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Scammers are impersonating legitimate bail bond companies in North Alabama, contacting relatives of jailed inmates and demanding payment via Cash App or prepaid gift cards before disappearing with the money. Red flags include requests for payment through apps or gift cards and communication only by phone or email, whereas legitimate bail bond companies require in-person office visits and signed contracts. At least two reported cases in Huntsville and Florence resulted in losses of $1,120 and similar amounts, with vulnerable populations like elderly family members and concerned parents being particularly susceptible to this fraud.

Four suspects from Alabama and Tennessee were arrested in Maryland after scamming a 74-year-old woman out of over $30,000 in a "pigeon drop" scam, where they approached her in a parking lot claiming to have found money that needed to be deposited into an account to avoid tracing before being returned to her. The suspects, ranging in age from 36 to 77, may be connected to similar frauds across multiple states, and police emphasize that elderly citizens should be wary of unsolicited interactions involving monetary gain or urgent requests for money or account information.

Four suspects were arrested in Prince George's County, Maryland on October 25 after scamming a 74-year-old woman out of over $30,000 in a "pigeon drop" scheme, where they posed as people who found money and convinced the victim to deposit funds into an account to avoid tracing. The suspects, with addresses in Alabama and Tennessee, allegedly approached elderly victims alone in parking lots claiming they had found cash and needed help laundering it through the victim's bank account before splitting the proceeds. Police warn that this scam targets seniors with promises of quick financial gain or threats of legal trouble, and urge families to discuss such schemes with elderly relatives.

Four suspects from Alabama and Tennessee were arrested in Maryland after defrauding an elderly woman of nearly $40,000 through a "pigeon drop" scam, in which they falsely claimed to have found cash and convinced her to withdraw her own money as "collateral" for a charitable donation. Police apprehended James Davis, Connie Williams, Kenneth Gooden, and Mary Daniel on October 24 just as they attempted to target a second victim at a shopping center in Clinton. The Financial Crimes Unit tracked the suspects following the initial incident on October 21 and encourages anyone with information to contact them.

This article provides guidance on avoiding ticket scams when purchasing sporting event tickets, particularly for University of Alabama games. The Better Business Bureau recommends using authorized ticket services like SeatGeek rather than peer-to-peer payment apps (Venmo, Cash App, PayPal), and emphasizes paying with a credit card rather than debit cards or digital payment apps, as credit cards offer fraud protection if tickets are fraudulent or never arrive.

"Quishing" (QR code phishing) is a rising scam in Alabama and nationwide that embeds malicious URLs into QR codes, commonly placed on parking meters and other locations to trick victims into visiting fraudulent websites. The Better Business Bureau reports an alarming increase in these scams, particularly in parking lots where people scan codes hurriedly without verifying website legitimacy. Experts recommend stopping to confirm QR code destinations before scanning, never sharing personal information with unfamiliar sources, and immediately changing passwords and reporting to the attorney general's office if you suspect exposure to a malicious QR code.

Scammers in South Alabama are increasingly using sophisticated social media impersonation schemes across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and CashApp, studying victims' profiles to gather personal information and contact their friends and family with convincing details. To protect themselves, residents should verify requests through security questions, establish safe words with loved ones, avoid sending money to unverified sources, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.

Jeffery Sikes, a 43-year-old former Nebraska man, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for wire fraud schemes conducted between 2012 and 2014 that defrauded multiple businesses and individuals of $819,000 total. His largest scam targeted Speedway Properties in Lincoln, a real estate developer, which he swindled out of $507,000 by posing as a consultant for a non-existent company and using fraudulent documents to request funds for a fake commercial lab project. After pleading guilty in 2017, Sikes fled to Alabama where he assumed an alias and became involved in arson; he must complete his 18-year

Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, 47, from Bessemer, Alabama was charged with wire fraud for an elder fraud scheme in which he fraudulently obtained Power of Attorney over an elderly victim without consent and became a joint account holder on their bank accounts between September and December 2023. Pruitt altered payable-on-death beneficiaries and transferred over $500,000 from the victim's accounts to his own personal accounts. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It reports on airport infrastructure funding through Alabama's Department of Transportation. This falls outside the scope of Elderus, a database focused on elder fraud research.

