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the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Dan Michalski from Hawaii lost over $30,000 from his bank account after receiving a spoofed call appearing to be from his bank; the scammer used knowledge of his recent transactions to establish credibility, then tricked him into providing a verification code that allowed unauthorized transfers to Zelle. Though Michalski recovered $10,000, he remains uncompensated for the remaining loss, highlighting how sophisticated caller-spoofing fraud can bypass even verification attempts like checking the phone number online.
thecyberwire.com
· 2025-12-08
This podcast episode discusses job board scams and social engineering tactics targeting job seekers. The hosts highlight techniques scammers use to impersonate legitimate companies and government agencies, including spoofed phone numbers and vague claims about background investigations, and emphasize the importance of verifying caller information independently rather than calling back suspicious numbers directly.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A New York City corporate attorney lost over $2,500 in a Venmo scam after two teenagers asked for a donation, took her phone, and transferred funds without her authorization. After sharing her story on TikTok (viewed nearly 40,000 times), she identified at least 10 other victims in the Financial District and surrounding areas who fell for the same scheme. Venmo refunded the victim and recommends enabling Face ID and PIN protection to prevent similar incidents.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Facebook users had their accounts hacked and exploited to post fake Taylor Swift ticket scams, defrauding friends of hundreds of pounds each; Lloyds Bank estimated British fans lost £1 million in ticket scams, with 90% originating on Facebook. Users reported that Facebook failed to respond to numerous reports of the hacks and scam posts, leaving victims feeling powerless, though the platform eventually removed accounts after BBC contact. The scammers used sophisticated tactics including AI-generated posts and blocked warning comments from legitimate account holders.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated property fraud scheme involving Jose Manuel Santiago, Rosson Dwayne Hamilton, and Vernon Lavoie resulted in multiple homes being stolen and sold without owners' knowledge across Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. The trio created fraudulent bank accounts in homeowners' names, with Lavoie using fake IDs to impersonate owners; one home in Tampa, Florida sold for $65,000 and a U.S. Army veteran lost his house along with military memorabilia and his Jeep. Santiago received three years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, Hamilton received one day, and Lavoie received two years and seven months; experts recommend homeowners obtain
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
According to a new AARP survey, 42 percent of American adults have experienced fraud, a dramatic increase from 15 percent a decade ago, with Americans reporting $10 billion stolen in 2023 to the FTC. Adults 50 and older express higher concern about fraud (63 percent worry significantly), and older adults lose more money on average to scams than younger people, with Black Americans experiencing the highest victimization rate at 56 percent. On a positive note, fraud awareness is improving, with 91 percent of Americans now understanding that fraud can happen to anyone and 96 percent recognizing gift card payment requests as scams.
event-newsenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
A Los Alamitos senior citizen was targeted by an internet and phone-based scam where a fraudster posing as PayPal convinced her to withdraw $20,000 in cash and leave it on her porch. Alert Cypress police detected the scheme at a local bank and coordinated with Los Alamitos detectives, who replaced the cash with newspapers and arrested a suspected money mule when he attempted to pick up the bag. The same scam had previously defrauded a Cypress senior citizen of $30,000.
jcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Jeremy Cook, a security officer with Exchange Bank, presented information on financial fraud prevention to seniors at the Jones County Senior Center on April 17, covering common scams including government imposter, grandparent, charity, romance, and technical support scams. Cook advised attendees to ignore unknown callers, never share personal information or send wire transfers, verify charities before donating, and conduct transactions in person when possible, while noting that romance scams alone generated $2.1 billion nationally in 2022. The presentation materials were designed for distribution at churches and other community venues to raise awareness among seniors about financial security threats.
theamericangenius.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Elder Fraud Report 2023: FBI Data on Senior Scams
The FBI's Elder Fraud Report 2023 documents $3.43 billion in losses from 101,068 seniors over 60, averaging $33,915 per victim with an 11% increase from 2022—though actual figures likely exceed these numbers due to underreporting. Tech and customer support scams were most common, while investment scams caused the largest losses at $1.2 billion, with romance, identity theft, and personal data breach scams also prevalent in the top five. Protection strategies include avoiding suspicious links and ads, using only legitimate company websites for contact information
securitymagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
"Selfie spoofing" scams, in which fraudsters use victims' social media photos to authenticate stolen identities and open fraudulent accounts, accounted for 20% of identification document fraud in 2023 and are rapidly increasing. Senior citizens aged 50 and above are disproportionately targeted, comprising approximately 49% of victims and being four times more likely to experience such fraud, due to factors including greater accumulated assets and lower technological literacy.
thesuntimesnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 93-year-old woman with mild dementia became a victim of financial abuse by her youngest daughter, Joan, who siphoned an estimated $230,000 from her mother's savings, manipulated her into signing a new will naming Joan as sole heir and power of attorney, and subsequently sold the mother's condo for $400,000—leaving the three other daughters powerless to stop the exploitation while a police investigation could take up to two years. The article contextualizes this case within the broader problem of elder financial abuse, which the National Council on Aging estimates costs seniors approximately $36.5 billion annually, particularly affecting vulnerable populations including those with cognitive decline and Black seniors (
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 800,000 people across Europe and the US were defrauded by a sophisticated network of approximately 76,000 fake online designer shops operated from China, with victims sharing credit card details, security codes, and personal information while attempting to purchase discounted goods from brands like Dior, Nike, and Prada. The organized operation, which began in 2015 and processed over 1 million orders in the past three years, attempted to collect as much as €50 million, though most consumers received no items; approximately 22,500 shops remain active. Security experts warn that the harvested personal data could be used for future phishing attacks, identity theft, and potentially
harder.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $10 billion to scams and fraud in 2023, nearly triple the $8.8 billion lost in 2022, according to FTC data. Representative Josh Harder introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate May 9th as National Scam Survivor Day to reduce stigma around victimization and raise awareness, particularly regarding imposter scams that increasingly use AI technology to deceive consumers and seniors. The resolution aims to prompt greater action to protect families from fraud while acknowledging that actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting.
bhpioneer.com
· 2025-12-08
The City of Spearfish issued warnings about door-to-door construction scams, which typically increase during summer months when vendors solicit home repair work. The city advised residents to verify contractors' peddlers permits, request written price quotes in advance, require building permits for work, check references, verify business legitimacy and insurance coverage, and avoid paying bills upfront—recommendations aligned with the South Dakota Attorney General's office guidance.
themonroetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
First National Bank and Trust is alerting the public to a growing Bank Imposter Scam in which fraudsters send fake text messages mimicking the bank, then call victims impersonating bank employees to trick them into revealing banking information or transferring money. The bank emphasizes that legitimate banks never request passwords, PINs, or ask customers to transfer money for "protection," and is hosting fraud prevention seminars at senior centers in Beloit and Janesville to educate the public on identifying and combating fraud.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP podcast episode features romance scam survivor Kate Kleinart discussing how she was deceived by a scammer she met on Facebook who used charm and false affection ("love bombing") to gain her trust before requesting money. Kleinart emphasizes that romance scams can happen to anyone and advises people to trust their instincts and remain vigilant about suspicious online behavior. The episode serves as an educational resource highlighting warning signs of romance scams and encouraging victims to recognize and report such fraudulent schemes.
winnipegfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams ranked sixth in the Better Business Bureau's riskiest scams report, with a median loss of $4,240 per victim—significantly higher than the median loss of $300 for all scams combined. Scammers, known as "catfishers," use fake profiles and fabricated stories to build emotional relationships with victims on dating apps before requesting money, personal information, or assistance under false pretenses. To protect themselves, people should avoid sharing personal information with online dating contacts, verify profile photos through reverse image searches, watch for inconsistencies in stories, and be suspicious of profiles that seem too perfect or excuses preventing in-person meetings.
consumerwide.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria is a global center for romance scams, particularly targeting foreign victims, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reporting 1,129 victims and approximately $14 million in losses in 2021. The EFCC identified rapid growth in cyber-crime among young Nigerians, noting that societal acceptance of these crimes—including parental support of scammers—enables the criminal activity to flourish despite existing laws. Romance scams extend internationally, with documented cases involving Nigerian perpetrators defrauding victims across the US, UK, and Europe, ranging from financial extortion to cases resulting in victim suicides and prison sentences.
readthereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
American Senior Communities and the Indiana Attorney General's Office are hosting free educational sessions to help seniors recognize and avoid scams, with a session scheduled for May 9 in Indianapolis. The presentation will cover common fraud tactics (such as grandparent scams, romance fraud, and fake investment schemes) that cost seniors over $5.9 billion annually, and will provide guidance on identifying scams, recovery steps, and how to report fraud.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The FTC has issued an alert about a "growing wave" of government and business-impersonation scams targeting retirees' savings, with Amazon being among the most frequently impersonated companies due to its massive customer base. Common scams include fake refund offers with phishing links, fraudulent Prime subscription renewal notices with unusually high prices directing users to fake login pages, fake delivery/order problems requesting payment or personal information, and suspicious purchase confirmation calls designed to catch victims off guard. Consumers are advised to always verify account information directly through official apps or websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
roundrocktexas.gov
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational workshop announcement (event has passed) where Silver Safe and Secure, a nonprofit organization, offered a 90-minute training session to help seniors recognize and avoid online scams. The workshop covered common fraud types including phishing, tech support, and romance scams, along with red flags, verification methods, safe browsing practices, and reporting procedures—in response to the 2022 FBI finding that Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.1 billion to fraud that year.
marcumllp.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2023 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report shows that fraud targeting individuals over age 60 is increasing significantly, with this age group reporting $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from 2022 and more than all other age groups combined. The 101,068 complaints filed by seniors represented a 14% year-over-year increase, with tech support fraud, personal data breaches, and romance scams being the most common crimes, while investment fraud produced the highest individual losses and increased over 400% in two years. The report emphasizes that actual fraud figures are likely higher than reported, as many elderly victims fail to report crimes due to embarrass
northjersey.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer introduced bipartisan legislation seeking $60 million in federal funding over six years to help states combat senior scams through enforcement, technology, and education initiatives. The bill comes as seniors lose over $3.4 billion annually to scams involving impersonation, fake deliveries, and social media fraud, with over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reporting scams to the FBI in 2023 alone. Gottheimer also plans to urge social media companies to add warning labels, flag scammers, and improve fraud reporting tools on their platforms.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Georgia disability and aging advocacy organizations are pushing for Governor Kemp to sign HB 1123, which would create an "Elder Justice Coalition" to coordinate a statewide response to elder abuse and fraud. The bill aims to address a significant problem: at least 10% of adults over 60 experience some form of elder abuse annually, with one in five elderly Georgians having disabilities that make them vulnerable targets. If signed, the coalition would establish training programs, coordinate investigations across regions, and collect data on abuse to identify patterns and close loopholes that allow perpetrators to operate multiple unlicensed facilities across county lines.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this, but this content doesn't appear to be related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The items listed cover public health initiatives (opioid kits), emergency services (warming centers), utility assistance programs, and a criminal investigation unrelated to elder fraud.
For Elderus database purposes, please share articles specifically about scams targeting seniors, elder financial abuse, fraud schemes, or elder exploitation cases. I'm ready to summarize those when you have them available.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
James City County, Virginia authorities reported a rise in impersonation scams where callers falsely posed as law enforcement officers ("Deputy Shawn Anby" and "Derek Petterson") claiming victims had missed court appearances and threatening arrest warrants unless they immediately transferred funds. The scammers provided fake badge numbers and claimed affiliation with regional police and sheriff's departments in Richmond and Kent, with similar incidents reported across Virginia in January through April. Officials emphasized that legitimate law enforcement and courts never contact people by phone requesting money or personal financial information.
colorado.edu
· 2025-12-08
An international student was targeted by a job offer scam in which a fraudster posing as a recruiter conducted an interview, sent a fake offer letter, requested the student's passport, and then sent a fraudulent check to be deposited with instructions to purchase work equipment. The article advises job seekers to verify companies online, consult trusted advisors, never pay upfront fees, and be wary of employers requesting check deposits, while victims should immediately contact their financial institutions to report fraud and attempt to reverse transactions.
