clone and spoof the caller's phone number to pressure victims—particularly elderly targets—into sending money by claiming a loved one is hurt or needs immediate help.
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WSLS 10
· 2025-08-26
This article warns about a growing wave of text message scams impersonating delivery services and toll collection agencies. Scammers send urgent texts claiming package delivery issues or missed toll payments, pressuring recipients to click links and provide payment or personal information; one of the fastest-growing scams involves fake toll payment demands for small amounts like $12 to capture credit card data. The key red flag is artificial urgency, and consumers should verify messages through official company channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
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8 News Now — Las Vegas
· 2025-08-26
In 2024, older Americans ages 60 and up lost $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25% increase from 2023—with impostor scams being the most common type, where criminals impersonate government officials or companies like Amazon and PayPal. Las Vegas seniors including Bernardet Bartal reported falling victim to multiple schemes involving fake checks, fraudulent car repairs, and housing scams, losing thousands of dollars with little recovery. According to AARP, seniors face relentless daily contact from scammers through phone calls, texts, and emails attempting to extract personal information and money.
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NewsChannel 5
· 2025-08-25
Consumer Reports experts provide guidance on identifying and avoiding text message (SMS) scams, which commonly impersonate legitimate sources like package delivery services, toll road authorities, and job recruiters to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Key warning signs include urgent language, unsolicited messages about services you haven't used, and requests to click links or update information. The advice emphasizes that scammers design messages to appear legitimate at first glance, making it important to pause before responding and verify communications directly with the supposed sender through official channels.
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ABC News
· 2025-08-24
According to the Federal Trade Commission, people ages 20-29 (Gen Z) reported losing more money to fraud scams than people ages 70-79 (Baby Boomers), contrary to common assumptions about elder fraud vulnerability. While Gen Z's digital fluency is an asset, scammers exploit this same digital environment and target seasonal vulnerabilities specific to younger generations, such as back-to-school imposter scams.
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Good Morning America
· 2025-08-24
According to the Federal Trade Commission, people ages 20-29 (Gen Z) reported losing more money to fraud scams than people ages 70-79 (baby boomers), challenging the assumption that older adults are most vulnerable to scams. While Gen Z's digital fluency is an advantage, it does not make them immune to scams; scammers actively exploit seasonal vulnerabilities and target this tech-savvy generation through their digital platforms, including tactics like imposter scams timed around events like back-to-school shopping.
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ABC11
· 2025-08-23
Back-to-school season sees a rise in scams targeting students and parents, including social media fraud from oversharing personal information in photos and fake e-commerce websites offering steep discounts that never deliver products. The Better Business Bureau recommends obscuring personal details like children's names, schools, and teachers' names before posting back-to-school photos online, and advises shopping only on verified websites using credit cards for fraud protection.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2025-08-11
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CBS Sunday Morning
· 2025-08-10
Steve Wozniak, Apple co-founder, discovered that scammers were using deepfake or edited videos of him on YouTube to perpetrate a Bitcoin fraud scheme, promising to double any Bitcoin sent to a provided address. Victims, including Jennifer Marion who lost $59,000 worth of Bitcoin, received nothing in return, and Wozniak sued YouTube for failing to remove the fraudulent videos despite repeated requests from his legal team.
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FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
· 2025-08-04
A Twin Cities woman fell victim to a sophisticated employment scam involving fake virtual interviews for a high-level executive position and forged company benefits documentation designed to collect her personal information and cash. The scam was remarkably elaborate, mimicking authentic company processes and going through multiple interview stages before the victim discovered the fraud and contacted the actual company being impersonated, which confirmed they were unaware of the scheme.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-08-04
Phishing scammers are increasingly using recognizable brand names—including EZPass, Microsoft, Steam, Facebook, Coinbase, Netflix, American Express, and others—to trick victims into clicking malicious links or visiting fake websites. Scammers exploit familiarity and artificial urgency to prompt impulsive action, with AI making fraudulent emails and websites look increasingly realistic; fake DMV scams saw a 700% increase in one quarter. The best defense is to never click links in unsolicited messages and instead navigate directly to official websites through your own search to verify any account issues.
