Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
8,448 results
in Robocalls / Phone Scams
courierjournal.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A scam technique called "smishing" (SMS phishing) targets people by spoofing legitimate company phone numbers and sending text messages claiming suspicious account activity, then requesting victims to share their two-factor authentication codes. The scammer already possesses the victim's username and password and uses this social engineering tactic to gain full account access. The advice provided warns that legitimate companies never request 2FA codes, victims should change their passwords immediately if they receive such messages, and using authenticator apps instead of SMS-based authentication provides better security.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A 29-year-old woman in Singapore was charged with cheating after allegedly scamming victims of Taylor Swift concert tickets on the online marketplace Carousell, defrauding one victim of S$350 in September and believed to be involved in additional similar offences totaling over S$24,000 in losses. She accepted payments via PayNow or bank transfer but failed to deliver the tickets and became unreachable. The incident occurred amid a broader wave of Taylor Swift ticket scams that affected at least 334 people with total losses of S$213,000 between January and February.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A Truecaller survey of 2,000 Americans found that Gen Z and millennials (ages 18-44) are three times more likely to fall victim to phone scams than Baby Boomers, with Americans losing $25 billion to phone scams in 2023 and scam victims losing an average of $450 each. Latino and Black Americans were twice as likely as white Americans to be scammed, and younger adults lost proportionally more money—three times the amount older adults lost—partly due to their higher risk-taking behavior with emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and their less developed skepticism about offers that seem too good to be true. Experts warn that advancing AI technology will enable
castlegarnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary as requested. The text provided is a navigation menu and homepage listing for a news website, not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It contains only section headers, links, and headlines from various news stories unrelated to elder fraud. Please provide the actual article content you would like summarized.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating legitimate recruitment companies by posting fake job advertisements on sites like Indeed.com and contacting job seekers via WhatsApp to steal personal information such as passports, bank details, and national insurance numbers. Multiple UK recruitment firms including 2i Recruit, Nolan Recruitment, and HR Heads reported being targeted, with 2i Recruit alone receiving calls from 25 victims; one victim, Bella Betterton (18), lost £3,000 to the scam. Reports of recruitment fraud to Action Fraud are rising, with scammers exploiting reputable job websites and damaging the reputations of the legitimate companies whose names they
wsmv.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to scams, with imposter scams being the leading fraud category at $2.7 billion in reported losses, followed by social media scams ($1.4 billion) and investment scams (with median losses rising to $7,700). Tennessee ranked 16th nationally for fraud reports, with email being the scammers' primary contact method and bank transfers and cryptocurrency the most common payment methods exploited.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and investment scams caused over $10 billion in reported losses in 2023, with 64,000 romance scams ($1.1 billion) and 108,000 investment scams ($4.6 billion), though actual losses are estimated at $10-80+ billion annually due to significant underreporting. Scammers use researched targeting and manipulation to build trust with victims through text messages, social media, and dating sites, increasingly leveraging generative AI to create convincing deepfakes and multilingual communications that enhance credibility. Effective prevention requires cross-industry coordination to identify and block scams at their initiation points, particularly on messaging platforms like Telegram an
marinij.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit dating sites by building trust with victims through fabricated shared interests, then engineer financial emergencies or investment opportunities to extract money. Victims are often isolated from family and friends to prevent outside scrutiny; experts recommend showing any monetary requests to trusted contacts and remaining cautious of online partners requesting funds.
southeastiowaunion.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen conducted a statewide "Stop the Scammers" educational tour in Mt. Pleasant to inform older residents about common fraud schemes including romance scams, grandparent scams, investment scams, and pig butchering scams. Ommen emphasized that scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities and target older Iowans by conducting personal research and creating deceptive relationships to extract thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The campaign aimed to educate residents so they could share protective information with family and friends to help prevent fraud victimization.
chandlernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Joyce Petrowski, president of Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly (R.O.S.E.), will present fraud awareness and prevention strategies at the Sun Lakes Jewish War Veterans post meeting on March 17, focusing on scams targeting seniors including internet imposters, phone/robo calls, IRS fraud, and romance scams. R.O.S.E., a nonprofit founded after Petrowski's personal experience with elder fraud, delivers face-to-face education programs across Arizona to help older adults and families recognize and prevent victimization. The presentation aims to reduce both financial losses and the number of elderly fraud victims in the community.
