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The Linn County Treasurer's Office received multiple reports of phishing text messages impersonating the Iowa DMV, claiming recipients owe tolls or fees with threats of enforcement penalties. Recipients should not click links or share personal information, and should instead verify through official .gov websites, report the messages as spam, and delete them.

I'm unable to summarize this article because the full content is not provided—only the headline and a paywall notice are visible. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need access to the complete article text describing the seminar details, fraud topics covered, date, location, and other relevant information about Roger Huinker's Iowa Fraud Fighters presentation.

An Iowa AARP Fraud Watch Network educator warns that artificial intelligence has made scams significantly easier and cheaper to execute, with seniors disproportionately targeted due to perceived lower technology skills, social isolation, and accumulated wealth. In 2024, over $12.5 billion was lost to scams and fraudulent activities across the nation, with people aged 70 and older reporting the largest dollar losses per incident. Key prevention strategies include never trusting unsolicited messages, verifying information through independent trusted sources, avoiding opening attachments or links from unknown senders, and recognizing that scams typically follow a three-part pattern designed to manipulate emotions before requesting personal information.

This article profiles Michael Wagler, the new Iowa state director for AARP, who brings over two decades of community development experience to the role. The article highlights AARP's 2025 priorities including financial security, noting that elderly Americans lose over $3 billion annually to fraud and scams, and details the "Stop the Scammers" tour—a partnership between AARP Iowa, the Iowa Attorney General's Office, and the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services to educate the public on avoiding fraud schemes. Research shows that people aware of fraud schemes are 80 percent less likely to become victims.

Representative Zachary Nunn introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act, which would provide federal grant funding to local law enforcement agencies to investigate financial fraud against retirees, including tools for tracing blockchain technology and resources for specialized staff training. The legislation is prompted by significant elder fraud losses, including over $42.6 million in Iowa alone in 2023 and $3.4 billion nationally among those aged 60+ in that same year, with particular focus on "pig butchering" investment scams involving cryptocurrency. If passed, federal agencies would be required to report on fraud trends and enforcement efforts, and financial institutions would be encouraged to appoint liaisons to improve data sharing with law enforcement.

The Iowa Department of Transportation warned residents about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid tolls or registration fees. The scam targets people who may have traveled on toll roads in other states (like Illinois) and creates urgency by threatening consequences, but the Iowa DOT does not collect tolls and never sends collection notices via text. Recipients are advised not to click links or share personal information if they receive these fraudulent messages.

I cannot provide a summary of this content as it is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. This appears to be a directory or index page from the Iowa Department of Transportation listing news categories, road closures, construction projects, and administrative information. It falls outside the scope of the Elderus database, which focuses on elder fraud and abuse research.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned residents in 2024 about the state's top 10 complaint categories, with the Consumer Protection Division receiving over 3,900 complaints across 30+ scam types. Notable 2024 trends included significant increases in social media hacking/account locking and imposter scams, particularly schemes directing victims to cryptocurrency ATMs to send money to fraudsters. The top complaints involved auto fraud (623), internet/social media issues (593), imposter scams (376), home improvement fraud (332), and personal goods/services complaints, with the Attorney General's office urging Iowans to verify sellers, avoid prepayment and cryptocurrency

Iowa's Treasurer's Office warned residents about a phone spoofing scam where fraudsters impersonated treasury officers and solicited bank account numbers and personal information from victims. Treasurer Roby Smith emphasized that his office never calls to request such information and urged Iowans to report suspicious contacts immediately and avoid sharing personal data or sending money to unknown callers.

**Grandparent scams** are increasing in prevalence, with criminals impersonating grandchildren in distress (accidents, jail, hospitalization) to pressure elderly victims into sending money immediately, often using social media research to make calls convincing. Recent Iowa cases resulted in losses of at least $10,000, with one arrest made in the Burt area in March 2025. Key protective measures include hanging up to verify information, contacting family members directly, resisting pressure to act quickly, and reporting suspicious calls to law enforcement immediately.

