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ABC11
· 2024-12-09
Fraud experts warn consumers that approximately one-third of online shoppers fall victim to scams during the holiday shopping season, with older adults at particular risk despite being statistically less likely to be defrauded than younger adults—a concern because seniors typically have more assets to lose. Key scam tactics include fraudulent social media ads, fake package delivery texts from carriers like UPS and FedEx that direct users to copycat websites, and tech support scam alerts that appear on computer screens. Experts recommend shopping directly from trusted retailers' websites, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and going directly to carrier websites to check package status rather than clicking notification links.
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KVUE
· 2024-12-06
As holiday shopping moves online, fraud experts warn consumers—particularly older adults with significant assets—to be vigilant against scams, as approximately one-third of consumers fall victim to online fraud during this season. Key risks include fraudulent social media ads, fake package delivery texts with links to copycat websites, and tech support scam pop-ups; experts recommend shopping only at trusted retailers, avoiding suspicious links, and going directly to carrier websites to check package status rather than clicking links in messages.
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Denver7
· 2024-12-04
A 92-year-old pastor in Highlands Ranch and his wife nearly fell victim to a sophisticated scam after a pop-up appeared on their computer warning of a problem; when the pastor called the number in the link, scammers falsely claimed his credit card was used to purchase child pornography in China and pressured him to transfer money to a new bank account. The incident illustrates the heightened fraud risk during the holiday shopping season, with the FBI reporting $39 million in consumer losses to scams in 2023 and an additional $173 million in credit card fraud losses.
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12NewsNow
· 2024-12-03
The FBI warned the public about an increase in holiday season scams, including cryptocurrency investment schemes, tech support fraud, social media scams with fake contests, and charity scams targeting older adults. According to FBI official Connor Hagen, seniors are particularly vulnerable during the holidays when they are more likely to give gifts and donate to charities, though scammers also target younger people through social media ads and fake contests. Victims are advised to contact local law enforcement if they believe they have been defrauded.
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This Morning
· 2024-11-27
Gift card scams are a major fraud threat during the holiday season, with Action Fraud reporting losses of £13.5 million to gift card scams in the previous year. Scammers target these popular gifts through various methods including impersonation fraud via WhatsApp, Facebook, email, and text messages, with elderly people being particularly vulnerable. Gift cards are attractive to fraudsters because of their high monetary value and ease of transfer, making it essential for consumers to be cautious when purchasing or gifting them.
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WBIR Channel 10
· 2024-11-26
Ghanaian national Wigbert Bandy was sentenced to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to a $2 million romance scam targeting senior citizens on dating sites and social media. The scam defrauded 11 victims, with one East Tennessee resident losing over $280,000, and Bandy was ordered to repay approximately $2.2 million in restitution.
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NBC 7 San Diego
· 2024-11-26
Holiday fraud increases significantly in December, with scammers targeting busy shoppers through identity theft, credit card fraud, package theft, and fake social media ads selling counterfeit goods. Law enforcement and the Better Business Bureau warn that common holiday scams have become more sophisticated and high-tech, including fake toll collection texts and counterfeit items sold online, and advise consumers to remain vigilant during the busy shopping season.
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FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
· 2024-11-22
A 74-year-old woman from Frisco was scammed out of $600,000 by 56-year-old Jeffrey Monahan Jr., who impersonated Elon Musk and befriended her on Facebook in 2023, promising a $55 million return on investment in Musk's business ventures. Monahan has been charged with Grand Theft, and financial records showed the funds were directed to his painting business; he claimed his online girlfriend was the mastermind behind the scheme.
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First Alert 6
· 2024-11-21
This educational segment highlights that older adults face increased financial scam risks during the holiday season because they typically have savings, home equity, and good credit—making them attractive targets—while also experiencing social isolation and loneliness that scammers exploit. Three common holiday scams targeting seniors include charity fraud, where scammers impersonate legitimate organizations soliciting donations via calls, emails, or texts.