Montgomery, Alabama leaders held a free educational workshop for senior citizens to address the growing fraud problem affecting older adults, with 200 fraud cases filed in Alabama that year. Guest speakers including Montgomery County Probate Judge JC Love and other leaders discussed common scams and protective programs like the React Program, which alerts seniors to fraudulent activity related to their property. The workshop highlighted that seniors are particularly vulnerable to fraud due to technology gaps, isolation, and misplaced trust, and provided resources including the Alabama Department of Senior Services and AARP's scam-tracking map.

The Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) held an educational summit in Huntsville to raise awareness about rising scams targeting seniors, with elder fraud reports to the FBI increasing 14% in 2023. Attendee Teresa Hazzard shared her experience of losing $700 to a fake Netflix offer that requested her credit card information, though her bank recovered the funds. The summit covered cybersecurity, consumer fraud definitions, and legal implications, emphasizing that seniors should recognize and report scams—particularly those promising free offers or services.

The Senior Fraud and Scam Summit in Huntsville, Alabama brought together experts from the Better Business Bureau and local police to educate seniors on protecting themselves from fraud and identity theft, following a 14 percent nationwide increase in elder fraud reports during 2023. Speakers emphasized that victims should immediately report scams to police and local authorities rather than remaining silent, as doing so helps prevent fraudsters from targeting additional seniors. The summit provided resources and practical tips designed to help older adults safeguard their finances and identities.

Alabama experienced a dramatic increase in reported financial elder abuse cases, rising from 23 in 2016 to approximately 250 cases reported since January, largely due to a 2016 law requiring financial institutions to report suspicious account activity. Scammers employ two primary methods: online schemes and personal manipulation targeting vulnerable elderly individuals, often widowed, with perpetrators frequently coming from out of state across various professional backgrounds. While most victims do not recover their stolen funds, Alabama authorities actively prosecute these cases and pursue restitution.

Terrance Pruitt, 47, of Bessemer, Alabama, was charged with wire fraud for executing a Power of Attorney over an elderly family member without their knowledge or consent in late 2023. Pruitt allegedly became a joint account holder on the victim's bank accounts by manipulating payable-on-death beneficiaries and transferred over $500,000 from the victim's accounts to his own personal accounts. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, 47, of Bessemer, Alabama, was indicted on two counts of wire fraud for defrauding an elderly family member between September and December 2023. Pruitt fraudulently obtained Power of Attorney over the victim without consent, became a joint account holder on the victim's bank accounts, altered payable-on-death beneficiaries, and transferred over $500,000 from the victim's accounts to his own personal accounts. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

**Elder Financial Abuse Surge in Alabama** Alabama has experienced a dramatic increase in elder financial abuse cases since 2016, with reports growing from 23 cases that year to 243 cases nine months into the current fiscal year, according to the Alabama Securities Commission. Recent convictions include Gina Cook Gilbert ($2.5 million stolen from her elderly mother), Nicholas Houston Allen ($370,000 in ordered restitution), and James Langford III (accused of taking $200,000-$600,000 from an elderly woman's account as trustee). The exploitation typically exploits relationships of trust, often involving family members or caregivers targeting victims between

Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, 47, of Bessemer, Alabama, was charged with wire fraud for executing a Power of Attorney over an elderly family member without permission and fraudulently transferring over $500,000 from the victim's bank accounts to his own between September and December 2023. Pruitt also became a joint account holder and altered payable-on-death beneficiaries on the victim's accounts. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Five U.S.-based defendants from Georgia and Alabama were charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with a sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of teenager Jordan DeMay of Marquette. Sextortion involves extorting money or sexual favors by threatening to expose evidence of sexual activity, and the charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. This case is related to an earlier conviction of two Nigerian men involved in the international sextortion ring that led to DeMay's death.

