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in Scam Awareness
gonorthumberland.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old woman in Cobourg lost $300 to an email scam that falsely claimed a family member was hospitalized and needed urgent financial help, which she sent via Amazon gift cards. Cobourg Police Service warns residents to verify emergency messages by contacting family members directly through trusted channels and notes that legitimate organizations rarely request payment in gift cards, while scammers often use emotional language, urgency, poor grammar, and suspicious email addresses. Victims should report fraud to their email provider and law enforcement, or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and above lost $4.8 billion to cybercrime in 2024, a 43% increase year-over-year, with 7,500 seniors each losing $100,000 or more—more than any other age group according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to digital literacy gaps, isolation, financial assets, and trust in institutions that scammers impersonate, with cryptocurrency scams (especially "pig butchering" romance cons) and tech support fraud being especially profitable schemes. The article argues that current regulatory and institutional responses are fragmented and inadequate, placing fraud prevention burden on individuals rather than treating elder cybercrime
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
A Government Accountability Office study found that fragmented federal oversight and lack of coordination among 13+ agencies hampers efforts to combat scams that cost Americans "large sums" including entire life savings. The report identified massive underreporting—only 5-15% of victims report scams—and recommended 16 actions including establishing a government-wide strategy, universal definition, and comprehensive estimate of scam losses to improve consumer protection efforts.
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this, but the content you provided appears to be only the navigation menu and header structure of an NBC Chicago website, not an actual article about fraud or elder abuse.
To provide an Elderus summary, I would need the actual article content, which should include:
- The headline and body text
- Details about the scam or fraud incident
- Information about victims and impact
- Dollar amounts or outcomes
Could you please share the full article text? Once you do, I'll be happy to provide a concise 2-3 sentence summary focused on the key details relevant to elder fraud research.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Police in Fermanagh and Omagh warned of a "fake new bank card" scam in which fraudsters impersonated bank officials, convinced victims their accounts were compromised, and instructed them to enter card details into a fraudulent card reader, resulting in large unauthorized withdrawals. The warning also noted related fraud cases including bogus tradesmen on social media and WhatsApp impersonation scams, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited financial requests regardless of source and to report incidents to police and their banks immediately.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
A security editor nearly fell for a sophisticated Netflix phishing scam that used a fake "Update Your Payment Method" email with proper formatting and a spoofed Netflix address, which was especially convincing because the recipient had just experienced Netflix login problems. The scammer's malicious link, disguised as an "Update Now" button, actually directed to a Truth Social domain and was flagged as malicious by eight security vendors on VirusTotal. The article advises readers to inspect email content for red flags, analyze URLs by hovering over links before clicking, and verify suspicious requests by contacting companies directly rather than using links in emails.
wcexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Tina Pickett and Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters hosted a free educational seminar on May 9 in Tunkhannock to help residents recognize and avoid scams, particularly targeting seniors. The event featured Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities coordinator George Dillman, who presented information on common scams and included an interactive "Fraud Bingo" game to teach fraud prevention strategies. The seminar was part of an ongoing effort to educate the public as scammers become increasingly aggressive and deceptive.
westerniowatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:** The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that cybercriminals stole a record $16.6 billion from Americans in 2024, a 33% increase from the previous year, with over 850,000 reported scams and fraud cases. Adults age 60 and older were disproportionately affected, with over 80% of victims experiencing financial, data, or identity theft losses.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Huntington Public Library announced its May events calendar, which includes a "Senior Scams" educational session scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The informational presentation will cover common types of senior scams and protective safeguards to help prevent fraud victimization, recognizing that seniors are particularly vulnerable to emotional and financial hardships resulting from such schemes.
expressandstar.com
· 2025-12-08
A Barclays report found that romance scams increased 20% year-over-year, with victims losing an average of £8,000, rising to £19,000 for those aged 61 and over. In these scams, perpetrators pose as romantic interests to build trust and solicit money from victims. The article discusses both the benefits and risks of online dating apps in 2025, highlighting romance fraud as a significant threat to users, particularly older adults.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wisconsin woman lost $80,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam after discovering it on Facebook and being lured by promises of rapid returns; she initially invested $30,000, saw her balance apparently double, invested additional funds, and ultimately paid an extra $30,000 in fraudulent "taxes and fees" before realizing the investment dashboard was fake. The scam exemplifies the growing sophistication of crypto fraud in the U.S., where Americans lost $1.4 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2024, with police indicating recovery of the funds is unlikely.