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WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7
· 2024-11-16
An 85-year-old Lapeer County man received a deceptive email about a Bitcoin purchase he never made and was pressured by a scammer via phone to withdraw $24,500 in cash to cancel the transaction. Through intervention by bank staff and law enforcement, the victim was able to recover all of his money, though the scammer's typical success rate suggests most victims do not recover their losses.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2024-11-13
Three Nigerian men in their 40s were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating romance and investment scams that targeted victims across America from 2017 to 2021, including a Western Tennessee resident who lost $400,000. The perpetrators used fake identities on social media and dating sites, posing as romantic partners and repeatedly requesting emergency financial assistance from victims. Law enforcement urges scam victims to report incidents to police, as victims of romance scams often face additional risks including identity theft when they unknowingly share personal information with fraudsters.
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KGUN9
· 2024-11-08
Elderly fraud cases in Arizona increased 36% from 2022 to 2023, prompting the Pima County Sheriff's Department to host "Fight Fraud Day" in Green Valley, a retirement community frequently targeted by scammers. The presentation educated residents about common scams including lottery prizes, telemarketing schemes, and attempts to access bank accounts and credit cards, with law enforcement emphasizing that education and awareness are key to preventing victimization.
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WIRED
· 2024-11-05
This WIRED article features "Scammer Payback," a YouTube scam-baiting channel, answering audience questions about common fraud tactics and red flags. The content identifies three major warning signs of scams: scammers pressuring victims to make quick decisions (especially involving gift cards or Cash App transfers), requests for remote access to computers or phones, and demands for untraceable payment methods like Bitcoin or wire transfers. The educational piece emphasizes that time pressure is a deliberate tactic scammers use to prevent victims from consulting family members or others who might intervene.
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Brut India
· 2024-11-05
Seven Indian men were lured to Cambodia under the pretense of IT jobs in Thailand, paying 540 dollars (approximately 45,000 rupees) to a fraudulent employment agency that promised monthly salaries of 1 lakh rupees. Upon arrival, they discovered the operation was a cyber-scam center in Poipet, Cambodia, where they were forced to participate in extortion and online banking fraud targeting elderly Indian citizens by impersonating SBI bank employees to steal money. The Indian Embassy in Cambodia rescued the men, and authorities identified a network of fraudsters operating across Southeast Asian countries orchestrating similar schemes.
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Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV
· 2024-10-31
**Summary:**
Three men operating a home repair scam targeted seniors in the Taylor, Michigan area, specifically around Mason and Bailey streets, by posing as workers and entering homes without permission to solicit repair services. When an 81-year-old homeowner discovered one of the men inside his home offering driveway crack-sealing services, he confronted the intruder, leading to a physical altercation in which the homeowner was thrown to the ground. Police are seeking the three suspects who drive a dark blue Chevy Equinox.
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wgaltv
· 2024-10-22
An FTC report on elder fraud reveals that while older adults reported losing $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023, the actual total may be as high as $61.5 billion due to significant underreporting—primarily because seniors fear embarrassment, family judgment, and loss of independence. Seniors who do report fraud lose an average of $918 per case compared to $432 for younger victims, with the most common scams being tech support fraud, lottery/sweepstakes schemes, and romance scams, typically executed through bitcoin or gift card payments.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted a fraud awareness townhall event featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to educate seniors about scams targeting older adults. The event aimed to provide practical protection strategies and highlight how fraud impacts seniors beyond financial loss, including emotional and trust-related consequences. AARP encourages seniors to utilize resources like their FraudWatch Network to stay informed about emerging scams and safeguard personal information.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted an educational presentation titled "Unmasking Fraud" featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to address senior fraud targeting older adults in Louisiana. The event emphasized that fraud against seniors impacts not only financial security but also causes lasting emotional and psychological harm, and provided practical strategies for protection. AARP directs people to its Fraud Watch Network resource for current scam information and personal data protection guidance.
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WKRN News 2
· 2024-10-17
Senior fraud represents a $3 billion problem, with scammers primarily targeting individuals aged 55-64 through contractor scams, Medicare fraud, Bitcoin investment schemes, romance scams, phone fraud, and phishing attacks. Phishing scams work by casting a wide net through texts, emails, and social media to trick victims into clicking malicious links or participating in fake surveys and contests that download malware and compromise personal information.
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CTV News
· 2024-10-11
A Newfoundland senior lost $20,000 in gift cards to a romance scam after a man contacted her on Facebook, claimed to be a widow her age, expressed his love, and gradually requested money. The victim was particularly vulnerable as a recent widow undergoing cancer treatment. Romance scams remain among Canada's top three frauds, with Canadians losing over $52 million annually, often targeting lonely individuals through social media.
