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wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans receive approximately 50 billion nuisance and scam calls annually, with scammers responsible for roughly 30 billion of those calls and text messages. The article provides seven key ways to identify scam calls and texts, including checking the official organization's website, understanding what legitimate organizations will and won't do (such as the IRS never calling without sending a letter first), and recognizing common scam characteristics like pressure to act quickly and requests for personal information. While robocalls have declined somewhat since the TRACED Act gave regulators new enforcement tools, individuals remain primarily responsible for protecting themselves from these increasingly common scams.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has issued a nationwide warning about a surge in phone scams where fraudsters spoof official FBI numbers and impersonate federal agents, threatening victims with imminent arrest to pressure them into sending money via prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Scammers have expanded tactics to also impersonate bank investigators, charity workers, and court officials demanding payment, often instructing victims to stay silent and threatening legal consequences if personal information like Social Security numbers is not shared. The FBI advises hanging up immediately on suspicious calls, never sharing personal or financial details, and reporting scams at ic3.gov.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Shoppers are being defrauded by China-based e-commerce websites that impersonate legitimate UK fashion retailers, using AI-generated owner personas, fake Trustpilot reviews, and misleading product descriptions to sell poor-quality items at inflated prices. Customers receive goods weeks late in vastly inferior condition to advertised, and face prohibitively expensive return shipping to warehouses in China's Zhejiang province with no guarantee of refunds. Trading standards and UK authorities have received increasing complaints about these scams, which continue operating on social media platforms despite potential legal violations under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act.
rismedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam has targeted at least 40 real estate professionals, where fraudsters pose as wealthy cash buyers, build trust with agents, and gradually convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms that appear legitimate before disappearing with their money, often including victims' retirement accounts. The U.S. Secret Service warns that these scams, which originated in China around 2016, are likely to increase and recommends victims report incidents to the FBI's IC3.gov within 72 hours for the best chance of asset recovery.
theprint.in
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old man in New Delhi lost Rs 20 lakh (half his life savings) to a cybercrime scheme involving unauthorized bank transfers and fixed deposit withdrawals, forcing his family to postpone a wedding. The incident reflects a broader crisis: cybercrimes targeting elderly Indians increased 86% from 2020 to 2022, with criminals exploiting seniors' digital illiteracy through fraudulent calls, links, and "digital arrest" schemes. In response, police departments and NGOs across India—including Kolkata Police, Bengaluru Police, and HelpAge India—have launched awareness campaigns and digital literacy workshops to educate seniors on cybersecurity an
nationalmortgagenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are increasingly targeted by fraudsters exploiting record levels of home equity wealth and the rise of online lending through nonbanks. Common fraud schemes include identity theft by caretakers or relatives of elderly homeowners, false occupancy claims, forged checks, account takeovers with address changes, and borrowers taking out multiple HELOCs on the same property before absconding. Lenders should monitor for suspicious activity such as contact information changes followed by draw requests, and strengthen verification processes, particularly in online lending channels where borrowers lack existing relationships with the institution.
bankrate.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common annuity scams and reporting options for victims. It describes four prevalent fraud types: churning (agents convincing clients to repeatedly switch annuities for commissions), unsuitable sales (pushing products that don't meet client needs), fake credentials (misleading titles without legitimate qualifications), and false claims/high-pressure seminars. The article provides real examples including a 2023 SEC case where advisor Jeffrey Cutter earned $9 million in undisclosed commissions through churning, and a FINRA case resulting in $7.3 million in damages after an advisor steered a nonprofit foundation into $47 million in high-cost variable annuities.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services and Department of Aging marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June 2025, highlighting that local agencies receive over 100 adult protective services referrals daily and that one in 10 seniors nationally experience some form of elder abuse. The state provided information on recognizing warning signs of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse as well as financial exploitation and neglect, with resources including an awareness campaign and a hotline (1-855-OHIO-APS) for reporting suspected abuse.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission estimated criminals stole $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023, with financial abuse coming from both known perpetrators like family members and strangers carrying out scams. To prevent elder financial exploitation, AARP recommends adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, freezing credit to prevent unauthorized accounts, and using robocall and text message blockers to reduce exposure to phone-based scams. Victims should report scams to local law enforcement or contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908-3360.
wosu.org
· 2025-12-08
Ohio seniors filed 302 scam and fraud complaints to the Division of Securities in 2024, a 22% increase from 2023, with the state experiencing over $64 million in elder fraud losses in 2023 alone. The most prevalent scam targeting older Ohioans is the romance scam, where international criminals use dating apps to build relationships and eventually persuade victims to invest in cryptocurrency by liquidating retirement accounts or refinancing homes, with funds directed to fictitious platforms. Investigators urge seniors to report suspicious propositions to trusted contacts, verify financial institution communications independently, and report suspected fraud to local police and the Ohio Division of Securities.
manxradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Isle of Man Cyber Security Centre reported a surge in digital fraud from March to April, including over 700 suspicious emails, advance fee scams, phishing attempts, and impersonation schemes targeting residents and businesses through fake websites and social media accounts. Notable cases included a romance scam that escalated to sextortion (£1,500 + £4,000 demanded), deepfake videos impersonating politicians promoting cryptocurrency fraud, business invoice fraud costing £9,000, and marketplace scams resulting in losses ranging from £850 to £965. The Centre advised residents to verify financial claims through official sources and businesses to rely on their own websites rather than social media platforms where impersonation
bitcoinke.io
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old woman and her 22-year-old brother in Lagos were arrested for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that resulted in the theft of three iPhones and $10,000 worth of bitcoin from the victim, with authorities recovering $4,300 in cash and still pursuing additional accomplices. The case exemplifies a growing trend of romance-based cryptocurrency scams in Nigeria and globally, where perpetrators exploit emotional trust to steal digital assets that are difficult to trace and reverse. The article emphasizes that cryptocurrency's anonymity, speed, and lack of traceability make it an attractive tool for fraudsters, and recommends victims avoid sharing crypto wallet information, resist emotional pressure to sen
news.ltn.com.tw
· 2025-12-08
Taiwan's Criminal Investigation Bureau reported a sharp rise in romance scams, with nearly 1,000 cases and over NT$260 million (US$8.68 million) in losses in May 2025. Two cases illustrate common tactics: a man lost NT$80,000 after being tricked into paying "verification fees" to meet an online woman, and a woman transferred NT$293,500 to someone posing as a military doctor who claimed to need money for his son's medical emergency. The bureau warned that requests for money from online romantic interests are definitive signs of scams and urged people to avoid downloading investment apps or believing promises of quick profits from strangers.
wyso.org
· 2025-12-08
Ohio seniors reported 302 scam and fraud complaints to the Division of Securities in 2024, a 22% increase from 2023, with the state experiencing over $64 million in losses according to FBI data. Romance scams targeting older adults have grown significantly, with perpetrators using dating apps to build relationships before convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency by liquidating retirement accounts or refinancing homes, with funds directed to fraudulent exchanges. Investigators advise seniors to verify any claims about compromised accounts directly with financial institutions, avoid secrecy in relationships, and report suspected fraud to local police and the Ohio Division of Securities at 614-644-7381.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Internet romance scams are surging in Taiwan, with nearly 1,000 reported cases and over NT$260 million (US$8.68 million) in losses in one month. Victims are typically manipulated by scammers posing as romantic interests who eventually request money for "verification fees," loans, or investments under false pretenses, as exemplified by cases where victims lost NT$80,000 and NT$293,500 respectively. The Criminal Investigation Bureau advises that any request for money from online romantic contacts is a definitive sign of fraud and recommends victims contact anti-fraud hotlines immediately.
cdotrends.com
· 2025-12-08
This Q2 phishing report details three major scam tactics exploiting human trust: fraudsters created deepfake images and false reports about Pope Francis on social media, directing victims to malicious websites that steal personal and financial data; device code hijacking tricks users into authenticating attacker access to accounts through seemingly legitimate service requests; and smishing attacks impersonate government agencies and financial institutions via text messages with official branding to harvest personal information. The report recommends confirming news and payment requests through official channels, avoiding sensationalized social media posts, using URL filtering, and keeping systems updated to prevent these attacks.
lufkindailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are warning of an imposter scam in which fraudsters claim to be law enforcement officials and threaten victims with arrest for alleged identity theft, jury duty violations, or false crimes, then demand payment via Bitcoin or other electronic transfers. Scammers use sophisticated tactics including spoofed government phone numbers, real law enforcement names and badge numbers, personal identifying information, and fake court documents to appear credible, often instructing victims to transfer 80% of their assets while staying on the phone. Texas residents have reported losses ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars in these scams, and victims are urged to report incidents to their local FBI office and the Federal Trade
woay.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses three increasingly sophisticated scams enabled by AI and technology: "accidental text" phishing messages designed to validate phone numbers for future targeting, fraudulent QR codes placed in public locations to steal personal information, and SIM swapping where thieves redirect a victim's phone number to access their accounts. The article recommends avoiding responses to unsolicited texts, verifying QR code sources before scanning, and setting up PIN codes with phone providers to prevent unauthorized number transfers.