fraudsmart.ie
· 2025-12-08
FraudSMART is alerting consumers to a sophisticated text and phone scam impersonating banks, where scammers send messages appearing within genuine banking threads and pose as bank security departments to extract personal and financial information or authorization codes that grant account access. The scam often includes urgency tactics, requests to delete banking apps, or claims of delayed login details to prevent victims from monitoring their accounts while fraudsters transfer funds. Consumers should never respond to unsolicited bank communications, should verify contacts using numbers on their bank cards, and should immediately contact their bank and report incidents to authorities if targeted.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used artificial intelligence to create sophisticated fake websites for nonexistent investment and mining companies, including elaborate details like fake board member profiles, company policies, and financial documents that fooled even a professional fraud analyst. A cyber risk expert notes that AI has made scams harder to detect because it can now generate convincing fake images, websites, policies, and financial reports, while traditional verification methods like checking comments and likes can also be AI-generated. The general public now requires support from multiple experts in finance, technology, and cybersecurity to adequately verify online information and protect themselves from these AI-enhanced scams.
hayspost.com
· 2025-12-08
Kyle fell victim to an impersonation scam when a fraudster posing as his bank's fraud department obtained his personal information (social security number and birthdate) by asking identity verification questions while simultaneously using those answers to attempt accessing Kyle's account. Golden Belt Bank's Chief Operations Officer recommends hanging up on unsolicited calls and calling your bank directly using a verified number, and warns of common red flags including pressure for immediate action, requests for secrecy, upfront payment demands, and hard-to-track payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards. Banks will never ask for full debit card numbers, PINs, or online passwords unless you initiate contact, and one-time passcodes shoul
globenewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a promotional piece for SecretBenefits.com, a sugar dating website, claiming it offers a secure platform with verified profiles, transparent pricing, and fraud prevention measures to protect users from common sugar dating scams. The platform advertises features including identity verification protocols, a flexible credit-based payment system, and enhanced security to distinguish itself from fraudulent dating websites in the sugar dating niche.
marieclaire.com.au
· 2025-12-08
**Online Romance Scam Leading to Drug Smuggling Conviction**
In January 2023, 58-year-old Donna Nelson, an Aboriginal community leader from Western Australia, was arrested at Tokyo customs after carrying two kilograms of methamphetamine in a suitcase she believed belonged to "Kelly," a man she had been in an online romantic relationship with for two years via a dating website. Nelson claims she fell victim to a calculated romance scam designed to lure her to Japan under false pretenses, but her legal defense was unsuccessful and she was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2024. Her five daughters are now fighting for her release, maintaining her innoc
wbbjtv.com
· 2025-12-08
West Tennessee women lost nearly $50,000 to online romance scams over three weeks, with two victims each losing approximately $24,000 to men claiming to be military personnel who needed money due to financial hardship or restricted bank access abroad. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers use fabricated "hard luck stories" and stolen social media photos to build trust before requesting money, and advises victims to use reverse image lookups to verify photos and report incidents to the BBB Scam Tracker or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
coingeek.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. House lawmakers introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act on April 21 to combat "pig butchering" scams and financial fraud targeting older Americans, particularly through online and investment schemes. The legislation would equip federal, state, and local law enforcement with blockchain technology tools to trace and prosecute scammers, addressing a crisis in which Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024 (a 25% increase year-over-year), with older adults suffering disproportionately higher losses—including pig butchering schemes that accounted for 33.2% of digital asset scam revenue in 2024.
ktnv.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal Trade Commission data shows Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with adults 70 and older reporting a median loss of $1,000. Seniors are increasingly targeted through phishing emails impersonating banks or the Social Security Administration to steal personal information and Social Security benefits, though many victims avoid reporting due to embarrassment. Officials recommend protecting yourself by monitoring bank statements, shredding documents with personal information, never sharing details via email or phone, and verifying any Social Security Administration communications directly.