In 2024, scams cost Iowa consumers over $50 million across nearly 14,000 reported fraud cases, with a median loss of $400 per victim. Seniors aged 80 and older, though representing a small number of victims, suffered the largest average losses at approximately $2,000 each, with investment schemes ($20 million) and romance scams ($8 million) accounting for the costliest fraud categories. The most frequently reported scams involved business/government impersonation, online shopping fraud, and prize/sweepstakes schemes.

Scammers in Minnesota and Iowa are targeting elderly residents with a "bail scam" where they claim a family member has been arrested and demand immediate payment to secure their release. The scam escalates by claiming a gag order prevents victims from telling anyone and requesting in-person payment, making the money impossible to recover. Law enforcement urges residents to inform elderly family members and report any such calls.

I appreciate you providing this text, but this article does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database. The content covers Iowa State football, holiday events, and sports scores—none of which relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. I cannot provide a summary as it falls outside the scope of elder fraud research documentation. If you have an article about fraud, scams, or elder abuse, I'd be happy to summarize it for the database.

I can't provide a summary of this content because it doesn't contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. This appears to be a brief instructional note about downloading a streaming app. The Elderus database focuses on elder fraud, scams, and abuse cases. Please provide an article or transcript related to those topics if you'd like me to create a summary.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued a warning about a resurgence of "grandparent scams" targeting elderly Iowans, in which scammers impersonate grandchildren claiming emergencies (accidents, arrests, hospitalization, or being abroad) to pressure grandparents into sending money. The scammers often use information gleaned from social media and may impersonate police, attorneys, or doctors to add credibility, with funds typically transferred abroad making them nearly impossible to trace. To avoid victimization, the Attorney General's Office recommends hanging up and independently verifying claims with trusted family members, never sending money over the phone or by wire, and reporting suspected scams to local law

Iowa is experiencing a wave of "grandparent scams" targeting elderly residents, in which scammers impersonate grandchildren claiming to be in accidents, hospitalized, arrested, or stranded abroad to pressure grandparents into sending money. The scammers use social media information and may impersonate police, attorneys, or doctors to add credibility, with funds typically transferred abroad making them nearly impossible to trace. Iowa's Attorney General recommends victims hang up and verify claims with trusted family members, avoid acting quickly or in secret, and never wire money or provide banking information over the phone.

The Iowa Attorney General's Office and Department of Public Safety issued a warning about a resurgent wave of "grandparent scams" targeting older Iowans throughout the state. In these scams, criminals pose as grandchildren claiming to be in accidents, jailed, or stranded abroad, then request money that is wired abroad and rarely recovered. Authorities recommend verifying caller identity through independent contact with family members, resisting pressure to act quickly, and reporting suspicious calls to local law enforcement and the Iowa Attorney General's Office at 1.888.777.4590.

**Grandparent Scam Warning - Iowa (January 3, 2025)** Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird issued a warning about a resurgence of grandparent scams targeting older Iowans, in which fraudsters impersonate grandchildren in distress (claiming accidents, hospitalization, or jail) and request money sent via wire transfer, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency. The scammers often use social media information to build credibility and may pose as supporting figures like attorneys or police officers, with money typically transferred abroad and difficult to recover. Authorities recommend verifying caller identity through trusted family contacts, resisting pressure to act quickly, and reporting suspicious calls

Multiple sheriff's departments in north central Iowa are warning residents of a "grandparent scam" in which callers impersonate family members claiming to be arrested and needing bail money, resulting in victims losing tens of thousands of dollars. Scammers coach victims to lie to banks about withdrawal reasons and arrange for accomplices to collect the cash in person. Law enforcement urges residents to warn elderly and vulnerable family members about this predatory scheme.

The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office in Iowa warned about "Grandparent Scams" where fraudsters posing as law enforcement contact elderly residents, claiming their grandchild is in jail, then another scammer poses as the grandchild requesting bond money. An elderly couple lost $15,000 in cash to this scam, and the sheriff suspects multiple unreported victims in the area.

