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in Scam Awareness
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-07
This article does not describe elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. It is a political statement regarding allegations against a Nigerian activist and publisher, involving disputes over fund management and political matters unrelated to elderly populations. This falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on fraud and abuse targeting older adults.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau warns homeowners to beware of seasonal home improvement scams that increase in fall, noting these frauds rank as the fifth riskiest consumer scams with a median loss of $1,800. Common schemes include unsolicited door-to-door offers for roof/chimney repairs, fake energy audits, gutter cleaning, and ductwork services, with scammers using tactics like pressure to pay in cash, guarantees of low prices, and demands for immediate work. The BBB recommends obtaining written bids and contracts, verifying contractor credentials through their website, checking references, and paying only after inspecting completed work.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A 78-year-old Rochester-area man lost $30,000 to a Publishers Clearing House prize scam that operated over six months, during which con artists repeatedly promised a $2.5 million prize while extracting fees under various pretenses. The article highlights that this case is representative of thousands of elder fraud crimes nationally, with federal authorities recently arresting eight people for defrauding 139 Western New York seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, imposter schemes, and identity theft. Common scams targeting seniors in the region include romance fraud, imposter scams impersonating government or businesses, and tech phishing, with scammers increasingly using AI and deep
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A national poll found that three in four adults ages 50-80 experienced scam attempts in the last two years, with approximately 30% losing money to fraud. The article identifies the most common scams targeting Western New York seniors, including romance scams, sweepstakes scams, imposter scams (government/business officials), grandparent scams, and tech phishing scams, and advises victims to disengage from suspicious contacts, verify requests independently, and report losses to the Federal Trade Commission, state Attorney General, or New York State Office of Victim Services.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-07
Since 2020, the BBB has received over 4,000 reports of cryptocurrency investment scams, with increasingly sophisticated schemes now targeting users on TikTok through direct messages offering unrealistic returns. Scammers create fake investment opportunities, request initial deposits via digital wallets, then demand escalating "service fees" while promising multiplied returns that never materialize. To protect yourself, verify investment opportunities through the SEC and BBB, avoid guaranteed get-rich-quick schemes, resist pressure tactics, and only use digital wallet services with trusted contacts.
pbcommercial.com
· 2025-12-07
The city of Pine Bluff issued a public warning about fraudulent emails and text messages impersonating the Pine Bluff Planning and Zoning Commission. Residents received reports of these scam communications, prompting city officials to alert the community to the impersonation scheme.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
A "money mule" scheme involves criminals recruiting individuals—often young people aged 18-24—to transfer illegally obtained money through personal bank accounts, typically by posing as friends or advertising remote job opportunities. Victims of this scheme face serious consequences including account closure, credit damage, and potential criminal charges of up to 14 years imprisonment, even if they unknowingly facilitated the money laundering. The article advises people to refuse any requests to share account access or transfer unexplained funds, and to immediately report suspicious activity to their bank and police.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Julio Cesar Montero Pinzon, a senior leader of the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG), and his half-sister Griselda Margarita Arredondo Pinzon were indicted for operating an international fraud scheme targeting American timeshare owners in Mexico for over a decade, defrauding thousands of victims. The scheme involved false promises requiring upfront payments from timeshare owners who were told they could sell or rent their properties, with the proceeds used to fund the cartel's terrorist activities and drug trafficking operations. Both defendants are Mexican nationals and remain at large; they face charges including wire fraud conspiracy, money
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-07
A Maltese woman lost €170,000 over seven years attempting to purchase a non-existent dog, while another victim lost his entire life savings to a romance scammer posing as a Canadian woman, and a third sent her pension to a scammer impersonating Pope Leo XIV on Facebook. These cases exemplify a wave of sophisticated online scams sweeping Europe that affect educated, high-earning individuals—with research showing 40% of Malta's highest earners have lost money to such schemes. Experts warn that scammers use psychological manipulation and emotional investment to exploit victims, and the financial losses are compounded by severe mental health consequences.
kulr8.com
· 2025-12-07
Phone scams are rising in Montana, with scammers typically pressuring victims to pay immediately. AARP Montana advises people to stop and verify callers' identities by hanging up and contacting agencies directly, particularly for scams impersonating law enforcement that demand payment.
