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in Identity Theft
ynetnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how online scams have evolved to exploit vulnerable targets through voice phishing (vishing), SMS phishing (smishing), and AI-generated voice technology, with real examples including a $250,000 CEO impersonation fraud and a $25 million company theft via deepfake video calls. The article identifies key vulnerabilities including the widespread sale of personal data by brokers and the increasing sophistication of scam tactics like "pig butchering," romance scams, and tech support hoaxes that require minimal technical skills to execute at scale. Protective measures recommended include avoiding unexpected calls from unknown numbers, enabling two-factor authentication with security keys rather than SMS, verifying
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly employing long-term relationship-building tactics rather than quick-payoff schemes to target seniors aged 60 and older. The article also covers related financial crimes including IRS enforcement of Employee Retention Credit abuse, a Florida man's guilty plea for evading $2.4 million in taxes through trust misdirection, and recommendations to improve IRS services for international taxpayers regarding unreported foreign gifts.
newslj.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides multiple scam alerts and protective measures: residents received fraudulent PayPal invoices via email impersonation, unrealistic job offers via text promising $1,000+ daily pay for minimal work, and a fake donation request to a nonprofit seeking wire transfer details for a $7,000 "donation." A massive data breach exposed 2.7 billion individuals' Social Security numbers and personal information, with experts recommending credit freezes with major bureaus, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and vigilance against phishing exploitation of the breach.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Venmo users face multiple fraud schemes including spoofed calls impersonating Venmo requesting authentication codes, phishing texts and emails with fake login links, fake payment demands from companies, and scammers posing as friends or family members to request money. To protect yourself, never share confidential information with unsolicited contacts, independently verify requests by contacting Venmo directly through official channels, carefully examine email addresses and website URLs, and be suspicious of urgent payment demands.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Two New York City women pleaded guilty to participating in a credit union fraud conspiracy that operated since at least December 2021, exploiting the shared branching network by using fake IDs to make fraudulent withdrawals totaling nearly $500,000 across the United States. Lesley Lucchese and Danielle Cappetti, who acted as runners conducting the fraudulent transactions in exchange for drugs or small cash payments, face up to 30 years in prison, with five defendants total having pleaded guilty and three others remaining charged in the scheme that resulted in over $1 million in total losses.
the-review.com
· 2025-12-08
QR codes are increasingly being exploited by scammers to direct victims to phishing websites, fraudulent payment portals, malware downloads, and fake cryptocurrency wallets. Common schemes include placing fraudulent QR codes on parking meters to steal payment information, conducting romance scams that culminate in cryptocurrency investment requests, impersonating utility companies and government agencies to collect fraudulent payments, and sending malicious codes via email or mail. Consumers should verify QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from unsolicited sources, and confirm suspicious requests directly with the legitimate organization or person claiming to contact them.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Orion S.A., a global carbon black supplier, lost $60 million in a Business Email Compromise (BEC) attack in August 2024 when an employee was deceived into making multiple fraudulent wire transfers to scammer-controlled accounts. The company reported the incident to the SEC and confirmed it notified law enforcement and is pursuing fund recovery through insurance coverage, with no additional data breaches or fraudulent activity detected.
washingtonblade.com
· 2025-12-08
Former U.S. Rep. George Santos pleaded guilty on August 19 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, admitting he defrauded campaign donors, stole donors' identities to make fraudulent credit card purchases, and falsely claimed unemployment benefits, among other crimes. Santos faces six to eight years in prison at his February 7, 2025 sentencing and must repay at least $373,000 to victims as part of his plea agreement with federal prosecutors.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a warning about cryptocurrency scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens, which exploit victims' unfamiliarity with digital currencies. Common scams include investment schemes promising high returns with zero risk, impersonation scams claiming account fraud or legal issues that can only be resolved via cryptocurrency transfer, and blackmail scams threatening to release compromising information unless paid in Bitcoin. The Attorney General advises Arizonans to verify caller information independently, remain skeptical of unsolicited requests, recognize that legitimate businesses never demand cryptocurrency payment, protect personal information, consult trusted family members before financial decisions, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement or the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
iid.iowa.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies six common scams targeting Iowa storm victims: FEMA impersonation scams, contractor fraud (storm chasers), fake charities, insurance claim scams, phishing communications, and identity theft. The article provides preventative measures for each scam type, including verifying credentials, obtaining multiple estimates, researching charities through watchdog organizations, contacting insurance companies directly, and freezing credit. Resources provided include the Iowa Attorney General's Office, Iowa Insurance Division, and FEMA fraud hotline for reporting suspected fraud.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
During the 2024 election season, Charlotte residents experienced increased political calls and texts, many of which were scams rather than legitimate campaign communications. Equifax's Identity Theft Protection team identified five types of political scams targeting voters: fake polls/surveys, donation scams, impersonation scams, questionable petitions, and voter registration scams. Experts recommend not providing unsolicited information, avoiding pressure to act immediately, verifying directly with official sources, and deleting suspicious messages.
