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
pressherald.com
· 2025-12-07
Dalinda Carpenter, a widowed senior in Standish living on Social Security, lost $14,003 to a scam in July when she called a number from fraudulent Apple Pay alert messages and allowed a caller to remotely access her phone, convincing her that hackers were targeting her accounts and that she needed to transfer funds via Western Union to catch them. The scammer made nine transfers of over $1,500 each between July 8-14, leaving Carpenter in financial hardship with mounting debts and no recovery despite reporting the crime to law enforcement and seeking legal assistance.
info.gov.hk
· 2025-12-07
In Hong Kong during the first eight months of 2025, police reported 184 telephone scam cases targeting local tertiary students and 86 cases targeting Mainland students, resulting in approximately $32 million and $75 million in losses respectively. The government has implemented fraud prevention measures under the Theft Ordinance with penalties up to 14 years imprisonment, and is consulting with educational institutions and authorities to strengthen anti-scam awareness programs among students through seminars and enhanced promotional efforts.
taiwannews.com.tw
· 2025-12-07
U.S. companies lost an average of 9.8% of their annual revenue to fraud in the past year—a 46% increase from 2024 and 27% higher than the global average of 7.7%, representing approximately $114 billion in losses among surveyed U.S. business leaders. Account takeover fraud emerged as the most damaging fraud type in the U.S. (31% of losses), followed by synthetic identity fraud (24%) and scam/authorized fraud (23%), with account takeover fraud volume growing 141% globally between H1 2021 and H1 2025.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
**Not eligible for Elderus database**
This article does not address elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. Instead, it's a humorous listicle about online stalking behavior by women pursuing romantic interests, with a brief reference to a Netflix documentary about a serial cyberstalker. While it touches on concerning digital behavior and harassment, it does not involve elder victims or financial exploitation schemes typical of elder fraud cases.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Clay County man lost $120,000 over seven months in a romance scam initiated by someone claiming to be a woman named "Lisa" on TikTok who later moved communications to the encrypted Telegram app. The scammer built an emotional relationship with the victim and repeatedly requested money for various emergencies and expenses, including taxes on a house sale, before the man's family member identified it as a scam. The Clay County Sheriff's Office warns the public to never send money to individuals met only online and notes that cryptocurrency transfers are nearly impossible to recover.
taxlawcenter.org
· 2025-12-07
The IRS has assessed over $160 million in penalties related to fraudulent tax scams promoted on social media, with the problem expected to worsen due to new tax law complexities that create opportunities for scammers. Misleading claims by government officials about the new law's provisions—particularly regarding tax elimination on tips, overtime, Social Security benefits, and auto loan interest—are fueling confusion and making vulnerable populations including older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income workers susceptible to illegitimate tax-saving schemes. The IRS's reduced capacity to combat scams through guidance, education, and prosecution enforcement compounds the risk.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece provides eight key prevention strategies to help people avoid scams and fraud. The advice emphasizes avoiding non-traceable payment methods (gift cards, wire transfers), being skeptical of unsolicited communications and official-looking documents, exercising caution with online relationships, protecting personal information, resisting pressure tactics, using secure transactions, and managing social media privacy. The guidance applies broadly to various scam types including romance scams, impersonation fraud, and financial exploitation.
halifaxexaminer.ca
· 2025-12-07
In 2024, Canadians lost $310.5 million to investment fraud, with Nova Scotia seniors accounting for approximately $1.56 million of reported cases in the province. Financial elder abuse—the unauthorized or coercive use of an older person's money—is most commonly perpetrated by family members, caregivers, and financial advisors, with social isolation, cognitive decline, and financial dependence identified as key vulnerability factors. Warning signs include unpaid bills, behavioral changes, requests to sign blank documents, and avoidance of account statements, and experts recommend careful communication with suspected victims and immediate reporting of suspicious activity.
