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sundayworld.com
Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, two brothers from Co Fermanagh, were sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud against elderly homeowners across the United States. The brothers defrauded victims nationwide by falsely claiming homes needed urgent repairs (roof holes, foundation cracks, driveway work), extracting over $1 million total—including $435,000 from a single Shoreline homeowner through aggressive, daily demands for checks and wire transfers. They have agreed to pay restitution exceeding $1 million to victims in Washington, Oregon, Illinois, and other states.
sandiegouniontribune.com
San Diego County officials warn that holiday season scams targeting seniors are increasing, with victims losing an average of $30,000 according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Scammers use phone calls, texts, emails, and pop-ups impersonating banks, family members, or government agencies to pressure seniors into immediate payments via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. The county's Elder Justice Task Force, formed in 2021, has recovered $3.3 million and prosecuted multiple criminals, while officials recommend victims immediately contact their financial institution and advise people to verify contacts by calling businesses directly or reaching family members through known numbers.
clickondetroit.com
Brushing scams are warning Metro Detroit residents this holiday season, where scammers send unsolicited packages to recipients without their knowledge to artificially boost online sales ratings and create fake reviews on platforms like Amazon and eBay. The scam indicates that victims' personal information has been compromised from leaked data, and some packages now include QR codes that direct recipients to phishing sites requesting credit card information. Experts recommend victims not scan QR codes, report packages to the retailer, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor their credit.
cftc.gov
**Type:** Educational Advisory
**Source:** CFTC Customer Advisory (December 18, 2024)
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission released an advisory urging Americans to make "spotting scams" a 2025 New Year's resolution, as scammers are stealing billions through relationship investment fraud targeting those seeking trading education, wealth growth, or companionship. The advisory recommends three key resolutions: be cautious about trusting online sources (since fraudsters use fake profiles, websites, and testimonials), limit personal information shared on social media, and invest in learning about legitimate trading and market risks. The CFTC emphasizes that any investment promising easy
usatoday.com
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launched the "Explore Credit Cards" tool to help consumers compare over 500 credit card options and avoid illegal rewards scams, warning that major credit card companies are illegally devaluing rewards points, using fine print to cancel earned rewards, and charging excessive fees. A CFPB study found that the 25 largest credit card issuers charge interest rates 8-10 percentage points higher than smaller banks, costing average cardholders $400-$500 annually, while retail cards are even costlier with 90% charging APRs above 30%. The new tool aims to increase competition and help consumers identify the most suitable credit card based on their credit
wgal.com
Nearly 800 people were arrested in a raid on a luxury office building in Lagos, Nigeria, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals allegedly operating an international romance scam ring. The scammers targeted vulnerable individuals in America, Canada, Mexico, and Europe through social media and messaging platforms, building romantic relationships before directing victims to fraudulent investment opportunities that often depleted their life savings. Investigators confiscated over 500 SIM cards, mobile phones, and dozens of computers, and are investigating potential links to organized international fraud networks.
bleepingcomputer.com
Interpol is calling for the cybersecurity community, law enforcement, and media to replace the term "pig butchering" with "romance baiting" when describing online relationship and investment scams, arguing that the former terminology shames victims and discourages them from reporting fraud to authorities. These social engineering scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims through fake relationships or friendships on social media before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes, primarily involving cryptocurrency, with investment fraud losses increasing 38% from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023. Interpol advocates for victim-neutral language that places responsibility on perpetrators rather than
vice.com
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated online scam in which fraudsters use romance or investment opportunities to manipulate victims into losing significant sums of money, often involving cryptocurrency theft. Interpol is urging governments and organizations to replace the dehumanizing term with neutral language like "romance baiting" or "investment scam," as the stigmatizing terminology discourages victims from reporting the crime and seeking help.
earth.com
This educational article presents research from Binghamton University showing that normal brain aging affects seniors' financial decision-making abilities by shrinking the prefrontal cortex and disrupting the brain regions responsible for math processing and memory retrieval. The study found that age-related cognitive decline increases vulnerability to financial scams, though financial literacy, language skills, and higher socioeconomic status provide some protective effects. Researchers recommend financial education, math practice, and caregiver vigilance as interventions to help older adults maintain financial independence and protect against fraud.