wror.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article reports that New England states rank among the safest for online dating based on rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, sex offenders, and STDs, with Vermont ranking #1 nationally and Massachusetts at #17. The article also notes that all six New England states rank in the top 20 most expensive states for dating, with New York leading at $297.27 for an average date compared to the national average of $120.90.
bluewin.ch
· 2025-12-08
Swiss politician Cédric Wermuth, SP Co-President and Aargau National Councillor, became a victim of identity theft when scammers used his photos for romance scams on Facebook and other online platforms. The fraud was discovered when a bank manager alerted Wermuth that a customer attempted to transfer 100,000 francs to him; Wermuth found at least five fraudulent profiles using his identity details on Facebook alone. He filed a criminal complaint that has been forwarded to the public prosecutor's office.
kvoa.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued an alert about cryptocurrency scams targeting consumers through investment schemes, impersonation fraud, and blackmail extortion. Scammers use phone calls, emails, social media, and dating apps to pose as investment managers, government officials, or love interests to trick victims into buying and transferring cryptocurrency. The Attorney General recommends verifying caller information independently, remaining skeptical of unsolicited requests for cryptocurrency payments, never sharing personal information with unknown callers, consulting trusted individuals before major financial decisions, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.
njspotlightnews.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that scammers stole approximately $3.4 billion from seniors in 2023, with the actual figure likely higher due to underreporting caused by victim embarrassment and uncertainty. Common scams targeting older adults include mail fraud, online scams, and identity theft, often leveraging fear of missing out and appearing legitimate. To protect themselves, seniors should verify the legitimacy of unsolicited communications by contacting companies directly through official websites rather than using contact information provided in suspicious emails or calls.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
Samuel Kristofer Bunner of West Virginia was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for defrauding a dementia patient of $1,906,229 through bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, including selling the victim's real estate, draining accounts, and opening fraudulent credit cards. Bunner used the stolen funds to purchase homes, campers, cars, and consumer goods, and was ordered to pay full restitution of $1,906,229 and serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.
wmtv15news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns college students, particularly freshmen ages 18-24, about six prevalent scams: fake apartment listings (where scammers copy real listings and request deposits for properties that don't exist), fraudulent credit card offers targeting first-time users, identity theft (requiring regular credit report monitoring), fake scholarship and grant offers, and other schemes exploiting their inexperience. The BBB emphasizes the importance of verifying sources, researching offers that seem too good to be true, and protecting personal information to prevent financial and identity-related harm.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
During back-to-school season, fraudsters employ multiple scams targeting families seeking savings, including deep-discount shopping scams on social media (offering counterfeit or non-existent brand-name items), textbook scams (selling fake or undelivered books at reduced prices), and financial aid scams. The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to research sellers beyond social media platforms, use credit cards for purchases, avoid payment methods like gift cards and wire transfers, and buy from official retailers to protect themselves from losing money to these schemes.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud targeting Americans over 60 increased 3% between 2022 and 2023, with victims losing an average of over $36,000 per incident. Arizona, Utah, and Rhode Island experienced the largest increases (36%, 23%, and 22% respectively), with research suggesting scammers are increasingly targeting high-income areas with large senior populations. Prevention measures include educating seniors and financial professionals about common scams, improving digital literacy among older adults, and implementing stronger security settings on financial accounts.
phoenixnewtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Arizona ranks among the nation's worst states for online dating safety, according to a Privacy Journal study that analyzed romance scams, identity theft, fraud, and other risk factors. The state has the highest rate of romance scam victims at 9.2 per 100,000 residents annually, along with the 10th-highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases and eighth-highest fraud rate, placing it 46th out of 50 states overall. The study recommends vigilance when using dating apps like Bumble and Tinder to avoid catfishing, romance scams, and other online dating dangers.
