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Local law enforcement agencies in Hamlet, North Carolina are warning residents about persistent financial scams, including gift card scams, prize scams, and imposter schemes involving government agencies, tech support, and family members. One resident lost $16,000 in a relative-in-trouble scam in January 2024 when a suspect posing as the victim's grandson claimed to be in jail and arranged a cash pickup at a restaurant; the suspect, Bryan Buonjiovanni, 19, of Canada, was later arrested and charged with obtaining property by false pretenses. Police recommend residents verify requests through independent contact with family members, never purchase gift cards for payments, and create secret family passwords to prevent

A surge of smishing scams impersonating toll road agencies like NC Quick Pass is targeting North Carolina and other states, with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints since March of the previous year. The scams use text messages claiming unpaid tolls and threatening fines, license suspension, or legal action to pressure victims into clicking malicious links that can result in losses ranging from $100 to hundreds of thousands of dollars and potential theft of personal information like bank account and Social Security details. Authorities have traced the scams' origin to Canada in early 2024 and believe operations have since moved to the U.S., with NC Quick Pass reporting thousands of daily inquiries about the fraudulent texts

Scammers are targeting North Carolina Quick Pass users with fraudulent text messages requesting payment or personal information. The North Carolina Department of Transportation, Greensboro Police Department, and Burlington Police Department have issued warnings advising users that legitimate NC Quick Pass communications will never request payment via text, will only come from shortcode 696277, and will include links to ncquickpass.com or secure.ncquickpass.com. Users should verify the sender before responding to any toll-related text messages.

Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages impersonating toll collection services (E-ZPass, EZDriveMA, FasTrak, and North Carolina Toll Services) to drivers, claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license suspension or increased fines to create urgency. If victims click the links or provide payment information, scammers can install malware on their devices or steal credit card data for fraudulent charges. The FBI and FTC have issued alerts about this scam; victims should verify toll violations directly through official agency websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.

Bradley Yates, the digital navigator for the Albemarle Commission Area Agency on Aging, educates seniors across 10 North Carolina counties on technology use and fraud prevention through courses such as "Identifying and Avoiding Scams," "Using Technology to Live a Healthier Life," and others. Yates offers both group training sessions at senior centers and individual device assistance, including advice to never send money over the phone if uncertain about a caller's legitimacy. His work helps seniors access helpful apps, government services, and stay connected with family while protecting themselves from scams.

Michael P. Garcia, 36, of Miami was arrested in Florida and indicted on conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for his role in a scam that defrauded at least four victims of over $550,000. Garcia allegedly recruited couriers to collect cash, gold bars, and other valuables from victims after conspirators falsely claimed to represent financial institutions and told victims their accounts had been compromised. Specific victims included individuals in Brooklyn and North Carolina, and a 76-year-old Fenton, Missouri resident who lost $20,000 in cryptocurrency and approximately $200,000 in gold bars.

The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of top tax scams, warning that fraudsters use tax season to trick taxpayers into identity theft and fraudulent tax credit claims. The most prevalent scams include email phishing where criminals impersonate legitimate tax and financial organizations to steal personal information, and misleading tax advice on social media that leads victims toward bogus tax avoidance strategies. The IRS emphasizes avoiding unsolicited emails and texts requesting financial or personal information as part of broader taxpayer protection efforts.

**Article:** 10 States Where Retiree Fraud Is on the Rise According to analysis of government elder fraud complaint data, ten states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors). Other notably affected states include Utah (23% increase), Rhode Island and North Carolina (22% and 20% increases respectively), and Texas, Washington, Oregon, Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma (ranging from 18-20% increases). The data underscores the need for retirees in these high-risk states to heighten financial vigil

A 2025 analysis of government elder fraud complaint data identified 10 states experiencing significant increases in fraud cases targeting retirees between 2022 and 2023. Arizona led with a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase), with Texas, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma also showing substantial growth ranging from 18-20%. The data underscores the need for vigilance among retirees in these high-risk states.

Ten U.S. states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase). Other states with notable rises include Texas, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all ranging from 18-20% increases in fraud complaints per capita. The analysis highlights that popular retirement destinations are experiencing elevated fraud risk, prompting seniors in these states to increase financial vigilance.

