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recordpatriot.com
· 2026-06-19
Social Security scams are widespread in the U.S. and increasingly target elderly people through evolving deceptive tactics designed to steal sensitive information and money. The article provides five resources to help seniors protect themselves from Social Security fraud, emphasizing that prevention is key as scammers continue to develop more sophisticated methods to exploit vulnerable populations.
natlawreview.com
· 2026-06-19
Imposter scams are hitting seniors particularly hard, with elderly people losing about $16 billion to scams in 2025—a significant jump from $12.8 billion the previous year. Scammers impersonate government agencies, banks, or family members through phone, text, or email to trick seniors into revealing personal information or making immediate payments, often using scare tactics like threats of legal consequences. To protect yourself, stay aware of these common tactics, never give out personal or financial information to unsolicited callers, and verify requests by contacting the organization directly through an official number.
napavalleyregister.com
· 2026-06-19
Napa County is hosting its third annual Seniors Against Financial Exploitation (SAFE) conference on June 23 to address the growing problem of scams targeting older adults, bringing together law enforcement, financial experts, and community organizations. Seniors are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated fraud schemes, particularly those facing financial hardship despite living in a seemingly wealthy area. The conference has expanded its accessibility with later start times, multilingual options, and diverse presentations on fraud prevention—changes made directly based on senior feedback to ensure more people can attend and protect themselves from financial exploitation.
bigrapidsnews.com
· 2026-06-19
Social Security scams are widespread in the United States, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics to target vulnerable populations, particularly elderly people, to steal sensitive information and money. The article highlights five resources designed to help seniors protect themselves from these evolving frauds. Taking advantage of these protective resources and staying informed about common scam tactics are essential steps for vulnerable populations to safeguard their personal and financial information.
aol.com
· 2026-06-19
Older adults lost $7.748 billion to scammers in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year—according to an IRS warning, with common fraud schemes including investment fraud, government impersonation calls, identity theft, and romance scams. The IRS emphasized that nearly 97% of prosecuted elder fraud cases result in convictions and urged seniors to protect themselves by monitoring accounts, avoiding suspicious links, verifying callers' identities, and never sending money to unknown people. Those who suspect fraud can report it at IRS.gov or contact the Washington D.C. Field Office directly.
wishtv.com
· 2026-06-18
Criminals are increasingly using AI technology to conduct sophisticated scams, with the FBI reporting over 22,000 AI-related fraud complaints in 2025 resulting in approximately $893 million in losses, including $632 million from investment scams alone. These scams target everyday people through realistic AI-generated emails, texts, calls, and voice cloning—often impersonating government agencies or officials—making them harder to detect than traditional fraud. To protect yourself, verify unexpected requests by contacting organizations directly using official phone numbers or websites, scrutinize sender email addresses for subtle spoofing (like "USA.com" instead of official government domains), and be skeptical of unsolicited financial requests regardless of how professional they appear.
ny1.com
· 2026-06-18
Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting and Hawaii State Judiciary are warning residents about sophisticated scams involving fake inspection notices, permits, and communications that impersonate government officials. Scammers have sent fraudulent violation notices to evict tenants and fake permit emails requesting wire transfer payments for fake "approval fees"—tactics the real DPP never uses. Residents should verify any government communications directly with the agency by phone or in person, avoid wire transfers for government fees, and never respond to suspicious emails or calls claiming to be from city officials.
fortune.com
· 2026-06-18
A 76-year-old nearly lost his entire $3 million retirement to scammers, but TIAA's AI system detected the suspicious withdrawal request and alerted the company's fraud team, who ultimately prevented the loss. The incident highlights how artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in combating scams, as criminals use AI to clone voices and create deepfakes, while cybercrime losses exceeded $20.8 billion in 2025 with older adults being the primary targets. Experts recommend that financial institutions use AI monitoring combined with human verification to catch fraud, and individuals should be skeptical of unusual withdrawal requests and contact their financial providers directly if they suspect they're being scammed.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-06-18
In 2025, Americans lost $3.5 billion to imposter scams where criminals pretended to be government agencies, banks, tech support, employers, and romantic partners—a nearly 20% increase from the previous year and the ninth consecutive year this was the most common fraud type. The scams exploit trust rather than technical tricks, with government imposter scams surging 40%, particularly fake toll payment messages that create urgency through threats of penalties. To protect yourself, verify any unexpected requests for payment or personal information by contacting the organization directly using official contact information, never respond to unsolicited messages, and be skeptical of anything demanding immediate action.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-18
Utah's top federal prosecutor is touring the state to warn seniors about AI-powered scams that impersonate banks, the IRS, and family members, which have caused reported losses to adults over 60 to skyrocket from $600 million in 2020 to over $3 billion in 2025. The scams often involve imposter schemes, investment fraud, and romance scams that target older adults with increasingly sophisticated tactics. Seniors are being urged to stay calm when contacted by unknown callers or messages, verify identities independently, and ask detailed questions before sharing any financial information—especially when feeling pressured or hearing from someone claiming to be a trusted contact.