attorneygeneral.gov
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania's Attorney General issued a warning that scammers may exploit donations intended for families of Northern York County Regional Police officers killed in a recent shooting incident. The advisory recommends potential donors verify fundraising legitimacy by checking official police department and sheriff's office social media pages, or confirming endorsement from police associations before contributing. Victims of donation scams can report fraud to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
bu.edu
· 2025-12-07
Boston University students lost $624,300 to scammers between January and September, with 90 percent of losses occurring in four cases involving impostors posing as Chinese police or officials. The BUPD reports 29 total larceny scams occurred through multiple channels, with job/employment scams being most common among students, while authorities also warned of nationwide fraud schemes involving fake apartment rentals, fraudulent identity theft reports, and immigration-related extortion targeting international students. Key prevention advice includes not answering calls from unknown numbers, verifying direct contact with authorities through official channels, and never providing payment or personal information before viewing rental properties in person.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI warns of a significant surge in gold bar and bulk cash courier scams targeting older adults, where fraudsters use grandparent, government impersonation, or tech support schemes to convince victims to hand over valuables to in-person couriers. From 2023 to 2025, FBI Boston documented 103 instances resulting in over $26 million in losses (98% of victims over age 60), while nationwide figures reached 1,737 cases with approximately $186 million in losses. The FBI advises the public never to purchase precious metals at a government's request, avoid posting personal information online, and refrain from allowing unknown individuals access to computers or personal data.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-07
During disasters, older adults are vulnerable to recovery scams, including government impersonators fraudulently offering assistance grants while requesting money or financial information. The article provides guidance on disaster preparedness, recommending that people use official resources like Ready.gov and DisasterAssistance.gov, avoid unsolicited government contacts asking for payment, and report suspected fraud to the FTC.
kmvt.com
· 2025-12-07
This article does not contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It appears to be a local news digest covering voting information, retail updates, and a police incident. No summary for the Elderus database is applicable.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Two Athens residents fell victim to romance scams in August 2024, with a 69-year-old losing $294,000 and a 71-year-old losing $2,000 to women they met online, prompting Adult Protective Services investigations. The Athens Community Council on Aging responded by hosting a "Scam Jam" workshop on September 24, 2024, featuring experts in financial security and law enforcement to help seniors and families recognize romance fraud warning signs. Romance scams, where criminals create fake online identities to gain victims' trust and money, represent a growing threat to older adults nationwide, with elder Americans reporting over 3,318 sextortion complaints in
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-07
Two Athens residents fell victim to romance scams in August 2025, with a 69-year-old losing $294,000 and a 71-year-old losing $2,000 to individuals they believed were romantic partners. Adult Protective Services referred both cases for police investigation, prompting the Council on Aging to offer a workshop to help older adults recognize and avoid romance scam tactics.
wealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-07
Since 2024, seniors in the United States have lost over $1 billion to increasingly sophisticated scams that employ technology, psychology, and artificial intelligence to target victims. Common schemes include tech support hoaxes, fake bank fraud calls, and government impersonations, now enhanced by AI tools such as voice cloning and personalized phishing that make fraudulent contact more convincing. The article recommends key defenses including verifying caller identity through independent phone numbers, never sharing sensitive information, remaining skeptical of urgent demands, and reporting suspicious activity to financial institutions and the Federal Trade Commission.
wfmz.com
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned the public about potential donation scams following the deaths of three Northern York County Regional Police officers. He advised potential donors to verify legitimate donation channels through official police department and sheriff's office Facebook pages before contributing, and encouraged fraud victims to report incidents to the state's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
wbng.com
· 2025-12-07
The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office warned residents about potential scams involving fraudulent donation drives for families of police officers injured and killed in a shooting incident in Northern York County. The Bureau of Consumer Protection advised potential donors to verify legitimacy through official Facebook pages of the Northern York County Regional Police Department and York County Sheriff's Office before contributing. Residents who suspect they were victimized by such scams are encouraged to file complaints with the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
fox43.com
· 2025-12-07
Following a tragic shooting in York County, Pennsylvania that killed three police officers and injured two sheriff deputies, scammers exploited the tragedy by creating fraudulent donation drives. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned the public to verify donation legitimacy by checking official Facebook pages of the Northern York County Regional Police Department and York County Sheriff's Office before contributing.