provincetownindependent.org
· 2025-12-07
In June, 73-year-old Karen Pagano from Truro nearly lost $40,000 to scammers who impersonated PayPal fraud specialists, gained remote access to her laptop, and attempted to transfer funds from her bank account while keeping her on the phone. Although police intervention prevented the full loss, Pagano experienced significant disruption including delayed retirement and Social Security payments, and has since received six to eight suspicious calls daily. According to local law enforcement, elder fraud is rampant in the Cape and Islands region, with 393 reports filed over 21 months (January 2023–October 2024) but only 15 resulting in charges, reflecting resource
capecodchronicle.com
· 2025-12-07
**District Attorney Seeks Support For Elder Fraud Abuse Prosecution Unit**
Cape and Islands District Attorney Robert Galibois is requesting funding to establish a dedicated elder fraud prosecution unit, citing a significant surge in cases overwhelming local law enforcement. From 2023 to 2024, Barnstable Police received 393 elder fraud calls, filed 253 reports, but secured charges in only 15 cases, with victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars to various scams including spoofed bank calls and check theft. The DA is seeking letters of endorsement to present to state officials to secure increased resources for investigating and prosecuting these cases.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-07
A Louisville nonprofit called ElderServe held a community workshop to educate seniors on recognizing and preventing scams, as the organization responds to a rise in local fraud targeting older adults, including cases involving home theft, grandparent scams, and credit card fraud. The workshop taught seniors practical defense strategies such as avoiding unknown callers, never saying "yes" on recorded lines, and being cautious of in-person approaches, with participants reporting increased awareness and intention to change their behaviors. ElderServe plans to continue its educational series, emphasizing that awareness is the primary defense against scammers who specifically target seniors.
foxrgv.tv
· 2025-12-07
A 78-year-old man named Miguel Rodriguez lost approximately $700 to an online romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated a public figure, professed love, and then requested money for various expenses including food, medical bills, and travel. Rodriguez was instructed to purchase gift cards and send images of the codes to the scammer. The incident highlights how romance scams exploit victims' emotions and trust, and experts recommend verifying the identity of anyone requesting money online and limiting personal information shared on social media platforms.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Quotient Wealth Partners partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to help protect clients from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation through continuous monitoring of transactions and accounts. The partnership provides Quotient clients with $1 million in identity theft insurance, a scam verification tool, and digital legacy planning services, addressing the growing threat of sophisticated scams targeting wealthy families and older adults.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-07
Quotient Wealth Partners partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to help protect clients from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation through continuous monitoring of suspicious transactions and spending patterns. The partnership provides Quotient clients with $1 million in identity theft insurance, a ScamCheck tool to verify suspicious messages, a live Care team for real-time support during scam attempts, and LegacyKit for secure digital asset management. The collaboration reflects growing concerns about sophisticated fraud schemes targeting clients, including remote access tool attacks and impersonation attempts, while also enabling early detection of health changes through unusual spending patterns.
insidernj.com
· 2025-12-07
Patricia Linda-Ahono, nursing director at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in New Jersey, was indicted in July 2025 on charges including aggravated assault, neglect of an elderly or disabled adult, and falsifying records for physically assaulting a resident with a broom on June 24, 2023. The assault was captured on video, and Ahono allegedly attempted to cover up the incident by filing a false incident report claiming the resident had a weapon and by instructing staff not to contact authorities or notify state agencies as required.
mvprogress.com
· 2025-12-07
Mesquite Police detectives informed nearly 100 residents of Del Webb Sun City about prevalent scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes that exploit trust through calls, emails, and online platforms. Gift card scams are particularly prevalent locally, with thieves using untraceable cards or tampering with physical cards before purchase, while imposter scams involving government agencies and voice-cloning technology also pose significant risks. Residents were advised to verify claims independently, protect personal information, avoid public Wi-Fi, and report suspicious activity to the FTC or their bank immediately.
torontosun.com
· 2025-12-07
Toronto Police warned of an active "grandparent scam" variant in which fraudsters impersonate family members or acquaintances claiming to be in serious emergencies (car accidents, medical crises) and pressure victims to withdraw large sums of cash and deliver it to a stranger. The scammers keep victims on the phone throughout the transaction to prevent verification of the claim. Police advised the public to hang up immediately on suspicious calls and report them to authorities.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Horner CEOS club held a meeting on September 17 where member Whitney Ballard presented an educational lesson on scams targeting senior citizens, explaining that seniors are vulnerable targets because scammers exploit their trust and seek access to bank accounts and personal information like Social Security numbers. Ballard advised attendees to remain alert, verify the identities of callers, monitor their grandchildren's whereabouts, and stay informed about scams circulating in their area.