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CBS Evening News
· 2024-10-11
A 92-year-old woman in Los Angeles lost her life savings to overseas scammers who impersonated IT experts and government officials, convincing her that her computer had been hacked and pressuring her to withdraw funds to purchase gold as a "safer investment." The scam involved large wire transfers from her Charles Schwab investment account, and the perpetrators instructed her to keep the scheme secret from her family. This case exemplifies a broader epidemic of multi-million-dollar fraud targeting Americans by overseas criminals operating tech support and investment scams.
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WPRI
· 2024-10-10
According to the FBI, scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from over 100,000 seniors in 2023, with Rhode Islanders age 60+ losing $7.4 million. Common tactics include creating a sense of panic or urgency, impersonating government agencies like the IRS, and using AI technology to clone the voices of loved ones. State leaders emphasize that public education and awareness are key prevention strategies, advising seniors to verify unexpected calls independently rather than responding to urgent requests.
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CFPBLive
· 2024-10-09
This is an introductory webinar hosted by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on payments industry practices for combating elder financial exploitation. The session provides participants with access to slides, resources, and a discussion platform to explore strategies and tools for preventing elder financial abuse within the payments sector.
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CBS News
· 2024-10-04
Overseas scammers defrauded a 92-year-old woman in Los Angeles of her life savings by impersonating IT experts and government officials, convincing her that her computer had been hacked and pressuring her to withdraw funds to purchase gold as a "safer investment." The scammers instructed the victim to keep the scheme secret, and despite her daughter's attempts to alert her bank (Charles Schwab) to the suspicious large transactions and wire transfers, the funds were lost. This case exemplifies a widespread epidemic affecting tens of thousands of Americans who fall victim to similar overseas fraud schemes operating through impersonation and deception tactics.
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WPRI
· 2024-09-30
Two men face federal charges for defrauding Rhode Island seniors through online popup ad schemes. Jeru Louu, 22, is charged with scamming a 79-year-old Narragansett man out of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars, while Kush Patel, 22, defrauded a 72-year-old victim; both face multiple charges including wire fraud.
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CBS Evening News
· 2024-09-27
A U.S. man lost $700,000 in an elaborate romance scam orchestrated by criminal syndicates operating from underground "boiler rooms" in Ghana. The scammers pose as romantic partners to gain the trust of elderly Americans and convince them to send money, devastating victims both emotionally and financially. The investigation revealed that unemployed youth in Ghana are recruited into these operations, viewing the scams as an alternative to other forms of theft or crime.
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CBS Mornings
· 2024-09-27
A CBS News investigation spanning three continents uncovered internet romance scams originating in Ghana, where criminal syndicates operating from underground "boiler rooms" in Accra target elderly Americans by creating fake romantic profiles and manipulating victims into sending money. The investigation tracked criminal operations run by syndicate bosses who train young men to pose as romantic interests online, stealing victims' life savings through sophisticated schemes that exploit emotional connections.
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CBS News
· 2024-09-27
Young men operating out of underground "boiler rooms" in Accra, Ghana run sophisticated romance scams targeting elderly Americans through online dating sites, creating fake identities to build romantic relationships and extract victims' life savings. Led by syndicate bosses like "Voodoo," these criminal operators use tactics including hiring porn stars for video calls to maintain deceptions with victims. The scams break hearts and empty bank accounts of American seniors who believe they are in genuine romantic relationships.
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ABC7 News Bay Area
· 2024-09-25
Police report that business email compromise scams are stealing tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars from victims, including a San Jose case where a suspect posed as a business employee to reroute a $500,000 wire transfer to a personal account. Pennsylvania resident Ala Torres was identified as the primary suspect in that case, with most funds recovered and an arrest warrant issued as police investigate other victims. Law enforcement advises that this growing fraud scheme operates both locally and nationally with multiple perpetrators, many of them international.
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WTRF
· 2024-09-24
Senior Services of Belmont County created "Fraud Bingo" as an innovative educational program to raise awareness about common scams targeting seniors, after residents in the area lost significant amounts of money, property, and in one case, a home to fraud. The program used bingo cards featuring different fraud and scam scenarios to engage hundreds of attendees in a format more appealing than traditional lectures. Local vendors donated prizes and participated in the event to increase both awareness and attendance.