An elderly couple in Winneshiek County, Iowa lost $15,000 in a "grandparent scam" when fraudsters posing as a courier appeared at their door on Tuesday. The scam typically involves callers claiming a grandchild has been arrested for a vehicle accident and needs bail money urgently, with perpetrators often impersonating attorneys or the grandchild themselves and threatening victims with gag orders. The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office suspects additional unreported victims and urges anyone targeted by such scams to contact local law enforcement immediately.

A senior couple in Winneshiek County, Iowa lost $15,000 to the "Grandparent Scam" on Tuesday after scammers posed as their grandchild, law enforcement, and attorneys, claiming the grandchild was jailed for texting while driving and needed bond money urgently. The scammers emphasized a gag order to prevent the victims from discussing the situation, then sent a courier to collect $15,000 in cash from the couple's home. The Winneshiek County Sheriff's Office warns that while other residents reported the same scam and avoided losing money, they suspect additional unreported victims exist.

Three Iowa volunteers with the Central Iowa Retired Senior Volunteer Program presented a fraud prevention program highlighting major scams targeting seniors, including a Fort Dodge victim who lost over $500,000 to scammers and a Marion woman who lost $30,000. Common schemes discussed included grandchild impersonation scams, fraudulent Medicare reimbursement demands, and affinity fraud targeting religious or ethnic groups, with the volunteers providing prevention strategies such as not answering unknown callers, verifying urgent requests by calling relatives directly, and avoiding upfront payments to strangers.

Two men from New York and Florida were arrested in March for serving as couriers in grandparent scams targeting seniors across multiple states, collecting approximately $230,000 from victims in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Iowa, and beyond. Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes allegedly received victim names and addresses from scam organizers and traveled to collect bail payments that victims believed were needed for arrested grandchildren, with one victim pair paying $18,000 before recognizing the scheme. Both men were released on unsecured bond with GPS monitoring while the investigation continues, with authorities believing numerous additional families across Rhode Island and Massachusetts were victimized.

The Heritage Area Agency on Aging in Iowa is warning seniors about escalating scam threats, noting that people 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to online fraud in 2023. Common scams targeting seniors include fake delivery notifications via text (posing as UPS or mail carriers), impersonation of family members or romantic partners requesting money, and charity fraud, with scammers increasingly using AI voice technology to sound like loved ones. The agency recommends verifying suspicious requests with family members, being cautious of unsolicited requests for money or personal information, and contacting local law enforcement if targeted by scammers.

This article does not involve elder fraud or elder abuse and therefore falls outside the scope of the Elderus database. The story concerns a murder suspect who evaded law enforcement and briefly dated an Iowa woman, who ultimately reported him to authorities after he confessed to killing his brother in Houston in 2022. While the case involves deception and potential danger, it is a criminal matter rather than a scam or fraud targeting elderly individuals.

William Jack Berg, a 52-year-old from Waukee, Iowa, was sentenced to nine years in federal prison for defrauding approximately 17 victims over eight years by posing as a financial advisor and convincing them to invest in two companies he created and controlled (W. Holdings of Iowa and Excel Performance Management), using fabricated investment documents and statements. Berg used the victims' money for personal expenses and attempted to destroy evidence after learning of his federal indictment; he was ordered to pay over $1.6 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Between September 10-18, criminals conducted a coordinated grandparent scam targeting seniors across central Iowa, resulting in significant losses. Scammers posed as grandchildren claiming to be in accidents involving pregnant women, then transferred calls to fake attorneys demanding bond money ranging from $6,000 to $40,000, with couriers collecting the cash within hours of withdrawal. Law enforcement agencies across the region documented multiple cases following this pattern, though specific total loss figures were not provided.