953wiki.com
· 2026-06-18
Indiana's Secretary of State is warning residents about a sharp increase in financial scams targeting seniors, with reports nearly doubling from 176 in 2024 to 351 in 2025, resulting in approximately $25 million in losses. The state is encouraging Hoosiers to protect elderly family members by staying informed about common scams—including phone scams, investment fraud, and online schemes—and to report suspicious activity to authorities. Educational programs offered by the Indiana Securities Division are available to seniors, caregivers, and community groups to help identify warning signs of financial exploitation before people become victims.
broadbandbreakfast.com
· 2026-06-18
The Federal Communications Commission is partnering with the Department of Health and Human Services to launch the "Never, Ever" campaign to educate seniors about imposter scams, where fraudsters pose as government agencies or companies to steal money and personal information—a scheme that cost Americans $3.5 billion last year. The FCC clarified that legitimate government agencies will never call asking for payment via untraceable methods like cash apps, cryptocurrency, or gift cards, and will never threaten to suspend benefits or demand money transfers. To protect yourself, hang up on unsolicited callers claiming to be from the government or financial institutions, verify requests by calling the official number on your bill or website, and report suspicious calls to the FCC.
irs.gov
· 2026-06-18
The IRS CEO emphasizes that older adults are frequent targets of scams where fraudsters impersonate tax authorities to steal personal and financial information, and reminds the public that the IRS never initiates contact demanding money or threatening to move funds. He encourages everyone to help protect seniors by recognizing these warning signs and directing vulnerable people to resources like the Federal Elder Justice Coordinating Council's website before responding to suspicious calls or messages. The message highlights the importance of celebrating and protecting older adults, who contribute significantly to society and deserve to live safely in their retirement years.
mk.co.kr
· 2026-06-18
Four major scam types—investment fraud, fake job schemes, commodity payment fraud, and romance scams—caused 68.7 billion won in damage in May, down 33% from April, marking the first significant monthly decline since police began tracking these crimes. The decrease reflects police efforts to implement targeted countermeasures against each scam type and increased cooperation with platforms like Naver and Kakao to disrupt criminal operations. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances from online contacts, verify job offers through official channels, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
gothamist.com
· 2026-06-18
New York City renters, especially during the busy summer season, are vulnerable to rental scams where fraudsters take deposits and disappear or misrepresent properties. A Gothamist investigation uncovered patterns of fraud by individuals like a Queens-based "real estate advisor" with a revoked license who has been sued by dozens of renters unable to recover their deposits. To protect yourself, experts advise avoiding listings that seem too good to be true (unusually low rent, incomplete addresses, agents without credentials), and being wary of listings that don't require good credit or income verification.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-06-17
# Summary
Acting U.S. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling sent letters to governors of 53 states and territories demanding immediate action to combat unemployment insurance (UI) fraud, warning that states failing to comply could lose federal funding—marking the first time the department has threatened to withhold administrative funds. Sonderling highlighted significant improper payments, including New York paying over $2 million daily in incorrect UI benefits and California owing more than $20 billion to its trust fund, with five major states collectively making over $2.5 billion in improper payments in the prior year. The crackdown is part of President Trump's Task Force to Eliminate Fraud led by Vice President JD Vance.