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CBS New York
· 2025-07-28
A 78-year-old Long Island retired art teacher lost $15,000 in a scam that began with a fraudulent text message about an unauthorized Apple Pay charge. After responding to the text, she received calls impersonating Apple and her bank, which convinced her that her account was compromised and that she needed to withdraw $15,000 from her savings account. She withdrew the cash and handed it to a scammer posing as a bank representative at her gated community, who then fled with the money.
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WCHS Eyewitness News
· 2025-07-28
Charleston Police and Chase Bank hosted a workshop to educate seniors on avoiding scams, as phone, text, and email fraud targeting this population is on the rise both nationally and locally. According to the Federal Trade Commission, West Virginians lost more than $27 million to fraud and scams in the past year, primarily from impostor schemes including EasyPass, jury duty, and romance scams. The workshop emphasized the importance of verifying communications directly with companies or agencies rather than responding to urgent-seeming messages.
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Al Jazeera English
· 2025-07-24
**Cyber Kidnapping Scams Target Chinese International Students**
Chinese international students worldwide are falling victim to "cyber kidnapping" scams where fraudsters impersonate authorities and coerce victims into staging fake abductions to extract ransom payments from their families, with demands reaching $1 million. A notable case involved 17-year-old exchange student Kai Wang, who went missing in Utah in December 2023 after being targeted by scammers threatening violence. Victims experience significant financial losses and psychological trauma from these sophisticated schemes that exploit their trust in authority figures.
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Atlanta News First
· 2025-07-18
A new Amazon phishing scam uses stolen personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers) in fraudulent emails to create legitimacy and trick recipients into clicking malicious links to enter login credentials. The scam falsely claims an Amazon subscription will renew at a higher price as the lure. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails, access your Amazon account directly through the official app or website, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor what personal information is available about you online.
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NBC News
· 2025-06-26
A senior couple in Colorado lost $20,000 in a gift card scam after receiving a fraudulent email claiming they owed money for an unauthorized phone purchase. The scammer, posing as a federal agent named Rebecca, convinced them to purchase multiple gift cards and provide PIN codes, with the scammer eventually admitting to the theft when contacted by police. The couple, now in their mid-70s, must rebuild their savings from scratch, highlighting the devastating impact of these scams run by international criminal networks.
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ABC24 Memphis
· 2025-06-24
The "unsubscribe scam" is a long-standing fraud where criminals disguise malicious links as legitimate unsubscribe buttons in deceptive emails. Clicking the unsubscribe button can give scammers access to personal information or full computer control, affecting victims across the country including the Memphis area. People should be cautious of suspicious emails and avoid clicking unsubscribe buttons on unsolicited messages.
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ABC 7 Chicago
· 2025-06-12
DMV scam text messages are surging nationwide, with cybersecurity experts reporting a 773% spike in June, featuring fake texts threatening license suspension or vehicle registration revocation unless recipients pay purported fines. The fraudulent messages direct victims to counterfeit government websites designed to steal both money and personal information, using deceptive URLs that closely mimic official .gov domains. Recipients should be aware that DMVs do not collect ticket fines—those are handled by city and village offices—making these threats inherently fraudulent.
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KCAU-TV Sioux City
· 2025-06-07
Nebraska State Patrol and the Department of Motor Vehicles warned residents about a text message scam falsely claiming unpaid traffic fines and directing recipients to click a link to pay. The Nebraska DMV clarified that it does not send notices via text message and cautioned residents not to click the links, as scammers are attempting to steal personal and financial information.
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WBIR Channel 10
· 2025-06-05
A phishing scam text message claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets with Saturday payment deadlines and license suspension threats circulated across multiple states including Tennessee, North Carolina, and Minnesota, with scammers including fraudulent payment links. Law enforcement agencies confirmed the scam and clarified that government agencies do not send text messages about traffic fines or suspensions; residents are advised to delete messages, avoid clicking links, and use only verified official phone numbers or websites ending in .gov.
