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cryptotimes.io
A cryptocurrency user lost nearly $68 million in an address poisoning scam but recovered over 96% of the stolen funds after negotiating with the attacker, who agreed to return 22,960 ETH (approximately $65.7 million) in exchange for a 10% fee. The victim's security team identified leads about the attacker's identity, which aided in the negotiation. The incident underscores the importance of verifying wallet addresses before sending cryptocurrency and demonstrates that calm communication can sometimes lead to fund recovery in crypto scams.
aol.com
Following devastating Oklahoma tornadoes, MoneyGram warned consumers about fraudulent charity scams where victims average losses of $824 by sending money transfers to fake organizations with names similar to legitimate charities. The company identified five red flags including high-pressure tactics, wire-transfer-only payment demands, and lack of organizational information, and advised consumers to recognize, react to, and report suspected scams to authorities.
marketplace.org
This educational episode of "Marketplace Tech" examines how financial scams work and how to identify them, featuring the experience of Shannon from Minnesota who lost over $80,000 to an impersonation scam. A scammer posing as a sheriff's deputy falsely claimed Shannon missed a federal court appearance and threatened jail time, extracting multiple "bail bond" payments totaling $80,000 through threats and false legal information. The episode explains that scammers use phone number spoofing technology to impersonate legitimate officials and conduct research on targets to create convincing scripts that lend authenticity to their schemes.
nypost.com
WPP CEO Mark Read fell victim to an unsuccessful deepfake scam in which fraudsters cloned his voice and created an AI-generated video of him to impersonate him on WhatsApp and Microsoft Teams, attempting to solicit money and personal information from company executives. The attack was thwarted due to employee vigilance, and Read subsequently issued guidance to staff warning them to be cautious of sophisticated cyber-attacks that exploit virtual meetings, AI, and deepfakes, particularly targeting senior leaders.
tradingview.com
A cryptocurrency whale lost approximately $71 million worth of Wrapped Bitcoin on May 3, 2024, after falling victim to an address poisoning scam, where the fraudster created lookalike addresses to trick the victim into sending funds to wrong accounts. In an unusual turn of events, the scammer began returning the stolen funds, with approximately $34.7 million recovered within days through transfers from multiple addresses, though the motivation behind the return remains unclear. As of the article's writing, over $45 million had been returned, with recovery ongoing due to the funds being distributed across numerous addresses.
bobsullivan.net
Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent text messages to drivers claiming unpaid tolls (typically $12-$13) and threatening $50 late fees, directing victims to fake toll authority websites to steal personal and financial information. The FBI received 2,000 complaints from three states by April, expanding to 12 states by May, with Florida authorities issuing a crackdown due to the state's 700 miles of toll roads. Authorities advise recipients to independently verify toll claims through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
forbes.com
The IRS's 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies 12 major tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing emails/texts, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls, social media scams, dishonest tax preparers, and fraudulent tax credits. The scams particularly target non-English speakers and elderly individuals through threats and false claims. Taxpayers are advised to verify information directly through official IRS channels, use reputable tax professionals, and report suspicious activity to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General.
forbes.com
The IRS 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies twelve prevalent tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing/smishing emails, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls threatening arrest, social media misinformation, dishonest tax preparers, and schemes targeting non-English speakers and elderly populations. Key protective measures include verifying charity status through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, remembering that the IRS initiates contact by mail rather than phone, consulting only reputable tax professionals, and setting up IRS accounts directly through official websites. Taxpayers are advised to report suspicious activities to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
cbs12.com
Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a crackdown on smishing scams targeting SunPass customers, where scammers operating internationally impersonate toll agencies through text messages to steal personal and financial information or install malware on victims' phones. The Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit has shut down at least ten fraudulent websites mimicking SunPass, and authorities advise residents to avoid clicking suspicious links and instead visit official websites directly to handle toll-related transactions.
nbcwashington.com
The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department lost $220,000 in a fraud scheme where a scammer impersonated their ambulance vendor and redirected the down payment to an overseas account. At least two other fire departments were victimized by the same fraudster around the same time; the department recovered $100,000 through their bank and is pursuing fundraising efforts to replace the lost funds, with Montgomery County police and the FBI investigating.