mustangnews.net
· 2025-12-08
A college student's parents nearly fell victim to a voice cloning scam in which scammers used AI technology to imitate their son's voice, claiming he had been in a car accident and needed $15,000 for bail. The scam involved fake audio of the student, followed by impersonators posing as a police officer and public defender who instructed the parents to withdraw cash for a courier pickup. While voice cloning technology is becoming increasingly common in scams, experts note that scammers cannot replicate a person's unique speaking style and vocabulary, and recommend verifying callers' identities by asking personal questions or calling back at known phone numbers.
ottplay.com
· 2025-12-08
**"Bogus Phone Operators" Documentary**
A 44-minute documentary investigates call center scams operating from India (particularly Thane, Ahmedabad, and Gujarat) that target elderly people in the United States by impersonating government officials and IRS agents. In 2022 alone, these scams defrauded approximately 15,000 US citizens of $800 million, with perpetrators using various payment methods including cryptocurrency, gift cards, NFTs, and Hawala transfers to extract funds and inflict severe psychological harm on victims, including cases leading to suicide.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams in Colorado increased 34% year-over-year leading up to the April 15 tax deadline, with the FTC reporting that Coloradans lost $164 million to fraudsters in the previous year. Experts advise consumers not to respond to urgent money requests via messages and recommend freezing credit with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to protect against identity theft, which can take years to recover from.
wvlt.tv
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Tennesseans lost $161 million to scammers, with tech support fraud, investment fraud, and business email compromise being the most prevalent schemes. The FBI reported this represented a significant increase from previous years, part of a nationwide trend where Americans lost $12 billion to fraud in 2023. Experts advise heightened vigilance, recommending that people verify company information independently and report suspected scams to the Better Business Bureau, FTC, or FBI.
fox7austin.com
· 2025-12-08
The Round Rock Police Department warned residents about scammers impersonating law enforcement officers and IRS representatives who contact victims via phone, email, or text to create urgency and extract personal or financial information using tactics like caller ID spoofing and threats of arrest. Police advised verifying caller identity through official agency numbers, never sharing personal information unsolicited, resisting intimidation tactics, and reporting suspected incidents to the Federal Trade Commission, while noting that legitimate government agencies never demand payment over the phone or via gift cards.
redhotcyber.com
· 2025-12-08
Elena, a 35-year-old housewife, was targeted by a romance/advance-fee scam in which a fraudster posing as "Jean-Pierre," a terminally ill Italian-French man, promised her a $2.5 million inheritance donation. After she provided personal and banking information, a fake lawyer demanded a €5,000 upfront tax payment to release the funds, at which point Elena recognized the scam and reported it to police. The incident exposed her to potential identity theft and financial fraud, and authorities indicated she was one of many victims of this widespread international scheme.
mylondon.news
· 2025-12-08
Roberto Mobile, 53, fell victim to an elaborate pickpocketing scam in South London in February where a man pretended to return his stolen phone to a bar, then observed his passcode while standing nearby—a ploy that allowed the thief to steal the phone again moments later and drain nearly £10,000 from his account through contactless payments and casino bets. The victim's bank delayed freezing his account for over 24 hours despite his early morning alert, and seven other phones were reportedly stolen the same night, suggesting organized crime involvement. Mobile eventually recovered his funds after three weeks but experienced significant emotional distress and financial hardship while waiting for reimbursement.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Texas family lost approximately $20,000 after falling victim to a gift card scam involving fake dog breeders on Facebook. The scammers requested payment via gift cards for deposits and various fees (shots, transportation, crates, sedation drugs), then continuously requested additional funds with excuses before claiming the dog was dead and demanding fees for a replacement. According to the FTC, Americans lost $690 million in gift card payment scams in less than three years, with this fraud type increasing 50% year-over-year in 2023, representing a growing threat affecting victims across all education and income levels.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in El Granada, California fell victim to a phishing scam in which she received a fraudulent email impersonating a money exchange company and was instructed to withdraw cash and meet a courier in person. She handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the courier, who then fled the area; the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking the suspect and urging residents to avoid sharing banking information or sending money in response to unsolicited online or phone requests.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
**AI Voice Cloning Scams**
Scammers are using advanced artificial intelligence to clone voices from small audio clips and impersonate loved ones or authority figures (family members, bosses, or candidates) in urgent situations to trick targets into sending money immediately via digital payment apps or wire transfers. The article outlines common scenarios—such as a "daughter in an accident" requesting funds or a "boss" requesting urgent vendor payments—and provides prevention tips including resisting immediate action, verifying requests through known contact numbers, avoiding digital wallet transfers when uncertain, and implementing multifactor authentication and workplace verification protocols.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A 64-year-old Georgia man was targeted by scammers impersonating police officers who demanded $5,000 in gift cards, claiming he owed a court fine. After purchasing $2,000 in cards at one Walmart location, a vigilant self-checkout worker at a second store overheard the ongoing scam call, took the phone, and refused to complete the transaction, preventing the victim from losing an additional $3,000.