actraottawa.ca
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams targeting aspiring performers by talent agencies, modeling scouts, and workshop providers who charge excessive upfront fees, guarantee work falsely, or require students to purchase services from affiliated providers. Legitimate talent agents operate on industry-standard commission (15% plus GST on actual work procured) and do not charge sign-up fees, guarantee employment, or pressure clients into workshops or photography services. The article advises performers to research credentials, avoid "one-stop shop" providers that offer both training and casting services, and never sign agreements under pressure or without independent advice.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
Scam emails impersonating WEX or Fleet One fuel card providers targeted Truckers Advantage fuel card holders, instructing recipients to click links and enter login credentials to prevent account closure. OOIDA confirmed these fraudulent messages were not sent by the company or its partners and advised recipients to delete them immediately, while WEX reiterated it never requests sensitive account information via unsolicited communications. The article provides guidance on avoiding phishing scams, including avoiding clicking email links, verifying contact numbers independently, and using multi-factor authentication.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Giveaway scams on social media, particularly Facebook, lure older adults with fake offers of discounted merchandise (tools, appliances, toys) from major retailers in exchange for completing surveys. These phishing schemes use fraudulent posts impersonating company employees to trick victims into clicking links and providing personal and credit card information. To protect yourself, verify offers directly with companies through their official websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in social media posts.
presidentialprayerteam.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, consumers lost $470 million to text message scams—a fivefold increase from 2020—despite fewer overall scam reports being filed. The most prevalent scams involved fake package delivery notifications, fraudulent job offers requiring upfront payments, and impersonated bank fraud alerts, with perpetrators also using fake toll notices and "wrong number" schemes that escalated into romance or financial scams. The FTC recommends consumers avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, verify messages through trusted contacts, and report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) or through their messaging app's reporting features.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing is a scam tactic in which fraudsters send unsolicited text messages claiming to know the recipient or stating they found their number in an address book, designed to trick victims into responding and potentially compromising personal information. These vague messages are intentional social engineering attempts rather than random mistakes, and awareness of this technique is crucial for protecting oneself from text-based phishing attacks.
fox9.com
· 2025-12-08
Texting scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with common schemes including fake unpaid toll notices, prize offers, student loan assistance, and AI-generated celebrity videos (such as Kevin Costner impersonations) that request money. Minnesota ranks 12th nationally for impostor scams with a median loss of $800 per victim, and experts advise recognizing red flags such as urgent requests, unknown senders, international numbers, and requests for gift cards or remote computer access, noting that legitimate government agencies and the FBI never ask for payment via gift cards.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP educational article provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding common scams targeting consumers. Key fraud tactics covered include sweepstakes scams requiring upfront payment or personal information, fake checks used to exploit processing delays, fake QR codes directing victims to phishing sites, and cybercriminals stealing personal data. The article recommends protective measures such as creating strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping software updated, pausing before responding to urgent communications, and verifying checks through banks before acting on funds.
theapopkavoice.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elder fraud caused more than $3.4 billion in losses nationwide, with the average victim losing nearly $34,000 to scams including tech support schemes, phishing, and fake shopping websites. The Senior Resource Alliance is donating 5,000 downloads of the CyberFence cybersecurity app to Central Florida seniors in 2025 to help protect vulnerable older adults from digital threats while using online services like telehealth and virtual communication.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP California is launching the San Diego Scam Jam Tour with over 20 free fraud prevention events running May through July across San Diego County, offering education on recognizing common scams, cybersecurity workshops, and document shredding services. The initiative is a collaboration between AARP California, San Diego County, the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, and Senior Tech Connect, and comes as elder fraud victims in San Diego County lost approximately $100 million in 2023, with nationwide losses reaching $12.5 billion that year.
reviewjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman, Barbara Trickle, pleaded guilty to organizing a prize notice fraud scheme that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly victims, by mailing millions of fraudulent notices claiming they had won cash prizes requiring $20-$50 fees to collect. Operating from 2012 to February 2018, Trickle used her printing and mailing business to produce the notices and stole over $15 million before the scheme was shut down by federal authorities.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, a Nigerian national, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for leading a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims had inherited money from deceased overseas relatives and requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes before the funds could be released. The defendants used a network of U.S.-based money mules to collect victim payments, with no victim ever receiving any actual inheritance funds.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Barbara Trickle, 80, of Las Vegas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a prize notice scam from 2012 to February 2018 that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly, of over $15 million. Trickle and her co-conspirators mailed fraudulent notices claiming victims had won cash prizes and would receive them upon paying $20-$50 fees; victims instead received worthless reports or trinkets and were subsequently inundated with additional fraudulent mailings. The scheme was shut down following a U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigation and court order.
