Explore the Archive

Philadelphia-area contractor Murillo Sousa agreed to pay Pennsylvania $200,000 and received a lifetime ban from operating home improvement businesses after being sued for accepting substantial payments from consumers and then failing to complete work, abandoning projects, or performing substandard construction. In one case, a consumer paid nearly $40,000 for a project where Sousa failed to obtain permits, violated building codes, damaged a gas line, and ultimately abandoned the work unfinished. Affected consumers have 60 days to contact the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection to seek potential restitution.

Two men used stolen credit cards to purchase approximately $15,000 worth of raw meat products from Altomonte's Italian Market & Deli in Warminster, Pennsylvania, making two separate orders before the store discovered the fraud. The scammers loaded their van with items like short ribs and oxtails, and the business only learned the cards were stolen after the credit card company initiated chargebacks. Police are investigating the incident, and the store is warning other local businesses to be cautious of large orders paid with credit cards.

Pennsylvania residents lost $3.8 billion to online scams and cyber crimes in 2025, representing a 33.6% increase from 2024 and averaging $712 per household. The most common scams originated on social media platforms, particularly Meta services like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which were used in 81% of scam attempts nationally. This surge reflects a broader national trend, with Americans losing approximately $148.2 billion to online scams in 2025, tripling since 2021.

A Pennsylvania woman, Jasmine Williams, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for orchestrating a $1.7 million FEMA fraud scheme involving Hurricane Ida disaster assistance, where she recruited nearly 200 people and submitted false applications with fabricated documents between 2021 and 2023. In response, the Trump administration is implementing stricter fraud controls across federal benefit programs, including enhanced identity verification, data analytics, and prepayment screening to prevent fraudulent disaster payments. The initiative follows FEMA's investigation of over 2,000 suspected fraud cases in fiscal 2025 and operates under a newly established Task Force to Eliminate Fraud.

Scammers are increasingly using spoofed phone numbers and robocalls to defraud Americans, with nearly 30 billion scam calls and texts received last year, prompting Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and 48 other state attorneys general to urge the FCC to strengthen regulations blocking scammers' access to legitimate telephone numbers. The article emphasizes that while parents once warned children not to talk to strangers, modern consumers must now heed law enforcement warnings about sophisticated scams that exploit trust by appearing to come from legitimate sources. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls and texts, especially those asking for personal information or money, and report suspicious activity to authorities.

A Pennsylvania tax preparer named Patricia Petitti defrauded an elderly client, Deborah H. Francis, by obtaining nearly $500,000 under false pretenses and using it for personal real estate purchases. After courts found Petitti liable for fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, judges imposed a $497,000 lien on a Boyertown property she had purchased with the stolen funds, effectively blocking her from benefiting from the fraudulent scheme. Seniors should be cautious about giving financial control to trusted advisors and consider having independent oversight of major financial transactions, especially with longtime accountants or friends.

Pennsylvania State Police are warning residents about a phone scam where fraudsters pose as Comcast representatives and offer bill discounts to trick people into sharing credit card information. An Indiana County man nearly became a victim when he provided his card details to a scammer, though his credit card company caught and blocked the fraudulent transaction. To protect yourself, never give personal or financial information to unsolicited callers—instead, independently verify any offers by contacting the company directly using official contact information.

On World Elder Abuse Day, Pennsylvania's Department of Aging is highlighting the serious problem of elder fraud affecting seniors in the state. A statewide PBS program airing Monday at 7 p.m. will feature Governor Josh Shapiro and experts discussing prevention, victim support, and compassionate responses to elder abuse. Anyone suspecting elder abuse or fraud should contact Pennsylvania's Elder Abuse Helpline at 1-800-490-8505.

AARP Pennsylvania is warning about rising fraud targeting older adults, particularly through cryptocurrency kiosks at convenience stores and gas stations where scammers trick victims into converting cash to untraceable digital currency. Seniors are being manipulated by increasingly sophisticated scams that create false urgency, resulting in significant financial losses and emotional harm. The organization urges people to talk openly with family about scam tactics, learn to recognize urgent payment demands, report suspected fraud to law enforcement, and help spread awareness in their communities.

Scammers impersonating sheriffs defrauded three victims in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania of over $20,000 by falsely claiming there were arrest warrants and demanding they deposit money into Bitcoin machines. Law enforcement emphasized that legitimate sheriffs never contact people by phone demanding payment and will always serve legal documents in person, and they urged the public to be skeptical of unexpected calls about missed jury duty or warrants. To protect yourself, verify any official claims by contacting your local sheriff's office directly and discuss common scam tactics with family members.

A Philadelphia grandmother had over $600 in EBT food assistance benefits stolen through "skimming" fraud, where criminals used devices to copy her card information at a point-of-sale terminal and created a duplicate card to drain her account. Pennsylvania has reported more than 5,100 skimming cases this year affecting approximately $2.5 million in stolen benefits, though actual numbers may be higher since victims stopped reporting after federal reimbursement for fraud ended in December 2024. Affected families are advised to monitor their EBT accounts closely, report suspicious activity immediately to their state's human services department, and seek help from local food banks and assistance programs if their benefits are stolen.