kiow.com
· 2025-12-08
Gift card scams are increasing in prevalence, with scammers using phone calls to direct victims to purchase gift cards, scratch off the codes, and provide the numbers to them over the phone, resulting in immediate fund loss. Iowa's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and AARP are promoting education about these scams and supporting legislation that would require retailers to post warning signs at gift card kiosks directing consumers to report suspected scams. The proposed bill has passed its first legislative deadline.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania residents lost more than $158 million to scams in the first nine months of 2023, a 22% increase from the previous year, with over 126,000 fraud reports filed averaging $1,250 per incident. While people ages 30-39 reported the most fraud cases, those ages 60-69 lost the most money at $744 million, and one in seven fraud victims experienced losses exceeding $10,000. The FTC advises consumers to avoid unsolicited requests for personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, and be wary of scammers demanding cryptocurrency or gift card payments.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Fairfax County, Virginia police warned residents about ongoing scam calls impersonating bank fraud departments or police officers that pressure victims into purchasing gift cards or making Bitcoin ATM deposits, with reported losses ranging from $10,000 to $31,100 per victim. Police advise hanging up suspicious calls, independently contacting financial institutions through legitimate channels, and never sharing personal information with callers claiming to represent banks or authorities.
wccsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania residents lost at least $158 million to scammers in the first nine months of 2023, a $28 million increase from the same period in 2022, based on Federal Trade Commission data showing 126,576 fraud reports with an average loss of $1,250 per victim. Remote contact methods—particularly social media—were the most common and profitable scam techniques, with social media accounting for $1 billion of the $7 billion stolen nationwide in 2023.
krocnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes to target real estate transactions in Minnesota, impersonating agents, lenders, and other professionals to trick buyers and sellers into revealing sensitive information that allows them to redirect funds. The National Association of Realtors is urging industry professionals to increase cybersecurity training and implement verification protocols, including confirming communications through known contact information, using encrypted channels, and adding watermarks to documents. A recent survey found that 60% of home buyers and sellers received little to no education about wire fraud threats from their real estate professionals.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Mona Faiz Montrage, a social media influencer with 3.4 million Instagram followers, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money for her role in laundering over $2 million from a West Africa-based romance scam operation targeting vulnerable older adults between 2013 and 2019. The scammers used fake identities and romantic narratives to convince lonely victims to send money for various schemes, including one victim who was defrauded of $89,000 through 82 wire transfers; Montrage faces up to five years in prison and must pay $2.1 million in restitution at her May 21 sentencing.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Alberta woman lost $250,000 over 10 months after receiving a sweepstakes letter claiming she'd won a Bank of America prize, then being asked to pay taxes to claim it. Her information was subsequently shared among multiple scammers, leading to additional fraud including a CRA phone scam, with weekly payments totaling far more than her savings. Police warn Albertans to avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers and to consult family or authorities before sending money, noting increased scam activity during tax season.
sanbenito.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers impersonating PG&E targeted nearly 43,000 customers, resulting in approximately $875,000 in fraudulent losses (averaging $785 per victim), with over 103 cases reported in Gilroy alone. The scams typically involved threats of immediate service disconnection and requests for payment via prepaid cards, gift cards, or digital payment apps—methods PG&E never uses. PG&E advises customers to hang up on suspicious calls, verify account details directly through PGE.com or official customer service, and never purchase prepaid cards to avoid service shutoff.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The "courier scam" has affected at least 390 people in two months, with one Chennai businessman losing ₹6 crore after being threatened by fraudsters posing as police officers. Scammers contact victims claiming a parcel with drugs or contraband was found in their name, then connect them via video call to fake police officers who threaten legal action and coerce money transfers by promising account protection through a new Aadhaar card and KYC update.