yahoo.com
Federal authorities warned New Hampshire residents about two phone scams in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officers, claiming either that the target failed to respond to a jury duty summons and threatening arrest unless a fine was paid, or alleging criminal charges and demanding bail via virtual currency machines. Officials emphasized that legitimate law enforcement would never contact citizens by phone to collect fines, taxes, or bail money, and urged residents to report such calls to the U.S. District Court in Concord.
yahoo.com
This is a BuzzFeed Community call for submissions from people who have experienced various types of scams, including Facebook ticket fraud, romance scams, sextortion, and impersonation schemes where scammers pose as friends or use fake identities to extract money or personal information. The article aims to collect real-life scam stories to raise awareness and help others avoid similar situations.
wesh.com
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warned residents about fraudulent SunPass toll scams after over 2,000 residents reported falling victim to the scheme, which uses fake text messages (smishing) with links to fraudulent websites mimicking the legitimate SunPass.com site. Authorities shut down approximately 10 fake SunPass websites and advised residents to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead visit the official SunPass website directly, particularly since Florida's extensive toll road system makes residents vulnerable targets for this type of fraud.
dunyanews.tv
This educational article warns that scammers increasingly use AI chatbots to automate fraud schemes, including romance scams and phishing attacks, making them difficult to distinguish from real people. Readers should watch for three warning signs: impeccable spelling but wooden phrasing, consistently fast response times, and unusually quick detailed replies that suggest no thinking time. The article also advises establishing a "safe word" with loved ones and asking for shared personal memories to detect AI voice clones used in phone scams, particularly when callers request money via cryptocurrency or gift cards.
aspentimes.com
In 2023, scammers stole $188 million from over 11,000 victims across Colorado, with Summit County experiencing 80 fraud reports so far this year totaling tens of thousands in losses. Common scams include phone and email schemes where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement, the IRS, tech support, or claim urgent family emergencies or warrant arrests. Victims are advised to be suspicious of unsolicited messages offering unrealistic rewards, report suspicious activity to law enforcement, and file complaints with StopFraudColorado.gov or IC3.gov, though most stolen funds are unrecoverable once scammers operate from overseas jurisdictions.
thecyberwire.com
This podcast episode discusses job board scams and social engineering tactics targeting job seekers. The hosts highlight techniques scammers use to impersonate legitimate companies and government agencies, including spoofed phone numbers and vague claims about background investigations, and emphasize the importance of verifying caller information independently rather than calling back suspicious numbers directly.
bbc.com
Multiple Facebook users had their accounts hacked and exploited to post fake Taylor Swift ticket scams, defrauding friends of hundreds of pounds each; Lloyds Bank estimated British fans lost £1 million in ticket scams, with 90% originating on Facebook. Users reported that Facebook failed to respond to numerous reports of the hacks and scam posts, leaving victims feeling powerless, though the platform eventually removed accounts after BBC contact. The scammers used sophisticated tactics including AI-generated posts and blocked warning comments from legitimate account holders.
theamericangenius.com
**Title:** Elder Fraud Report 2023: FBI Data on Senior Scams
The FBI's Elder Fraud Report 2023 documents $3.43 billion in losses from 101,068 seniors over 60, averaging $33,915 per victim with an 11% increase from 2022—though actual figures likely exceed these numbers due to underreporting. Tech and customer support scams were most common, while investment scams caused the largest losses at $1.2 billion, with romance, identity theft, and personal data breach scams also prevalent in the top five. Protection strategies include avoiding suspicious links and ads, using only legitimate company websites for contact information
theguardian.com
More than 800,000 people across Europe and the US were defrauded by a sophisticated network of approximately 76,000 fake online designer shops operated from China, with victims sharing credit card details, security codes, and personal information while attempting to purchase discounted goods from brands like Dior, Nike, and Prada. The organized operation, which began in 2015 and processed over 1 million orders in the past three years, attempted to collect as much as €50 million, though most consumers received no items; approximately 22,500 shops remain active. Security experts warn that the harvested personal data could be used for future phishing attacks, identity theft, and potentially
npr.org
Online scams via direct messages and texts are widespread globally, with perpetrators often being victims of human trafficking who are coerced into conducting the fraudulent schemes. The article highlights the dual victimization occurring in these scam operations, where trafficked individuals are forced to participate in financial fraud targeting others.