Five U.S. men from Georgia and Alabama were charged with money laundering conspiracy for facilitating a sextortion scheme that resulted in the suicide of 16-year-old Marquette resident Jordan DeMay. The defendants allegedly received approximately $179,000 from victims, converted funds to bitcoin, and transferred the money to Nigerian co-conspirators, with DeMay sending $300 to one defendant hours before his death. The case involves over 100 sextortion victims and represents a major breakthrough in the two-year investigation into the criminal ring.

Five men from Alabama and Georgia were indicted for money laundering related to a foreign sextortion scheme that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Marquette, Michigan. The defendants allegedly laundered at least $178,658 in proceeds from the sextortion operation, with each facing up to 20 years in prison on conspiracy charges. The case highlights how U.S.-based money launderers facilitate overseas predatory crimes targeting vulnerable populations including minors and seniors.

Five men from Georgia and Alabama were charged with laundering at least $178,658 for a Nigerian sextortion scheme that targeted over 100 victims, including 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Michigan, who died by suicide after being blackmailed for $300. The Nigerian scammers posed as females on Instagram, coerced victims into sending nude images, then extorted money by threatening to share the photos with contacts. The U.S. money launderers received victims' funds through cash applications, kept approximately 20 percent, converted the remainder to bitcoin, and funneled it to the Nigerian perpetrators.

Five men from Alabama and Georgia were arrested on federal money laundering charges for their role in an online sextortion scheme that targeted over 100 teenage boys and young men. The defendants controlled financial accounts used to launder at least $178,658 in extortion proceeds, converting funds to bitcoin and sending them to Nigerian co-conspirators; the scheme resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Michigan in November 2022.

The Central Alabama Aging Consortium held its annual Elder Justice and Fraud Caregiver Conference in Prattville to educate the public about scams targeting elderly people. Conference organizers emphasized that scammers continuously evolve their tactics across online and phone fraud schemes, making it challenging to stay current on threats. The conference provided resources and recommended warning signs of fraud, such as elderly individuals being reluctant to discuss finances or having difficulty paying bills, with additional tips available on the CAAC website.

In 2023, elder fraud reports to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center rose 14 percent, with over 101,000 victims aged 60 and older losing more than $3.4 billion—an average of $33,915 per victim. The most common scams included tech support fraud, investment schemes (costing $1.2 billion alone), government impersonation, romance scams, and cryptocurrency fraud, with scammers often using spoofed caller IDs and posing as agencies like the IRS and Social Security Administration. TARCOG hosted a Fraud & Scam Summit in Alabama to educate the community about these schemes and provide resources to

Online vehicle purchase scams are increasing, where fraudsters post fake listings with photos and addresses to trick buyers into wiring deposits for vehicles that don't exist or are never delivered. Recent victims in Alabama, Utah, and Missouri lost between $25,000 and $36,000 each after transferring funds based on fraudulent contracts and dealer credentials. To protect themselves, buyers should verify the vehicle's VIN through services like CarFax, inspect the car in person, and avoid electronic transfers in favor of cashier's checks.

Alabama's Department of Human Resources warned SNAP recipients of over 100 phone scams in which fraudsters impersonated DHR or EBT Customer Service representatives to steal EBT card numbers and PINs; the department could not quantify total losses but noted most scams go unreported. Additionally, Alabama's Board of Pharmacy alerted pharmacists to a spoofing scam where callers falsely claim to represent the board and demand payment to resolve fabricated license sanctions.

Scammers are defrauding victims across the country, including Alabama, by using stolen photos and videos from legitimate dealerships to sell classic cars that don't exist. Victims typically lose $5,000 to $30,000 after sending deposits electronically, with little chance of recovery as the money is often moved offshore and scammers disappear after payment. The Better Business Bureau recommends personally inspecting vehicles and paying in person rather than sending money electronically to avoid this scam.

Police Chief Denise McCain and representatives from the FBI, Better Business Bureau, and other agencies presented at an East Alabama Regional Planning Commission Summit to educate seniors about fraud targeting older adults. The presentation covered common scams including jury duty imposters, tech support blackmail, grandparent scams using AI-generated voices, lottery scams, and IRS fraud, emphasizing that older adults with good savings and credit are lucrative targets who often delay reporting due to shame or uncertainty about where to report. Key prevention advice included never providing information over the phone, calling loved ones directly to verify requests, and immediately reporting blackmail to police.