ksjd.org
· 2025-12-08
Immigration attorneys in Colorado's Roaring Fork Valley are warning of a surge in scams and extortion targeting immigrants, exacerbated by increased federal immigration enforcement and the climate of fear surrounding it. Scammers are impersonating attorneys, immigration agents, and consular officers to extort money through blackmail, false promises of expedited visas or green cards, fake documents, and exploiting language barriers—with victims reporting losses of $20,000 or more. Officials advise that legitimate immigration processes only occur through government websites like uscis.gov, never through social media, personal email, or wire transfers to individuals.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. adults experienced an 86% year-over-year surge in phone, email, and text scams, with 82% of Americans receiving at least one scam text weekly and over half receiving three or more per week. The most common text scams involve urgent money demands (toll fees, citations, overdue bills), and U.S. consumers reported $470 million in losses to text scams in the prior year. To reduce exposure, experts recommend avoiding sharing phone numbers online when possible, reporting scam texts as spam, blocking suspicious numbers immediately, and avoiding engagement with unknown messages, as responding confirms an active number to scammers.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $470 million to text scams in 2024, with fraudsters increasingly impersonating banks and credit unions using convincing messaging to trick victims. Experts recommend being skeptical of all unsolicited communications and instead calling your bank directly using the number on your physical card, checking online banking portals independently, or visiting your financial institution in person to verify any suspicious activity before responding to texts or emails.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
Teresa Rogg, a 74-year-old Massachusetts resident, lost approximately $140,000 from her retirement account after falling victim to an evolving "phantom hacker" scam that began with a fake security pop-up and escalated to in-person cash pickups over two months. The scammers convinced her that suspicious activity had been detected on her accounts and instructed her to withdraw cash and hand it to couriers using code words, while also sending fraudulent letters impersonating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Tech support scams in Massachusetts have surged dramatically, with reported losses increasing from $1.2 million in 2019 to over $50 million in the most
thecity.nyc
· 2025-12-08
An asylum seeker from Honduras was defrauded by scammers posing as immigration lawyers who conducted fake court hearings and ICE check-ins over six months, collecting $3,500 in fees while instructing him to avoid his real immigration court date. The elaborate scheme, which included deepfake-like video calls with fake judges and USCIS officers, resulted in N. being ordered deported in absentia after missing his actual hearing. Immigration-related scams targeting vulnerable immigrants on social media have surged 27% in New York City alone, with advocates noting the true number is likely much higher due to language barriers and underreporting.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2025-12-08
Five men from China, the United States, and Turkey pleaded guilty to operating an international cryptocurrency investment scam ring that stole nearly $37 million from U.S. victims through fake digital asset schemes conducted from Cambodia. The perpetrators contacted victims via social media, dating services, and phone calls, falsely claiming their investments were growing while actually stealing their funds and laundering the money through shell companies, international bank accounts, and cryptocurrency conversions in the Bahamas. Eight co-conspirators have pleaded guilty so far, with charges carrying maximum penalties of 20 years for money laundering conspiracy.
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes held a town hall in Douglas to educate residents about scams targeting elders, including voice cloning and romance scams increasingly found on social media. Arizona had the highest elder fraud rate in the nation at nearly 300 cases per 100,000 seniors in 2023, with authorities recovering only $5 million of over $300 million in losses during 2024. The discussion emphasized the importance of public education and contacting local law enforcement to verify suspicious communications as protective measures.
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes held a town hall meeting in Douglas to educate seniors about common scams, including voice cloning and romance scams on social media platforms. Arizona experienced nearly 300 elder fraud cases per 100,000 seniors in 2023—the highest rate in the nation—though the attorney general's office recovered $5 million in 2024 out of over $300 million in losses. The event emphasized the importance of contacting local law enforcement for verification and staying informed about fraud tactics targeting older adults.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office co-hosted the 3rd Annual Walk for Awareness in Charlotte, North Carolina on June 11, 2025, ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, to raise awareness about financial, physical, and emotional abuse affecting seniors. According to the FBI's 2024 Internet Crimes Report, adults over 60 suffered $4.8 billion in financial losses and filed 147,127 complaints, with investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and government impersonation being the most common schemes. The U.S. Attorney's Office has prosecuted multiple elder fraud cases involving millions of dollars and continues partnering with community organizations to
bocaratontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans over 60 reported a 46% increase in financial scams compared to 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $4.8 billion, with nearly 12,000 victims in Florida alone. Common schemes include phone and mail scams, Medicare fraud, internet scams, and power-of-attorney abuse. The article provides prevention strategies including learning to identify common scams, understanding IRS communication practices, registering on Do Not Call lists, seeking reputable financial services, and reporting suspected fraud to consumer protection agencies.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 60 and older lost $4.8 billion to online scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with an average loss of $83,000 per victim, according to FBI data cited by Paducah-based cybersecurity firm SOMA Cyber Inc. Investment scams were the costliest fraud type, taking nearly $2 billion from this age group, while romance scams and tech support impersonation schemes also caused significant losses. SOMA Cyber is launching awareness workshops and recommends seniors verify unexpected financial requests independently, use strong password practices, enable two-factor authentication, and immediately contact their bank if victimized.