patch.com
· 2026-06-17
Fraudsters are increasingly targeting older Americans through various elaborate schemes including fake timeshare settlements, romance scams, lottery scams, and emergency impersonation tactics, with scammers defrauding seniors of over $885 million in the last five years. The IRS recently arrested more than 20 people in "Operation Silver Shores," a scheme where criminals posed as attorneys and government officials to trick timeshare owners into sending money, which was then laundered through shell companies. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact claiming you've won money or are entitled to settlements, verify caller identities independently, and report suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2026-06-17
A British Columbia senior lost over $60,000 in an online romance scam after connecting with a man who posed as a caring army doctor and repeatedly requested money with various excuses. Her story, shared on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlights how seniors are particularly vulnerable to financial scams, with reports of elder abuse steadily increasing in B.C. according to Seniors First BC. Experts advise seniors to be cautious of unsolicited online relationships requesting money, listen to warnings from family members, and report suspected abuse to local authorities or organizations like Seniors First BC's information line.
unionesarda.it
· 2026-06-17
A 46-year-old man from Sassari, Italy, defrauded a 70-year-old retiree out of €200,000 over five years by repeatedly lying about needing money for various reasons, including false claims about his parents' deaths and home renovations, while promising repayment. The elderly victim finally reported the fraud to police after realizing he would never recover his money, leading to the suspect's arrest. To protect yourself from similar scams: be extremely cautious about lending large sums to acquaintances, verify stories independently, and stop giving money if repayment doesn't materialize as promised.
irs.gov
· 2026-06-17
The IRS Criminal Investigation division is warning of a sharp rise in fraud targeting elderly Americans, with 161 new cases opened in the past 18 months and over $885 million in alleged fraud from 2021-2026. Common schemes involve criminals using deceptive tactics to steal money and personal information from seniors, with nearly 97% of prosecuted cases resulting in convictions and average prison sentences of four years. Older adults and their family members are encouraged to stay vigilant, report suspected fraud to their local IRS Criminal Investigation office, and not feel embarrassed about falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-17
Bank of America is launching a "Scaminars" program with 1,000 in-person educational events nationwide through 2026, combined with over 50 AI-powered fraud detection systems, to help older adults identify and avoid financial scams. Elder fraud represents a significant risk to both the bank's customers and its reputation, so the initiative addresses the problem through both technology-based monitoring and consumer education. For seniors and their families, attending these free seminars or staying alert to the warning signs Bank of America promotes through the program can help protect against financial fraud targeting vulnerable populations.
eaglecountryonline.com
· 2026-06-17
Indiana's Secretary of State reported that financial scams targeting seniors have reached record levels, with the state receiving 351 senior fraud reports in 2025—nearly double the previous year—resulting in approximately $25 million in losses. The exploitation includes phone scams, investment fraud, and online schemes, with state officials emphasizing that education and awareness are crucial tools for prevention. Seniors and their families are encouraged to stay informed about warning signs of financial exploitation and report any suspicious activity to authorities.
pymnts.com
· 2026-06-17
Google filed a civil lawsuit against Outsider Enterprise, a China-based criminal network accused of using AI tools like Gemini to mass-produce phishing websites at an unprecedented scale—creating over 9,000 fake sites and 1.5 million fraudulent URLs designed to steal banking credentials and personal data. The scam primarily targeted Android users through deceptive text messages mimicking bank alerts and package deliveries, with the operation generating more than two complaints per minute during peak activity. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited texts from banks or delivery services, never click links in these messages, and instead contact companies directly using verified phone numbers or official apps to confirm any alerts.
pandasecurity.com
· 2026-06-16
Financial scam advertisements are proliferating on major social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, prompting formal complaints from European consumer groups against Google, Meta, and TikTok for failing to remove fraudulent ads that reach millions of users. Between December 2025 and March 2026, regulators reported nearly 900 suspected fraudulent ads, but platforms removed only 27% of them—with TikTok performing worst at 21%—suggesting potential financial incentives to overlook scams since Meta earned millions in ad revenue from Medicare-related fraud alone. To protect yourself, scrutinize financial ads on social media carefully, verify claims through official sources rather than links in ads, and report suspected fraudulent content to the platforms immediately.