Sweetheart scammers build fake online relationships on dating and social media platforms to steal money or personal information from victims, often targeting lonely or grieving individuals. In North Carolina during 2024, sweetheart and friend-in-need scams resulted in 25 victims losing $1,833,047 (average $73,322 per victim), while cryptocurrency scams—often an evolution of romance scams—caused 25 victims to lose $3,334,408 (average $133,376 per victim). Attorney General Jeff Jackson advises verifying who you communicate with online and watching for warning signs such as requests to move conversations off dating apps, claims of being a U

Scammers are sending unsolicited text messages to drivers claiming they owe tolls to state agencies and demanding immediate payment via links that harvest banking or credit card information. N.C. Quick Pass, the legitimate North Carolina tolling agency, clarified it only texts from number 696277 and never requests payment via text. The FTC recommends consumers avoid clicking links in unexpected texts, verify legitimacy through official channels, and report suspicious messages to their carrier or 7726 (SPAM).

As Valentine's Day approaches, scammers are exploiting the holiday with malicious tactics: Check Point Software identified over 18,000 Valentine's-themed websites since early 2025, with approximately 1 in 72 being malicious, including phishing emails impersonating legitimate brands to steal money and personal information. North Carolina consumers lost over $16 million to romance scams in 2023 alone, with experts warning to verify sender addresses, avoid suspicious links, and reject requests for money, cryptocurrency, or gift cards from online romantic interests.

The Better Business Bureau in southern Piedmont and western North Carolina released its 2024 top five scams report, identifying online purchase, phishing/imposter, employment, debt collection, and lottery/prize scams as the most prevalent schemes in the region. The report highlights how scammers increasingly use sophisticated technology and social engineering tactics to deceive victims, such as impersonating trusted entities to steal personal information or tricking job applicants into paying fake training fees. The BBB recommends consumers visit BBB.org's scam tracker to report fraudulent activity and emphasizes that a healthy marketplace requires informed consumers and principled businesses working together to prevent scams.

The Better Business Bureau in North Carolina identified the top five scams of 2024, with online purchase fraud, phishing/imposter schemes, employment scams, debt collection fraud, and sweepstakes/lottery scams ranking as the most prevalent threats in the region. These scams increasingly employ sophisticated technology and social engineering tactics, with fraudsters either delivering no products after payment, impersonating trusted entities to steal personal information, or collecting upfront fees for non-existent prizes or jobs. The BBB emphasizes consumer education and vigilance as critical tools to combat these schemes and maintain marketplace trust.

Social Catfish released a list of the 100 most commonly used fake photos in romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day 2025, based on analysis of 1.5 million reverse image searches. Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes; North Carolina saw 453 victims lose $16.8 million in 2023. The company recommends verifying identities through reverse image searches, avoiding sending money to online contacts, using video chats, and being wary of rapid declarations of love or claims involving military service or overseas living.

The Shearin family in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, lost their rental deposit and first month's rent (amount unspecified) after responding to a Craigslist listing by Stephanie Folkenroth for a trailer that she did not actually own; the family discovered the scam when they arrived to move in and found an eviction notice from the sheriff's office. Folkenroth faces charges of obtaining property by false pretense and forgery of deeds, and authorities recommend checking tax records to verify property ownership before signing rental agreements.

A scammer posing as a New Hanover County Sheriff's deputy targeted multiple victims in North Carolina by calling them about alleged missed jury duty and threatening arrest, demanding $2,000 be paid via a Food Lion kiosk. The victim, Eddie Keith, became suspicious when the caller used his legal name instead of his preferred name and insisted he stay on the phone and not contact an attorney. The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office warns the public that legitimate law enforcement will never demand money over the phone and advises citizens to hang up if calls create urgency or request payment.

The Northern Wake Senior Center in Wake Forest, North Carolina will host a viewing party on January 15, 2025, for an interactive webinar titled "Scam Jam & Medicare Fraud Patrol" led by state Senior Medicare Patrol Program Coordinator Stephanie Bias. The webinar aims to educate seniors on protecting themselves from Medicare fraud, being good stewards of their benefits, and understanding the growing annual losses from such scams. Registration is required by January 10 for remote participants, with the Zoom link to be sent on January 13.

The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam ring responsible for up to $5 million in fraud, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seizing approximately $4.99 million from suspicious Tether wallets linked to the operation. The scammers, known as "pig butchering" schemes, built trust with at least 71 victims (including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota) before luring them into fraudulent investments on a fake exchange called Bitkanant, where victims were then blocked from withdrawing funds unless they paid additional taxes and fees. Two victims lost over $2.75 million combined, and the scam rings

The FBI targeted a romance scam operation linked to $5 million in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes affecting approximately 71 victims, including a 60-year-old from North Carolina and an 83-year-old from Minnesota. Scammers used fake identities on social media to build romantic relationships with victims before directing them to invest in a counterfeit cryptocurrency platform called Bitkanant, after which they cut off contact and disappeared with the funds. The U.S. Attorney's office seized nearly $5 million in Tether cryptocurrency in August, with one victim losing an entire retirement account, and the FBI is working to identify perpetrators and return assets to victims.