"Pig butchering" is a rapidly growing romance scam where fraudsters pose as romantic partners and lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investments, with the scammer gradually building trust through small initial returns before requesting large sums of money. In Alabama alone, 88 victims lost more than $22 million to this scheme, with individual losses ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, exploiting victims' emotional vulnerability and the lack of regulation in the crypto market.

**Summary:** The Alabama Securities Commission released guidance on identifying and reporting elder financial abuse in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The FBI estimates seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, and Alabama has seen a significant increase in reported cases, rising from 90 in 2022 to 215 in the current year. The ASC advises staying connected with elderly relatives, watching for warning signs such as sudden isolation or new acquaintances interested in finances, and contacting authorities at 800-222-1253 to report suspected exploitation.

This appears to be a news website homepage rather than a single article about elder fraud or scams. The content shown includes various local Alabama news stories (sex offender sentencing, police shootings, sports updates, weather, and traffic information), but none relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse that would be relevant for the Elderus database. To provide an appropriate summary for Elderus, please provide a specific article focused on elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.

A Birmingham FBI agent specializing in financial crimes identified six common scams targeting seniors in Alabama—including lottery/sweepstakes, tech support, romance, grandparent, home improvement, and government impersonation scams—noting that elder fraud is rising in the state and that scammers create artificial urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions. The article advises seniors and their families to secure social media accounts, seek second opinions before acting on urgent requests, and contact law enforcement if targeted, while noting that many victims don't report scams due to shame, embarrassment, or fear of retaliation.

A 92-year-old World War II veteran in Houston lost over $300,000 to a fraudulent investment scheme operated by Ternion Group International LLC, a fake "Christian" company that promised high returns on construction and job training projects but never delivered any funds. Five defendants from Florida and Alabama were arrested and charged with wire fraud and conspiracy, with one defendant allegedly manipulating the victim into changing his will and granting power of attorney. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

The FBI reports that seniors over 60 are prime targets for fraud, with Alabama residents in this age group losing over $33 million to scams. Elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with tech scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams—particularly the "grandparent scam"—leading the way, as scammers increasingly use urgency and fear tactics to pressure victims into sending money or revealing sensitive information. Experts recommend that seniors and their family members hang up immediately when pressured for banking information, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these are hallmarks of fraud.

A 36-year-old Montgomery man, Nicholas Allen, was sentenced to 64 months in state prison for financial exploitation of the elderly, securities fraud, and theft after defrauding multiple elderly victims of over $200,000 through misrepresentations and solicitations. Allen's state sentence runs concurrently with a 76-month federal sentence imposed in February 2024, and he was ordered to pay approximately $370,000 in restitution and permanently barred from the securities industry in Alabama.

Virtual kidnapping scams use voice cloning or recordings of victims' voices combined with urgent demands for money, targeting parents and relatives with threats of harm. Two Alabama residents—Kevin David and Jim Kidd—received calls claiming their daughters had been kidnapped and demanding $5,000 and unspecified amounts respectively; both calls were revealed to be scams when family members were contacted directly. The FBI advises keeping callers on the line, texting loved ones to verify their safety, remaining skeptical, and establishing a family password to confirm legitimate emergencies.

An elderly Birmingham, Alabama woman with medical needs was defrauded of over $200,000 by five individuals employed to care for her, including two live-in caretakers, a house cleaner, and a hairdresser, who were charged with wire fraud and identity theft between December 2020 and February 2022. The perpetrators used the victim's credit card information and banking services to make unauthorized purchases and transfers, with the hairdresser alone charging over $130,000 to her Square account. The case reflects a broader trend of elder financial exploitation in the U.S., with the Treasury reporting approximately $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity in a single year.

Tuscaloosa hosted its annual Fraud Awareness Summit to educate seniors about phone scams, social media fraud schemes, and evolving technology-based tactics used by fraudsters to target older adults. The summit is particularly significant given that Tuscaloosa ranks as the No. 1 metro area in the U.S. for fraud reports and identity theft per capita, according to Federal Trade Commission data.