justice.gov
On December 17, 2024, Chinedu Ikenna Nwafor was sentenced to 25 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $180,000 in restitution for his role as a U.S.-based middleman in a romance fraud scheme targeting elderly women, while his codefendant Vitus Uzoma Uzowuru received approximately 10 months imprisonment and $50,000 in restitution. The scheme involved foreign actors posing as U.S. military members on fake social media profiles who built romantic relationships with elderly victims and convinced them to send money for fabricated emergencies, with victims including a New Town, North Dakota resident who
amlintelligence.com
Nigeria's anti-graft agency arrested 792 suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a December 10 raid on a Lagos building operating as a romance scam and cryptocurrency investment fraud hub. The perpetrators used romantic solicitation to manipulate victims into investing money in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. The operation targeted the seven-story Big Leaf Building, identified as a central location for coordinating these transnational fraud activities.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Nigerian authorities arrested 792 individuals, including foreign nationals, in a raid on a Lagos fraud operation that targeted victims in North America and Europe through romance scams and fake cryptocurrency investment schemes conducted via WhatsApp and Instagram. The fraudsters, many recruited by international crime syndicates, would establish fake relationships or investment opportunities to pressure victims into sending money before handing off communication to foreign counterparts to complete the schemes. The EFCC seized evidence including phones, computers, and vehicles, and stated they are collaborating with international partners to dismantle the broader criminal networks involved.
yahoo.com
Nigerian authorities arrested 792 suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a raid on a Lagos call center that orchestrated romance scams and cryptocurrency fraud targeting victims in the Americas and Europe. The operation lured victims through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram with romantic overtures or fake investment opportunities, then pressured them to transfer money for phoney cryptocurrency schemes and non-existent projects. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seized computers, phones, and vehicles, and stated it would investigate potential links to organized crime and collaborate with international partners.
wilx.com
Police across multiple states, including Michigan, are warning residents about "brushing scams" in which unsolicited packages containing items like bracelets, necklaces, or speakers arrive at homes with QR codes inside. Scanning these QR codes transmits personal information from the recipient's phone—including banking data and other sensitive details—directly to scammers, compromising the device. Authorities advise residents not to scan QR codes found in unfamiliar packages or from unknown sources.
abc7.com
Scammers are exploiting the holiday shipping season with "smishing" scams—fake text messages claiming package delivery problems and requesting personal information or credit card details through malicious links. The U.S. Postal Service does not contact customers via text, email, or phone calls about package issues, and customers should instead use legitimate free tracking options like Informed Delivery or USPS text tracking signup. Anyone who clicks suspicious links or shares personal information should report the incident to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
wsaw.com
This educational article outlines common scam red flags and prevention strategies. Key warning signs include unsolicited text messages and calls impersonating banks, government agencies, or loved ones; requests to urgently transfer money via wire, gift cards, or cryptocurrency; pressure to stay on the phone during transactions; and requests for security codes or access to accounts. Banks and consumer protection officials advise victims to immediately contact law enforcement, their financial institution, and local consumer protection agencies if targeted by scammers.
wilx.com
Scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including phishing scams, fake package delivery texts, and "brushing scams" where unsolicited packages arrive with QR codes that steal personal information when scanned. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to track what they order, avoid scanning unknown QR codes, and report suspicious activity to local police or the BBB, particularly during high-shopping periods when scam reports are prevalent.
fox43.com
This article warns about gift card scams, where fraudsters impersonate legitimate retailers like Kohl's and Target to trick consumers into clicking suspicious emails or completing surveys that harvest personal data. The Federal Trade Commission reported a significant rise in gift card scams, with Target gift cards alone accounting for over $35 million in losses during the first nine months of 2021. Consumers are advised to verify the sender's email address and be skeptical of unsolicited offers for free gift cards, as they typically represent phishing schemes or data theft operations.
uscis.gov
**Summary:**
A USCIS Community Relations Specialist based in Philadelphia will conduct a webinar on December 23, 2024, addressing common immigration scams and reporting procedures. The educational session is designed for the local community and requires advance registration to attend.
finance.yahoo.com
This article discusses luxury retail spending trends and counterfeit product concerns, rather than elder fraud or scams targeting seniors. It covers a BMO survey showing 28% of Americans plan to reduce spending in 2025, and features insights from Entrupy's CEO about the luxury resale market and the growing problem of counterfeit goods sold online. The CEO recommends consumers purchase from verified businesses with authentication certificates to protect themselves from counterfeits.
timesofsandiego.com
San Diego County officials warned that holiday season scams targeting seniors are increasing, with victims losing an average of $30,000 according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Scammers use phone calls, texts, emails, and pop-ups impersonating banks, family members, or government agencies to convince seniors to wire money, purchase gift cards, or provide personal information. The county's Elder Justice Task Force has recovered $3.3 million and prosecuted multiple criminals since 2021, and residents are advised to verify unexpected contact by calling known numbers directly and to report suspected scams to local law enforcement or the FBI's IC3.gov website.