knue.com
· 2025-12-07
According to a Federal Trade Commission report, young adults aged 20-29 in Texas are losing more money to scams than seniors aged 70-79, contrary to common assumptions. Young Texans are frequently targeted by phishing scams, fake job listings, and rental scams, particularly when they are time-pressured while searching for employment or housing. The report recommends that all age groups avoid sharing personal information online and verify the legitimacy of requests before sending money.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-07
Crime reporter Michael Wilson, an experienced scam observer, was nearly defrauded by scammers posing as Chase Bank employees using a spoofed phone number and social engineering tactics. The scammers attempted to trick him into sending $2,100 through Zelle by claiming fraudulent transfers had occurred on an account he never opened, using pressure tactics and a fake "supervisor" to build legitimacy. Wilson's skepticism—particularly when asked to meet in person to resolve the issue—broke the scam after 16 minutes, though the incident revealed that multiple people had fallen victim to the same scheme.
localnews8.com
· 2025-12-07
The Pocatello Police Department warned of multiple scams circulating in the area, including ransom scams where perpetrators falsely claim to hold a loved one hostage and now use AI-generated images, audio, and video to increase credibility. Additional scams reported include romance scams requesting gift cards and money, and impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as law enforcement threatening arrest unless payment is made. Police advise residents to exercise caution and skepticism when contacted by unknown parties.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI warned that scammers are creating fake websites that impersonate the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to steal consumers' financial and personal information. The IC3 does not partner with law firms or cryptocurrency services to recover funds, and the FBI recommends consumers verify they are on the legitimate site by typing www.ic3.gov directly into their browser and checking for the ".gov" domain. Victims should report encounters with spoofed IC3 sites to their local FBI field office or through the official IC3 website.
statehousenews.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly residents, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims accounting for $18.6 million of that total. Nearly all victims were over 60 years old and were deceived through "grandparent," "government impersonation," or "tech support" scams that manipulated them into withdrawing cash or gold bars for a third-party courier to collect. The FBI reports this is part of a national trend affecting 1,737 victims with approximately $186.2 million in losses and urges the public to educate elderly relatives
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-07
Between 2023 and May 2025, the FBI's Boston Division documented 103 courier-based fraud schemes targeting elderly victims, resulting in over $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts residents losing $18.6 million collectively. Nearly all victims (98%) were over 60 years old and were deceived through grandparent, government impersonation, or tech support scams that convinced them to hand over cash or gold bars to couriers posing as legitimate third parties. Nationally, the FBI documented at least 1,737 similar instances during this period with approximately $186.2 million in losses, and officials urge the public to educate elderly relatives about
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers impersonating federal agents have been targeting residents in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties with phone calls using voice-altering technology and spoofed caller IDs, instructing victims to wire "settlement" funds for fake investigations. In 2024, Florida residents reported 1,579 such impersonation scams resulting in over $12 million in losses. The FBI advises victims to hang up immediately and report incidents to ic3.gov or call 1-800-225-5324, and recommends avoiding calls from unknown numbers, never sending money to strangers, and protecting Social Security numbers.
fox13now.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are increasingly using text messages and voice-cloning technology to target consumers, particularly the elderly, through sophisticated schemes such as fake toll notices, USPS delivery delays, and grandparent scams where AI-generated voices impersonate relatives claiming to be in jail. According to Utah's Division of Consumer Protection director Katie Hass, artificial intelligence has made scams more convincing by gathering personal information from social media and the web while eliminating typical red flags like spelling errors and poor grammar. To protect themselves, consumers should establish family passwords or safe words, avoid responding to unknown numbers, and take a moment to verify callers' identities before taking action.
rstreet.org
· 2025-12-07
A House Financial Services Committee hearing highlighted that fraud and scams cost Americans over $2 billion weekly, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in annual losses for 2024, though experts believe the true figure is significantly higher due to lack of unified tracking mechanisms. The testimony and accompanying research emphasize that combating this fragmented, internationally-organized problem requires a comprehensive national strategy with coordinated buy-in from social media companies, telecommunications firms, financial institutions, law enforcement, and government agencies, along with legal protections allowing institutions to share fraud data. Key scams affecting Americans include romance, sextortion, "pig butchering," AI-generated voice calls impersonating family members
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-07
Two social media influencers, Daraine Delevante and Gilbert Graim Jr., used TikTok videos claiming that filing complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) would result in payouts from Zelle or Cash App, even for non-victims, while selling complaint templates and financial guides for $24.99-$77. Consumer Reports investigated and found this was a scam targeting financially struggling people, though both influencers disputed the characterization of their claims. Victims of actual payment platform scams should file legitimate complaints with the CFPB, FTC, and state attorney general with specific documentation.
whec.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to New York residents claiming they need to take action to receive state inflation refund checks, using tactics like fake Philippine phone numbers and urgent time-sensitive demands to trick recipients into sharing banking information. At least one person fell victim and entered her card number; authorities advise that the state will automatically send refund checks to those who filed 2023 taxes and residents should never click links in unsolicited texts or provide financial information without verifying the source.