In 2023, Iowa residents lost $42.6 million to various scams, with romance scams alone accounting for over $4 million in losses and representing nearly 30% of senior financial exploitation reports filed with the Iowa Insurance Division. Common scams affecting Iowans include identity theft, investment fraud, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and compromised business email schemes. The FBI's "Take A Beat" initiative recommends protecting against scams by being cautious of unsolicited contact, verifying senders, enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding sharing personal information, being wary of cryptocurrency or gift card payment requests, and reporting suspected fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center

In 2023, Iowa residents lost nearly $60 million to online scams, with seniors particularly vulnerable due to their established resources and willingness to help others. The FBI identifies common warning signs including unsolicited contact, emotionally manipulative tactics, and artificial urgency, and recommends pausing before acting and reporting suspicious activity to prevent further victimization.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety warned of an emerging trend in which scammers are demanding gold bars, coins, and bullion as payment instead of traditional methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Common scam types—including government impersonation, tech support, and romance scams—have shifted to this new payment method, with one central Iowa resident losing $305,000 in gold and silver to a fake Microsoft representative in June 2024, and the FBI reporting $55 million in precious metals losses nationwide during the second half of 2023.

During mid-September 2024, scammers conducted a coordinated grandparent scam targeting seniors across central Iowa, from Des Moines to Iowa City, resulting in significant financial losses. The scheme involved callers impersonating grandchildren claiming to be in auto accidents with injuries to pregnant women, then transferring calls to fake attorneys demanding bond money ranging from $6,000 to $40,000, which couriers collected in cash within hours of victims withdrawing funds from banks.

Jill Gogel, vice president of fraud services at Dupaco Community Credit Union in Iowa, has implemented a comprehensive fraud prevention program that requires all employees to receive annual training on spotting suspicious transactions and unusual withdrawal patterns among the credit union's 170,000 members. Since launching the initiative 10 years ago, Dupaco has increased its fraud prevention from $300,000 to an estimated $10 million in blocked losses annually, using proactive measures such as employee communication, customer outreach, and coordination with local law enforcement. The credit union's approach is being highlighted as a model that larger banking institutions should adopt, particularly given that victims over 60 lose $28.3 billion

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in grandparent scams targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claim a relative has been arrested and demand cash for bail. Victims were duped into handing over cash to couriers who arrived at their homes, with suspects identified as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark SUV with possible Minnesota plates, sometimes accompanied by an unknown female. Law enforcement advises seniors never to provide personal information or cash to unknown callers and to report such incidents immediately.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in "grandparent scams" targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claim a relative has been arrested and demand cash payment delivered by a courier to the victim's home. Law enforcement identified a suspect as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark four-door SUV with possible Minnesota plates, and advised seniors to hang up, verify information independently, and report suspicious calls to local police. The FTC recommends protecting yourself by remembering that legitimate businesses don't demand immediate payment via wire transfer or gift cards, law enforcement won't threaten arrest over the phone, and government agencies won't solicit sensitive information through unsolicite

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office warned of a "grandparent scam" targeting senior citizens in north Iowa, where scammers called victims claiming a relative had been arrested and needed cash for bail, then sent a courier to collect money from victims' homes. Authorities identified a suspect—a well-dressed Black man driving a black or dark-colored 4-door SUV with possible Minnesota plates, potentially accompanied by a woman—and urged seniors never to give cash or personal information to unknown persons and to report such contacts to law enforcement.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office warned of an increase in scams targeting senior citizens in North Iowa, where callers falsely claimed relatives had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent couriers to collect cash from victims' homes. A suspect was identified as a well-dressed Black male driving a dark-colored SUV with possible Minnesota plates, sometimes accompanied by an unknown female. Authorities advise seniors never to provide personal information or cash to unknown persons claiming to represent law enforcement.

This article does not contain information relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The content covers Iowa State football coaching news, a holiday music performance, a senior living facility's open house, and child welfare programs. No summary is applicable for the Elderus database.