countynewscenter.com
San Diego County residents over 60 lose an average of $30,000 to scams annually, with the holiday season being peak fraud time. In response, the Elder Justice Task Force was established in 2021 through collaboration between County Aging & Independence Services, the District Attorney's Office, law enforcement, and the FBI, successfully recovering $3.3 million and prosecuting numerous criminals. Experts advise that scammers use phone calls, texts, emails, and pop-ups impersonating legitimate entities, and victims should immediately stop engaging, verify contact information independently, and report cases to local law enforcement or the FBI at IC3.gov.
dfpi.ca.gov
This educational article explains that financial abuse is the most prevalent form of domestic abuse, affecting nearly 99 percent of domestic abuse cases and also occurring as elder abuse, with at least 1 in 10 adults over 65 experiencing it annually. The article outlines protective measures financial institutions can implement, including securing accounts with fraud alerts, setting up automatic bill pay, maintaining separate emergency funds, utilizing teller services to verify suspicious communications, and offering financial counseling to identify patterns of abuse. It provides resources for victims including the National Domestic Abuse Hotline and Adult Protective Services.
mynorthwest.com
Irish brothers Patrick and Matthew McDonagh were sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding elderly homeowners across the country of over $400,000 through a roofing and foundation repair scam. The pair traveled nationally approaching elderly homeowners, falsely claiming urgent repairs were needed, then pressured victims into writing multiple checks for unnecessary or fake work; in one Shoreline case, they stole $435,000 from a single homeowner before the scheme was uncovered. The defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $1 million in restitution to victims in Washington, Oregon, and Illinois.
theitem.com
The FBI is investigating an advanced multi-layered tech support scam targeting elderly South Carolinians, where scammers pose as tech support and government officials to convince victims their devices and financial accounts have been compromised, then instruct them to liquidate assets and purchase gold bars for courier pickup. South Carolina seniors aged 60 and older reported losses exceeding $9 million to tech support scams from January through November, with similar cases occurring nationwide. The schemes involve coordinated networks of criminals using fake documents, routing calls between accomplices, and can persist for weeks or months before victims discover their accounts have been depleted.
mountaineagle.com
Scammers are targeting older adults by offering free in-home services like cooking and cleaning in exchange for Medicare numbers, then fraudulently enrolling them in hospice care to bill Medicare. Hospice care is a specialized service for terminally ill patients (certified by doctors only), and unauthorized enrollment can negatively impact future Medicare coverage. To protect yourself, never share your Medicare number for "free" services, refuse to enroll in hospice for gifts or money, and report suspicious activity to 1-800-MEDICARE.
k99.com
Colorado residents face an emerging threat from AI-powered deepfake scams expected to surge in 2025, including deepfake audio and video that impersonate loved ones or celebrities to manipulate victims into sending money. These scams exploit emotional connections by creating convincing fake videos of people the victim knows requesting financial assistance or using fake celebrity identities to build relationships before requesting money. The article advises all Colorado residents to learn to recognize scam warning signs and stay informed about these evolving tactics to protect themselves from financial loss.
uppermichiganssource.com
Banking experts and law enforcement officials offer holiday fraud prevention advice, noting that U.S. consumers lost $10 billion to scams in 2023. Key recommendations include guarding personal information and never sharing it via phone or email, verifying website legitimacy before online purchases, avoiding responding to text message scams, using credit cards instead of debit cards for added protection, and setting up bank account notifications to monitor transactions closely.
wifr.com
A 73-year-old California woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars by someone posing as MSNBC host Ari Melber on a fake Facebook profile over a four-month period. The scammer manipulated the victim by initially requesting money for his "sick dog," then claiming to be in love with her and promising marriage, and eventually sending an AI-generated voice message impersonating Melber before the victim attempted to fly to New York to meet him—an intervention by family members prevented the trip. The incident highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to romance and impersonation scams, with the FBI reporting over 101,000 people aged 60+ reporting fraud in the prior year.
wbtv.com
The Burke County Sheriff's Office warned of two recent phone scams in which callers impersonated law enforcement officers demanding immediate payment via prepaid debit cards—one claiming the victim missed federal court with an arrest warrant, and another claiming compromising content existed on the victim's device. The sheriff's office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never request money, gift cards, or unusual payment methods, and advised people to hang up on suspicious callers and contact local law enforcement directly to verify claims.
