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in General Elder Fraud
wabi.tv
· 2025-12-07
Somerset County is hosting free one-hour fraud awareness workshops throughout October in partnership with AARP and local law enforcement to combat elder fraud, which costs Mainers millions annually. Maine residents over 65 lost nearly $13 million to fraud last year, with common scams including fraudulent crowdfunding pages like GoFundMe; the workshops will teach residents to identify threats, report crimes immediately, and seek help.
eagletribune.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier fraud scams targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses nationally and $18.6 million in Massachusetts alone. Nearly all victims (98%) were over 60 years old and were deceived into believing they were helping a family member or paying a government debt, after which fraudsters sent couriers to collect cash or gold bars from their homes.
ministrywatch.com
· 2025-12-07
Former reality TV pastor Tilo David Lopez, who appeared on Lifetime's "Preacher's Daughters," pleaded guilty to filing a false tax return and attempting theft after defrauding elderly Colorado couple Elsie and Ventura Lara of over $400,000 by posing as a general contractor. Lopez received 12 years probation with no jail time instead of facing original charges of criminal exploitation of an at-risk adult, despite the victims' opposition to the plea deal. The Laras alleged Lopez convinced them to take out loans totaling $575,000 for home renovation work that was never completed, while he used their money for personal expenses including travel and luxury purchases
bbc.com
· 2025-12-07
Women are now being targeted by online investment scammers at rates equal to men, with fraudsters moving away from traditional investments toward cryptocurrency and social media-based platforms targeting ages 30-80. Surrey Police report that victims have lost an average of £49,000 to investment fraud in 2024, with one woman losing £350,000 after being groomed over a year on a fake crypto trading platform; scammers use tactics including fake celebrity endorsements and AI-generated videos to build false trust. Police advise victims to seek independent financial advice and verify companies through the Financial Conduct Authority before investing.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Overpayment scams are rising in frequency and can leave victims thousands of dollars in debt by sending counterfeit checks for more than agreed amounts, then requesting the victim forward the difference to a third party before the fraudulent check bounces. Common variations include dog-walking services, online marketplace sales, mystery shopper jobs, rental deposits, and work-from-home equipment schemes, all following the same pattern of false urgency and fabricated legitimacy. Protection requires verifying payment methods, refusing third-party forwarding requests, using secure online payment systems, and reporting suspicious activity to the FTC and state authorities.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warns seniors of a rising Medicare scam involving unsolicited shipments of durable medical equipment (such as oxygen machines and wheelchairs) that scammers bill to patients or Medicare without legitimate prescriptions. The scam is used as a pretext to collect fraudulent payments and reimbursements from both individuals and the state Medicare program. Seniors are advised to review Medicare claims regularly, refuse to share personal information with unknown callers, verify questionable medical bills with their doctors, and report suspected scams to Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) or the Attorney General's office.
wbznewsradio.iheart.com
· 2025-12-07
Gloucester, Massachusetts voted to ban Bitcoin ATMs due to a surge in cryptocurrency scams predominantly targeting senior citizens, with approximately $11 million stolen from victims in Essex County during 2025 alone. Scammers use the ATMs to facilitate fraud schemes, such as emergency bail-out scams, by convincing victims to transfer money to untraceable cryptocurrency accounts. The city council unanimously approved the ordinance, giving the two existing Bitcoin ATMs in the city 30 days to cease operations, and cited a 99 percent increase in FBI complaints related to virtual currency kiosks in 2024.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, reintroduced in September by Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), would empower financial institutions to detect and delay suspicious transactions targeting seniors, particularly those involving securities and real estate. Financial exploitation costs U.S. seniors approximately $27 billion annually, and the bill seeks to close existing protection gaps by requiring the SEC to recommend legislative and regulatory changes to combat senior financial abuse, including romance scams and fraudulent home-related transactions.