**Type:** Publishers Clearing House Scam / Elder Fraud **Victim:** Monty Thompson, Iowa resident **Outcome:** Monty lost over $8,000 in two months and died by suicide on July 24th after being scammed. Monty Thompson was targeted by offshore scammers claiming he had won millions of dollars and a Ford F-150 from Publishers Clearing House, but was required to pay taxes and fees upfront before receiving his prize. After losing over $8,000 and facing continued contact from the scammers (who called over 20 times), Monty took his own life. The Iowa Attorney

**Summary:** Iowa State University Extension and Outreach hosted an educational program called "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" at Vinton Public Library on September 24, 2024, designed for adults 60+ and their caregivers. The workshop provided information on identifying common fraud schemes targeting older adults, understanding why seniors are vulnerable to financial exploitation, and learning protective strategies, with the program noting that elder financial fraud is the most common form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans aged 62 and older.

Iowa County Sheriff Rob Rotter reports that scams are vastly underreported due to victim embarrassment, with an estimated 59 million people scammed annually and $50,000-$60,000 lost yearly in Iowa County alone. Rotter highlighted common scams including lottery/tax schemes (one couple lost $130,000 across multiple scams), robocalls targeting seniors with health insurance offers, and "grandparent scams" where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress, recommending victims report fraud to authorities and verify caller identity by hanging up and calling back known numbers.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird raised awareness about rising romance scams targeting state residents, highlighting a case where an Iowa woman lost over $10,000 to a Facebook scammer who fabricated a story about needing money for travel documentation from Turkey. The scammer built trust through shared interests before exploiting the victim's goodwill with repeated requests for money via Bitcoin ATM, with little prospect of recovery. Bird advises Iowans to avoid sending money to online contacts, sharing personal information, or responding to unsolicited communications.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting an educational workshop titled "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" on September 24 to help older adults and caregivers recognize and prevent financial exploitation. The program covers common fraud types, warning signs, and protective strategies, noting that elder financial fraud is the most common form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans aged 62 and older.

The Coalition Against Financial Crime is hosting a scam awareness event on September 12 in Bettendorf, Iowa to educate financial institutions, law enforcement, and businesses about evolving fraud tactics. Common scams discussed include romance scams, check fraud, work-from-home schemes, and back-to-school scams, with experts advising the public to slow down before making financial decisions and learn to verify information to avoid victimization.

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.

Following disasters, scammers target vulnerable victims through recorded calls promising government grants, flood insurance, or disaster assistance in attempts to steal credit card and banking information. Key prevention strategies include asking detailed questions of service providers, independently verifying identities by contacting organizations directly, avoiding high-pressure decisions, and consulting trusted sources before committing to any offers or contracts. Residents should report suspected scams to the Iowa Attorney General's Office and consult FEMA resources to verify legitimate disaster assistance.

Elderly Iowans lost over $16 million to scams in the past year, with FBI data showing this is likely underreported and mirrors rising national trends among seniors. Investment scams pose the greatest financial threat to older adults, while newer schemes like phantom hacker scams convince victims to convert assets to precious metals and cash for supposed protection. The FBI advises victims to contact their financial institutions immediately to freeze assets, avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify government officials independently, and report incidents to law enforcement.

According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, elderly people lost more than $3 billion to scams in 2023, with common schemes including romance scams (one victim lost over $300,000), lottery scams, and impersonation scams involving fake law enforcement or family members in distress. Clive Police Detective Maurio Coleman advises victims to establish code words with loved ones, verify claims by calling the person directly, avoid paying through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or ic3.gov to help identify patterns across jurisdictions.

**Not an Elder Fraud Case** This article does not match the Elderus database scope. The case involves child sexual abuse crimes, not elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It should not be included in the elder fraud research database.

**Jury Duty/Court Warrant Scam** Scammers impersonating Clinton County deputies are calling victims claiming they missed a court appearance and have an arrest warrant, demanding immediate payment of $3,000-$6,000 in Bitcoin through nearby kiosks to post bond. This is the top fraud-related call currently reported to law enforcement in Clinton County, with multiple victims caught in recent weeks; scammers spoof Iowa phone numbers, keep victims on the line, and falsely promise refunds if the victim claims they never received a subpoena.