montgomery.crimewatchpa.com
Scammers are targeting PECO customers with sophisticated tactics, falsely claiming service disconnection is imminent unless immediate payment is made, often exploiting confusion around recent system upgrades. PECO advises customers never to share account or billing information with unverified callers, texters, or visitors, and instead to call PECO directly at 800-494-4000 to verify any service-related communications.
baynews9.com
Victoria Zerillo, a 49-year-old general manager of a nonprofit providing repair services to Sun City Center seniors, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing over $410,000 through wire fraud and embezzlement from December 2015 to November 2022. The scheme involved doctored bank statements, unauthorized ATM withdrawals, and fraudulent credit card charges, and was uncovered when a resident with a finance background noticed rising service rates and investigated the company's finances. This case is part of a broader problem in Florida, where seniors lost more than $300 million to various scams in the prior year, making the state second-highest in the nation for elder fraud.
aarp.org
The FTC has issued an alert about a "growing wave" of government and business-impersonation scams targeting retirees' savings, with Amazon being among the most frequently impersonated companies due to its massive customer base. Common scams include fake refund offers with phishing links, fraudulent Prime subscription renewal notices with unusually high prices directing users to fake login pages, fake delivery/order problems requesting payment or personal information, and suspicious purchase confirmation calls designed to catch victims off guard. Consumers are advised to always verify account information directly through official apps or websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
roundrocktexas.gov
This is an educational workshop announcement (event has passed) where Silver Safe and Secure, a nonprofit organization, offered a 90-minute training session to help seniors recognize and avoid online scams. The workshop covered common fraud types including phishing, tech support, and romance scams, along with red flags, verification methods, safe browsing practices, and reporting procedures—in response to the 2022 FBI finding that Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.1 billion to fraud that year.
marcumllp.com
The FBI's 2023 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report shows that fraud targeting individuals over age 60 is increasing significantly, with this age group reporting $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from 2022 and more than all other age groups combined. The 101,068 complaints filed by seniors represented a 14% year-over-year increase, with tech support fraud, personal data breaches, and romance scams being the most common crimes, while investment fraud produced the highest individual losses and increased over 400% in two years. The report emphasizes that actual fraud figures are likely higher than reported, as many elderly victims fail to report crimes due to embarrass
northjersey.com
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer introduced bipartisan legislation seeking $60 million in federal funding over six years to help states combat senior scams through enforcement, technology, and education initiatives. The bill comes as seniors lose over $3.4 billion annually to scams involving impersonation, fake deliveries, and social media fraud, with over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reporting scams to the FBI in 2023 alone. Gottheimer also plans to urge social media companies to add warning labels, flag scammers, and improve fraud reporting tools on their platforms.
pcmag.com
Google conducted an experiment using generative AI to help users understand why phishing emails are flagged as threats, finding that AI excels at explaining malicious message detection rather than detecting threats themselves. While Google's Gemini Pro detected 91% of phishing messages, it was less efficient than specialized AI programs, but it successfully analyzed malicious documents by identifying red flags like mismatched phone numbers and urgency-creating language. The technology remains experimental with no specific product announcement, partly due to the high computing power required to run such systems at Gmail's scale.
homelandprepnews.com
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11 percent increase from 2022—with tech support scams ($600 million), investment fraud ($1.2 billion), and call center schemes ($770 million) being the most costly. California alone reported over 11,000 complaints totaling $620 million in losses, and the FBI noted that some victims were forced to remortgage homes, deplete retirement accounts, or take their own lives due to financial devastation. The FBI recommends seniors verify contact information independently, avoid quick decisions, never share personal information with suspected scammers, and report fraud immediately to law enforcement
castanet.net
This is an educational opinion piece in which a senior citizen shares personal experiences and advice about avoiding scams. The author describes encountering various fraud attempts over decades, including Nigerian bank schemes, a fraudulent eBay car listing, fake CRA phone calls, and a spoofed Norton Antivirus renewal email, and advises seniors to never respond to unsolicited emails or click links, and to block suspicious contacts.
moneycontrol.com
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The content provided is a website header and cookie/consent policy for Moneycontrol, a financial news and information platform. It contains no information relevant to the Elderus database.
theguardian.com
A 16-year-old boy in Scotland was targeted by sextortion scammers who posed as a young girl, tricked him into sharing an intimate image, then threatened to distribute it to his contacts—tactics that led to his suicide. His parents are now raising awareness about the scam, which primarily targets young men, and calling for social media companies to implement stronger protections for teenagers against these predatory criminals who use psychological manipulation and panic tactics.