thedailystar.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans age 50 and older last year, with losses up 11% year-over-year according to an FBI report, as criminals employ increasingly sophisticated tactics including tech support scams, romance fraud, and schemes involving live couriers to collect cash and precious metals from victims. The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints from older adults last year, with nearly 5,000 people losing over $100,000 each, and investigators are warning of organized, transnational criminal enterprises targeting seniors through various scams that exploit vulnerabilities such as loneliness and lack of technical knowledge. The article advises older Americans
homelandprepnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11 percent increase from 2022—with tech support scams ($600 million), investment fraud ($1.2 billion), and call center schemes ($770 million) being the most costly. California alone reported over 11,000 complaints totaling $620 million in losses, and the FBI noted that some victims were forced to remortgage homes, deplete retirement accounts, or take their own lives due to financial devastation. The FBI recommends seniors verify contact information independently, avoid quick decisions, never share personal information with suspected scammers, and report fraud immediately to law enforcement
bridportnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Bridport husband and wife nearly fell victim to courier fraud after receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be their bank asking about their account details; they avoided losing money by being suspicious, contacting their bank directly, and alerting police. Dorset Police report this scam targets elderly and vulnerable people, with fraudsters posing as banks or police officers to convince victims to withdraw or transfer large sums of money for "safekeeping" due to alleged fraudulent activity on their accounts.
dutchnews.nl
· 2025-12-08
Multiple visitors to Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum were defrauded after purchasing tickets through a fake website (vangoghshop.pro) that replicated the legitimate museum site, resulting in stolen credit card details for at least 50 victims. The scammers sent tickets dated 2017 to unsuspecting buyers, with banks subsequently blocking compromised credit cards. The fake website has since been removed, and the museum now advises customers to purchase tickets only through the official vangoghmuseum.nl domain.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Package delivery scams use fake text messages impersonating major carriers like USPS, UPS, or FedEx to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and providing personal information or payment for fake fees. Americans reported $330 million in losses from text scams in 2022, more than double the prior year, making this a rapidly growing threat. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links or calling numbers from unsolicited texts and instead verify package issues directly through the retailer or shipper's official website.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece about common banking scams in 2024, reporting that consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023. It describes seven prevalent scams—including fake bank websites, malicious apps, phishing communications, check washing, check overpayment schemes, money transfer fraud, and account takeover attacks—and provides protective measures for each, such as verifying bank legitimacy through official channels, downloading only reputable apps, and monitoring bank statements regularly.
kcra.com
· 2025-12-08
This Consumer Reports guide provides safety advice for online marketplace transactions, particularly on Facebook Marketplace, where consumers have lost over $2.7 billion to social media scams since 2021. Key recommendations include: never sharing personal information outside the platform, meeting in public well-lit locations (such as police station parking lots), using secure payment methods with test transactions, and avoiding purchases of used child car seats due to safety concerns. The guidance applies to all online purchase meetups to prevent scams and protect personal data.
theautopian.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in Los Angeles was scammed by a fake parking attendant at a surface lot who collected $10 for parking, then removed her payment ticket from her windshield, resulting in her car being towed; she had to pay $297 for a "field drop" to prevent further towing charges. The scammer, posing as an attendant in official-looking vest, had already towed approximately 10 other vehicles that day, and similar scams targeting event-goers have been reported in other cities including Chicago. The article serves as a cautionary guide about this widespread parking lot fraud scheme that occurs near major events and attractions.
963kklz.com
· 2025-12-08
QR code scams are increasing in Nevada, particularly in public parking lots where fraudsters use fake codes to collect payment information, but also in restaurants, bars, and shopping malls. To protect yourself, inspect QR codes for signs of tampering or replacement stickers, manually type web addresses instead of scanning codes, and be especially cautious of unsolicited QR codes in emails, texts, or letters offering prizes or free goods. Las Vegas tourists should be particularly vigilant in parking areas and near attractions.
thenewsenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams are growing in prevalence and target individuals across all ages, incomes, and backgrounds. The article provides eight prevention strategies: protect personal information, verify identities before sharing details or money, avoid clicking suspicious links, secure devices with software updates, trust your instincts, be cautious with money transfers, educate yourself about scams, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
fox29.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that over $1.2 million was stolen from elderly Americans through scams in 2023. FBI Special Agent Wayne Jacobs and Philadelphia Corporation for Aging President Najjar Orr discussed the rising trend of elder fraud with local media.
losalamosreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, 759 New Mexico residents over age 60 lost more than $17.7 million to online fraud, with the costliest schemes being romance scams ($4.9 million), investment scams ($4.6 million), and tech support scams ($3.1 million). The FBI emphasizes that older adults are particularly vulnerable due to financial stability and potential isolation, and urges prevention through awareness and family education, with victims encouraged to report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
newjersey.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens at a Fair Lawn Senior Center learned about scams targeting older adults, with one attendee sharing how he nearly lost $1,000 to a gift card scam before CVS staff alerted him. Rep. Josh Gottheimer unveiled a Senior Security Strategy that includes requiring social media platforms to add warning labels to fraudulent accounts, establishing an SEC grant program for state scam response efforts, and notes that over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reported scams to the FBI last year. The key advice is to never provide personal information when contacted by phone, email, or social media, and to report suspected scams to local police or the FBI.
knoe.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC's Pass It On Program is a consumer resource designed to help people learn about and avoid scams and fraud, with a particular focus on elder fraud. According to the Better Business Bureau, elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent in 2023, prompting this educational initiative to reduce victimization rates. Consumers can access the program through the FTC website or contact the BBB for more information.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Peter Gray, a 35-year-old from Yorkshire, UK, was sentenced to 56 months in prison in February for romance fraud against three women he met on Tinder, scamming them out of over $100,000 by stealing their identifying information and taking out loans in their names without consent. The victims reported that Gray used information from their driver's licenses obtained during dates to fraudulently secure loans ranging from $11,000 to $25,000, exploiting their trust through love-bombing tactics. This case reflects broader trends in romance scams, with Americans losing $1.3 billion to such schemes in 2022, up 164% from 2019.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2021, Illinois residents lost over $19.7 million to romance scams across 591 reported cases, with the FBI noting that similar scams cost the U.S. $739 million in preliminary 2022 losses. The FBI identified common red flags including requests to move communication off dating apps, quickly professed love, isolation from friends and family, canceled visit plans, and requests for money or personal information. The agency advises victims to go slow in online relationships, never send money to people met online, verify photos independently, and report suspected scams to the FBI Springfield office or online.
dhs.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian national, Amos Prince Okey Ezemma, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from overseas relatives, then requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes before the funds could be released. Ezemma faces up to 20 years in prison upon sentencing, and five other co-conspirators have already been convicted in connection with the scheme.
1063thebear.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced legislation to protect seniors from social media scams, prompted by an FBI report showing seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud the previous year. The proposals include requiring social media platforms to use AI to identify fraudulent content, increasing state enforcement resources, establishing a federal Senior Investor Task Force within the SEC, and designating May 9 as National Scam Survivor Day.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Bucks County authorities held an educational event for Bristol Township seniors to address rising scam and fraud targeting the community. Officials warned about common schemes including mailbox theft, check washing, tech support scams, and fraudulent text messages impersonating the IRS or retailers, with victims in the area losing up to $250,000; they recommended using credit cards over debit cards, gel pens for checks, and prompt reporting of suspicious activity to law enforcement.
digitalinformationworld.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports that cyber scams targeting seniors aged 60 and above caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with common schemes including tech support, investment, romance, and cryptocurrency fraud. Elderly victims averaged $34,000 in losses per person, with Florida and California experiencing particularly high losses ($620 million and $181 million respectively), and seniors are less likely to report these crimes due to embarrassment and underreporting. The FBI recommends seniors verify suspicious offers, avoid unknown contacts, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
westerniowatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report found that over 100,000 Americans aged 60 and older lost an average of $34,000 each to computer money scams in 2023, totaling more than $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from the previous year. Tech support scams were the most common fraud type, followed by data breaches, romance scams, non-payment schemes, and investment fraud, with over 12,000 victims reporting cryptocurrency was used to facilitate their scams.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Vidal Roquez, 39, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for his role in a "grandparent scheme" that defrauded over a dozen seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by convincing them to send cash for a relative's bail. He pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy and was ordered to pay $130,300 in restitution, perform 60 hours of community service educating seniors about scams, and serve three years of supervised release.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman from Sullivan County, Tennessee was defrauded of over $130,000 after scammers used a fake Microsoft pop-up warning to trick her into purchasing Apple gift cards and eventually withdrawing cash from her bank account. The scheme involved multiple contacts claiming to remove illegal content from her computer, and culminated with a man collecting $130,000 in person at her home. A 29-year-old suspect, Hang Zhan, was arrested and charged with theft and financial exploitation of an elderly person, though as of May 2, no funds had been recovered.