americascreditunions.org
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old executor embezzled $3.7 million from his 92-year-old dementia patient by systematically draining her accounts through withdrawals, checks, and credit-card charges, then spent the funds on luxuries, leaving her estate virtually depleted. The case exemplifies a growing crisis: older Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams and fraud in 2024 (a 25% increase from 2023), with common exploitation methods including property theft, fraudulent power-of-attorney misuse, romance scams, and grandparent imposter schemes. Financial institutions are responding by training staff to recognize red flags—such as
kgun9.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes conducted an educational tour across the state, including Douglas, to raise awareness about elder fraud targeting seniors as Arizona's population ages. In 2023, Arizona experienced 289 elder fraud cases per 100,000 seniors, with one in 10 older adults becoming victims of abuse or exploitation; Mayes highlighted that AI-enabled voice cloning is making scams more convincing, as exemplified by an attendee who nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam claiming her daughter needed emergency funds. The Attorney General emphasized that seniors are targeted because they typically have savings and encouraged reporting fraud to her office for assistance.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
State Departments of Transportation in Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin issued warnings about phishing text scams impersonating state agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, with threats of legal action. The scams have already targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, and are becoming more sophisticated by using fear tactics to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. State agencies advise recipients to ignore urgency demands, avoid clicking links or sharing information, block senders, and report scams to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.
corporate.vanguard.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, driven by increasingly sophisticated "crossover scams" that combine multiple fraud techniques over extended periods. These scams employ social engineering, impersonation of trusted entities (banks, government agencies), and multi-channel contact methods to manipulate victims into transferring funds through untraceable means, with common variations including tech support/account security scams and fake investment schemes with emotional manipulation. Beyond financial losses, victims experience significant emotional and psychological harm, including depression, relationship problems, and diminished financial confidence.
wbbjtv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns of a scam on TikTok and other social media platforms where users are solicited to donate money through emotionally manipulative videos that are often AI-generated or use stolen content. Victims lose money when donations do not reach legitimate organizations or when fraudulent influencers fail to deliver promised merchandise. The BBB recommends only donating to organizations you know and trust, researching companies before giving, and contacting local providers directly to verify legitimacy.
ohio.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Ohio are sending fraudulent text messages impersonating state agencies, including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, Ohio Turnpike, and Department of Taxation. Ohio residents are advised that legitimate state agencies never contact citizens via unsolicited text messages and should report suspected scams to the Ohio Attorney General's Office.
wlwt.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles warned residents of a phishing text scam in which scammers impersonate the BMV and claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets, demanding immediate payment to avoid license suspension. The scam, reported by drivers nationwide, is designed to steal personal or financial information, and the BMV emphasized it never sends text messages demanding payment or requesting personal data. Victims are advised to report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission and contact local law enforcement if they believe they've been compromised.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Reporting scams to both authorities and platforms is essential for preventing future victims and enabling law enforcement to apprehend criminals. The U.S., Canada, and U.K. have dedicated reporting centers (FBI's IC3, Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and Action Fraud respectively), and victims should also notify local police, financial institutions, and credit bureaus to freeze accounts and reverse charges. Additionally, reporting scam accounts directly on social media platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and X through built-in reporting tools helps remove fraudulent accounts and prevent further exploitation.
news.uthsc.edu
· 2025-12-08
Smishing—fraudulent text messages—is increasing as criminals use SMS to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. The article illustrates a common example where someone received a fake Tennessee DMV text claiming an unpaid traffic ticket with a 24-hour payment deadline and threatened license suspension. The key red flags include artificial urgency, unofficial sender information, and the fact that government agencies contact citizens through official mail, not text messages; protection involves verifying sources, avoiding suspicious links, blocking numbers, and reporting incidents to carriers.