ktar.com
**"Scam-yourself" attacks** have surged 614% in Q3 2024, with hackers tricking users into unknowingly installing malware by posing as legitimate tech support tutorials, fake CAPTCHAs, YouTube videos, and software updates. These attacks exploit users' natural instinct to quickly fix computer problems by making them feel in control while actually compromising their devices with malware like Lumma Stealer, which steals banking information and browser data. Protection requires verifying URLs and sources, avoiding downloads from suspicious tutorials, never copying commands from unknown sources, and using official channels for updates; if compromised, users should run antivirus
hindustantimes.com
A 68-year-old Bengaluru resident lost ₹1.94 crore from his fixed deposit after falling victim to a "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonating Mumbai crime branch officers accused him of money laundering and held him under fake digital arrest for seven days. The scammers contacted him via WhatsApp video call on November 30, claimed his ATM card was seized in connection with Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, and coerced him into transferring funds in multiple installments while threatening him to remain silent. He discovered the fraud only when he confided in his daughter on December 7, who helped him file a police complaint with the southeast
twistedsifter.com
A woman selling her car on Facebook Marketplace fell victim to a scam where a buyer claimed he had paid her bank directly and pressured her to hand over the vehicle by involving his wife in the negotiation, making the seller feel responsible for ruining a surprise gift. The scammer's tactic involved emotional manipulation—having his wife "freak out" and demand refunds—to pressure the seller into releasing the car before verifying the bank payment was actually received. The incident highlights how scammers use social pressure and guilt to override victims' better judgment in online marketplace transactions.
deccanherald.com
Bengaluru experienced a significant decline in phishing and one-time password (OTP) scams, with cases dropping 52% from 1,860 incidents in 2022 to 893 in 2024. The decrease reflects evolving cybercrime tactics, as scammers shift strategies away from these traditionally common fraud methods.
vietnamnet.vn
Online scams caused Vietnamese citizens an estimated VND 18.9 trillion in losses during 2024, affecting approximately 0.45% of smartphone users (one in 220 people), according to the National Cybersecurity Association's survey of 60,000 participants. The three most common scam types were fake investment schemes promising high returns (70.72% of respondents), impersonation of organizations or government agencies (62.08%), and deceptive prize-winning or promotional messages (60.01%), with fraudsters increasingly using deepfake technology and automated tools. The report emphasizes that only 45.69% of victims reported scams to authorities, and recommends users
nypost.com
Nigeria's anti-graft agency arrested 792 suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, in a December 10 raid on a Lagos call center that orchestrated romance scams and fake cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting victims in the Americas and Europe. The operation involved Nigerian accomplices recruiting victims online through social media platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, then handing them off to foreign scammers who pressured them to transfer money for nonexistent investments. Authorities seized computers, phones, and vehicles, and indicated they are investigating potential links to organized crime networks.
forbes.com
AI-enabled scams are projected to cause $40 billion in losses by 2027, up from $12.3 billion in 2023, as fraudsters increasingly adopt deepfake technology, voice cloning, and AI chatbots for romance scams and business email compromise attacks. Criminal activity on fraud-focused channels surged 644% between 2023 and 2024, with scammers now offering "fraud-as-a-service" tools and recruiting workers to create deepfake content. The FBI and fraud experts warn that 2025 will see AI scams become mainstream, particularly in targeted business fraud (like the $30 million Hong Kong Zoom imperson
theintelligencer.net
Gift card scams are increasingly popular during the holiday season, with American consumers losing nearly $217 million to these scams last year, according to FTC data. Scammers pose as legitimate businesses or government agencies to pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, using tactics such as false tax claims, fake tech support, romance schemes, and prize scams. To protect themselves, consumers should only purchase gift cards from reputable sources, inspect cards before buying, avoid third-party sellers, keep receipts, and remember that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand payment via gift cards.
prunderground.com
"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams" is an educational resource released by financial expert Andy LaPointe that teaches seniors to recognize and prevent fraud across multiple platforms, including phishing emails, social media scams, cryptocurrency schemes, romance scams, and door-to-door deception. The guide provides step-by-step explanations, real-world examples, and actionable strategies for responding to scams, with particular emphasis on protecting seniors during high-risk periods like the holiday season when scammer activity increases.
aarp.org
Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated emotional manipulation tactics—such as texts about sick puppies—to engage potential victims, with experts predicting this trend will accelerate in 2025 due to improved AI and deepfake technology. The article highlights that older Americans are frequent targets, losing over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 with an 11% year-over-year increase in reported losses among those over 60. Key scams to watch include employment fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, and impersonation scams that exploit emotional triggers and misuse of company names and hiring manager identities.