bluewin.ch
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole the identity of Swiss SP Co-President Cédric Wermuth by using his photos to conduct romance scams online, a form of marriage fraud. The fraud was discovered when a bank manager alerted Wermuth that a customer attempted to transfer 100,000 Swiss francs to him after being deceived; Wermuth found his details on at least five Facebook pages used for the scam. Wermuth filed a criminal complaint with Aargau cantonal police, which will be forwarded to the public prosecutor's office.
tampabay.com
· 2025-12-08
A cybersecurity firm KnowBe4 discovered that a newly hired remote software engineer was a North Korean scammer operating through a U.S. laptop farm, exposed when the company laptop immediately began downloading password-stealing malware. The scheme involved multiple actors including a compromised American citizen whose identity was stolen, fake references with Gmail addresses, and inconsistencies in the hiring process that the FBI has linked to a known North Korean data-stealing operation targeting I.T. positions at American and British companies. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in remote hiring processes and the need for companies to implement stronger verification procedures, in-person interviews, and cross-referenced background checks to prevent foreign threat actors from infilt
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ella Mae Woods, 76, a former Brattleboro resident, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for wire fraud and theft of government money after pleading guilty in May 2024 to misappropriating her deceased mother's Social Security benefits for approximately 28 years. Woods fraudulently collected $328,000 in payments that should have stopped when her mother died in 1994, including opening bank accounts in her mother's name and forging signature documents; she was ordered to pay full restitution of $328,000 and serve one year of supervised release following her prison term.
theitem.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam when a fake Apple alert prompted her to contact fraudsters posing as Apple and bank employees, who ultimately convinced her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the payment method of choice for criminals because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards. Federal regulators have failed to adequately protect consumers from gift card fraud despite it being a growing problem, while technology companies and retailers benefit financially from these crimes due to
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud after clicking a malicious link on her frozen laptop, leading fraudsters to convince her to purchase gift cards worth thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for criminals due to minimal consumer protections and difficulty in tracing funds. Federal regulators have failed to provide gift cards with the same protections as credit and debit cards, while retailers, technology companies, and fraudsters all profit from the scheme at victims' expense.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland resident named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam that ultimately resulted in fraudsters convincing her to purchase gift cards as payment. The article documents how gift card fraud has become a leading payment method in elder fraud schemes, with an estimated $8 billion stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older, yet federal regulators have failed to implement consumer protections for gift cards comparable to those for credit and debit cards. The investigation reveals that while fraudsters, gift card companies, and retailers profit from these schemes, the privately-held technology companies managing the gift card infrastructure are best positioned to prevent fraud but lack legal requirements to do so.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
The Local Office on Aging in Roanoke, Virginia advises seniors to protect themselves from cyber scams and identity theft by staying informed about their finances, recognizing common scam tactics, and safeguarding personal information. The organization is hosting a free Senior Legal Safety Conference on September 20 featuring presentations on fraud prevention and legal protections for older adults.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cobb County man's Facebook account was hacked in late July, and the imposter used it to sell fake high-priced items (cars, trucks, hot tubs) to his friends, resulting in at least one friend losing money. Despite reporting the hack to Facebook over two weeks prior and following their identity verification procedures, the company has not resolved the issue, and the fake posts continue to appear on his page. The imposter's fraudulent listings are being reported by other users, but Facebook has dismissed complaints as not violating community standards.