wvnstv.com
· 2025-12-07
A growing number of seniors have reported falling victim to scam attempts, prompting Congress to advance the bipartisan Financial Exploitation Prevention Act to establish resources for identifying suspected financial abuse of elderly and disabled individuals. Adults over 60 lose an estimated $28.3 billion annually to financial exploitation, with gift card scams being increasingly common—one victim lost $2,000-$3,000 after scammers obtained her credentials. Local resource organizations advise seniors to be cautious of any requests for personal information via mail, email, or text, and to contact trusted individuals or call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 if they suspect fraud.
abcnews.go.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are increasingly targeting senior citizens with "grandparent scams" that use artificial intelligence technology to mimic the voices of family members, tricking victims into sending thousands of dollars. The article highlights how this evolving fraud method exploits emotional connections to manipulate elderly individuals into quick financial transfers.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A 22-year-old man from Pompano Beach was arrested after scamming an out-of-state senior citizen out of more than $20,000 in a bank fraud scheme where he impersonated a Wells Fargo representative and "investigator" to pressure the victim into withdrawing and mailing cash. The suspect, Omari Burke, was apprehended at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport after posting bragging photos on social media, and investigators believe he may have targeted additional seniors using similar tactics. The victim reported the scam devastated his savings, and authorities warned the public that legitimate banks never request customers withdraw funds or share PINs with third parties.
newsbytesapp.com
· 2025-12-07
A senior lawyer in Pimpri, India lost ₹1.8 crore in a "digital arrest" scam between September 4-19, 2024, after fraudsters impersonating CBI officers falsely accused him and his wife of involvement in a money laundering case involving a forged Aadhaar card and threatened their arrest. Despite government warnings and increased awareness efforts by India's Home Ministry and Prime Minister Modi, such scams continue to proliferate, with stolen funds frequently being routed through international cybercrime networks.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
The Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, a bipartisan bill reintroduced in Congress, seeks to empower banks and financial institutions to detect and halt suspicious activities targeting seniors and vulnerable adults. Financial abuse costs seniors $27 billion annually, and the bill would allow investment companies to delay redemptions during suspected fraud investigations and prevent losses from scams like fake contractor or refinance schemes. The legislation has received bipartisan support, including unanimous approval from the House Financial Services Committee, and experts emphasize that family involvement through regular check-ins, direct deposit setup, and recognizing red flags remains critical to protecting seniors' financial security.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-07
Arizona's new Cryptocurrency Kiosk License Fraud Prevention law took effect to combat Bitcoin ATM scams that cost Arizonans $177 million in 2024, with seniors over 60 representing two-thirds of victims. The law implements daily transaction limits ($2,000 for new customers, $10,500 for existing), mandatory warning displays, required transaction receipts, and operator refund obligations for fraud victims within 30 days. Attorney General Mayes also issued consumer protection tips emphasizing verification of caller identity, skepticism toward unsolicited requests for cryptocurrency payments, and consultation with trusted individuals before financial decisions.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-07
Research from a University of Southern California brain health expert found that poor financial decision-making in seniors may be an early indicator of dementia or Alzheimer's disease, even before other cognitive symptoms appear. Warning signs include missed bill payments, unusual purchases, and giving away large sums of money to unfamiliar charities or strangers, with social isolation identified as a significant risk factor. The researcher recommends documenting suspected elder fraud and contacting authorities, while encouraging seniors to engage in brain-stimulating exercises to maintain cognitive sharpness.
inforum.com
· 2025-12-07
Hundreds of older adults attended Fraud Fest, an AARP-hosted event in Fargo designed to educate seniors on protecting themselves from scams. The program featured a former prosecutor with experience on over 750 elder fraud cases and highlighted emerging threats like AI-generated deepfakes impersonating family members, emphasizing that recognizing red flags is key to prevention. Additional Fraud Fest events were scheduled for Moorhead and Grand Forks to reach more seniors and veterans.
