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wabi.tv
· 2025-12-01
# Holiday Scams Target Millions of Americans
Fraud has become a widespread problem affecting 89% of U.S. adults, with scammers increasingly targeting online shopping, digital payments, and charitable donations through sophisticated schemes like fake text messages, phony gift cards, and fraudulent social media ads. To protect yourself, experts recommend avoiding clicks on social media ads, researching charities through legitimate sites like give.org or charitynavigator.org before donating, and sticking with retailers you know and trust. For additional help, AARP offers free resources including a "Watchdog Alert" email or text service and a helpline at 877-908-3360 where trained volunteers can assist with reporting scams.
saltwire.com
· 2025-12-01
Charles Gillen, 25, defrauded over $130,000 from seniors in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, with three victims providing emotional impact statements describing trauma, sleepless nights, financial devastation, and lasting psychological harm. The victims, aged 74-87, lost their savings and spoke of feeling vulnerable, embarrassed, and anxious, with some unable to afford planned trips or recover from recent losses. Anyone suspicious of unsolicited contact offering financial opportunities or requests for personal information should verify the caller's identity through official channels and remember that legitimate organizations never pressure people into immediate decisions or ask for upfront payments.
grandrapidsmn.com
· 2025-12-01
# Fraud Prevention Presentation Offered
Minnesota Aging Pathways is hosting a free online presentation on January 14, 2026, to help people—particularly older adults—recognize and prevent fraud and scams, which are increasing in frequency. The presentation will cover how to detect fraud, report it, and protect personal information, drawing from the Senior Medicare Patrol's federal education program. Interested participants can register online at the provided Eventbrite link or by calling 800-333-2433 by the registration deadline.
kolotv.com
· 2025-11-30
Nevada experienced a significant surge in senior fraud reports, with a 52% year-over-year increase and seniors losing over $21 million in 2024 alone, making it one of the hardest-hit states alongside New Hampshire and Arizona. Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults through phishing emails and fake delivery schemes, particularly during holiday shopping seasons when seniors are shopping online more frequently. To stay safe, seniors should verify sender information before clicking links, shop only on secure websites, and be cautious of unexpected delivery notifications or requests for personal information.
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-11-30
Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador is warning residents about scams using fake jury duty notices sent via text, phone, and email to pressure people into paying fines or facing arrest—a scheme particularly targeting seniors. The scammers use spoofed caller IDs and official-looking documents to appear legitimate, but legitimate courts never demand payment through links or threaten arrest by phone. To protect yourself, ignore these messages, hang up immediately, and report suspected scams to ReportScamsIdaho.com rather than clicking any links or providing personal information.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-11-30
Cybercriminals in Bhopal are using terror-related threats to scam elderly people, falsely claiming their bank accounts funded terrorist attacks and demanding money to avoid legal consequences. The scam has already caused at least one suicide and defrauded several victims of significant sums, with incidents increasing rapidly over recent weeks. Authorities advise citizens—especially families with elderly members—to verify caller identities through official channels, report suspicious calls to police immediately, and educate older adults about these digital scams.
mychesco.com
· 2025-11-30
newsx.com
· 2025-11-30
# Digital Arrest Scam Summary
A 71-year-old retired man in Hyderabad lost nearly ₹2 crores (approximately $240,000) to scammers who posed as courier service and police officials, threatening him with legal action and "digital arrest" via video call. The fraudsters used psychological manipulation—including fake documents, threats of imprisonment, and isolation from family—to coerce the victim into transferring money in installments over several days. To protect yourself: never trust unsolicited calls about seized parcels or legal issues, verify any official claims directly with authorities using known phone numbers, and always consult family members before making large financial decisions, as scammers often demand secrecy.
newsnationnow.com
· 2025-11-30
"Pig butchering" scams—sophisticated fraud schemes run by international criminal networks primarily based in Malaysia and the Philippines—are targeting elderly people, entrepreneurs, and cryptocurrency investors by using social engineering to trick victims into sending money, cryptocurrency, or gift card codes. Experts have launched Operation Shamrock, a nonprofit dedicated to educating bankers and at-risk individuals about these billion-dollar scams that often involve trafficked workers forced to participate. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited contact urging you to invest or send money, verify requests through independent channels, and never send cryptocurrency or gift cards to unknown parties, especially if you're being pressured to act quickly.