forbesafrica.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses exceeded $3.4 billion in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly employing long-term relationship-building tactics rather than quick schemes targeting seniors aged 60 and older. Beyond elder fraud, the IRS has initiated over 460 criminal investigations into Employee Retention Credit (ERC) abuse, including a case where a preparer filed over $124 million in false claims, while also offering a second voluntary disclosure program through November 2024 for businesses to repay incorrectly claimed credits at 85% of the amount received.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection warned residents of a scam targeting Eversource and United Illuminating customers, where scammers impersonate utility company employees and offer fake senior rate discounts while requesting personal information like account numbers and payment details to commit identity theft and financial fraud. The DCP advised customers to hang up on unsolicited calls, verify legitimacy by calling the official number on their bill, and report scams to authorities and credit agencies.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
James Dougherty of Boise was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for wire fraud after systematically defrauding an elderly retired schoolteacher of her 46-acre ranch and over $250,000 through a scheme involving gaining power of attorney, establishing a fraudulent trust, and selling the property to himself at below-market value. His wife, Jessica Dougherty, received three years of probation for obstruction of justice after destroying evidence on a computer while in custody. The victim, whose health had deteriorated, lost control of her finances and real property between 2015 and 2017 when the Doughertys fraudulently transferre
myleaderpaper.com
· 2025-12-08
Austin James, a 27-year-old contractor from Hillsboro, was sentenced to five years' probation, 90 days of house arrest, and ordered to repay $94,606 for his role in financially exploiting an 80-year-old St. Louis woman. James and accomplice Gino Rives convinced the elderly homeowner to write checks totaling over $550,000 for home renovations that were actually worth only $50,000, with James receiving eight checks for work he never performed. Rives, the scheme's primary perpetrator, was separately sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to repay over $1 million to elder
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A cybersecurity expert warned that major data breaches—including AT&T's 2024 compromises affecting millions of customers' personal information—enable sophisticated scams orchestrated by state-sponsored actors from China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran who use stolen data for social engineering attacks. Victims lose billions annually to romance scams and "pig-butchering" investment scams (particularly in cryptocurrency), with one in four Americans losing an average of $500 to scams in the past year. The expert recommends monitoring for phishing attempts, using unique passwords with a password manager, and enabling multi-factor authentication to protect against fraud resulting from data breaches.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudulent QR code stickers were affixed to approximately 150 parking meters in Redondo Beach's Esplanade and Riviera Village areas, directing users to a fake website (poybyphone.online) where they were prompted to enter payment and personal information. The scam, known as "quishing," has been used in multiple cities and can expose victims to identity theft and financial fraud; all stickers have been removed and authorities are investigating. Residents who may have been defrauded or scanned the fake codes are encouraged to contact the Redondo Beach Police Department.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A study ranking online dating safety across U.S. states identified Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, Florida, and Arizona as the five most dangerous states, based on rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, violent crime, and encounters with registered sex offenders. Georgia and Florida ranked among the least safe due to particularly high identity theft and fraud rates, while Arizona led the nation in romance scams specifically. The research demonstrates that geographic location significantly influences online dating risks for users.
unisa.edu.au
· 2025-12-08
During Australia's Scams Awareness Week 2024, UniSA expert Dr. Braam Lowies highlighted that despite a 13% drop in scam losses, Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in 2023, with older people over 65 suffering disproportionately—losing $120 million (a 13.3% increase). Investment scams, romance scams, and remote access scams remain prevalent, with investment scams causing the most harm, while scammers exploit psychological tactics and target older adults' retirement savings, often exacerbated by limited digital literacy and cyber security awareness. The campaign emphasized the importance of sharing scam
augustachronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A Privacy Journal study ranked Georgia as the third most dangerous state for online dating, scoring 43.16 based on six risk factors including romance scams, identity theft, fraud, registered sex offenders, STD prevalence, and violent crime. Georgia performed particularly poorly in identity theft and fraud cases, with 358 per 100,000 residents experiencing identity theft annually and 470 per 100,000 falling victim to other types of fraud, though it had the fourth-lowest rate of romance scams. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire were identified as the safest states for online dating.
abilene-rc.com
· 2025-12-08
Detective Kevin Landers of the Abilene Police Department outlines common scams targeting seniors, including romance, lottery, sweepstakes, and government impersonation schemes where callers demand payment via gift cards or bitcoin. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes, and maintain good credit, though scammers prey on people of all ages. Landers recommends protecting oneself by verifying unsolicited offers online, resisting pressure to act quickly, monitoring credit reports annually, and stopping communication with suspected scammers immediately.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams were the FTC's top-reported fraud type in 2023, resulting in $2.7 billion in losses, with a current trend of deceptive emails and texts falsely claiming subscriptions are expiring or have been renewed to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing payment information. Victims who click these links risk fraudulent charges, identity theft, and malware installation on their devices. To avoid these scams, consumers should verify messages independently by logging into accounts through official channels, scrutinize sender email addresses and message language for red flags, contact businesses directly using verified phone numbers, and avoid providing payment information in response to unsolicited messages.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven Maryland residents lost a combined $6.3 million in a gold bar scam where fraudsters posed as federal agents and claimed to be safeguarding assets from identity theft or foreign threats, directing victims to convert cash into gold bars for courier pickup by fake "FBI agents." The Montgomery County State's Attorney's Office believes approximately 20 victims total were targeted in what officials describe as organized crime with international links to India and China, with scammers able to transport the untraceable gold across borders. Seniors are particularly vulnerable, with people over 60 reporting $3.4 billion in cyber fraud losses nationally in 2023.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A GOBankingRates survey found that Gen Z and millennials fall victim to financial scams at higher rates than older generations, with 35% experiencing phone-related scams compared to 25% of Gen Xers, and 18% of Gen Zers victimized by Social Security scams versus less than 2% of seniors. Fraud prevention experts attribute this vulnerability to younger generations' greater trust in digital platforms, overconfidence in spotting scams, financial pressures, and exposure to recruitment into fraudulent activities on social media, despite 81% of Gen Z believing they can identify AI-generated fraud.