brunswicktimes-gazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Government impostor scams cost victims nearly $509 million in 2022, with Social Security scams being a particularly common threat. The article advises recipients to be wary of unexpected communications claiming problems with Social Security numbers, remember that the Social Security Administration only calls existing account holders, and verify account status directly through ssa.gov/myaccount rather than responding to unsolicited contact.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Fairfax County, Virginia police warned residents about seasonal driveway-paving scams that typically emerge in spring, where unlicensed contractors solicit door-to-door, collect deposits under false urgency, and either fail to complete work or abandon jobs, leaving homeowners out money and with damaged property. The department recommends verifying contractors have valid solicitor's licenses, obtaining multiple quotes, researching businesses online, and reporting unlicensed solicitors to police.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Texas family lost nearly $20,000 to gift card scams while attempting to purchase dogs online through Facebook, first sending deposits to a fraudulent breeder and then falling victim to a second scam involving a Bassett Hound that the scammer claimed died. Gift card payment scams have surged across the country, with Americans losing $690 million in less than three years and a 50% year-over-year increase in reported cases in 2023, exploiting emotional vulnerabilities and the difficulty of tracing digital payments.
scrolla.africa
· 2025-12-08
Western Cape police arrested a 42-year-old Nigerian man in connection with a romance scam targeting a Canadian woman who was deceived into investing approximately R24 million in a fraudulent overseas project after meeting him on social media in 2022. Police identified key warning signs of dating scammers, including excessive charm, unsolicited business proposals, reluctance to meet publicly or share identification, and fabricated stories, while victims emphasized that vulnerability to scams stems from a desire to be loved and difficulty recognizing deception even when aware of such schemes.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
A Portage County woman on a fixed income lost at least $12,000 to a romance scammer she met online and never met in person, sending thousands in gift cards in increments of $500. The victim shared her cautionary message emphasizing that romance scammers are professional liars who will never meet their victims, will continue extracting money until it's gone, and view victims as numbers on a list rather than people they care about. She urged others in similar situations to recognize the scam and seek help through the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad.
longmontleader.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, U.S. consumers lost $4.6 billion to investment scams—a 21% increase from 2022, with $1.4 billion lost on social media platforms alone. The most common schemes include cryptocurrency investment scams (featuring fake websites and fabricated profit statements), romance scams ("pig butchering" where scammers build relationships before soliciting money), and real estate scams (fraudulent property developments). The Colorado Division of Securities urges consumers of all ages to verify investment opportunities and report suspected fraud to protect themselves from these increasingly prevalent online schemes.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
On National Slam the Scam Day, Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon highlighted that scams remain a significant crime driver in the borough, with senior citizens losing over $2.6 million to fraud in 2023 alone. Common scams include impersonation schemes (government officials, police, IRS, family members), marketplace fraud, and payment requests via gift cards and digital platforms, with scammers using threats and pressure tactics to manipulate victims. McMahon emphasized that prevention and immediate reporting to the District Attorney's Scams Hotline (718-556-7226) are critical to investigating incidents and securing restitution for victims.
elkhornmediagroup.com
· 2025-12-08
An uptick in phone and online scams targeting older adults in Eastern Oregon uses sophisticated impersonation tactics—including fraudulent claims from law enforcement, the IRS, banks, and retailers—to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information. According to Kai Nichols, an Older Adult Behavioral Specialist, scammers exploit elderly individuals' unfamiliarity with technology and bureaucracy by creating panic through threats of legal action or account compromise. Key protections include never trusting caller ID, refusing to be rushed, and remembering that legitimate law enforcement and the IRS do not demand phone payments or threaten immediate action.
southcoasttoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The "grandparent scam" has stolen millions from elderly Americans by impersonating lawyers, bail bondsmen, or family members to claim a grandchild is in legal trouble or distress and urgently needs cash sent via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. The FBI reported over 92,000 older fraud victims lost $1.7 billion in 2021, with scammers exploiting psychological tactics—calling at odd hours and inducing fear—and now increasingly using AI voice cloning to impersonate relatives. Law enforcement recommends not answering unknown callers, hanging up on urgent money requests, and independently verifying any family emergency by calling the relative directly rather than engaging with the
gridinsoft.com
· 2025-12-08
**Phantom Hacker Scams Target Seniors**
Phantom hacker scams, a variant of tech support fraud, have increased 40% year-over-year and resulted in over $542 million in losses from nearly 19,000 victims during the first half of 2023, with seniors over 60 accounting for 66% of financial losses. Scammers use a three-stage social engineering approach: posing as tech support to claim malware threats, then impersonating financial institutions or government officials to convince victims to transfer funds to "safe accounts" that the criminals control. To protect against these scams, seniors should avoid unsolicited calls,
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan state health and insurance officials warned seniors about Medicare scams coinciding with the December 7 Open Enrollment deadline, where fraudsters impersonate Medicare representatives to steal personal information like Medicare ID numbers and Social Security numbers to make unauthorized plan changes. The agencies advised seniors never to share personal information with unsolicited callers, visitors, or online contacts, and to contact Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227 or Medicare.gov for legitimate coverage questions, noting that Medicare never calls or visits homes requesting personal information.
theprescotttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office warned senior citizens that scammers use urgency tactics through calls, texts, emails, and social media to steal money, advising victims to "slow down" and verify requests independently. Recent local cases included a $12,000 grandparent scam using AI-generated voices and a $40,000 Bitcoin fraud, with law enforcement cautioning against clicking suspicious links, using untraceable payment methods, and trusting caller IDs, as scammers impersonate relatives, banks, and government agencies.
bbb.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines common tax scams targeting U.S. taxpayers, primarily involving scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail. Common tactics include demanding immediate payment via untraceable methods (wire transfers, prepaid debit cards) for alleged back taxes, offering fake refunds in exchange for personal information, and committing tax identity theft using Social Security numbers to file fraudulent returns. Key protective measures include recognizing red flags such as pressure for immediate payment, unsolicited phone/email contact, and knowing that the legitimate IRS initiates contact by mail and never demands specific payment methods or personal financial information over the phone.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
During Consumer Protection Awareness Week, the Federal Trade Commission cautioned that post-storm roofing scams are prevalent, with fly-by-night contractors going door-to-door offering suspicious low-price inspections and repairs. To protect yourself, obtain all contractor details in writing including warranties and materials, verify insurance coverage, check online reviews and Better Business Bureau listings, and avoid paying the full amount until work is completed. Hiring established local roofers is recommended as the most effective way to avoid storm-related contractor fraud.
fcpdnews.wordpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Bank imposter scams, ranked by the FTC as the top scam of 2022, involve fraudsters posing as banks via unsolicited calls or texts to request personal and banking information, with a median reported loss of $3,000 from 2019-2022. The Fairfax County Police Department advises against sharing financial information with unsolicited callers, recommends independently verifying bank contact information through official channels, and warns that legitimate institutions never request payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or remote computer access.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The "grandparent scam" has stolen millions from elderly Americans by impersonating a grandchild's lawyer or bail bondsman, falsely claiming the grandchild is in legal trouble or an accident out of state and demanding urgent payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. In 2021, over 92,000 older fraud victims lost $1.7 billion, with scammers exploiting fear and urgency by calling at odd hours. Law enforcement recommends not answering calls from unknown numbers, hanging up without engaging, and calling family members directly to verify—while noting that emerging AI voice-cloning technology makes these scams increasingly difficult to detect.
independent.ie
· 2025-12-08
Sherie Tynan and Darral Poole from Dublin lost €2,800 to a Facebook accommodation scam while booking a villa in Portugal for their wedding in October, after being contacted by a fraudster posing as "Jennifer Haris-Keane," a supposed villa owner who vanished after receiving payment. The Garda National Economic Crime Bureau reports that accommodation scams have resulted in approximately €2 million in losses over the past three years, with authorities warning that social media profiles can be fraudulent despite appearing on trusted platforms, and advising the public to be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
South Carolina state Rep. Brandon Guffey's teenage son Gavin died by suicide after falling victim to a sextortion scam in which criminals posing as a young female on social media demanded money after he sent explicit photos. Guffey filed an 81-page wrongful death lawsuit against Meta, alleging the company failed to prevent the scam and contributed to mental health crises among young people, while the FBI reports sextortion cases in Georgia increased 700% since 2021. In response to his son's death, Guffey passed "Gavin's Law," making it a felony to target minors or at-risk adults in sextortion schemes.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A woman in B.C.'s Southern Interior lost $10,000 in Bitcoin after a scammer called her pretending to be a fraud investigator, claiming her cellphone payment failed and providing instructions to send money via ATM. The incident reflects a broader trend of phone and cryptocurrency fraud in Canada, with Surrey RCMP reporting 229 fraud cases in 2023 totaling over $12 million in losses, and police recommending that people hang up on unknown callers requesting money and instead verify claims by contacting businesses directly using official contact information.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul identified the top consumer scams affecting state residents, with construction/home repair fraud leading for the third consecutive year (2,091 reports), followed by identity theft (1,885 reports) and consumer debt complaints (1,683 reports). The Consumer Fraud Bureau recovered over $9 million through mediation and $76 million through enforcement actions, and the office received nearly 20,000 written complaints plus tens of thousands of calls. The attorney general recommends residents protect themselves by guarding personal information, changing passwords frequently, and being cautious of unsolicited communications, especially as scammers increasingly use AI technology.