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This is a community announcement listing local senior services and events in the Mahoning County, Ohio area. Highlights include free AARP tax preparation for seniors, a P.E.R.I. meeting featuring a presentation on preventing healthcare fraud and medical identity theft, meal programs, job training opportunities for low-income seniors age 55+, and various social and recreational activities. No specific fraud incidents or financial losses are reported.

Following severe weather in Ohio on April 2 and March 14, the Ohio Emergency Management Agency issued a warning about home repair scams targeting residents seeking to repair storm damage. Scammers pose as contractors, pressuring homeowners for upfront payments and promising immediate work, then either failing to return, abandoning jobs, or delivering poor workmanship. The agency advises residents to verify contractor licensing, request business cards, and avoid contractors who pressure quick decisions.

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Following severe weather in Ohio, scammers have increased repair fraud targeting affected residents by demanding upfront payments and then either failing to return, abandoning projects, or delivering poor work. The Ohio Emergency Management Agency recommends verifying contractor licensing through the Better Business Bureau, requesting business information, and being wary of pressure to pay immediately, as these are common scam tactics.

Cindy Forbes of Toledo, Ohio fell victim to a virtual pickpocketing scam when two teenagers asked to use her phone at a Kroger store and instead manipulated her home screen to access her Cash App, fraudulently transferring at least $350 from her account. Forbes discovered the unauthorized transactions when she noticed her Cash App icon was missing from her phone's home screen and her family confirmed multiple unauthorized payments. She has filed reports with police, her bank, and Cash App, and now recommends others never allow strangers to handle their phones and to secure financial apps with PINs.

Deepfake videos featuring celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Taylor Swift, and Selena Gomez have been circulating on social media to scam consumers into revealing personal or financial information through fake endorsements for products like MacBooks and cookware. To identify these AI-generated scams, consumers should examine the video for unusual movements or facial expressions, distorted backgrounds, suspicious sources, and lack of context, and can use reverse image searches and hover over links before clicking. The general rule remains that if a deal seems too good to be true, it likely is, and suspicious activity should be reported to the Ohio Attorney General's Office.

The Federal Trade Commission identifies four trending online tax season scams: fake tax preparer ads that redirect to phishing websites to steal personal and payment information, fraudsters posing as accountants offering suspiciously high refunds at low prices, scammers spoofing IRS phone numbers to threaten taxpayers about supposed debt, and phishing emails/texts claiming unclaimed funds to harvest personal data or install malware. The FTC reported $1.1 billion in losses from impersonator scams in 2023 and recommends avoiding social media tax prep links, using word-of-mouth referrals for CPAs, and remembering that the IRS only contacts via mail—never by

Tax scammers exploit the April filing deadline by targeting individuals rushing to complete their returns. The IRS offers free filing options to help taxpayers avoid falling victim to fraudulent tax preparation services that scammers use to steal personal and financial information.

A coordinated scam targeting both rideshare drivers and older adults in central Ohio manipulated victims into dangerous situations by falsely claiming packages or bail money needed to be picked up. The scam resulted in the fatal shooting of Uber driver Loletha Hall by 81-year-old William Brock, who believed she was part of the scheme after receiving threatening calls, and similarly endangered Lyft driver David Young two days earlier when a homeowner tried to detain him after being targeted by the same scammer.

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An 81-year-old Ohio man fatally shot an Uber driver after both became entangled in a telephone scam involving threats and demands for money. William Brock received calls from a scammer claiming a relative was incarcerated and demanding payment, while the same scammer directed driver Lo-Letha Hall to pick up a package from Brock's home, leading to a confrontation in which Brock shot Hall three times. This case illustrates the growing danger of phone scams targeting elderly individuals, particularly those involving false claims about incarcerated relatives.