states.aarp.org
Package delivery scams use fake text messages impersonating major carriers like USPS, UPS, or FedEx to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and providing personal information or payment for fake fees. Americans reported $330 million in losses from text scams in 2022, more than double the prior year, making this a rapidly growing threat. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links or calling numbers from unsolicited texts and instead verify package issues directly through the retailer or shipper's official website.
finance.yahoo.com
This article is an educational piece about common banking scams in 2024, reporting that consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023. It describes seven prevalent scams—including fake bank websites, malicious apps, phishing communications, check washing, check overpayment schemes, money transfer fraud, and account takeover attacks—and provides protective measures for each, such as verifying bank legitimacy through official channels, downloading only reputable apps, and monitoring bank statements regularly.
963kklz.com
QR code scams are increasing in Nevada, particularly in public parking lots where fraudsters use fake codes to collect payment information, but also in restaurants, bars, and shopping malls. To protect yourself, inspect QR codes for signs of tampering or replacement stickers, manually type web addresses instead of scanning codes, and be especially cautious of unsolicited QR codes in emails, texts, or letters offering prizes or free goods. Las Vegas tourists should be particularly vigilant in parking areas and near attractions.
newjersey.news12.com
Senior citizens at a Fair Lawn Senior Center learned about scams targeting older adults, with one attendee sharing how he nearly lost $1,000 to a gift card scam before CVS staff alerted him. Rep. Josh Gottheimer unveiled a Senior Security Strategy that includes requiring social media platforms to add warning labels to fraudulent accounts, establishing an SEC grant program for state scam response efforts, and notes that over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reported scams to the FBI last year. The key advice is to never provide personal information when contacted by phone, email, or social media, and to report suspected scams to local police or the FBI.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Peter Gray, 35, was convicted and sentenced to 56 months in prison in February for defrauding four women of approximately £80,000 through romance scams on Tinder. Rather than directly requesting money, Gray gained victims' trust as a romantic partner, then secretly photographed their identification documents and bank cards to steal their identities and take out loans in their names, with individual victims losing between £9,000 and £20,000. His victims reported feeling intuitive red flags about his behavior, including suspicious gestures like sending flowers to addresses he shouldn't have known and taking unauthorized photos of personal documents.
wired.com
In April, Apple notified iPhone users in 92 countries that they were targeted by mercenary spyware attacks, with many victims located in India and Europe; the incident was linked to a Chinese spyware campaign called "LightSpy," though details remain unclear. Mercenary spyware, which can cost millions of dollars to deploy, is typically used by nation-state actors to target specific high-profile individuals such as journalists, dissidents, and government workers through sophisticated "zero-click" attacks that require no user interaction. Apple states that its Lockdown Mode feature can protect against such attacks, and notes that the vast majority of users will never be targeted by this type of advanced threat.
levittownnow.com
Bucks County authorities held an educational event for Bristol Township seniors to address rising scam and fraud targeting the community. Officials warned about common schemes including mailbox theft, check washing, tech support scams, and fraudulent text messages impersonating the IRS or retailers, with victims in the area losing up to $250,000; they recommended using credit cards over debit cards, gel pens for checks, and prompt reporting of suspicious activity to law enforcement.
digitalinformationworld.com
The FBI reports that cyber scams targeting seniors aged 60 and above caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with common schemes including tech support, investment, romance, and cryptocurrency fraud. Elderly victims averaged $34,000 in losses per person, with Florida and California experiencing particularly high losses ($620 million and $181 million respectively), and seniors are less likely to report these crimes due to embarrassment and underreporting. The FBI recommends seniors verify suspicious offers, avoid unknown contacts, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
crosstimbersgazette.com
Americans lost $10 billion to scams and fraud in 2023, with the FTC receiving 2.6 million fraud reports including 1 million identity theft cases. Common scam types include gift card fraud, romance scams, and phishing attacks, with losses occurring primarily through bank transfers and cryptocurrency, often initiated via email, phone, or social media. The article recommends monitoring financial accounts regularly, never allowing remote computer access to unvetted parties, and immediately contacting your bank if suspicious charges appear.