nivervillecitizen.com
· 2025-12-07
Phone scams targeting Canadians have become increasingly prevalent, with the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reporting 15,941 fraud victims and $284 million in losses between January-June 2024. Common scams include phishing attempts, fake job offers via text, and spoofed calls impersonating legitimate companies like banks and airlines, often exploiting personal data obtained through data breaches. Experts emphasize that scammers target individuals across all demographics, including those who believe they are too savvy to fall victim, and stress the importance of organizations better protecting personal information to prevent these crimes.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-07
An 81-year-old Mayfield Heights resident lost $9,600 in a grandparent scam after receiving a call from someone posing as an attorney claiming his granddaughter was in jail following a car crash. The scammers used a black SUV courier to collect cash from his home and then called back demanding an additional $9,600, claiming a pregnant woman had miscarried. The victim discovered the fraud when he contacted family members and learned his granddaughter was safe.
stimson.org
· 2025-12-07
Southeast Asia faces a rapidly escalating scam epidemic, with 79% of adults exposed to scams in the past year and global scam losses exceeding $1 trillion annually, threatening the region's digital economy projected to reach $1 trillion in five years. Scammers are leveraging advanced technologies like AI, instant payments, and encrypted messaging to conduct sophisticated cross-border fraud schemes including fake job offers, romance scams, and investment fraud. The article recommends that governments, companies, and civil society organizations collaborate through strengthened institutions, cross-border data-sharing, regional working groups, and partnerships to combat this transnational criminal activity.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are creating fake e-commerce websites and phishing schemes targeting parents during seasonal shopping events like back-to-school, particularly exploiting demand for viral items such as Labubu dolls. Parents should watch for red flags including misspelled URLs, poor website design, unrealistic deals, and suspicious payment methods, and verify sites through HTTPS checks and customer reviews before purchasing. According to F-Secure's 2025 Scam Intelligence Report, U.S. scam rates doubled from 2024 to 2025, with digital natives being twice as vulnerable as seniors, as scammers increasingly use AI-powered and psychologically manipulative tactics.
acnnewswire.com
· 2025-12-07
The Global Anti-Scam Alliance released the 2025 Global State of Scams Report, surveying 46,000 adults across 42 countries and finding that 57% experienced a scam in the past year with 23% losing money. Shopping scams were most common (54% of victims), followed by investment and unexpected money scams (48% each), with South America, Africa, and Oceania experiencing the highest rates of financial losses. The report emphasizes that despite 73% of adults feeling confident in recognizing scams, awareness campaigns alone are insufficient, and stronger international collaboration, better prevention tools, and cross-sector accountability are needed to combat this growing global threat.
boston.gov
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are impersonating Boston City Health Benefits and Insurance (HBI) staff, using spoofed caller ID to contact employees and pressure them into revealing sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, and banking details. HBI will never request this information over the phone and legitimate contact only occurs through official letters, @boston.gov emails, or phone calls initiated by the employee themselves. To protect yourself, avoid relying on caller ID, never provide personal information unless you initiated contact, and verify any request by calling HBI directly at 617-635-4570.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams involve fraudsters creating fake online personas to build emotional connections with victims before requesting money, with the FBI reporting $3.5 billion in losses among users over 60 in 2023—a nearly five-fold increase from 2018. Red flags include refusing video chats, using minimal profile pictures, moving conversations to unregulated platforms, and mentioning financial troubles or requesting banking information. Victims can protect themselves by verifying identities through video chat, being cautious about personal information, avoiding money transfers to unknown accounts, and using social media and reverse image searches to authenticate potential matches.