An 81-year-old Ohio man, William Brock, fatally shot Uber driver Loletha Hall, 61, in March 2024 after falling victim to a bail scam where scammers falsely claimed his relative was in jail and demanded cash. Hall, an innocent victim herself, had been directed through the Uber app to pick up a package at Brock's home as part of the same scam operation; when she arrived, Brock confronted her at gunpoint and shot her multiple times as she attempted to flee. Brock was charged with murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, while the actual scammers who orchest

A Senate report reveals that retirees across multiple states have been targeted by scams resulting in both significant financial losses and substantial IRS tax bills, with victims unable to deduct theft losses under current tax law. The report profiles cases such as a Pennsylvania retiree who lost $765,000 to a cryptocurrency scam and subsequently faced a $220,000 tax bill, highlighting how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act narrowed the theft loss deduction for individuals to only federally declared disasters. Senator Bob Casey calls for reversing these tax limitations to protect fraud victims from bearing additional tax burdens on their stolen retirement savings.

An 81-year-old Ohio man was charged with murder after shooting and killing Uber driver Loletha Hall, 61, on March 25, believing she was working with scammers who had called him claiming to be court officials demanding money for a supposed arrested family member. The scammer had actually ordered the Uber to pick up money from Brock's home, making both Brock and Hall unwitting victims of the same fraud scheme; Brock shot Hall three times when she arrived, and she died from her injuries. Brock was indicted on three counts of murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, facing up to life in prison with a minimum of 15

An 81-year-old Ohio man, William Brock, fatally shot Uber driver Loletha Hall, 61, on March 25, 2024, after both became victims of a bail scam in which he was contacted by scammers claiming a relative was in jail and demanding cash. Brock, who had been threatened by the scammers and was instructed to have Hall pick up a package at his home, confronted her with a gun when she arrived; when she attempted to escape, he shot her multiple times, killing her. Brock was charged with murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, and authorities continue investigating to identify the scammers who orchestrate

A Fostoria, Ohio woman fell victim to a Facebook impersonation scam when hackers posed as her friend requesting her phone number under the pretense of account recovery, gaining access to her Facebook account and a linked debit card that resulted in unauthorized charges of $441 for an airline ticket to Australia and $113 to ARC. The same scammers subsequently used the same tactic to compromise accounts of her friends and family members across multiple states including Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Arizona, and Texas. Local authorities advise users to unlink payment methods from social media accounts and verify requests through independent contact methods before providing personal information.

An EF-1 tornado that struck Windham, Ohio on April 17 damaged 34 homes, destroying 5 and causing major or minor damage to the others. At a public meeting, officials warned residents to be aware of contractor scams targeting elderly residents and those with cash on hand, advising them not to pay contractors upfront and to verify their insurance coverage. Relief efforts included donations from local businesses and organizations, with volunteers and community support helping residents clear debris while insurance adjusters worked through backlog caused by 43 tornadoes across Ohio since January.

The Ohio Turnpike Commission is warning Ohioans about a "smishing" scam (SMS phishing via text message) where scammers falsely claim recipients owe unpaid tolls and demand payment through suspicious links. The FBI reports receiving over 2,000 complaints about nearly identical toll-related smishing texts since March across at least three states, with messages claiming outstanding toll amounts of $12.51 and threatening $50 late fees. To protect themselves, recipients should never click unknown links or call unfamiliar numbers, verify any toll claims directly through official websites, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Since the pandemic, scams targeting seniors in Ohio have more than doubled according to AARP data. An 81-year-old man was charged with murder after shooting an Uber driver whom he believed was involved in a scam, and legal experts indicate that if the actual scam perpetrator is caught, they could face up to 20 years in federal prison on wire fraud and extortion charges, though locating the suspect may be difficult if they are located outside the United States.

Ann Mayers, 74, robbed an Ohio credit union at gunpoint in 2024, netting only $500 after falling victim to an online scam and accumulating $70,000 in debts to family members and friends. She was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence, facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted. Police noted that while Mayers herself was victimized by fraud, she chose to commit armed robbery as a response to her financial crisis.

Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with increasingly sophisticated schemes including tech support scams, romance frauds, investment schemes, and in-person courier pickups to collect cash or precious metals. The report highlights the devastating impact on vulnerable seniors, including one case where an 81-year-old Ohio man fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a court impersonation scam.

The Better Business Bureau advises seniors to report scams proactively rather than hide them due to shame or fear of losing independence, as concealment can allow fraud to escalate. The BBB recommends that both seniors and others use "block and delete" tactics to protect themselves from scams, and emphasizes that seniors should overcome embarrassment to inform family and friends when targeted by fraud.