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Channel 3000 / News 3 Now
· 2025-06-03
Scammers are impersonating the DMV via text messages, claiming recipients have unpaid traffic violations or final notices and requesting they click fraudulent links or provide personal information. The DMV advises recipients to be suspicious of unsolicited texts demanding money and to never share personal information in response to such messages.
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The Straits Times
· 2025-06-02
This educational piece for children ages 9-12 explains what scams are and how they work. A scam occurs when someone tricks you into giving them money or personal information by impersonating trusted entities like banks, government agencies, or celebrities, typically through phone calls, messaging apps, or social media while offering fake prizes or credits in return. The article emphasizes that scams affect people of all ages and warns viewers to be cautious about unsolicited offers and requests for personal information.
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KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas
· 2025-06-02
Clark County and Nevada State Police officials warned the public about phishing scams using text messages and emails impersonating traffic enforcement agencies. The scams claim recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threaten fines or legal action unless payment is made within 12 hours via a malicious link, but county and state officials confirmed they never solicit payments through text or email and will not demand personal information remotely. Residents are advised to ignore these messages and report suspected fraud to authorities.
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CBS Evening News
· 2025-06-01
A 26-year-old U.S. Navy electrician named Thomas Xiao admitted to passing sensitive military documents to a Chinese intelligence officer who posed as an investor and researcher on the Chinese social media app WeChat between 2021 and 2023. Chinese intelligence operatives are increasingly using social media and virtual contact to recruit U.S. military personnel and extract classified information, as traditional in-person espionage has become more difficult.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-05-16
Indiana State Police are reporting a sharp increase in romance scams on dating websites where criminals use artificial intelligence to create more convincing fake profiles and messages, with victims losing up to $200,000 in some cases. The AI technology allows scammers to improve their English and create realistic photos, making it harder for people to detect fraudulent accounts, and perpetrators typically spend weeks or months building relationships before requesting money through untraceable payment methods like gift cards. Police advise potential dating app users to watch for red flags such as requests for money, unusual photo details (asymmetrical faces, incomplete glasses, odd fingers), and to verify profiles independently before engaging with matches.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-05-16
Indiana State Police report a surge in AI-enhanced romance scams targeting Hoosiers, with victims losing up to $200,000 per case. Scammers use artificial intelligence to improve their language skills and create realistic profile photos, making them harder to detect as they build relationships over weeks or months before requesting money through untraceable payment methods. Police advise victims to watch for red flags such as requests for gift cards, scrutinize AI-generated photos for imperfections, and trust their instincts, as romance scams have become the third riskiest scam type according to the Better Business Bureau.
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KSL News Utah
· 2025-05-13
Scammers are creating fake URLs that closely mimic legitimate government websites to conduct phishing scams, such as one impersonating the Utah Department of Transportation. A viewer received a text claiming she owed a fine and was directed to click a link appearing to end in ".gov," but the actual domain was fake (gov-etcxm.cc); clicking such links directs victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal login credentials or payment information. The FBI advises verifying URLs carefully, as legitimate government sites end in ".gov" domains like utah.gov or irs.gov, while scammer domains use deceptive variations.
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WFMY News 2
· 2025-05-09
Scammers send fake toll payment notices via text claiming vehicle registration will be suspended and credit scores damaged if payment isn't made, with the goal of obtaining credit card numbers rather than the small fee itself. If victims provide credit card information, scammers use it for unauthorized charges such as internet gambling, potentially costing thousands of dollars. Legitimate toll texts come from non-phone number sources, while fraudulent texts originate from 10-digit phone numbers or email addresses and include links or phone numbers for payment.
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CBS Pittsburgh
· 2025-05-09
This educational piece highlights key strategies to protect against increasingly sophisticated scams that target people of all ages. Common scams include grandparent scams, fake tech support, and gift card scams, all designed to steal money or personal information. Experts from law enforcement and the FBI recommend pausing before acting on urgent requests, verifying caller identity through independent family contacts, and remembering that legitimate creditors never demand payment via gift cards.