thelogicalindian.com
· 2025-12-07
A 50-year-old MNC professional from Gurugram lost ₹73.42 lakh in a romance-scam investment fraud after meeting a woman on the dating app Bumble in August-September 2025, who convinced him to invest in a fake stock trading platform through emotional manipulation and fabricated profit screens shown via Telegram. The victim was blocked when attempting withdrawal and told to pay an additional release fee; Gurugram Cyber Police launched an investigation and warned the public that romance-driven financial scams are rising in urban India, with perpetrators using deepfake technology and social engineering tactics that make detection difficult. Experts advise verifying investment credentials
southgreynews.ca
· 2025-12-07
The Hanover Police Service is investigating a romance scam that defrauded a local resident of approximately $117,000 since 2021, with similar scams affecting many victims across Canada for hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. The scam typically involves perpetrators posing as romantic interests online who build emotional connections before requesting money under false pretenses such as medical emergencies or business investments. Police urge residents to report suspicious online interactions and remind the public that legitimate relationships should not involve secrecy or repeated financial requests.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
Bitdefender's October 2025 "They Wear Our Faces" campaign highlights a surge in AI-driven fraud targeting Americans, who reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024. The campaign exposes how scammers use deepfake technology, voice cloning, and personalized impersonation across email, SMS, and social media, with the U.S. receiving 37% of global spam between March-September 2025. Top threats include phishing impersonating Microsoft, Amazon, and Costco, along with increasingly sophisticated SMS scams and AI-powered deepfake videos promoting fake cryptocurrency investments.
fox47news.com
· 2025-12-07
Senior citizens and businesses are frequently targeted by cyber scammers through emails, text messages, and phone calls to steal personal data and passwords. A senior living facility in Jackson intervened in a gift card scam where a resident was about to spend hundreds of dollars and now educates residents on current scams through partnerships with state and national associations. Experts recommend protecting personal information by using password managers, enabling two-factor authentication, consulting trusted contacts about suspicious messages, and using pop-up blockers while browsing.
tampabay28.com
· 2025-12-07
Online and text message scams targeting seniors in Hillsborough County, Florida are increasing in frequency and sophistication, with common tactics including pop-up warnings that trick users into clicking malicious links, fake tech support calls that charge victims for non-existent repairs, and text messages impersonating toll collection agencies or job offers. Cybersecurity experts recommend avoiding clicking links from untrusted sources, refusing to share personal information, and creating strong, unique passphrases (16+ characters) for online accounts to protect against these evolving threats.
varindia.com
· 2025-12-07
Cybersecurity researchers identified Datzbro, an Android banking trojan that targets seniors through fake Facebook groups using AI-generated posts, directing victims to download a fraudulent "community" app that installs malware enabling full device remote control, data theft, keylogging, and banking credential harvesting. The campaign, first detected in August 2025, has affected users in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada, South Africa, and the UK, with indicators suggesting Chinese-speaking operators. Experts recommend seniors avoid installing apps from social links, enable platform protections against sideloading, and verify event organizers through trusted channels to prevent infection.
grandrapidsmn.com
· 2025-12-07
Minnesota Aging Pathways is hosting a free virtual presentation on November 12, 2025, from 10-11:30 a.m. to educate older adults on health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, including how to detect and report scams. The presentation, informed by the Senior Medicare Patrol federal program, addresses the rising trend of scammers targeting seniors and provides strategies for protecting personal information. Minnesota Aging Pathways, a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging, offers this educational opportunity to help older Minnesotans and caregivers stay safe from fraud.
longisland.news12.com
· 2025-12-07
A 74-year-old East Rockaway woman lost $117,000 in a tech support scam after receiving a computer warning message directing her to call a number, where scammers convinced her to withdraw cash from her bank for "safeguarding." Brooklyn resident Jinqin Jiang, 46, was arrested and charged with attempted grand larceny and resisting arrest in connection with the scheme, though he was subsequently transferred to ICE custody for being in the country illegally.