Following the March 14 tornadoes that affected 11 Ohio counties and killed three people, FEMA warned disaster victims to be vigilant against post-disaster scams, particularly fraudulent applications where scammers pose as FEMA inspectors or request personal financial information. FEMA emphasized that legitimate federal disaster workers never request money or banking details, and victims should verify worker identification, avoid providing personal information to unverified callers, and report suspected fraud to local authorities or FEMA's fraud hotline (866-223-0814).

Homeowners in Toledo, Ohio received mail scams claiming their home warranty was expiring and including what appeared to be a $200 check, despite never having purchased such coverage. The fraudulent "final notice" letters used fear tactics to pressure recipients into calling a number, with scammers insisting victims must have had coverage to be on their mailing list. The Better Business Bureau advises people to trust their instincts and avoid responding to unexpected checks or urgent claims from unknown sources, as these tactics exploit fear and greed to hook victims into scams.

In 2023, Ohio residents lost over $150 million to financial scams, with those age 60 and older accounting for $3.4 billion in losses nationally according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Securities highlights rising threats including romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and precious metals fraud, advising consumers to investigate investment opportunities thoroughly, verify credentials through third-party sources, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement and the SEC.

In 2023, scams targeting American seniors increased 11% with reported losses reaching $3.4 billion, according to the FBI's annual Elder Fraud Report. Tech-support scams were the most common type, while investment scams resulted in the largest financial losses; Ohio ranked eighth nationally in senior scam complaints with losses exceeding $64 million. The article recommends seniors educate themselves about common scams, verify suspicious requests with trusted contacts, and avoid high-pressure situations involving gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

In 2023, scams targeting American seniors increased 11% with reported losses reaching $3.4 billion, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report. Tech-support scams were the most common type, while investment scams resulted in the largest financial losses; Ohio ranked eighth nationally for senior scam complaints with residents losing over $64 million. The article advises seniors to educate themselves about scams, avoid high-pressure situations involving payments, and consult trusted family members before sending money.

The Highland County Health Department is offering free online safety and privacy training sessions for seniors throughout May and June, covering topics such as identifying scams, phishing attempts, and protecting personal information online. Each session includes hands-on technical support from experts who will provide one-on-one assistance to help seniors navigate the digital world safely. The program is funded through an Ohio Healthy Aging Grant and a partnership between Highland County Commissioners and the Community Action Organization.

Highland County is offering free educational training sessions for seniors on online safety, covering how to identify scams, phishing attempts, and privacy threats in the digital world. The sessions, scheduled across multiple locations from May through June, include hands-on technical support from experts to help participants protect themselves online. The program is funded through an Ohio Healthy Aging Grant and a partnership between local county and community organizations.

The Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Securities reported a surge in investor scams, receiving approximately 250 fraud complaints in 2023, with Ohio residents losing over $150 million to financial scams that year. Scams ranged from $100 to $100 million and primarily targeted retirees seeking investment returns; victims should avoid unsolicited social media investment offers, overly complex opportunities, and verify companies before investing. Ohio offers a recovery fund for defrauded investors, and victims should report incidents to local police, the Division of Securities, or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld honored 22 public servants and law enforcement officials in Ohio County, West Virginia for exceptional work in criminal investigations and community service, including recognition for outstanding efforts in drug trafficking, violent crime, human trafficking, and identity theft cases. Notable honorees included the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force and Marshall County Drug Task Force for drug investigations, and Dontuwee Boykin, J.W. Smith, and Loretta Phillips specifically recognized for outstanding elder fraud investigation work. The annual United States Attorney Awards ceremony recognized individuals who went "above and beyond the normal call of duty" in bringing criminals to justice across the Northern District of West Virginia.

Scammers in Athens, Ohio impersonated local police officers, including using real officers' names and spoofed phone numbers, to convince residents they had outstanding warrants and demanded payment of legal fees. The Athens Police Department noted this was the first time scammers used actual officer names, and similar donation-based scams were also reported by the Nelsonville Police Department; authorities indicate these calls typically originate overseas and are difficult to trace. Victims are advised to report losses to the Federal Trade Commission and unwanted calls to DoNotCall.gov.