krgv.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn travelers to avoid common scams including fake vacation rental listings, fraudulent hotel payment calls, counterfeit concert tickets, and phishing texts about unpaid tolls. To protect yourself, book through reputable sites, verify listings before paying, avoid wire transfers and prepaid cards, call businesses directly to confirm requests, and monitor your bank and credit accounts while traveling. Victims of travel scams can contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at 888-400-5530.
bankinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Job seekers in cybersecurity are increasingly targeted by fraudulent job postings that exploit the field's high demand and remote work prevalence. Common scam tactics include requests for personal information (Social Security numbers, identification), unusually high salaries with quick hiring processes, vague job descriptions, and unprofessional communication. Job applicants can protect themselves by researching companies directly, contacting employers through official websites, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 62-year-old retired bank employee in Karnataka lost over Rs 63 lakh across two separate online scams between April and August 2024, both involving false promises to buy old currency at inflated prices. The victim was lured through Instagram and Quikr advertisements to pay various "fees" to fraudsters who claimed to purchase his old coins and notes, ultimately defrauding him of Rs 52.12 lakh in the first scheme and Rs 10.89 lakh in the second. Police registered cases under cybercrime and fraud statutes against the perpetrators.
newyorkfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams targeting children and recommends preventive strategies for parents and kids. Key scam types include phishing (stealing sensitive data via suspicious links and emails), fake websites mimicking legitimate retailers, fake online offers with "free" or "discount" baits, phone scams impersonating authority figures, and in-person scams involving direct requests for money or counterfeit products. Parents are advised to educate children on recognizing these tactics, verifying website addresses for misspellings, and avoiding sharing personal information with unknown sources or suspicious sites.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
College students ages 18-24 reported the highest median losses to scams in 2023 for the second consecutive year, according to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report. The most common scams targeting this demographic include employment scams (offering remote work with high pay to collect personal information), online purchase fraud (items never delivered or counterfeit), and investment/cryptocurrency scams (median loss of $3,800), which the BBB warns are now the riskiest. The BBB advises students to scrutinize messages for red flags like poor grammar, misspellings, suspicious job offers requesting sensitive data, and investment opportunities that seem too good to
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Olusegun Samson Adejorin, a Nigerian national, was extradited from Ghana in August 2024 to face federal charges for a $7.5 million business email compromise scheme targeting two charitable organizations—one in Maryland and one in New York. Between June and August 2020, Adejorin gained unauthorized access to employee email accounts, impersonated staff members, and fraudulently requested fund withdrawals, successfully diverting over $7.5 million from Victim 2's investment funds. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison on wire fraud charges, plus additional penalties for identity theft and unauthorized computer access.**
komando.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over age 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud schemes in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported type and investment scams causing the highest losses at $1.2 billion. Seniors are targeted because they typically have larger nest eggs and assets, and roughly 68% of elder fraud cases begin with personal information leaked online, with underreporting being a significant issue as many victims do not report incidents due to shame or uncertainty about how to report. Common scam types affecting seniors include tech support fraud, romance scams, government impersonation schemes, and data breaches, with warning signs including unsolicited contact
newsandsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Three men—two from Cleveland and one from Michigan—were indicted for stealing $30,000 from a Washington County senior citizen through an overpayment scam in July, where they posed as PayPal representatives and convinced the victim to provide a refund. The suspects are also linked to a similar $30,000 theft in Franklin County, and investigators indicate there are additional victims throughout the Great Lakes region. Law enforcement advises seniors to verify requests for money or gift cards by contacting family, friends, or local authorities before complying.