sjcda.org
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams in San Joaquin County have escalated to include in-person cash collection at victims' homes, with scammers impersonating grandchildren in distress and sometimes posing as lawyers. To protect yourself, resist pressure to pay, verify the caller's identity through independent contact with family members, never share personal information or cash with unsolicited callers, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and social engineering tactics to defraud people online, but victims can limit damage by acting quickly. The article provides ten recommended steps for scam victims: stop communicating with the scammer, secure all online accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, monitor financial statements for fraud, avoid sponsored search results when seeking help, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, attempt fund recovery through chargebacks or bank recalls, gather evidence of the scam, scan devices for malware, report to authorities and relevant platforms, and implement ongoing security protections.
coastaldigest.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in Mangaluru lost Rs 24.2 lakh between April 2024 and May 2025 to an online investment scam involving fraudulent trading schemes advertised on Instagram and promoted via WhatsApp by individuals posing as investment advisors (Sharon Trivedi and Ishita Paul). The scammers used fake trading apps and websites, initially returning small amounts to build trust, then demanded taxes, commissions, and security deposits before allowing withdrawals. The victim filed a complaint with police after realizing the fraud, and authorities recommend verifying investment platforms, avoiding unfamiliar apps, and consulting financial experts before investing.
97x.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers on Facebook Marketplace are posing as eager buyers and requesting sellers' email addresses or login credentials for payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App under the guise of technical errors, with the goal of stealing personal information and accessing financial accounts. The scam, exemplified by a case involving a scammer named "Angela," targets sellers nationwide by building trust before requesting sensitive information that legitimate payment apps do not require. Users are advised to never share email or login information, complete transactions in person with cash when possible, and be wary of urgent buyer tactics or suspicious payment error screenshots.
capecodchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cape and Islands District Attorney's office is seeking $586,500 in state funding to establish a specialized six-person elder fraud and abuse unit after data showed a significant rise in financial exploitation cases across the region. In Barnstable alone, there were 393 calls regarding elder fraud in 2023-2024, but only 13 cases resulted in charges, indicating that current law enforcement resources are insufficient to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The proposed team would include two assistant district attorneys, two forensic investigators, and two victim advocates to address the gap between the volume of elder financial crimes and the Attorney General's limited capacity to handle such cases.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors age 60 and older face increasing vulnerability to financial scams facilitated by internet and smartphone technology, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to combat elder fraud through education and awareness. The article outlines four common scams targeting older adults: Social Security Administration impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to request money transferred to gift cards), tech support scams (gaining remote device access and charging fabricated fees), lottery scams (requesting upfront fees for fake foreign lottery winnings), and romance scams (conducted through dating sites and social media to solicit money). Seniors should verify caller identities independently, avoid granting remote device access, reject unsolicite
paducahsun.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI Internet Crime Report, individuals aged 60 and older filed 147,000 scam complaints in 2024 and lost $4.8 billion total—a 43% increase from the previous year, with 7,500 seniors losing over $100,000 each. A local cybersecurity company is raising awareness about online scams targeting older adults and promoting protective measures, with resources available at securitycenter.sonicwall.com.
lockhaven.com
· 2025-12-08
Centre County reported over 350 cases of elder abuse in 2024, a five-fold increase over the past decade, with financial exploitation now surpassing self-neglect as the most commonly reported abuse type. Sophisticated scams using AI-generated deepfakes, voice spoofing, and impersonation have stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from local seniors, with statewide estimates between $260 million and $2.1 billion stolen from Pennsylvania residents over 60 in 2022. The Centre County Office of Aging is hosting educational initiatives and encouraging victims to report scams to local law enforcement to prevent further exploitation.
wbbjtv.com
· 2025-12-08
A workshop in Crockett County, Tennessee educated seniors about Medicare fraud schemes, which cost the program an estimated $60 billion annually. Common scams include unsolicited calls from fraudsters posing as Medicare representatives requesting personal information, offering free equipment or prescriptions, or using stolen Medicare numbers to submit false claims. The Senior Medicare Patrol supervisor advised residents to refuse unknown callers, protect personal information, monitor their Medicare statements against actual services received, and report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or local authorities.
wispolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) issued a public awareness alert ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, urging consumers to recognize and report scams targeting older adults. The advisory encourages community members to educate themselves and others about senior-targeting fraud schemes in order to protect vulnerable populations.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection is urging consumers of all ages to protect older adults from scams, noting that seniors lose significantly more money to fraud than younger consumers—a median of over $1,000 versus less than $500 for those under 60, according to 2024 FTC data. Scammers specifically target older adults who have larger savings, may lack technological familiarity, experience isolation, or have cognitive vulnerabilities. The state recommends five protective strategies: staying informed about common scams, having proactive conversations with seniors about fraud tactics, pausing before sharing personal information, consulting trusted contacts before acting, and reporting scams to help prevent future victimization.