marinij.com
· 2025-11-30
A San Rafael lending operation owner, David Robert Stone, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy with over $70 million in liabilities, but a creditor named Janet Simkins is suing to block the discharge, alleging Stone committed fraud and elder abuse by convincing her and her late husband to invest over $1 million in his business, including retirement funds. Multiple investigations are underway, including by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Securities and Exchange Commission, as other creditors have also been affected. Those considering investments with financial services companies should thoroughly verify credentials, avoid putting retirement funds into non-traditional investments, and consult with independent financial advisors before committing significant money.
tampafp.com
· 2025-11-30
Federal prosecutors charged 235 individuals along the Texas border in a coordinated enforcement operation from November 21-27, with the most alarming case involving a driver caught transporting 51 undocumented immigrants hidden in a refrigerated produce trailer at 55 degrees—creating dangerous conditions with limited escape routes. The charges include 146 felony reentry cases (many involving prior criminal records), 70 illegal entry cases, and 17 human smuggling cases, targeting both smuggling networks and individuals with histories of serious crimes attempting to re-enter the country. Anyone who suspects human trafficking or smuggling should contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) or local law enforcement immediately, as these operations often endanger lives.
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FOX 32 Chicago
· 2025-10-14
The FTC warns of increasingly sophisticated scams targeting older Americans, with criminals impersonating officials like IRS agents and stealing thousands via phone calls and online fraud. In response, AARP launched a program called Senior Planet to teach seniors how to recognize red flags and avoid scams, exemplified by one case where a victim lost over $2,500 in gift cards to a grandparent impersonation scam.
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KGW News
· 2025-10-10
Oregon is experiencing a growing crisis affecting its expanding senior population, with scams and housing insecurity among the pressing issues. AARP estimates that within five years, one in five Oregonians will be 65 or older, and seniors already outnumber those 18 and younger in the state. The discussion highlights how many elders are overlooked, isolated, and in need of community support and solutions to help them thrive safely.
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Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5)
· 2025-10-06
This podcast segment from "On Your Side" features hosts Gary Harper and Susan Campbell discussing the evolving nature of scams targeting vulnerable populations. The hosts highlight how scams have become increasingly sophisticated and believable over time, using technology to deceive victims—exemplified by Susan's personal anecdote about her grandmother falling for a classic Microsoft pop-up scam that prompted her to call a fraudulent number and potentially compromise her financial accounts. The hosts emphasize that scams are becoming more prevalent and convincing, affecting even intelligent and vigilant people, and stress the importance of family awareness and intervention to protect loved ones from fraud.
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Yahoo Finance
· 2025-10-04
An educational alert reports that 73% of US adults have experienced online scams, with reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in 2024 according to FTC data. The article highlights common scam types, including dating scams where fraudsters pose as romantic interests and trick victims into clicking malicious "verification" links that capture payment information and enroll them in unauthorized recurring billing services.
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FOX31 Denver
· 2025-10-03
During a federal government shutdown, scammers rapidly launched imposter schemes targeting vulnerable populations relying on Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits, exploiting public confusion and fear about the shutdown's impact. Law enforcement monitored these scams, which originated from both domestic and overseas sources, as perpetrators capitalized on uncertainty about government services and benefits.
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ABC News
· 2025-09-25
A 91-year-old woman named Shirley Morrow lost $9,000 in a "grandparent scam" after receiving a phone call from someone posing as her grandson, claiming he was in jail following a car accident and needed bail money. The scam involves fraudsters impersonating a grandchild in distress and requesting immediate payment, with tens of thousands of cases reported nationwide targeting senior citizens. Scammers use voice mimicking technology and social engineering tactics to convince victims to withdraw cash before they realize they've been deceived.
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ABC News
· 2025-09-25
**Grandparent Scam - Voice Technology Fraud**
Scammers are using advanced voice technology to impersonate grandchildren in what the FBI identifies as an escalating problem targeting older adults. A 91-year-old victim (Shirley Morrow) was convinced by a call mimicking her grandson's voice that he was in legal trouble and needed $9,000; older adults collectively lost $4.9 billion to these scams, which typically involve fraudsters posing as family members in supposed emergencies to pressure immediate payment.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2025-09-22
Congressman Warren Davidson emphasizes that elder fraud represents a pressing threat to American families and calls for stronger legal protections against these schemes, which he characterizes as particularly deceptive and now operating as global enterprises. He advocates for bipartisan action to address the issue and references the Guard Act as an example of bipartisan legislation designed to better protect seniors from financial fraud.