news.usps.com
· 2026-06-16
Imposter scams—where criminals pose as relatives, romantic interests, or tech support—cost consumers $15.9 billion in 2025 and are becoming increasingly convincing through AI technology. The scams commonly target elderly people and vulnerable individuals by creating urgent situations (medical emergencies, bail money, computer viruses) to pressure victims into sending money. To protect yourself, verify requests through trusted contacts before acting, avoid sharing personal information with strangers online, be wary of urgent money requests, and never grant remote computer access or make payments via gift cards to unsolicited callers.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2026-06-16
The FBI warned that criminals are using in-person couriers to collect cash from victims of cryptocurrency investment scams, where fraudsters build trust through social media and dating apps before luring people into fake investment schemes. When legitimate banks block suspicious transfers, scammers arrange for couriers (who authenticate themselves with passwords or specific dollar bill serial numbers) to pick up cash directly from victims' homes, then show fake gains in virtual wallets to demand even more money for fabricated taxes and fees. To protect yourself, research any cryptocurrency platform thoroughly, never share your home address with unsolicited contacts, avoid giving cash to unknown individuals, and be wary of "love bombing"—excessive flattery and attention used to manipulate victims.
siliconcanals.com
· 2026-06-16
In October 2025, the US Justice Department seized 127,271 bitcoin (worth $15 billion) in what it called the largest asset seizure in its history—coins that had sat untouched on the blockchain for five years with no police reports or public filings. The bitcoin is allegedly connected to Chen Zhi, a Cambodian businessman accused of running forced-labor scam operations across Southeast Asia alongside his legitimate business conglomerate, Prince Group. The case is unusual because such a massive theft typically generates immediate police reports and regulatory filings, but this one unfolded in complete silence, making the absence of any public reporting itself a key part of the investigation.
actionnewsnow.com
· 2026-06-16
The IRS is warning about a sharp rise in fraud targeting seniors, with investigators opening 255 elder fraud cases since 2021 involving nearly $886 million in losses—over $736 million of that occurring since 2024. Common scams include government impersonation, romance schemes, fake investment opportunities, and fake lottery winnings, where criminals pressure victims to quickly send money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Older adults and their families should verify suspicious claims before acting, avoid sending money to unknown parties, and report potential scams to law enforcement or the IRS Criminal Investigation division.
njoag.gov
· 2026-06-16
A North Jersey financial adviser was convicted of stealing over $300,000 from an elderly client whose finances he was managing, facing up to 10 years in prison. The case highlights the vulnerability of seniors living on fixed incomes who rely on trusted professionals to manage their money. To protect yourself, elderly individuals and their families should monitor account statements regularly, use advisers who are registered and regulated, and consider having a trusted family member or independent party review financial arrangements.
wvmetronews.com
· 2026-06-16
Federal and West Virginia officials are backing a "Never EVER" campaign to combat elder fraud, which costs West Virginia seniors approximately $19 million annually, with government imposter scams accounting for $1.1 million of that. Scammers—often operating from foreign countries using AI technology to mimic trusted voices and create artificial urgency—target vulnerable people by pressuring them to act immediately or face consequences. To protect yourself, never give out personal information to unsolicited callers, and if you suspect fraud, report it to local law enforcement or the U.S. Attorney's office.
asiaone.com
· 2026-06-16
A 70-year-old man in Singapore was targeted by scammers impersonating government officials and a Harvey Norman employee, who convinced him he was involved in money laundering and tricked him into transferring $17,000 as "protection money." He recovered the full amount after quickly reporting the scam to police and contacting his bank to freeze the account, with additional help from local authorities and his MP. The key takeaway: if government officials ask you to transfer money or give bank access over the phone, it's a scam—contact police and your bank immediately rather than complying out of fear.
bbc.com
· 2026-06-15
Fraud in the UK has surged dramatically, with over 4 million cases reported last year resulting in nearly £1.3 billion in losses, as criminals increasingly use AI and fake social media profiles to manipulate victims—including tactics like romance scams where fraudsters even marry victims to steal more money. The problem affects millions of people across the country and causes significant emotional harm beyond financial loss, with experts warning that many cases go unreported. To protect yourself, be cautious on dating apps and social media, verify identities before developing relationships or sending money, and report suspected fraud to your bank and authorities immediately.
thehitavada.com
· 2026-06-15
A man in Indore lost Rs 18.34 lakh in an online trading scam after being contacted through Facebook by a fraudster who posed as a business partner and convinced him to invest in a fake trading platform. The scammer used social media to build trust, then shifted conversations to WhatsApp and showed fabricated profits on a fraudulent website to manipulate the victim into sending money for fake taxes, penalties, and fees. Police have registered a case against the accused, and the incident highlights how scammers use social media contact requests and promises of easy income to target victims—be cautious of unsolicited investment offers and verify the legitimacy of trading platforms before transferring money.