mhobserver.com
· 2025-12-07
Two Alabama residents were arrested in an undercover operation targeting impersonation scams targeting elderly victims, after attempting to collect a package containing $250,000 in bait money that an elderly man had been instructed to send via FedEx to Mountain Home. Josiah Kamal Smith, 25, and Briana Brittany Norwood, 33, were charged with criminal attempt to commit theft of property, conspiracy to commit theft of property, and financial identity fraud; Smith had been recruited as a "money mule" for $500 to pose as a deputy and collect the package, while Norwood drove him for the same amount. The arrests are part of a larger investigation that began in July
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Five individuals pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud after participating in a tech support scam that defrauded elderly victims across ten states of $9.3 million. The scheme involved overseas scammers contacting victims by phone and email, falsely claiming their financial accounts were compromised and instructing them to purchase gold bars and coins for transfer; the five defendants served as domestic handlers and couriers who collected the gold and facilitated the transfers. One 82-year-old victim in St. Louis lost approximately $250,000 in gold before law enforcement intercepted a courier attempting to pick up the bars, and the defendants face up to 30 years in prison at sentencing hearings scheduled between November an
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims (98% over age 60) losing $18.6 million collectively. The scams primarily used "grandparent," "government impersonation," or "tech support" tactics to trick victims into giving cash or gold bars to couriers, with the FBI reporting at least 1,737 similar incidents nationwide totaling approximately $186.2 million in losses during the same period.
becu.org
· 2025-12-07
This educational article identifies the six most common financial scams in 2025, including imposter scams, online shopping scams, investment scams, job opportunity scams, carrier scams, and debt/credit scams, which are perpetrated through phone calls, texts, emails, social media, websites, and pop-ups. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scams resulted in $12.5 billion in losses in 2024, with people aged 70 and older losing significantly more money than any other age group, sometimes losing their entire life savings. The article advises consumers to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, verify the legitimacy of contacts before sharing personal information, and remain vigil
dailyadvance.com
· 2025-12-07
Twenty senior citizens attended a "Shred & Shield" educational event in Hertford on September 16 to learn how to protect themselves from Medicare fraud during the upcoming open enrollment period (October 15-December 7). Family caregiver support specialist Ashley Lamb warned attendees to avoid unsolicited callers seeking Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, or bank account information, and advised seniors to monitor their Medicare summaries, guard their information like credit cards, and hang up on suspicious calls by verifying the caller through official numbers.
14news.com
· 2025-12-07
The Green River Area Development District is hosting an annual "Senior Day Out" event on September 30 to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding fraud and scams that target their age group. The event will feature information booths, local resources, entertainment, lunch, vaccines, and door prizes to encourage seniors to socialize while learning about health and safety issues relevant to them.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
Cryptocurrency ATMs, which lack traditional banking regulations, have become a major fraud vector in Arizona and nationwide, with the FBI reporting 10,956 complaints totaling $246.7 million in losses in 2024—a 99 percent increase from 2023. Older adults over 60 are disproportionately targeted through common scams (government impersonation, investment, and romance schemes) that trick victims into withdrawing cash and converting it to cryptocurrency, which is nearly impossible to recover. In response, Arizona passed HB 2387 in 2025, which implements daily transaction caps ($2,000 for new customers, $10,500 for existing customers),
kmvt.com
· 2025-12-07
The Idaho Department of Finance held a senior fraud prevention roadshow in Twin Falls to educate residents about financial exploitation, as Idaho has experienced a 440% increase in cybercrime losses with seniors as the primary targets. John Yaros, the State's Security Bureau Chief, highlighted investment scams as particularly common, with $23 million in reported losses, where scammers build trust with seniors online and convince them to invest in cryptocurrency and other fraudulent schemes. Authorities urged attendees to recognize red flags, avoid offers that seem too good to be true, and report suspicious activities to local police and the Idaho Department of Finance.
readthereporter.com
· 2025-12-07
Dillman & Owen Estate and Elder Law hosted an educational webinar on October 23 featuring FBI Special Agent Jeremy Michaelis and Forensic Accountant Chris Knight to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding common scams. The session provided practical tips and insights into current fraud threats targeting senior citizens, drawing on the experts' backgrounds in complex financial crimes and fraud investigation.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-07
**Mail-Related Scams Targeting Older Adults**
This educational article identifies several mail and postal-related scams commonly targeting seniors, including physical mailbox theft of checks, phishing emails/texts impersonating the Postal Service, fake messages claiming millions in waiting parcels, malicious QR codes, and traditional letter-based schemes involving employment offers and sweepstakes. The article advises depositing mail directly at post offices, ignoring unsolicited postal communications and QR codes, never clicking suspicious links, and discarding letters with unrealistic offers, while noting that the Postal Service never notifies customers about delivery issues via email or text.