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-07
A North Texas small business owner fell victim to a sophisticated impersonation scam in which a caller posed as a Denton County Sheriff's officer, claiming she had a warrant for arrest related to COVID-19 pandemic relief loan fraud. The scammer used forged court documents, a convincing Texas accent, and panic tactics to convince her to pay a $3,500 bond through a payment app before her bank flagged and ultimately released the fraudulent transfer. Experts warn that AI voice-cloning technology and readily available personal information are making scams increasingly convincing and sophisticated.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI warned of a new scam in which threat actors create fake versions of the official Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) website to steal personally identifiable information and banking details from victims who believe they are reporting crimes to the legitimate government agency. To protect themselves, users should access IC3 only by typing www.ic3.gov directly into their browser, avoid sponsored search results, verify the .gov domain, and remember that the FBI will never request payment for fund recovery or maintain social media accounts.
berawangnews.com
· 2025-12-07
An 85-year-old woman from the South Shore lost over $10,000 in an "Apple Security" scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating an Apple representative who claimed suspicious activity on her account and pressured her to act quickly. The scam exploits elderly individuals' trust and unfamiliarity with technology through urgency tactics, requests for personal information, and follow-up calls. Police recommend preventive measures including education about common scams, verification techniques (such as hanging up and calling official company numbers), avoiding sharing personal information over the phone, and using only official channels to access accounts.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
On September 11, an alert bank teller in Richmond, B.C., contacted police when an elderly customer withdrew a large sum of cash, preventing a phone scam from succeeding. Richmond RCMP intercepted the victim before he could purchase gift cards and discovered scammers had already transferred $26,000 from his account; the bank quickly reversed the transaction, restoring the funds. The incident highlights how vigilant financial institution staff can interrupt fraud schemes targeting seniors.
klewtv.com
· 2025-12-07
Idaho enacted the "Report and Hold" law to protect seniors from fraud by allowing financial institutions to place temporary holds on suspicious transactions without employee liability for reporting. The legislation aims to disrupt fraud attempts early by enlisting banks and other institutions to identify and prevent suspicious activity targeting senior citizens.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-07
Kimberly Stamps, owner of a mass-mailing prize notice fraud scheme, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud after defrauding thousands of elderly and vulnerable consumers of over $15 million between 2012 and 2018. The scheme involved sending millions of fraudulent notices claiming victims had won large cash prizes if they paid $20-$50 fees, then inundating responsive victims with additional fraudulent mailings while delivering only worthless trinkets or sweepstakes reports. Stamps has been sentenced as the third conspirator to plead guilty, and the Justice Department urges seniors to disregard unsolicited prize notifications and contact the National Elder Fraud Hot
gloucestertimes.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI's Boston Division reported a significant surge in elder fraud scams between 2023 and May 2025, documenting 103 instances where fraudsters used couriers to collect cash or gold bars from victims. Nearly all victims (98%) were over 60 years old, with Massachusetts residents accounting for 59 victims who lost a combined $18.6 million out of the $26 million total loss across the region. The scams typically involved fraudsters convincing elderly victims they were helping a family member or paying a surprise government debt.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI identified 15 victims in New Hampshire who lost over $4 million to courier and gold bar scams between 2023 and 2025, with officials believing actual losses are significantly higher due to underreporting. Scammers employed multiple tactics including posing as distressed family members, law enforcement, or government officials to pressure victims into sending cash or purchasing gold bars. The FBI reports a 50% increase in scam complaints statewide, with over 400 complaints and $16 million in losses reported in the previous year alone.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A 78-year-old retired banker in Delhi lost his entire life savings of ₹23 crore to a "digital arrest" scam between August and September, after receiving calls from fraudsters posing as mobile company representatives and Mumbai Police officers who falsely claimed his Aadhar card was involved in terror funding cases. The scammers held him under virtual confinement for over a month, threatening to implicate his family members in terror cases and using forged RBI certificates to convince him his money was being "verified" before being returned. Delhi Police's cyber fraud unit launched an investigation and managed to freeze ₹2.67 crore across multiple layered bank accounts used by the perpetrators
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-07
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (Iras) warned the public against phishing scam e-mails with subject line "Refund Ticket" that falsely claim recipients are eligible for tax refunds due to overpayment. The scam e-mails contain malicious links directing users to phishing websites; Iras emphasized it never sends e-mails about tax refunds and automatically credits legitimate refunds directly to registered bank accounts or PayNow. In 2023, at least 52 people in Singapore lost approximately $2.3 million to similar Iras impersonation scams, with 79 percent involving fraudulent refund offers.