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CBS 8 San Diego
· 2024-09-20
A Harris poll report reveals that Hispanic Americans are being disproportionately targeted by phone scams and are twice as likely to fall victim compared to other populations, contributing to the $25 billion in annual losses Americans collectively suffer from communications fraud and robocalls. The report highlights this emerging trend alongside the continued vulnerability of seniors, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and protective measures across vulnerable communities.
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KGUN9
· 2024-09-20
Scammers stole over $100 million from older Americans last year, with Arizona ranking sixth nationally for elder fraud according to the FBI. A 77-year-old Arizona woman hired a landscaper who worked one day, then disappeared after she gave him a check and gift card—he never completed the job and she had to stop payment at her bank. Experts note that older adults are vulnerable because they tend to trust people who make promises, and it's difficult to change that mindset, making them targets for financial scams involving home services and other schemes.
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KXAN
· 2024-09-20
An elderly Austin woman lost thousands of dollars in a warrant scam when a caller impersonating a sheriff's department official claimed she had missed jury duty and faced arrest, instructing her to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin at an ATM. The FBI reports that Texans over age 60 collectively lost billions of dollars to elder fraud schemes last year, with scammers continuing to demand additional payments after initial contact.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-19
Senator Bob Casey led a Senate Aging Committee hearing on fraud targeting older Americans, during which the committee released its annual "Fighting Fraud" resource book. The hearing addressed multiple scam types affecting seniors including grandparent scams, investment fraud, government impostor schemes, lottery scams, and tech support scams, while noting that scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics over recent years. The committee discussed both fraud prevention strategies and how federal law enforcement agencies respond to fraud reports.
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WMAR-2 News
· 2024-09-18
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates restored an economic crimes unit focused on prosecuting financial predators targeting seniors and older adults. The unit investigates cases including a granddaughter who allegedly stole $48,000 from her 90-something-year-old grandmother through forged checks and unauthorized ATM withdrawals, and a home improvement contractor who defrauded 15 elderly victims of approximately $300,000 and received a three-year prison sentence.
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WJZ
· 2024-09-18
Baltimore's State's Attorney's Office launched a dedicated Elder and Disabled Persons Unit in September to prosecute financial crimes targeting vulnerable adults, fulfilling a campaign promise by State's Attorney Ivan Bates. The office has begun holding offenders accountable, including prosecuting a former contractor accused of taking tens of thousands of dollars from 15 victims for incomplete home improvement projects, with officials noting that such crimes often involve perpetrators known to the victims and are discovered when bank accounts become depleted.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-18
The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on romance confidence scams (also called "pig butchering"), examining this multi-billion dollar fraud scheme that targets everyday Americans. The scam operates by building trust with victims over weeks or months before exploiting that confidence to extract money, with text-based contact attempts increasing dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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WTAJ News
· 2024-09-17
Representative Mike Armanini is hosting two Senior Scam Jam educational events for older adults—one at Parkside Community Center in Dubois and another at Ridgeway Senior Junction in Elk County, both from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The seminars will teach older Pennsylvanians and their families how to protect themselves from scams and how to report suspected fraud cases.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-17
Senator Katie Britt discusses the surge of financial scams targeting seniors, noting that nationwide elder fraud losses exceeded $1 billion last year, with Alabama experiencing $74 million in losses (up from $55 million the previous year). She highlights that elder fraud cases in Alabama have increased dramatically, from 23 cases in 2016 to over 250 cases in the first nine months of the current fiscal year, and emphasizes the need for better education about common scams including romance schemes, sweepstakes scams, and impersonation fraud.
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Which?
· 2024-09-15
I cannot provide an accurate summary of this article. The text appears to be a garbled or poorly OCR-scanned transcript of a consumer advice program introduction that repeatedly duplicates phrases and lacks coherent content about specific scams or fraud prevention tips. While it mentions that scams are becoming more sophisticated and references a discussion about ticket scams, the actual substantive advice or details about scams are not clearly present in the provided text. A proper summary would require a clearer, complete version of the source material.
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13News Now
· 2024-09-11
Elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with Americans losing $1.6 billion to scams nationally and Virginia residents losing $265 million, according to FBI data. Virginia reported approximately 2,700 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with investment scams being the most common type targeting seniors with regular income by exploiting their loneliness or desire to earn additional money. The FBI emphasizes that scammers are skilled manipulators who deliberately identify and exploit vulnerable elderly individuals.