reflector.com
· 2025-12-07
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a weather advisory notice followed by an educational event summary about Medicare fraud prevention. The relevant portion describes an educational workshop where 20 senior citizens in Hertford, North Carolina learned to protect themselves against Medicare fraud during a "Shred & Shield" event on September 16, ahead of Medicare's open enrollment period (October 15-December 7). Ashley Lamb, a family caregiver support specialist, warned attendees about common Medicare scams including unsolicited calls offering free medical equipment in exchange for Medicare numbers, and advised seniors to never provide their Medicare card number, Social Security number, or bank information to callers, since Medicare does not
tnonline.com
· 2025-12-07
"Phantom hacker" scams targeting seniors have surged nationwide, with Americans losing over $1 billion to these multiphase social engineering attacks that often drain entire retirement accounts. Nearly half of victims are over 60, with seniors representing two-thirds of total losses, as scammers use spoofed numbers and multiple impersonators (posing as tech support, bank representatives, and government officials) to create convincing narratives that manipulate victims into transferring funds. The Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania urges families to educate seniors on red flags—such as requests for wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or prepaid cards—and to report suspicious contact to the FBI or Internet Crime Complaint Center
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-07
The Colorado Bureau of Investigations began investigating a crypto-linked romance scam in which a Colorado man lost $1.4 million from his retirement savings after meeting someone on a dating website who convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency through fraudulent apps. The scammer, posing as a woman named "Erin," built romantic trust before transitioning conversations to investments, eventually directing the victim to send funds to a fake cryptocurrency application controlled by the perpetrator. CBI officials note that crypto romance scams are rising, particularly targeting elderly individuals, and that the unregulated nature of cryptocurrency makes these investments especially vulnerable to fraud with limited recovery options.
sdfoundation.org
· 2025-12-07
The Escondido Community Foundation awarded $203,000 in grants to nine local nonprofits on September 25, 2025, with a specific focus on supporting Escondido's senior population through programs combating elder fraud, reducing social isolation, and improving access to basic necessities. Grant recipients include organizations providing meal programs, intergenerational activities, housing support, transportation, and educational services to low-income and vulnerable seniors in the area.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2025-12-07
The Escondido Community Foundation awarded $203,000 in grants to nine local nonprofits focused on supporting seniors in the area, with specific emphasis on combating elder fraud, reducing social isolation, and improving access to necessities like meals, transportation, and healthcare. The grants support programs ranging from meal delivery and fitness classes to telehealth services and intergenerational activities for low-income and vulnerable seniors in Escondido.
mezha.net
· 2025-12-07
Jacob Shaul, a 17-year-old high school student, founded Mode to Code, a nonprofit that provides free coding and technology education to over 1,000 students across five continents through online and in-person sessions. Starting in 2024 with youth-focused courses on AI and web development, Shaul expanded the program in March 2025 to include seniors at elder-care facilities in the Bay Area, offering five-week training sessions designed to bridge the digital divide and build confidence in everyday technology use among older adults. The program has grown to include partnerships with over 30 institutions, including a dozen Bay Area schools and approximately 20 senior facilities, with volunteer high school
vindy.com
· 2025-12-07
**Mail-Related Scams Targeting Older Adults**
This educational article outlines five primary mail-related scams affecting seniors: thieves stealing mail from unsecured mailboxes and altering checks, fake "Delivery Notification Failure" emails and texts containing malicious links, fraudulent messages from the "Postmaster General" requesting money orders for fake lottery winnings, malicious QR codes posing as USPS communications, and traditional mail scams involving employment offers and lottery schemes. The article advises depositing mail directly at post offices, ignoring unsolicited postal notifications, never clicking suspicious links or QR codes, and discarding letters offering unrealistic money
salemnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier fraud cases targeting elderly victims in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, resulting in over $26 million in losses. In these scams, fraudsters convinced victims aged 60 and older to hand over cash or gold bars to couriers by impersonating family members or government officials, with Massachusetts victims alone losing $18.6 million across 59 cases. The FBI advises inexperienced individuals, particularly seniors, to avoid engaging with unsolicited requests for money or valuables and to verify requests through official channels.