Scammers are using automated voice messages impersonating banks to trick customers into revealing sensitive financial information like debit card and account numbers. Recent incidents in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio targeted customers of Wayne Bank, banks in Madison, and Brookville National Bank with fake security breach alerts designed to prompt account reactivation. The advisory warns customers never to provide financial information over the phone in response to unsolicited calls and to independently verify such requests by contacting their bank directly.

In 2023, the Internet Complaint Center received over 880,000 complaints with losses exceeding $12.5 billion, with investor scams representing a significant portion. Scammers contact victims via social media, phone, or email offering complex investment opportunities in areas like real estate, cryptocurrency, or Ponzi schemes, often building trust before soliciting money. Protection strategies include requesting comprehensive investment documentation, researching companies and advisor credentials via BrokerCheck, being cautious of cryptocurrency/precious metals investments, and reporting suspected fraud to local police, the Ohio Division of Securities, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

In 2023, Best Buy/Geek Squad, Amazon, and PayPal were the most frequently impersonated companies in scams, with 52,000, 34,000, and 10,000 reported instances respectively, though Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams caused the highest losses at $60 million and $49 million. Scammers commonly demanded payment through cryptocurrency, bank transfers, PayPal, CashApp, Zelle, and gift cards. The FTC has finalized new rules to strengthen enforcement against scammers impersonating businesses and government agencies, and urges consumers to report suspicious activity.

Medicare fraud costs an estimated $60 billion annually and affects beneficiaries through loss of medical identity, time, stress, and potential health consequences. The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol launched Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 5-6) to educate beneficiaries, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers on protective measures such as monitoring insurance statements, verifying medical equipment orders, safeguarding Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity.

An elder victim in Kettering, Ohio lost over $36,000 after clicking a phishing email and providing personal information to scammers posing as tech support personnel; she made payments totaling $5,000 by mail, $18,000 in cash, and $1,000 was stolen electronically before police arrested suspect Karan Karan during an attempted in-person money collection. The case exemplifies tech support scams, which the FBI reports were the leading type of elder fraud in 2023, causing victims 60+ over $3.4 billion in losses that year with an average loss of $33,915 per victim.

An 85-year-old Boardman man was targeted in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonating his grandson claimed to be in jail, and a second caller posing as an attorney requested $9,500 to resolve the situation. The victim withdrew cash and attempted to ship it via UPS to Connecticut before his daughter discovered the fraud and contacted UPS to stop the delivery. This scam is part of a broader pattern tracked by the FBI, which received over 195 grandparent scam complaints from January through September 2023, resulting in at least $1.9 million in losses.

Fraud cases are rising significantly across Ohio, with the Ashland Police Department reporting a 62% increase in fraud and forgery cases, while the FBI documented a 14% increase in fraud allegations against older adults in 2023, resulting in average losses of $33,915 per victim and over $3.4 billion in total losses. Scammers target all demographics—including business professionals and online daters—using tactics such as requesting gift card payments, threatening account hacks, and romance manipulation. Police recommend avoiding unsolicited money transfers to unknown individuals, using buyer-protected payment services, recognizing deals that seem too good to be true, and contacting local police if feeling uneasy

De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Ohio, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for laundering money from a romance fraud conspiracy targeting elderly victims seeking companionship online. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles to deceive victims into sending substantial cash, items, and wire transfers totaling over $1.1 million, which Amuzu then transferred to Ghana accounts. Several victims lost so much money they were forced into bankruptcy, and Amuzu has been ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.

Adults over 64 are increasingly targeted by scams on social media, with common schemes involving investments, romance, and home improvement fraud; red flags include pressure to act urgently, requests for unusual payment methods (Zelle, Venmo, debit cards), and unrealistic offers. According to the Department of Justice, elder financial abuse costs older Americans at least $36.5 billion annually, with seniors experiencing cognitive decline, social isolation, and low financial literacy being most vulnerable. The BBB recommends victims contact local police and their financial institution immediately and report scams through BBB.org/ScamTracker.