hercampus.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a first-person account from a college student describing her experience with a suspected fraudulent internship opportunity, not a completed elder fraud case. The student was recruited via LinkedIn by a marketing firm with vague credentials, red flags including a LinkedIn profile with no members and communication via text rather than email, and was invited to multiple interview rounds. While the article does not detail financial losses or confirm the scam was completed, it serves as a cautionary tale about job recruitment fraud targeting vulnerable populations—in this case, desperate job-seeking students rather than elders.
columbiamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this content. The article appears to be a local community magazine webpage containing directory listings, advertisements, and a brief reader letter rather than a substantive news article about fraud. While reader Vicky Pike mentions receiving a scam text message and expresses concern about seniors being targeted, no specific details about the scam itself, affected individuals, dollar amounts, or outcomes are provided in the text presented.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud and theft targeting seniors in Houston is increasingly prevalent, with impersonation fraud being the most common method, often targeting those posing as bank or Medicare representatives. Key protective measures include setting up bank transaction alerts, avoiding checks, building relationships with bank staff for verification calls, placing fraud alerts with credit bureaus, and involving family members in financial monitoring. Seniors are advised to hang up on suspicious calls and independently verify claims by contacting their bank directly, and victims of identity theft can seek guidance through IdentityTheft.gov.
kesq.com
· 2025-12-08
The Palm Springs Police Department is warning seniors in the Coachella Valley about increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting older adults through phone calls, emails, text messages, and QR codes to steal personal and financial information. The Joslyn Center in Palm Desert is combating these scams by offering weekly "Teach Tech" classes that educate seniors on how to identify and avoid common fraud tactics, and is seeking volunteers to expand these educational programs to meet growing demand.
guardian.ng
· 2025-12-08
Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, a 36-year-old Nigerian man, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for operating an international inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming to be from a Spanish bank offering inheritance money, then requiring victims to pay fees and taxes upfront before receiving funds that never materialized. The investigation involved international collaboration between U.S. law enforcement agencies and authorities from Portugal, the UK, Spain, and Europol.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP reports that fraud affecting U.S. citizens has grown significantly, with reported fraud victimization rising from 15% to 41% over the past seven to eight years, with older adults experiencing the greatest financial losses to their retirement security. The organization recommends key protective measures including using unique, strong passwords managed through a password manager and downloading apps only from official sources to avoid fraudulent alternatives. AARP emphasizes that fraud is a crime affecting people of all ages and technical skill levels, and victims should not be blamed for falling victim to these schemes.
thenevadaglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman, Barbara Trickle, pleaded guilty to orchestrating a nationwide prize scam that defrauded over $15 million from victims between 2012 and 2018, primarily targeting senior citizens through fake lottery and sweepstakes notices requesting fees of $20-$50. No victims received promised prizes, and federal authorities shut down her printing and mailing business operation through multiple search warrants. The Department of Justice encourages seniors and fraud victims to report similar scams to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
bitcoinke.io
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs raised alarm over a surge in "cyber slavery" and organized scam operations targeting vulnerable Nigerian youth, particularly those lured abroad with false job promises in crypto-related fields. Perpetrators force victims into "419 cyber-scam factories" where they conduct mass fraudulent communications under coercive conditions targeting international victims. Recent enforcement actions include the EFCC's arrest of 792 individuals in December 2024 (including 148 Chinese nationals training Nigerian accomplices in romance and investment scams) and an ongoing investigation into the CBEX crypto platform collapse affecting users across multiple African countries.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses totaling $452,356 for local residents, with romance and family emergency scams causing the highest losses ($222,780), followed by technical support scams ($94,300) and cryptocurrency fraud ($55,000). The office is seeing a recent spike in grandparent and bail scams, including cases where scammers sent couriers to victims' homes to collect cash in person, with two separate victims losing $63,000 combined in the first quarter of 2025. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency claims by calling the person directly and to be aware that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement will never
wiscassetnewspaper.com
· 2025-12-08