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CHEK Media
· 2025-09-20
Scammers are increasingly targeting seniors with medical fraud using deepfake technology and artificial intelligence to create convincing but fake advertisements. One notable scam used deepfaked videos of a CBC journalist and doctor endorsing a supplement claiming to cure type 2 diabetes in 14 days, exploiting seniors' trust in recognized media figures and medical professionals.
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13WHAM ABC News
· 2025-09-18
Thirty-five-year-old Esther Marie Jones of Rochester appeared in federal court as one of eight suspects accused of running fraud schemes targeting dozens of senior citizens in Western New York. According to the criminal complaint, Jones was found in possession of 31 fraudulent identification cards, 4 stolen social security cards, and 65 fraudulent bank cards, which she allegedly used to steal money from seniors and open businesses under their identities. A fraud prevention expert noted that elder fraud victims often suffer devastating consequences, as seniors who lose their life savings lack the financial resources to recover, unlike younger fraud victims.
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WSLS 10
· 2025-09-18
Virginia ranks 11th nationally for elder fraud losses, with nearly 4,000 complaints from residents 60 and older in 2024 resulting in over $16.6 million in losses. Scammers target seniors on fixed incomes through online schemes, including convincing phishing attempts like fake tech support calls. Experts emphasize the importance of online safety awareness to protect vulnerable older adults from fraud.
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13WHAM ABC News
· 2025-09-17
Eight suspects were charged federally for operating fraud schemes targeting over 139 senior citizens across Western New York, resulting in approximately $11 million in losses. The schemes employed multiple tactics including romance scams, account hacking, and identity theft, and were dismantled by a newly formed Department of Justice task force based in Rochester.
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WENY TV NEWS
· 2025-09-11
The New York Attorney General warned seniors about the "Phantom Hacker" scam, a three-phase fraud in which victims receive unsolicited contact claiming their bank account has been hacked, are tricked into downloading remote-access software, and then receive follow-up calls from scammers posing as their bank or government officials to convince them their funds are compromised. Since last year, over $1 billion has been stolen nationwide from people near or in retirement through such schemes, and authorities advise seniors to avoid clicking unsolicited links, never grant remote computer access, and call their bank directly using a known number if they receive fraud alerts.
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NBC4 Columbus
· 2025-09-10
The third annual Senior Tech Conference in Ohio educated over 400 people age 55+ on recognizing online scams and fraud, addressing a 22% increase in senior scam complaints from 2023 to 2024 (over 300 complaints filed). Sessions covered online banking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and notably deepfake technology used to impersonate grandchildren and loved ones targeting vulnerable seniors.
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WUSA9
· 2025-09-08
DC's Attorney General filed a lawsuit against a major Bitcoin ATM operator after finding that 93% of deposits at these machines were linked to fraud, with victims having a median age of 71 and median losses of $8,000. The scam typically begins with a phone call from someone impersonating a bank, government official, or trusted company, who convinces seniors to deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs under false pretenses such as protecting their funds or assisting with a government investigation. Red flags include high-pressure tactics and artificial urgency in these calls.
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Atlanta News First
· 2025-09-06
Fulton County launched a free online training program called "Avoid Cyber Threats" to help seniors recognize and avoid digital scams, following FBI data showing seniors suffered approximately $5 billion in financial losses last year. The program was created in response to the vulnerability of older adults to cyber fraud, illustrated by a resident's experience losing $2,000 to a phishing scam, and addresses the fact that Georgia ranks seventh nationally for internet crime losses.
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Local 3 News
· 2025-09-05
Elder law attorney Nancy Cogar discusses the prevalence of scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals who tend to have more accumulated wealth. While scams are primarily aimed at seniors, Cogar notes that younger people are also targeted through schemes like fraudulent job recruitment emails, emphasizing that the key warning sign is offers that seem too good to be true.
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ABC10
· 2025-09-04
California seniors lost $1.7 billion to fraud in 2024, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through digital devices using evolving tactics like spoofing and gift card scams. Experts from AARP and Chase Bank conducted educational workshops in Sacramento to help seniors recognize common scams and protect their identities, emphasizing that awareness and vigilance are key to prevention.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-09-02
According to a new report, Indiana ranks second in the nation for senior fraud rates, with fraudulent scams against seniors increasing 240% over the last three years—the highest increase in the country. The article highlights a recent case in Parke County where a woman and accomplice nearly defrauded an 80-year-old man out of over $100,000 through a hacking scam, but the victim became suspicious and reported it to authorities, leading to the suspect's arrest.