coinfomania.com
· 2025-12-07
A hacker who stole over 542 million UXLink tokens (worth tens of millions of dollars) from the platform's multi-signature wallet subsequently fell victim to a phishing scam themselves, losing all stolen funds to a group called Inferno Drainer after unknowingly approving a malicious contract. The incident demonstrates that phishing attacks in cryptocurrency remain a widespread threat, affecting even experienced attackers who exploit similar vulnerabilities, and highlights the irony that sophisticated hackers are not immune to common Web3 security exploits.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-07
An Ohio nursing home resident lost between $40,000-$55,000 to a romance scam conducted on TikTok by someone posing as "Sydney," who made excuses to avoid meeting in person while requesting escalating cash transfers and eventually asking him to open joint accounts under false pretenses. The victim, who died in summer, is one of numerous seniors targeted by similar schemes, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned of increasing romance scams targeting widowed and divorced seniors; nationally, romance scams resulted in nearly 70,000 reported victims and $1.3 billion in losses in 2022.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A 26-year-old woman in Detroit lost $4,300 in a fake LinkedIn job scam in 2023 when fraudsters impersonating a legitimate Oklahoma school district contractor tricked her into purchasing a laptop with a fraudulent check, and subsequently used her identity to file false tax returns. The scam involved a sophisticated fake recruitment process that mimicked the real company's website and email domain, with the victim only discovering the fraud after her bank reversed the fraudulent deposit. The incident contributed to a broader trend where job scam losses tripled from $90 million to $501 million between 2020 and 2024.
10tv.com
· 2025-12-07
A Knox County, Ohio man lost over $807,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being befriended online by a scammer who pressured him to keep investing or lose everything. Federal authorities located the frozen funds, but they remain inaccessible due to complications involving foreign-based cryptocurrency exchanges that may not comply with U.S. legal processes, leaving the 70-year-old victim waiting months for potential recovery while continuing to work full-time.
wjla.com
· 2025-12-07
A DC-area jet pilot's identity has been stolen and used in a sophisticated romance scam that has victimized hundreds of women across multiple states since at least the mid-2010s. Criminals created fake dating profiles using the real Pat Marsh's name, details, and photos to gain victims' trust and manipulate them into sending money, with losses ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per victim; a South Carolina detective is currently investigating over 60 cases using the "Patrick Marsh" persona with estimated damages in the millions. The FBI estimates romance scams overall have caused over $1 billion in losses, with victims over 60 averaging $83,000 in losses compared to the
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-07
Two U.S. senators, Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), demanded that Match Group detail its fraud prevention efforts across its dating platforms (Tinder, Hinge, OkCupid) by October 15, citing concerns that the company's algorithmic design enables romance scammers to exploit user trust. Romance scams, which typically involve fake profiles that lure victims into relationships before requesting money or gifts, cost victims globally over $16 billion in cybercrime losses last year, with hundreds of millions attributed to romance scams specifically. Match Group responded that it has invested significantly in fraud detection and safety features, including a "
latimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Abigail Ruvalcaba sold her home after being romance scammed by someone impersonating actor Steve Burton, who used AI-generated videos and promises of love to exploit her. According to the FTC, nearly 65,000 people reported romance scams in 2023 with losses totaling $1.14 billion, with scammers increasingly using deepfakes and AI to impersonate celebrities like Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt, and Keanu Reeves to defraud victims seeking romantic connection. Lawmakers have introduced the NO FAKES Act to protect individuals' voices and likenesses from AI-generated impersonation.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman named Abigail Ruvalcaba was deceived by a scammer impersonating actor Steve Burton through Facebook messages and phone calls, eventually selling her home to send money to the fraudster. Romance scams using celebrity impersonation have become increasingly prevalent and profitable, with the FTC reporting nearly 65,000 victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023, and artificial intelligence now enabling scammers to create deepfakes and mimic celebrities like Taylor Swift, Brad Pitt, and Keanu Reeves. Lawmakers have responded by introducing the NO FAKES Act to protect individuals' likenesses from unauthorized AI-generated recreations used in fraud schemes