The FBI is investigating a crypto romance scam that defrauded at least 71 victims of nearly $5 million, with federal prosecutors in North Carolina seeking to seize $4.99 million in recovered Tether cryptocurrency. Scammers posed as romantic interests on social media platforms using fake identities to lure victims into fake investments on a fraudulent exchange called Bitkanant, then froze accounts and demanded additional fees; two victims alone lost $2.75 million. The operation targeted seniors, particularly those over 60, reflecting a broader trend of crypto scams that exceeded $5.6 billion in losses during 2023.

This article does not contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It reports on legitimate senior housing development and financing transactions, including a $73.3M expansion at Penick Village in North Carolina, $13M in skilled nursing facility financing in Texas, and a $65M affordable senior housing project opening in Brooklyn. As this is industry news about housing construction and financing rather than fraud or abuse, it is outside the scope of the Elderus database.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein warned voters to avoid multiple scams around Election Day, including fake poll closure notices, false claims that voting can occur via text or email, and absentee ballot scams requesting fees. Additional threats include polling scams requesting sensitive information and "campaign investment pool" schemes falsely promising returns on donations if a candidate wins. Residents should report suspected election scams to the NC Consumer Protection Division at www.ncdoj.gov/complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

This educational piece from the North Carolina Department of Justice warns voters ahead of the November 5, 2024 election about common scams designed to prevent voting or steal personal information, including fraudulent calls claiming polls are closed, fake text/email voting schemes, false absentee ballot offers, and campaign investment pool scams. The article advises eligible voters to verify polling information directly through official sources, never provide personal financial data to unsolicited callers, and report suspected election fraud to the North Carolina State Board of Elections or Consumer Protection Division.

Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida and surrounding states experienced a surge in price gouging and scams targeting disaster victims. Price gouging—excessive increases on essential goods like fuel, groceries, and lodging—resulted in over 100 complaints to North Carolina's Attorney General alone, while scammers posed as FEMA representatives, insurance adjusters, and contractors to exploit vulnerable residents. Consumers are advised to document suspicious pricing, report gouging to state attorneys general, and remain vigilant against fraudsters during disaster recovery.

Following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, authorities warned of increased scam activity targeting disaster victims, including FEMA impersonation fraud, fake fundraisers, home repair rackets, and land theft schemes via text messages. The North Carolina Attorney General's office had already received over 200 complaints about price gouging as of the article's publication. Residents are advised to verify contractor licenses, research charities through the Better Business Bureau, confirm FEMA representatives' credentials, and report suspected fraud to local police or the Attorney General's office at 877-566-7226.

Truth Social users, predominantly older adults, have reported losing tens of thousands to half a million dollars to romance scams, fake cryptocurrency investment schemes ("pig butchering"), and recovery scams originating on the platform, according to FTC complaints. One 72-year-old victim lost $21,000 to a romance scammer, while a North Carolina resident lost $150,000 to a fake investment scheme falsely claiming Trump and other Republican figures as co-founders. Many victims are Baby Boomers withdrawing retirement savings, with scammers using fake identities, false promises of investment returns, and fake banking websites to perpetrate the frauds.

Following Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, scammers have been targeting disaster victims through multiple schemes including door-to-door fake donation collections, insurance fraud, and contractor scams. Police reported several reports of fraudsters posing as relief workers collecting donations in areas like Patton Avenue in West Asheville, while insurance adjusters may underestimate wind damage to shift liability to federal flood insurance programs, and unqualified contractors overcharge desperate homeowners for substandard repairs. Authorities advise residents to verify the legitimacy of donation solicitors and repair contractors, avoid upfront payments, and check online reviews before hiring services.

Following Hurricane Helene, scammers targeted disaster victims in Asheville, North Carolina with a tree removal scam charging $280 upfront fees while falsely claiming to be "FEMA-authorized" representatives who would cover 90% of removal costs. Victims were also targeted with charity scams involving fake donations and identity theft schemes. North Carolina's Attorney General advised residents to obtain written estimates, avoid upfront payments, verify company credentials and email domains, and research any business before engaging services.