police.boston.gov
· 2025-12-07
Imposter scams targeting older adults have surged 400% since 2020, with victims losing $10,000 or more by being tricked into transferring money to scammers posing as banks, government agencies, or tech companies. Common schemes involve criminals claiming suspicious account activity, linking victims to criminal activity with threats of arrest, or reporting hacked computers, often using spoofed phone numbers and fake credentials to appear legitimate. Protection strategies include never transferring money to "protect" accounts, hanging up to verify contact through official channels, and using call-blocking tools, with victims encouraged to report incidents to local police, the FTC, or FBI's IC3.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Financial scams targeting Americans aged 60 and older have quadrupled since 2020, with losses from high-value scams (over $100,000) escalating from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2025, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers employ sophisticated impersonation tactics—posing as banks, retailers, government agencies, or law enforcement—and exploit fear and urgency to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive information without verification. Protection strategies include pausing before responding to suspicious contact, independently verifying claims through official channels, and establishing family communication protocols to provide trusted guidance during potential fraud attempts.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Imposter scams—where fraudsters pretend to be government agencies, relatives, charities, or tech support to trick victims into sending money or revealing personal information—are increasingly targeting Americans over 60. The six most common types include government impersonation (IRS, Social Security), unemployment fraud, grandparent scams (some using AI voice cloning), charity scams, and tech support scams, with criminals using sophisticated tactics like fake caller IDs and personal data harvested from social media. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited contact via phone, text, or email from government agencies; verify requests through official channels; and never send money via cash, gift cards, or wire transfers to
telanganatoday.com
· 2025-12-07
Two men from Maharashtra were arrested for their role in a "digital arrest" scam that defrauded a retired doctor of Rs 6.6 lakh and contributed to her death. The scammers impersonated police officials via WhatsApp video calls and forged documents, falsely implicating the victim in human trafficking and threatening arrest to coerce fund transfers; the sustained intimidation caused fatal cardiac arrest on September 8. Authorities warn that "digital arrest" is a fake scheme and legitimate law enforcement never demands money or threatens arrest to clear someone's name.
pahouse.com
· 2025-12-07
State Rep. Nikki Rivera partnered with AARP Pennsylvania to host a "$CAM JAM" educational event on October 9, 2025, in Lancaster to help residents, particularly seniors, learn how to identify and avoid financial scams and fraud. The event will feature representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities providing interactive education on safeguarding finances, with Fraud BINGO activities and prizes, as seniors are targeted by scammers at high rates resulting in an estimated $3 billion in annual losses nationally.
timesherald.com
· 2025-12-07
State Rep. Joe Ciresi hosted an educational event in Royersford, Pennsylvania on October 3rd to help seniors recognize and avoid common fraud schemes, noting that seniors lose approximately $3 billion annually to scams nationwide. The event featured presentations on property fraud alerts, check washing and business scams, and romance scams targeting older adults, delivered by local officials and financial experts to equip seniors with protective strategies.
morningjournalnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A local educational presentation warned seniors about common scams targeting their demographic, noting that single seniors seeking companionship and those with lower technological literacy are particularly vulnerable despite possessing 70 percent of American wealth. Key red flags include unsolicited "out of the blue" contact requesting quick action, gift cards, or wire transfers, while protective measures include verifying contacts through official phone numbers, knowing that legitimate companies never request uninitialized personal information, and utilizing credit freezes through the three major bureaus. Common scams discussed include grandparent schemes, door-to-door solicitation fraud, international lottery schemes, and toll text scams.