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KJRH -TV | Tulsa | Channel 2
· 2025-09-02
The "phantom hacker" scam, which has stolen over $1 billion from seniors, uses a three-part scheme: fraudsters impersonating bank support alert victims to suspicious account activity, then fake government officials offer to help protect the money, and finally scammers gain remote computer access by claiming someone is stealing funds, allowing them to drain accounts while instructing victims to tell no one, especially their bank. Key warning signs include urgent threats and demands for secrecy.
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10 Tampa Bay News
· 2025-09-02
A 70-year-old former police officer and firefighter from Port Richie, Florida lost $47,000 in an AI-generated romance scam after developing an online relationship with a woman named "Bonnie" who claimed to need money for an overseas job. The scammer, traced to Nigeria, used AI-generated images and extracted funds through wire transfers and Bitcoin before the victim discovered the deception. The victim now faces an additional $22,000 debt demand from his bank and warns others about the dangers of romance scams, particularly for lonely individuals seeking connection.
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KTVQ News
· 2025-09-01
An 85-year-old woman in Yellowstone County, Montana was defrauded of $130,000 in a PayPal scam where fraudsters convinced her they had used their own money to secure an account for her and she needed to repay them. The scammers used isolation tactics, telling her not to tell anyone and that they were the only ones she could trust, while claiming her accounts had been hacked and they were trying to help recover her money. This case exemplifies the growing wave of elder fraud scams affecting Montana and the country, with the victim facing potential homelessness after losing her life savings.
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WSOCTV9
· 2025-08-28
This educational piece from WSOC-TV features attorney Jason Stujeni's advice on how to discuss scam awareness with aging parents. He recommends teaching seniors to recognize red flags—including poor spelling, requests for unusual payment methods (gift cards, wire transfers), emotional manipulation, unsolicited contact from those claiming to represent banks or government agencies, and AI-enabled grandchild impersonation scams—and to avoid answering unknown contacts, clicking unfamiliar links, or sharing personal information with strangers.
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KCRA 3
· 2025-08-28
A Sacramento woman lost $28,000 of her life savings in a sophisticated scam that began with a fraudulent PayPal email. After calling what she believed was PayPal customer service, a scammer convinced her that her identity had been used to open 22 accounts linked to money laundering, then pressured her to withdraw cash and hand it to someone posing as a Social Security official. Thompson's surveillance camera captured her handing over the box of cash, and she is now sharing her story as a warning to other seniors, while Sacramento police investigate the case.
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CBS News Sacramento
· 2025-08-27
A 74-year-old Sacramento woman lost her entire life savings of $28,000 to an elder fraud scam in which a scammer impersonated a PayPal employee via email and WhatsApp, claiming she was a victim of fraud and using scare tactics about money laundering to convince her to withdraw cash from two banks. One of two perpetrators then came to her home to collect the wrapped cash, and Sacramento County's grand jury noted insufficient investigation of such crimes.
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FOX23 News Tulsa
· 2025-08-27
Scammers are using AI voice cloning technology to impersonate loved ones in "vishing" (voice phishing) schemes that target families with emergency-based fraud calls. With as little as 15 seconds of audio, attackers can create a convincing voice clone and spoof the caller's phone number to pressure victims—particularly elderly targets—into sending money by claiming a loved one is hurt or needs immediate help.
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8 News Now — Las Vegas
· 2025-08-26
In 2024, older Americans ages 60 and up lost $12.5 billion to scams and fraud—a 25% increase from 2023—with impostor scams being the most common type, where criminals impersonate government officials or companies like Amazon and PayPal. Las Vegas seniors including Bernardet Bartal reported falling victim to multiple schemes involving fake checks, fraudulent car repairs, and housing scams, losing thousands of dollars with little recovery. According to AARP, seniors face relentless daily contact from scammers through phone calls, texts, and emails attempting to extract personal information and money.
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News 4 Tucson KVOA-TV
· 2025-08-26
The Arizona Attorney General filed a lawsuit against Edward Albarasin and Gretchen Zamyan and over 50 of their businesses (operating under names like Hands with Hope) for running a real estate scam targeting elderly Arizona homeowners. The defendants allegedly deceived senior citizens, including at least five individuals with physical or mental impairments, into signing over their property deeds through lies and fraudulent notarizations. The Attorney General is seeking restitution and a permanent ban on the defendants' future real estate dealings.
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KSBY News
· 2025-08-23
The California Franchise Tax Board is warning taxpayers about scams involving fraudulent text messages impersonating the FTB, which direct recipients to fake websites designed to steal personal and banking information. Officials advise recipients not to respond to suspicious communications claiming to be from the FTB or IRS, and instead contact the agencies directly to verify any claims.