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WYFF News 4
· 2024-09-09
This segment from WYFF News Four's "For the Record" series features Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride discussing the growing scam problem affecting community members of all ages, though elderly victims are particularly targeted. The sheriff highlights multiple prevalent scam types including Facebook Marketplace deposit schemes (where sellers request $250-$1,000 deposits for vehicles that don't exist), fake jury duty calls falsely claiming to be from law enforcement demanding payment or gift cards, and other phone and internet-based fraud tactics that exploit personal information obtained from legitimate people-search websites.
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WYFF News 4
· 2024-09-09
Bill Vickery, owner of Just Call, provides elder fraud prevention advice, emphasizing that most scams begin with phone calls, texts, or emails targeting seniors unfamiliar with modern technology. Key prevention strategies include not answering calls from unknown numbers, hanging up immediately if feeling suspicious, avoiding saying "yes" (which scammers may record and manipulate), and never verifying personal information over the phone with unknown callers. Vickery advocates for a proactive, educational approach to help seniors and their families recognize and avoid scams before they occur.
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WHO13
· 2024-09-08
Congressman Zach Nunn introduced legislation to combat "pig butchering" scams, which target elderly victims into investing in fraudulent opportunities; authorities seized $300 million in stolen funds from these schemes in 2023 alone. The bill would provide federal grant funding to local and state law enforcement agencies to investigate these fraud cases. Iowa's Attorney General's office reported receiving over 13,000 fraud complaints related to these scams.
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NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2024-09-05
The US Attorney's office in Maine launched a new initiative to combat elder fraud, following FBI reports that 397 Maine residents aged 60 or older filed complaints reporting losses exceeding $7 million, with experts noting the actual number of victims is likely much higher due to underreporting. The program distributes informational brochures through pharmacy prescription bags statewide to educate older adults about common scam warning signs and how to report elder fraud, recognizing that sophisticated criminal networks conduct ongoing attacks against vulnerable populations.
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NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2024-09-05
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Maine announced the Maine RX Elder Fraud Program, an initiative to combat elder fraud by distributing informational brochures at 60 Hanford pharmacy locations across the state. The brochures, attached to prescription drug bags, educate seniors on recognizing common scams and reporting fraud, with the program beginning this month. According to the FBI, Maine residents filed 397 elder fraud complaints in the previous year, resulting in losses exceeding $7.1 million.
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WMTW-TV
· 2024-09-05
The Maine RX Elder Fraud Program, a partnership between Hannaford pharmacies, the U.S. Attorney's Office, AARP, and the Maine Council for Elder Abuse, launched an educational initiative distributing informational brochures about elder fraud prevention in prescription bags starting this month. The effort aims to reach older Mainers with awareness about common scams and 10 protective strategies, following data showing that in the prior year, 397 Maine residents aged 60+ filed fraud complaints for losses totaling over $7.1 million, part of a national trend affecting more than 101,000 seniors defrauded of $3.4 billion.
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FOX8 WGHP
· 2024-09-03
An elderly woman in Asheboro was defrauded of $25,000 after scammers used fear tactics and impersonation of law enforcement to manipulate her into withdrawing cash and purchasing gift cards. The suspect met the victim at a gas station to collect a large cash withdrawal before fleeing in a white van, and Detective Marcus Pierce is actively investigating the case while advocating for awareness of common red flags like requests for gift card payments.
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WFMJ
· 2024-09-03
U.S. seniors lost over $3 billion to scammers in the past year. Common scams targeting elderly individuals include relationship scams where fraudsters impersonate family members (grandchildren, nieces, nephews) claiming urgent financial needs such as bail, rent, or tuition, often using personal information gathered from social media to appear credible. Experts recommend awareness and education to help protect seniors from these emotionally manipulative schemes.
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WGN News
· 2024-08-31
Federal Trade Commission data shows American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with digital platforms making it easier for scammers to target victims. Common scams include romance/relationship scams on Facebook where perpetrators build trust before requesting money, "pig butchering" investment schemes promising fake returns, and grandparent scams, with reported losses ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Protection strategies include verifying urgent requests by hanging up and calling back the person directly, avoiding quick money transfers, researching websites and investment opportunities, and reporting scams to law enforcement and platforms to help track and recover stolen funds.