newsday.com
· 2025-12-07
A 74-year-old East Rockaway woman lost $117,000 in a computer fraud scam after receiving a deceptive message claiming her computer was compromised and being instructed to withdraw cash to "safeguard" her funds. Jinqin Jiang, 46, of Brooklyn, was arrested and charged with third-degree attempted grand larceny and resisting arrest; he was subsequently turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement after being identified as a Chinese national who entered the country illegally. Police are continuing to investigate and seek additional co-conspirators involved in the scam.
lilifepolitics.com
· 2025-12-07
A 74-year-old East Rockaway woman lost $117,000 in a tech support scam between October 1-3, 2024, after receiving a fraudulent computer warning message and being instructed to withdraw funds to "safeguard" her money. Brooklyn resident Jinqin Jiang, 46, was arrested and charged with Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Resisting Arrest; he was subsequently turned over to ICE for removal proceedings.
malaymail.com
· 2025-12-07
Employment scams have surged over 1,000% from May through July, with fraudsters using sophisticated tactics including fake job listings, impersonated recruiters, and AI-generated content to deceive job seekers. Nicole Becker, a 37-year-old from Oregon, fell victim to an elaborate two-week scam involving a fake sportswear company that requested she purchase equipment for reimbursement—a common tactic that cost victims an average of $1,471 per scam, totaling $12 billion in losses last year. The FTC warns that a tight labor market combined with generative AI has made these schemes harder to detect, particularly targeting vulnerable first-time
wiley.law
· 2025-12-07
The Aspen Institute Report identifies that American households lose over $1 billion weekly to various scams including imposter fraud, phishing, and cybersquatting, threatening economic security and consumer trust in digital systems. The report recommends a multi-sector approach involving government agencies, private industry, and nonprofits, with key recommendations including modernizing legal frameworks to clarify company fraud prevention duties, enhancing law enforcement collaboration with financial institutions, improving technological detection systems, establishing scam prevention as a national priority, and increasing public awareness through education campaigns.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about a phishing scam affecting people nationwide, with over 1,500 reports of callers claiming to represent loan companies and requesting personal information to defraud victims. The scam typically involves harassing voicemails from individuals claiming to be named Jessica or Evelyn, and victims can protect themselves by verifying company legitimacy, refusing to share information with unsolicited callers, and independently calling back companies using official phone numbers rather than numbers provided by the callers.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-07
New York State officials are warning residents about a surge in scams targeting people receiving tax refunds and rebate checks totaling billions of dollars this fall, including fake texts, calls, and emails impersonating state agencies. The state advises New Yorkers not to click links, call back suspicious contacts, or share personal information, and to report suspicious communications to 7726 (SPAM) or call the Consumer Protection help line at 1-800-697-1220. Officials emphasize that legitimate refund checks require no verification since amounts are pre-calculated from tax filings, so any requests to confirm personal details are red flags.
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-07
Chase Bank warns customers of escalating scams where fraudsters impersonate bank staff and law enforcement to pressure victims into withdrawing cash or transferring funds to fake "safe accounts" or couriers, with caller ID spoofing making these schemes increasingly convincing. Nearly half of Chase-reported scams originate on social media platforms through fake listings, phony job/rental offers, and romance schemes, with scammers exploiting irreversible payment methods like Zelle and wire transfers. Chase advises customers to verify callers independently, avoid sharing banking credentials, use secure payment channels, and report suspicious activity to the FTC and the bank immediately.
today.marquette.edu
· 2025-12-07
Marquette University Police Department issued a warning about online and phone scams targeting emails, calls, and text messages designed to steal personal information or money. The advisory provides prevention tips including: verifying suspicious contacts by calling organizations back using trusted numbers, not clicking email links, reporting phishing emails directly, and resetting passwords if compromised. Additional safeguards include spotting imposters, conducting online searches before trusting requests, not relying on caller ID, avoiding upfront payments, using secure payment methods, and consulting trusted contacts before sharing information or money.
kktv.com
· 2025-12-07
The Larimer County Sheriff's Office warned of scams in which fraudsters impersonated Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP employees to solicit personal information from residents under the guise of providing "priority assistance" during the government shutdown. The scammers contacted victims via phone calls and text messages, and authorities cautioned that legitimate government agencies do not initiate contact through these methods and that caller IDs can be easily spoofed. The sheriff's office advised residents to avoid sharing personal information with unsolicited callers and to never pay unknown individuals using cryptocurrency, gift cards, wire transfers, or money transfer apps.