Lincoln County Sheriff's Office documented 29 fraud cases in 2024 with potential losses of $452,356 to local residents, with romance and family emergency scams accounting for the highest losses at $222,780, followed by technical support scams at $94,300 and cryptocurrency fraud at $55,000. Detective Jared Mitkus reported a recent spike in grandparent/bail scams (March 2025), including two cases where victims lost $63,000 total to couriers collecting cash at their homes, and emphasized that legitimate bail commissioners and law enforcement never collect bail payments in person. Law enforcement advises victims to verify emergency calls by directly contacting the family member
nbcnewyork.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It appears to be a promotional piece about consumer reporter Lynda Baquero and her commitment to responding to consumer inquiries. It contains no information about fraud, scams, elder abuse, or consumer harm that would be relevant to the Elderus database.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in California's Bay Area are impersonating FasTrak, the state's electronic toll collection system, sending text messages claiming users owe small amounts (such as $3.95) with urgent warnings to pay or face penalties and links to fraudulent websites. The scams have become increasingly sophisticated, now featuring correct spelling, official logos, and convincing websites that mimic legitimate sites, making them difficult for consumers to identify. To protect themselves, recipients should verify messages directly through official FasTrak websites or customer service rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
The "wrong number" text scam is increasingly prevalent, with approximately 25% of Americans receiving such messages, which criminals use to validate active phone numbers and build trust before conducting "pig butchering" schemes or stealing personal information. Text message scams caused consumers to lose $470 million in 2024, a five-fold increase from 2020, with scammers using AI to tailor believable messages and identify vulnerable targets through social media. To protect yourself, do not respond to unknown numbers, mark messages as spam using your phone's reporting features, and forward suspicious texts to 7726.
mycentraljersey.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a growing "smishing" scam targeting E-ZPass users and toll service customers with fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid tolls (typically $3.95-$12.55) and requesting immediate payment via malicious links to steal personal and financial information. Scammers are also using similar tactics for package delivery, tax, and utility bill scams, with AI being used to improve the fraudulent messages; victims should delete suspicious texts immediately, never click links requesting payment or personal information, and if compromised, freeze accounts and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
ktemnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Following natural disasters in Texas, scammers target vulnerable residents seeking repairs and relief, with 63% of state residents falling victim to post-disaster scams according to Instant Roofer data, and Hurricane Beryl alone causing $2 billion in damage and displacing 1.4 million people. Common scams include fraudulent contractors, fake FEMA representatives, phony charities, and identity theft schemes. To protect yourself, verify business reviews, get all agreements in writing, avoid upfront payments, and be cautious of unsolicited relief offers and utility shutoff threats.
artsprofessional.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Oasis fans lost an estimated £2 million to ticket scams linked to the band's UK tour, according to Lloyds Bank data showing over 1,000 fraud reports from its customers with an average loss of £436 per victim. The scams, which predominantly involved fake social media listings and postings, affected an estimated 5,000+ victims across the UK since tickets went on sale, with individual losses reaching over £1,700. Lloyds emphasized the importance of purchasing tickets directly from authorized retailers and called for social media platforms to take stronger action against fraudulent listings.
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Barbara Trickle, an 80-year-old Las Vegas resident, pleaded guilty to operating a prize notice scam that defrauded over $15 million from thousands of elderly victims across the United States between 2012 and 2018. Using her printing and mailing company, Trickle designed and distributed millions of fraudulent letters claiming recipients had won cash prizes but needed to pay small upfront fees ($20-$50) to claim them; victims received only cheap trinkets or bogus reports and were repeatedly targeted with additional mailings. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service shut down the operation in February 2018, and authorities warn the public to avoid responding
myfox28columbus.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio state agencies warned seniors of escalating financial fraud threats during Older Ohioans Month, noting that Securities Division complaints rose 22% in 2024 to 302 cases, while national elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion in the first five months of 2024. Officials highlighted increasingly sophisticated scams including AI voice cloning and cryptocurrency schemes, urging seniors to verify identities, resist pressure tactics, and monitor accounts closely.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $9.3 billion in losses from cryptocurrency-related scams across 149,686 complaints, a 66% increase from the previous year and the highest figure in IC3 history. Individuals aged 60 and older were the most affected demographic, accounting for over 33,000 complaints and $2.8 billion in losses—nearly one-third of total losses—with younger age groups also significantly impacted. Scammers employed tactics including investment fraud, social engineering, phishing, and impersonation of legitimate platforms, with victims often manipulated via social media and dating apps into transferring funds