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CNY Central
· 2025-08-20
Federal authorities arrested 13 people involved in a transnational grandparent scam that defrauded at least 400 elderly victims nationwide of approximately $5 million, with funds funneled to the Dominican Republic. Scammers called victims from call centers in the Dominican Republic, impersonating grandchildren in distress and requesting urgent wire transfers, sometimes using ride-share drivers to collect cash in person. An elderly couple from Cayuga County, New York, was among the victims, losing nearly $25,000 to the scheme.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-08-19
Imposter scammers are increasingly targeting seniors' life savings, with the number of older Americans reporting losses exceeding $100,000 increasing nearly sevenfold since 2020, according to FTC data. Scammers impersonating businesses and government agencies use three common tactics to create urgency and fear: claiming unauthorized account use, identity theft, or computer security problems, then instructing victims to move money to accounts they control under the guise of protection. The FTC advises never transferring money at a stranger's direction and instead hanging up and contacting trusted contacts or the agency directly to verify claims.
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NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-08-14
An 86-year-old South Philadelphia woman was defrauded of $6,000 after receiving a call from scammers using AI-generated voice technology to impersonate her granddaughter claiming to be in a car accident and detained by police. A fake lawyer then demanded $10,400 to secure the granddaughter's release, settling for the $6,000 in cash the victim had available. The incident highlights how scammers exploit family emergencies and new technology to manipulate elderly victims into sending money quickly without verification.
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WCBD NEWS 2
· 2025-08-13
The Charleston Police Department is warning elderly residents about a series of phone scams in which criminals manipulate seniors into sending money, with some victims losing up to $10,000. The scammers create false urgency by claiming a loved one needs bail money or that a warrant has been issued for the victim's arrest. CPD advises recipients of suspicious calls to hang up immediately and never provide personal or financial information over the phone.
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Western Mass News
· 2025-08-13
Thirteen individuals have been charged for operating a transnational elder fraud scheme centered at a call center in the Dominican Republic that defrauded over 400 U.S. seniors of more than $5 million. The perpetrators used fake emergency scripts claiming victims' loved ones needed money, sometimes orchestrating ride-share drivers to transport elderly victims to banks for additional withdrawals, before laundering funds back to the Dominican Republic. Nine suspects are in custody while four remain at large; all face multiple fraud charges.
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WCVB Channel 5 Boston
· 2025-08-12
Thirteen members of a transnational elder fraud ring operating from a call center in the Dominican Republic were charged, with nine arrested and four still at large. The sophisticated operation targeted more than 400 victims, including at least 50 in Massachusetts, using the "grandchild in trouble" scam and even arranging Uber rides to banks to collect cash from seniors. Many victims lost their life savings and suffered lasting emotional trauma, with full financial recovery unlikely as authorities work to seize assets.
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KPBS Public Media
· 2025-08-11
An 86-year-old San Diego senior named Bob Duff was targeted by a romance scam when someone posing as a 37-year-old South Korean woman named Kalista initiated contact via text, built rapport over two days on the messaging app Telegram, and attempted to establish an emotional connection. The incident illustrates how tech-savvy scammers are increasingly targeting San Diego seniors by exploiting loneliness and using social engineering tactics on digital platforms.
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WSYX ABC 6
· 2025-08-09
Investment scams cost Americans over $5 billion last year, with the Ohio Department of Commerce warning of increased fraud targeting vulnerable populations. Scammers exploit emotions like fear of missing out, loneliness, and guilt to manipulate victims—particularly seniors—into wiring money or sending checks for fake investment opportunities, often initiated through unsolicited text messages or social media contact.
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A Current Affair
· 2025-08-07
A 74-year-old woman named Bridget fell victim to a "letterbox scam" in May after seeing a fake "hacked" warning on her computer and calling a fraudulent support number. A scammer posing as "Peter" convinced her over hours of phone calls that her bank cards were compromised and persuaded her to place them in an envelope—an elaborate social engineering scheme that exploited her trust. The suspects remained at large as this marked a new variation of cyber fraud, with such crimes being reported every six minutes.
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BBC News
· 2025-08-02
This BBC documentary exposes multi-million pound whiskey investment scams targeting investors in Scotland's unregulated whiskey trade. Criminals deceive investors into purchasing worthless assets (such as picture frames instead of actual whiskey), with victims losing between £47,000 and over £300,000 each. The investigation tracks perpetrators exploiting the industry's lack of regulation while investors are left financially devastated with no recourse.