A Chillicothe, Ohio resident lost $6,864 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with someone claiming to be Sandra Oliverez from Brazil who needed visa extension funds. The victim never met the person in person or video chatted, despite receiving purported visa documents and photos of flowers he sent, before reporting the fraud to the Ross County Sheriff's Office in June 2024. Authorities are investigating whether Sandra Oliverez is a real identity or fabricated persona used in the scam.

Casey Alexander, a 27-year-old from London, was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay $202,195.58 in restitution for his role in a wine and whiskey investment scam targeting elderly Americans. The scheme used cold-calling and deceptive tactics to convince older investors to wire funds for supposed fine wine and whiskey portfolios held in European warehouses, with victims then pressured to make additional investments. The FBI investigation identified over 150 U.S. victims who collectively lost more than $13 million in the fraud.

People over age 64 are increasingly targeted by financial scams through social media and other channels, with the most common scams involving investments, romance, and home improvement—including door-to-door home repair schemes following storms. According to AARP, about half of American adults report being victims or targets of financial fraud, and elder financial abuse costs older Americans at least $36.5 billion annually. Warning signs include pressure to act urgently, requests for unusual payment methods (Zelle, Venmo, debit cards), and claims of free or unrealistically cheap services; victims should contact their local police, financial institutions, and report scams to the BBB.

Older adults in Hamilton County, Ohio lost $4 million to scammers in the past year, with 75-year-old Carol Brown receiving up to 25 scam calls daily—a problem so widespread that some seniors avoid answering their phones and miss medical appointments. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost noted that only one in 44 financial crimes against older adults gets reported, often due to seniors' fear of being institutionalized or having their competence questioned, while FBI data shows people 60 and older lost $3.4 billion nationally to scams last year. Experts recommend connecting more with isolated seniors, using phone apps to filter scam calls, and following verification steps such

More than a dozen residents in Lorain County, Ohio fell victim to phone scammers who spoofed the sheriff's office number and impersonated Captain Robert Vansant, claiming victims had outstanding warrants and demanding bond payments of up to $3,500 via digital payment apps like Venmo or Zelle. The scammers used convincing tactics including legal jargon, gag order claims, and text messages to pressure victims into paying quickly; some victims lost up to $30,000, and even a corrections officer was temporarily deceived. Captain Vansant warned that the sheriff's office never calls to request money and advised residents to verify calls by contacting the office directly.

UK national Casey Alexander, 27, was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $202,195.58 in restitution for his role in a wine and whiskey investment scam that defrauded over 150 elderly victims across the US of more than $13 million. Alexander and co-conspirators used cold-calling and aggressive tactics to convince victims to invest in fine wines and whiskeys purportedly held in European warehouses, then pressured them to make additional investments for higher returns. The scheme was uncovered after a victim's family member reported losses exceeding $300,000 over 18 months to police in 2020.

Cryptocurrency scam victims in Northeast Ohio face a secondary threat from recovery scams, where fraudsters posing as lawyers from fake firms promise to retrieve lost funds but instead steal additional money. Between February 2023 and February 2024, such fictitious law firm schemes targeting crypto victims resulted in nearly $10 million in losses reported to the FBI. The FBI's Cleveland Midwest Cryptocurrency Task Force warns victims against recovery schemes and advises reporting all suspected scams to the BBB Scam Tracker or FBI.

McAfee identified five cities with high rates of travel booking scams: Fort Myers Beach (FL), Sandusky (OH), Pocono Manor (PA), Waimea (HI), and Chicago (IL). Common scams include phishing fraud, rental scams (fake listings), and ticketing scams (fraudulent entertainment tickets), with families particularly targeted at attractions like Cedar Point amusement park. To protect yourself, book only through official channels and credit cards with fraud protection, avoid providing payment details on suspicious websites, and be skeptical of requests to complete transactions outside booking platforms.

McAfee identified five U.S. cities—Fort Myers Beach, Sandusky, Pocono Manor, Waimea, and Chicago—as hotspots for travel booking scams, including phishing fraud, rental scams, and ticketing scams targeting families and travelers. The company recommends booking only through official channels, using credit cards with fraud protection rather than debit cards, and avoiding requests to complete transactions off-platform or on suspicious websites to prevent identity theft.