themainewire.com
· 2026-06-14
Senator Susan Collins praised Maine's credit unions at their annual convention for their efforts to combat fraud targeting seniors, highlighting the Senior$afe initiative that trains financial employees to identify warning signs of elder fraud and exploitation. The program became the foundation for the bipartisan Senior Safe Act, which Collins authored and was signed into law in 2018. Collins also recognized the credit unions' charitable work, including nearly $1.5 million raised to fight hunger in 2025 and 36,000 volunteer hours contributed last year.
publicsource.org
· 2026-06-14
A woman named Jenna nearly fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam where fraudsters impersonated her bank's fraud department, claiming her debit card was locked due to suspicious activity and pressuring her to act quickly. However, she trusted her instincts when something felt off, contacted her husband to get a second opinion, and called her bank directly instead of following the scammers' instructions—a decision that prevented losses of at least $3,000 in fraudulent transactions. The key takeaway for anyone receiving unexpected calls about account issues: hang up and independently call your bank's official number to verify before taking any action, and don't hesitate to involve trusted family members or friends when you feel pressured.
hayspost.com
· 2026-06-14
Imposter scams remained the #1 fraud threat in 2025, with over 1 million reports and losses climbing nearly 20% to $3.5 billion, driven by surging government imposter scams (up 40%) using fake toll collection messages and rising romance scams (up 22%) where scammers build relationships before requesting money for fake investments. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages about toll payments or government issues, verify requests through official channels, and be cautious of romantic relationships that quickly turn to investment opportunities. If you encounter a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help authorities stop scammers.
aol.com
· 2026-06-14
Americans over 60 lost more than $7.7 billion to fraud in the past year—a 37% increase—with the FBI and FTC identifying seven major scams targeting seniors, including AI voice-cloning schemes, government impersonation, tech support fraud, romance scams, investment fraud, and Medicare phishing. To protect yourself, experts recommend creating a family safe word to verify callers' identities and independently confirming any suspicious contacts by calling the person directly using known contact information rather than numbers provided by the potential scammer.
forbes.com
· 2026-06-13
In 2024, Americans lost $470 million to text scams (also called "smishing"), which are fraudulent messages designed to trick people into clicking malicious links, sharing personal information, or sending money. Common scams include fake package delivery notifications, fake bank alerts, and fake job offers, and they're becoming increasingly difficult to detect as scammers use AI technology. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited texts, avoid clicking suspicious links, verify contact information independently, enable spam filters on your phone, and report suspected scams to 7726 (SPAM) and the Federal Trade Commission.
foxrgv.tv
· 2026-06-13
Elder abuse—including physical violence, emotional mistreatment, neglect, and financial exploitation—is a widespread problem in Texas that often goes unreported due to stigma, fear, and lack of awareness. About 10% of adults over 60 experience some form of abuse annually, though experts believe the actual rate is much higher, making vulnerable seniors with mobility issues, cognitive impairments, or social isolation particularly at risk. To help protect elderly Texans, communities are urged to learn warning signs of abuse, report suspected cases to Texas Adult Protective Services, and become more vigilant about safeguarding seniors' wellbeing.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-12
Scammers are targeting older adults with "grandparent scams" that use AI voice-cloning technology and stolen personal data to impersonate family members in distress and request urgent money transfers, resulting in over $5 million in reported losses in 2025 alone. The scams exploit three key pieces of information (date of birth, last four Social Security digits, and mailing address) that have been exposed in numerous data breaches and are commonly used for identity verification at banks and financial institutions. To protect yourself, verify unexpected urgent requests by contacting family members directly through known phone numbers, be skeptical of time-pressure tactics, and never transfer money based on emotional appeals or unfamiliar callers, even if they sound like someone you know.
blog.google
· 2026-06-12
Google is taking action against a major AI-powered scam operation called the "Outsider Enterprise," which sends fake text messages impersonating trusted brands like Google and banks to steal passwords and credit card information. The company is filing a lawsuit to dismantle the network, coordinating with the FBI and telecom companies (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) to block these fraudulent texts, and pushing for new federal legislation to strengthen protections. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited text alerts about packages or account issues, and use built-in security features on your phone that can detect and block suspicious messages.