malwarebytes.com
Task scams (or "gamified job scams") targeting job seekers surged 400% year-over-year, with the FTC reporting 5,000 cases in 2023 and 20,000 in the first half of 2024. Scammers lure victims through unsolicited messages offering simple online tasks like liking videos or rating images, initially displaying fake earnings to build trust before demanding deposits in cryptocurrency to access funds or complete higher-paying tasks. To avoid these scams, job seekers should reject unsolicited offers via text or messaging apps, never pay upfront to work, verify employers through official channels, and remember that legitimate employers never charge employees to
cbsnews.com
AI-enabled voice cloning tools are increasingly used in "grandparent scams" to impersonate loved ones and pressure victims, particularly seniors, into sending money quickly; in 2023 alone, senior citizens lost approximately $3.4 billion to financial crimes according to FBI data. Cybersecurity experts recommend families establish a unique "safe word" or phrase (at least four words, not easily researched online) and require callers requesting money to verify their identity using this phrase before any funds are transferred. The strategy exploits fear-based emotional responses that impair judgment, but can be effectively countered through proper family communication about the safe word protocol.
foxnews.com
During the holiday season, scammers exploit shoppers' stress and excitement through various schemes, including package delivery scams that use fake links mimicking legitimate carriers (like "uspsts.top" instead of "usps.com") to steal personal information or payment, and charity scams where fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations to solicit donations. The article advises consumers to verify packages through original shipping confirmations, independently research charities before donating, maintain antivirus software, and watch for red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links.
states.aarp.org
AARP's Hearing Center offers expert guidance on avoiding phone scams and fraud, with a November Rural America Live show featuring an anti-fraud specialist who recommends not answering calls from unknown numbers as a key prevention strategy. The resource provides additional materials covering holiday scams, charity fraud detection, and other common scam types to help consumers protect themselves.
snopes.com
**Summary:**
Brushing scams—where scammers mail unsolicited items to recipients with QR codes to generate fake positive reviews—are real threats, but viral Facebook warnings from police departments exaggerated the danger of scanning QR codes. While scanning a QR code alone does not automatically compromise a phone or drain bank accounts, scammers using QR code phishing (Quishing) require victims to take additional steps, such as entering login credentials on malicious websites mimicking legitimate services.
ksat.com
The Department of Homeland Security Investigations issued a holiday season warning about phone scams targeting seniors and vulnerable populations, including grandparent scams, charity scams, tech support scams, banking scams, and government impersonation scams. The agency recommends protecting yourself by avoiding sharing personal information, verifying caller identity, being skeptical of urgent requests, staying alert online, and reporting suspicious activity to HSI or local authorities.
claconnect.com
In December 2024, FinCEN and five federal financial regulatory agencies issued interagency guidance to help financial institutions combat elder financial abuse, which resulted in approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity reports over a one-year period ending in June 2023. The guidance recommends key practices including employee training to recognize exploitation, transaction holds and disbursement delays, trusted contact designations, timely reporting to authorities, and consumer outreach programs. Financial institutions are encouraged to implement robust governance policies and collaborate with elder fraud prevention networks to protect older adults from both stranger scams and abuse by trusted individuals such as family members and caregivers.
postandcourier.com
The FBI issued a public warning about an advanced tech support scam targeting South Carolina seniors, where scammers pose as tech support and instruct victims to liquidate assets and purchase gold bars for courier pickup to resolve fabricated device or financial account issues. South Carolina residents aged 60 and older reported losses exceeding $9 million from January through November, with similar cases occurring nationwide, and the multi-layered scheme often involves networks of criminals working together over weeks or months. The FBI advises seniors to avoid clicking unsolicited links, never provide computer access to unknown individuals, and verify suspicious claims by visiting financial institutions in person rather than contacting provided phone numbers.
wbtv.com
A 73-year-old California woman was defrauded of thousands of dollars over four months by a scammer who impersonated MSNBC host Ari Melber on a fake Facebook profile, initially requesting money for a supposed sick dog and later claiming romantic interest and plans to marry her. The scammer used an AI-generated voice message to strengthen the deception and nearly convinced the victim to travel to New York City to meet in person, though a family member intercepted her during a layover and brought her home. The FBI reports that such scams targeting older adults are increasingly common, with over 101,000 people age 60 and older reporting fraud in the previous year.