Following hurricane relief efforts in western North Carolina, scammers are exploiting donors' goodwill through charity fraud schemes including phishing emails, fake websites, and counterfeit crowdfunding campaigns. The article provides guidance on verifying legitimate organizations through resources like the BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator, avoiding unsolicited donation requests, and donating by credit card or check rather than gift cards. Victims of charity scams are encouraged to report fraud to the North Carolina Consumer Protection Division.

Property theft scams have increased 500% in recent years, with scammers impersonating homeowners to sell properties they don't own by filing false deeds with county registers of deeds offices. Notable cases include a North Carolina woman who filed a fraudulent warranty deed on a $4 million Raleigh home and another incident where a woman's three-acre property was listed for sale without authorization; authorities recommend homeowners sign up for fraud alerts with their county register of deeds and emphasize the importance of thorough due diligence by buyers, real estate agents, and title companies.

Joshua David Mayberry, 39, was arrested and charged with nine felonies after stealing more than $100,000 from an elderly relative in western Iredell County, North Carolina. The fraud began in April 2018 when Mayberry fraudulently accessed and used the victim's bank accounts and credit cards for unauthorized purchases, with the theft discovered in April 2024 following a report from a financial institution. Mayberry faces seven counts of identity theft, one count of elder exploitation from a position of trust, and one count of obtaining property by false pretense.

More than $500,000 was stolen from North Carolina's Food and Nutrition Services program in late August and early September 2024 through phishing scams and credit card fraud targeting EBT cards, with over $2.7 million reported stolen through similar schemes since October 2022. The theft particularly impacts vulnerable families with children and seniors who depend on these benefits for grocery purchases. Authorities recommend FNS participants check balances frequently, use strong PINs, monitor accounts for suspicious activity, and contact their local county social services to request replacement benefits if compromised.

A 52-year-old North Carolina musician named Michael Smith was arrested and charged with fraud for allegedly using artificial intelligence to create hundreds of thousands of songs, then streaming them through bot accounts on platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music to fraudulently generate over $10 million in royalty payments between 2017 and 2024. Federal authorities describe the scheme as "brazen fraud" and the first of its kind involving artificially inflated music streaming, with Smith working alongside unnamed co-conspirators including an AI music company CEO and music promoter. The scam diverted millions in royalties that should have been paid to legitimate musicians and rights holders.

Cryptocurrency investment scams, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where fraudsters pose as attractive, wealthy traders on social media and dating apps, continue to defraud victims of substantial sums. Two North Carolina victims—Jim Wilkerson of Cary and Pamela Magnum of Durham—lost approximately $790,000 and $70,000 respectively after being lured with fake platforms showing false returns that eventually disappeared when they attempted withdrawals. According to the FBI, crypto-investment scam losses increased from $3 billion in 2022 to $4.5 billion in 2023, with over $1.9 billion in losses reported in the first six

An elderly woman with dementia in Asheboro, North Carolina lost $25,000 to a tech support scam in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement, used threats and fear, and manipulated her into withdrawing cash and purchasing gift cards. Detective Marcus Pierce emphasizes that tech scams are the most common fraud affecting elderly people, and urges the public to watch for red flags such as requests to load money on cards or large cash withdrawals, and to report concerns to local law enforcement.

An elderly woman with dementia in Asheboro, North Carolina, lost $25,000 to a tech support scammer who impersonated law enforcement, created a false sense of urgency and fear, and coerced her into purchasing gift cards and withdrawing cash at a gas station. Detective Marcus Pierce emphasizes that requests to load money on gift cards are a major red flag, and urges family members and community members to watch for elderly individuals attempting unusual cash withdrawals or bulk gift card purchases and to contact local law enforcement if concerned.

An elderly woman with dementia in Asheboro, North Carolina, lost $25,000 to a scammer who posed as a tech support representative after she contacted a fictitious number online seeking device help. The scammer convinced her to purchase gift cards and send cash over several days of contact, resulting in approximately $4,000 in gift cards and $25,000 in cash. The Asheboro Police Department is urging elderly residents to verify suspicious requests with loved ones or local authorities before sending money and encouraging retailers to intervene when customers make large gift card purchases.

Cybercriminals have expanded text message scams impersonating state electronic toll collection systems across multiple U.S. states (Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington), with the FBI reporting over 2,000 complaints since early March. The scams use fake government websites and urgent messaging to trick drivers into clicking links and entering personal and financial information, with some scammers also collecting data for additional criminal activities. Symantec researchers recommend state governments increase public awareness campaigns and coordinate with federal agencies to combat these threats, which have also affected Australia, Canada, and Japan.