saharareporters.com
· 2025-12-07
A sextortion network operating from Lagos, Nigeria targeted 16-year-old Evan Boettler from Missouri, using a fake female account to coerce him into sharing explicit images before blackmailing him; Evan died by suicide 90 minutes after receiving an extortion message. The investigation exposed "Yahoo Boys" operating sophisticated sextortion and romance scams from "Hustle Kingdoms" in Nigeria, deliberately targeting Western youth, though the case went unsolved when a telecom provider failed to retain digital evidence. Sextortion reports have more than doubled globally, with 55,000 cases reported in the U.S. in 2024 and 110 monthly reports in
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned of a growing Medicare scam targeting seniors in which scammers ship unsolicited durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, oxygen tanks) that were never prescribed by doctors, then attempt to bill patients or the state Medicare program for the expensive gear. The Attorney General's office advises seniors to regularly review Medicare claims, report unsolicited medical items, verify unfamiliar bills with their doctor before paying, protect personal information, and avoid providing details or making enrollment changes over the phone.
irvinetimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Eighty percent of people worry about older friends and family being scammed online, with concerns heightened by bank closures forcing over-65s to rely on digital services; a 74-year-old woman lost approximately £20,000 to a Bitcoin investment scam involving a deepfake video of a celebrity. Virgin Media O2 is launching free "scam school" sessions across the UK to help vulnerable people recognize and prevent fraud as part of Get Online Week awareness efforts.
marinij.com
· 2025-12-07
Fraud affects people of all ages, with younger adults actually reporting scams more frequently than older generations. The article presents a real case where a bank employee helped prevent a $125,000 wire transfer scam targeting an elderly client whose "niece" claimed to need money in Amsterdam—red flags included a misspelled name, wrong location, and no contact in over 10 years. The piece outlines seven common scam warning signs (pressure to act immediately, suspicious email addresses, requests for financial information, unexpected contact, unusual payment methods, overpayment refunds, and "too good to be true" offers) and recommends verifying information with trusted sources, reporting fraud to the FTC,
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Vandalia CEOS Club held an educational meeting where members learned about scams targeting seniors, including telephone, internet, financial, and homeowner scams, with discussion led by Helen McClain on identifying and avoiding these frauds. Club members shared personal experiences and fraud prevention tips during the session.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-07
A BBC investigation tracked a sextortion scammer operating from Lagos, Nigeria, who targeted 16-year-old Evan Boettler via a fake female profile on Snapchat in January 2024, extorting him for intimate images and leading to his suicide within 90 minutes of initial contact. Sextortion is one of the fastest-growing online crimes targeting teenagers in the US and Europe, with scammers—often part of organized "Hustle Kingdoms" or working independently—using fake profiles to solicit explicit images and then blackmail victims for money. The investigation revealed that many perpetrators are impoverished young men in Nigeria known as "Yahoo Boys" who operate
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-07
**Title:** As Medicare open enrollment starts, beware health care cons coming your way
During Medicare open enrollment periods (Oct. 15-Dec. 7 for Medicare; Nov. 1-Jan. 15 for Healthcare.gov), scammers make unsolicited calls and texts impersonating Medicare or healthcare brokers, pressuring callers to provide Social Security numbers and Medicare ID numbers under the guise of enrolling them in cheaper plans with better coverage. The article advises consumers to avoid unsolicited contacts, never share government-issued numbers with unknown callers, access plans only through official websites (Medicare.gov or Healthcare.gov), and report suspected fraud to
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers use fake social media ads and websites to sell holiday decorations at suspiciously low prices, but deliver either tiny, poorly-made versions of advertised items or nothing at all, making refunds and customer contact impossible. The BBB advises consumers to research unfamiliar sellers, verify contact information, be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and always use credit cards for online purchases to enable fraud disputes. One reported victim lost $55 after ordering large animated skeleton decorations only to receive 8-inch figurines with minimal functionality.