wgal.com
The FBI warns that tech support fraud is the most commonly reported scam targeting seniors nationwide, where scammers pose as tech representatives to access sensitive information, though investment scams caused the greatest financial harm with over $50 million in reported losses last year. To protect themselves, seniors should avoid unsolicited contacts, never open attachments from unknown sources, resist pressure to act quickly, and never share personal information or money with unverified people.
thegazette.com
A 2024 Better Business Bureau study found that young adults ages 18-24 reported losing more money to scams than older age groups, contrary to common assumptions about elder fraud. Employment scams were the most prevalent fraud type for this age group (30% of reports), with a median loss of $1,819, often involving fake checks or reshipping schemes, while online purchase scams accounted for 29.1% of reports. Young victims were primarily targeted through text messages, social media platforms like Instagram and X, and online payment systems, with wire transfers generating the highest median losses ($2,150).
usatoday.com
Rental fraud has surged nationwide since the pandemic, with 93% of major apartment owners and managers reporting fraud in the past year, often involving individuals using false identities for criminal purposes such as drug dealing, property destruction, or sex trafficking. These fraudulent activities drive up rents for honest tenants, reduce affordable housing stock, and create safety concerns for residents and staff; small landlords are particularly vulnerable to losses they cannot absorb. The epidemic is partly attributed to pandemic-era eviction moratoriums that emboldened fraudsters, with fraudulent applications doubling from 15% to 29% between February and August 2020.
wgal.com
A lottery scam recording demonstrates how scammers contact victims via phone, claiming they've been randomly selected to win $18.5 million and a luxury car, then directing them to call a number to claim the prize. The scam works by telling victims they must pay taxes and fees upfront to receive their winnings. Lottery scams arrive through multiple channels including texts, emails, and phone calls, and victims should remember that legitimate winnings never require advance payment.
thetimes.co.uk
A digitally savvy consumer was scammed through a dropshipping scheme when she purchased a €70 designer-style bag advertised on Instagram, only to receive a flimsy €10 product sourced from a budget fast-fashion platform. The seller acted as a middleman with approximately 600% markup, and when she complained, the company offered no recourse and return shipping to China would have cost as much as the original purchase. The article explains that while dropshipping itself is a legitimate business model, it has increasingly become a get-rich-quick scheme using manipulative advertising tactics (hyperbolic claims, fake discounts, glamorous imagery) to sell low-quality products at inflated prices
straitstimes.com
In 2023, at least 500 domestic helpers in Singapore lost $800,000 to scams, representing an 18% increase from 2022, with phishing scams being the most common type followed by job and e-commerce scams. One maid, "Jane," was targeted by a fraudulent moneylender who obtained her work permit details and threatened to contact her employer and appear at her home, extracting weekly payments until she reported the crime. Experts note that actual scam numbers may be significantly underreported due to victims' fears of job loss, deportation, and embarrassment, and recommend that employers remain vigilant for signs of distress among
uk.news.yahoo.com
This is not an article about fraud or elder abuse—it is a privacy and cookie consent notice from Yahoo. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database and cannot be summarized as requested.
timesnownews.com
A 52-year-old woman entrepreneur lost Rs 2.7 crore in an online scam between April 6-22, 2024, after clicking a malicious link and being lured into fraudulent investment schemes through Instagram and Telegram with promises of quick returns. Authorities traced and froze the perpetrators' accounts, with Rs 1.7 crore approved for restitution to the victim. The case underscores the importance of skepticism toward offers promising easy money, verification of investment legitimacy, and immediate reporting to authorities when fraud is suspected.
parkrapidsenterprise.com
Minnesota's senior financial fraud investigator Lisa Lovering states that awareness of scam tactics reduces victimization risk by 80% and significantly loss severity by 40%. According to AARP's 2023 data, seniors lost $28.3 billion to elder exploitation and fraud, with those over 80 experiencing average losses of $1,674 compared to $548 for young adults, though underreporting is widespread. Lovering advises avoiding payments via cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to unknown contacts; being skeptical of unsolicited calls from government agencies or businesses; and recognizing common tactics like imposter scams, romance scams, and lottery schemes that
theberkshireedge.com
The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office is investigating at least two "grandparent scams" targeting senior citizens, in which fraudsters impersonate relatives in crisis situations and request money. Scammers obtain personal information through social media or purchased data, and now use AI voice-cloning technology to make the deception more convincing. Resources on protecting against this fraud type are available from the FCC and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.