AARP highlights that elder financial exploitation is a widespread but underreported issue, citing recent arrests for elder fraud in Alabama. The organization recommends protective measures including completing estate planning early, establishing legal paperwork, and designating a trusted person to consult on financial decisions, while noting that caregivers and close contacts are often the first to notice exploitation.

Five people, including two residents of Moody, Alabama, were charged in an elder fraud scheme, according to a U.S. Attorney announcement in April 2024. The indictment, filed in March, contained twelve counts against the defendants. The article does not provide specific details about the fraud method, victims affected, or dollar amounts involved.

Five people were charged in a central Alabama elder fraud scheme involving multiple forms of financial exploitation. The defendants—including two caretakers, a house cleaner, a hairdresser, and the caretaker's husband—allegedly defrauded an elderly victim of approximately $213,000 between December 2020 and March 2022 through unauthorized credit card charges, forged checks, identity theft, and fraudulent Square account transactions. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with maximum penalties of 20 years in prison.

Jeremy Clay Guthrie, a 45-year-old Alabama man, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for wire fraud and preparing false tax returns after stealing over $550,000 from his employer and customers while managing an aviary supply business in Kentucky. His scheme involved charging customer credit cards while diverting payments to his personal company, altering checks, offering unauthorized discounts for cash, and concealing fraudulent sales; he also underreported $325,543 in income to the IRS for 2016-2017. The court determined total criminal losses between $550,000 and $1.5 million, with restitution to victims pending.

A 26-year-old Nigerian man living in Oklahoma City was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for perpetrating a romance scam against an Alabama woman. Akinsanya was ordered to pay $2,650 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Abdul Waris Akinsanya, a 26-year-old Nigerian citizen in Oklahoma City, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam conspiracy that defrauded an Alabama victim of $2,650 in May 2020. Akinsanya opened fraudulent bank accounts under false identities using forged documents to deposit money obtained through the scam, keeping a percentage for himself. He was also ordered to pay $2,650 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

Alabama college students are vulnerable to common fraud schemes including fake apartment listings, online marketplace scams, dating app fraud, and credit card loan scams that specifically target their lifestyle needs and desires. A banking fraud expert emphasizes that scammers use phishing via email and text to initiate contact, then tailor their approach based on publicly available personal information, making password management, multi-factor authentication, and privacy settings critical defensive measures.

Funeral home scams are increasing across Alabama, with scammers spoofing local funeral home phone numbers to contact grieving families and demand additional payment for deceased relatives' services, requesting wire transfers via Zelle or Western Union. The Better Business Bureau reports the scams originated in north Alabama but are spreading rapidly throughout the state, targeting vulnerable families during their most emotional time. To protect against these scams, families should verify that funeral homes and morticians are licensed through the Alabama Board of Funeral Service website and consider pre-planning funeral arrangements before death occurs.

Nicholas Houston Allen, a 36-year-old Montgomery man, was sentenced to 76 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $370,000 in restitution for defrauding elderly victims. Allen pleaded guilty to wire fraud after scamming at least five elderly people out of approximately $250,000 between 2020 and 2021 by falsely claiming he needed money for home renovation and other purposes, then using the funds for personal benefit. The United States Secret Service and Alabama Securities Commission investigated the case.

Nicholas Houston Allen, a 36-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 76 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud targeting elderly victims. Allen defrauded at least five elderly people of approximately $370,000 between 2020 and 2021, including one victim of $250,000 whom he convinced to give money for a home remodel that he falsely claimed to have inherited. The court ordered Allen to pay $369,703.60 in restitution and characterized his conduct as "cruel," warranting a sentence above sentencing guidelines recommendations.

The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau are hosting a free "Protect Yourself Against Scammers Summit" on March 7 for senior citizens in Bay Minette, Alabama. The educational event will cover major fraud schemes including government impostor scams, romance scams, identity theft, investment fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and Medicare fraud to help seniors recognize and avoid becoming victims.