rappler.com
· 2025-12-07
This article explores the digital divide among elderly Filipinos, highlighting that while some seniors like 67-year-old Paz Deocariza have successfully adopted technology to connect with family abroad, the vast majority remain excluded from digital life. A 2021 study found that only 18% of Filipinos aged 65 and older possess basic ICT skills, with barriers including poverty, lack of access, and limited interest in learning technology. The piece illustrates how this exclusion affects seniors' daily lives, from communication with distant family to accessing essential services and emergency help.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A 65-year-old resident of Kolkata lost Rs 9 lakh to a "suicide scam," an escalated variant of digital arrest fraud, after being contacted by a fake social media profile and subsequently threatened with defamation, arrest, and murder charges by impersonators claiming to be police and YouTube officials. The scammers fabricated a suicide scenario to create urgency and fear, ultimately pressuring the victim into making multiple payments totaling over Rs 9 lakh through various bank transfers. This modus operandi, which reportedly originated in Mumbai in previous years, targets vulnerable individuals through social engineering and psychological manipulation involving false authority figures and fabricated criminal implications.
denver7.com
· 2025-12-07
A Colorado man lost approximately $1.4 million in a crypto-romance scam after connecting with someone on a dating website who posed as a woman named Erin and convinced him to invest in cryptocurrencies. The scammer initially directed the victim to legitimate crypto apps but later funneled money into a fake app under their control, exploiting his emotional vulnerability during marital troubles. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case, which represents the largest crypto scam loss the agency has encountered, and authorities note that perpetrators are typically overseas, making recovery efforts the primary focus.
latestly.com
· 2025-12-07
OpenAI announced a multi-year partnership with AARP and its Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) to educate older adults on using AI tools safely and securely. The initiative launches with a ChatGPT instructional video teaching seniors how to identify and avoid scams, followed by nationwide training sessions and community safety programs. The effort aims to ensure artificial intelligence benefits all populations, including older adults who are often targeted by fraud.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities is conducting free public presentations throughout October to educate seniors and the general public about avoiding scams, recognizing fraud, and preventing identity theft. Programs include interactive "Fraud BINGO" sessions, senior expos with consumer protection resources, "$camJam" events featuring law enforcement experts, and financial planning presentations held at senior centers and community facilities across the state.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-07
The Boston Police Department warns that older residents face multiple evolving scams, including cryptocurrency fraud (with Boston residents losing over $9 million in 2024), home improvement schemes, imposter scams (up 400% since 2020 among victims losing $10,000+), and unwitting money mule recruitment. Police advise seniors to research investments, verify contractor credentials, hang up on suspicious callers and independently confirm with known numbers, keep digital wallet keys private, and avoid transferring money for unknown parties.
vnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Bill Clauson, a 81-year-old Upper Valley lawyer with Alzheimer's and Lewy body dementia, lost approximately $200,000 in savings while living with Mary Layton, the Norwich Selectboard chairwoman, between 2016 and 2024, declining to less than $1,400 before returning to his family's care. Vermont State Police are investigating allegations that Layton financially exploited Clauson, who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment in 2011 and dementia in 2017; Layton denies wrongdoing, claiming she followed his wishes regarding joint spending. Clauson's family reported the suspected financial
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-07
**Title:** Elder abuse in the digital era
Senior citizens face increasing vulnerability to online fraud, identity theft, phishing scams, and digital arrest scams, where criminals impersonate law enforcement to manipulate victims through fear and confusion. The article emphasizes that protecting elders from cyber threats requires collective responsibility through family education, community digital literacy programs, and practical safety measures such as strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and awareness of suspicious communications. Resources like the Cybercrime Helpline (1930) and peer-to-peer support networks are recommended to help seniors stay safe online and report incidents promptly.
dddnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Older adults are frequent targets for financial scams because they have accumulated wealth, may experience cognitive or sensory decline, and often grew up in a more trusting era, making them vulnerable to exploitation. The FBI estimates seniors lose over $3 billion annually to fraud through common schemes including robocalls, government impersonation scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and emerging threats like deepfakes and grandparent scams. Protection strategies include hanging up on high-pressure calls, verifying caller identities independently, and familiarizing oneself with common scam tactics.