salazar.house.gov
· 2026-06-12
Lawmakers have introduced bipartisan legislation to combat crypto ATM scams that cost Americans over $333 million in 2025, with seniors age 60 and older accounting for more than 85% of losses. The Stop Crypto ATM Scams Act would establish new safeguards, strengthen transparency requirements for crypto ATM operators, and give law enforcement better tools to investigate and prosecute these crimes. If you're a senior or helping elderly relatives manage finances, be wary of unsolicited requests to withdraw money and transfer it via cryptocurrency ATMs, and report suspected scams to the FBI immediately.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-06-12
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is warning seniors about a surge of scams targeting them, including common schemes involving threatening phone calls about arrests or false bank deposits, as well as a new World Cup-related fraud where scammers pose as people needing to exchange counterfeit foreign currency for cash. Seniors are particularly vulnerable because they're law-abiding, conflict-averse, and trusting, making them ideal targets for fraudsters. Willis advises seniors to follow the "SAFE" approach—Stop, Assess the situation, reach out to Family or Friends, and Exit—and to call police rather than engage directly if approached by anyone asking for money or help in suspicious circumstances.
valdostatoday.com
· 2026-06-12
The IRS is warning seniors about a surge in financial fraud, with losses reaching $7.748 billion in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year. Older adults are targeted through various schemes including government impersonation, fake investments, identity theft, and romance scams across phone calls, email, and social media. To protect themselves, seniors should verify any unexpected contact through official phone numbers and never send money via gift cards or wire transfers to unknown parties.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-12
Scammers are impersonating law enforcement, government agencies, and bank officials to trick seniors into buying physical gold and handing it over, often after coaching victims on what to say and pressuring them to keep transactions secret from family. The scheme typically starts with phone calls, texts, or emails claiming the victim's bank account is compromised or that they're under investigation, creating false urgency to buy gold. Families should watch for warning signs like requests to keep transactions private or buy gold, and remember that legitimate law enforcement and bank officials will never ask someone to purchase gold or hide financial transactions from loved ones.
thisismoney.co.uk
· 2026-06-12
A reader lost £250 after receiving an email from her friend's hacked email address requesting Airbnb vouchers, which she purchased and sent to a scammer who immediately cashed them in. This common fraud targets people by compromising email accounts and sending mass requests to contacts, exploiting emotional timing—in this case, the reader had just spoken with her genuinely ill friend, making the request seem legitimate. To protect yourself, always call the person directly to verify unusual voucher or gift requests via email, and alert your contacts immediately if your email is compromised.
tech-ish.com
· 2026-06-12
Kenyan consumers lost significant money to digital fraud in 2025, with nearly 40% of reported losses coming from scams on legitimate shopping platforms where fraudsters pose as third-party sellers and disappear after taking payment. While Kenya's overall fraud rate (2.3%) is below the global average, victims here suffer the highest median losses in Africa at over 108,000 Kenyan shillings. Consumers should be cautious when buying from individual sellers on trusted platforms—verify seller credentials, use secure payment methods, and check reviews before completing transactions.
thedailynews.cc
· 2026-06-11
Social Security scams targeting elderly Americans are widespread and increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using evolving tactics to steal sensitive information and money. The article highlights that World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) emphasizes the need for communities and organizations to protect seniors from such fraud. The resource recommends sharing information about Social Security imposter scams with friends and family to raise awareness and help prevent victimization.
iowacourts.gov
· 2026-06-10
Scammers posing as law enforcement or Iowa court officials are targeting residents through phone calls, emails, and texts, threatening them with arrest warrants, unpaid fines, and missed jury duty in order to extort money via cryptocurrency, prepaid cards, or direct payments. The Iowa Judicial Branch warns that legitimate court communications never come via text or phone calls and never request money, personal information, or direct victims to external websites or phone numbers. To protect yourself, only pay court fines through official channels (the clerk's office by mail/in-person, the secure ePayment system, or by calling 515-348-4788 during business hours), and hang up immediately if contacted by phone or text claiming to be from courts or law enforcement demanding payment.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-06-10
A comprehensive study found that Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.748 billion to internet fraud in 2025—a 59% jump from the previous year—with actual losses potentially reaching $10 billion to $81 billion when accounting for underreporting. The most common scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes, with artificial intelligence now playing an increasing role in perpetrating these crimes. Seniors should verify unexpected contacts independently, never share personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, consult trusted family members or financial advisors before making decisions, and report suspected fraud to the FTC or local law enforcement.