Federal investigators in North Carolina seized approximately $5 million in cryptocurrency tied to a "pig butchering" scam, in which criminals pose as romantic partners to build trust with victims before directing them to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms. The scammers promised high investment returns on these fraudulent platforms, then prevented victims from withdrawing funds and demanded additional payments for supposed taxes and penalties. The FBI traced victim funds through multiple cryptocurrency wallets used to launder the proceeds, with one victim losing an entire individual retirement account to the scheme.

A smishing (SMS phishing) scam is targeting random phone numbers nationwide, with fraudsters impersonating tolling agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls. The North Carolina Turnpike Authority warns that these messages are not tied to actual toll accounts or road usage, and recommends customers verify notifications through official channels and report suspicious messages to authorities.

A North Carolina woman lost $60,000 after a romantic interest connected her to a fraudulent job opportunity posing as a charity finance position, requiring her to open bank accounts and provide all banking credentials to the scammer. The perpetrator used her accounts to make over $60,000 in unauthorized charges on her credit cards and attempted to deposit fraudulent checks, with payment reversals leaving her liable for mounting debt. The FTC reports nearly 105,000 job opportunity scams in 2023 alone with $450 million in total losses, and advises job seekers to never disclose personal information before formal employment, refuse positions requiring payment, and independently verify company legitimacy.

Rebecca Adami from North Carolina lost $60,000 in an employment scam where a romantic interest connected her with a fake recruiter offering a charity finance position. The scammer obtained her banking information, made fraudulent charges on her credit cards, deposited bad checks in her name totaling $67,000, and reversed legitimate payments to trap her in debt. Employment scams surged 118% in 2023, with the FTC reporting $367 million in consumer losses in 2022, and the agency recommends verifying employers independently and never providing financial information or prepaying for legitimate job positions.

Andrea Brawley, 46, of Conover, North Carolina, was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing over $300,000 from an elderly couple between August 2016 and January 2023 by exploiting her role as their financial manager. Brawley forged retirement distribution forms, drained their accounts, caused the foreclosure of their home, and isolated the victims from family by confiscating their phones and impersonating them. She was ordered to pay $628,174 in restitution and received three years of supervised release following her prison sentence.

Employment scams targeting job seekers have become increasingly prevalent as remote work normalizes, ranking as the second most common scam type in 2023 according to the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina. A Durham woman lost $3,000 after scammers impersonating Materna Medical employees sent her a fraudulent check for "equipment," instructing her to deposit it and transfer funds via Zelle, which depleted her bank account. Red flags for employment scams include unsolicited contact via text, unrealistic pay-to-work ratios, lack of face-to-face interviews, companies sending checks instead of providing equipment directly, and odd phrasing in communications.

An 87-year-old and 82-year-old couple in Miami lost $18,500 in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonated their grandson claiming to be arrested, directing them to send bail money via a Lyft driver who delivered it to the perpetrator. Agustín García Marsán, 38, was arrested and faces multiple charges including elder theft and organized fraud after being linked to similar scams across Florida and North Carolina using fake identities and ride-sharing services to collect money from elderly victims.

The Hamlet Senior Center hosted a fraud prevention symposium led by North Carolina Attorney General's Office investigator Luke Perrin to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams. Perrin addressed common misconceptions—such as the false belief that only elderly people are targeted—and provided practical advice including how to identify suspicious emails and phone calls, the importance of using credit cards over debit cards for online purchases, and warnings about social media scams that use fake surveys to steal security question answers. The event drew a standing-room-only crowd, prompting the Senior Center Director to plan additional fraud prevention programs for the broader community.

A suspected scammer using the alias "Steve Phillips" targeted small businesses in Horry County, South Carolina, by posing as a magazine salesman offering cheap advertisements ($20-$100) in a non-existent publication called "The Golf Reporter." At least eight businesses across North Carolina and South Carolina fell victim to the scam, losing between $20 to $100 each, while others like Inlet Fencing and Signature Custom Signs became suspicious and declined the offer after recognizing red flags in his sales pitch.

Former romance scammer Christopher Maxwell, who operated from Nigeria and defrauded tens of thousands of dollars from victims across North Carolina, revealed his tactics: building trust with women through dating apps over extended periods while posing as a deployed military member, then requesting money under false pretenses. Maxwell's guilt intensified when an older victim lost $30,000 and suffered physical and mental illness as a result, prompting him to reform and work for an online verification company. The article also features victim Lara Katherine Miller, who lost $50 to a similar scam before recognizing the red flags.