An 85-year-old Pennsylvania woman lost over $154,000 after scammers falsely claimed her Amazon account was hacked and impersonated the Federal Trade Commission to convince her to send money via cash and certified checks. The scam exploited a common tactic where criminals contact victims about suspicious account activity to create urgency and fear, eventually escalating payment requests. To protect yourself: ignore unsolicited messages about account hacks, remember that Amazon and the FTC never demand payment to resolve issues, and verify any claims by contacting companies directly through official channels rather than using contact information provided in suspicious messages.

Police departments across the country are warning drivers about the "screw method" gas pump scam, where fraudsters insert a screw into a pump's nozzle cradle to prevent the transaction from ending, allowing them to fuel up for free on a victim's card. This scam has been reported in multiple states including California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, and can result in hundreds of dollars in fraudulent charges. To protect yourself, inspect the nozzle cradle before fueling, stay by your pump while filling up, and always wait for the transaction to fully complete (with a receipt prompt or zero balance display) before leaving.

Pennsylvania lawmakers and law enforcement are urging bipartisan action to combat a growing wave of scams targeting seniors, with reports of elder financial exploitation reaching alarming levels—losses of $100,000 or more have increased by nearly 700% since 2020. Vulnerable older adults are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated scammers who exploit them for tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings they may never recover. Experts recommend proactive prevention measures including stronger collaboration between financial institutions and government, public awareness campaigns, and immediate reporting of suspicious activity to help protect seniors' finances and security.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General and a state Senator are pushing lawmakers to strengthen protections for elderly residents against online scams and fraud, citing growing threats from artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies. Currently, bank employees cannot stop transactions even when they suspect a customer is being scammed, so the proposed legislation would give financial institutions the power to intervene if they believe an elderly client is at risk. The bipartisan bill, which hasn't yet passed, aims to modernize the state's elder protection laws for the first time in decades and would help prevent identity theft and phone spoofing scams.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning students and job seekers to be cautious of employment scams, particularly fake work-from-home opportunities that promise high pay and flexible schedules while actually seeking to steal personal information or money. Common scams include requests to repackage stolen goods from home, upfront payment demands, and offers to buy discounted luxury items that never arrive. Job seekers should use reputable job posting websites, research employers thoroughly, and remember that legitimate employers never ask for upfront payments or unsolicited personal information during the hiring process.

Elder financial exploitation is surging across Pennsylvania, with reported cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation jumping 84% over the past five years, with financial exploitation accounting for about a third of all cases. A caretaker in Luzerne County was recently arrested for stealing nearly $167,000 from an elderly client, and officials report that family members and known acquaintances are responsible for nearly half of these crimes, while scams like grandparent and romance frauds—increasingly using AI—are becoming more common. Experts recommend that families monitor elderly relatives' financial accounts closely, verify requests for money through independent contact with loved ones, and report suspected exploitation to local protective services immediately.

A Pennsylvania woman lost $5,400 after scammers used artificial intelligence to mimic her daughter's voice in a fake kidnapping call, instructing her to wire money to Mexico. AI voice cloning technology has become sophisticated enough that criminals can create convincing deepfakes from just seconds of audio or video, exploiting people's emotional panic to bypass their judgment. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying any urgent requests for money by contacting the person directly through known phone numbers or in person, and questioning the authenticity of unexpected calls—especially those creating fear or time pressure.

A Pennsylvania woman lost $24,000 after receiving a text message claiming to be from Apple warning of fraudulent account activity, then following instructions to call a number where scammers posed as bank officials and convinced her to wire money "for protection." This "bank impersonator" scam is spreading rapidly across the country, exploiting people's trust in financial institutions and fear of losing money by creating false urgency. To protect yourself, authorities advise never wiring money based on unsolicited contact—instead, hang up and call your bank directly using a number from your statement or official website.

Thieves are using a "Screw Method" scam at gas pumps across the country, where they tamper with pumps using a carpenter's screw to disable the shutoff mechanism, allowing them to pump gas or fuel into containers while charges continue going to a previous customer's credit card—potentially costing victims hundreds of dollars. The scam has been reported in California, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, though not yet confirmed in Houston. To protect yourself, check your pump screen before leaving, monitor your credit card statements regularly, use tap-to-pay methods when possible, and never leave the pump unattended while fueling.

A Canadian man, Stefano Zanetti, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison for leading an elder fraud scheme that targeted elderly people across the United States, including Pennsylvania, causing $1.5 to $3.5 million in losses. The scam involved conspirators calling victims claiming a family member (usually a grandchild) needed bail money, then sending "couriers" to collect cash from their homes. To protect yourself, be suspicious of urgent calls about family members in legal trouble, never withdraw large amounts of cash based on such calls, and verify claims by contacting your family members directly through known phone numbers.

A Canadian man, Stefano Zanetti, was sentenced to over 15 years in prison for leading a grandparent scam that defrauded elderly people across the U.S., including in Western Pennsylvania, causing between $1.5 million to $3.5 million in losses. The scheme involved conspirators calling elderly victims claiming a grandchild needed bail money, then sending "couriers" to collect cash from their homes. Authorities recommend elderly people verify such urgent claims by contacting family members directly through known phone numbers and never withdrawing cash or giving money to strangers at their doors.

A Canadian man named Stefano Zanetti was sentenced to over 15 years in prison for leading a "grandparent scam" that defrauded Pennsylvania residents of between $1.5 million and $3.5 million between 2021 and 2022. The scheme targeted elderly Pennsylvanians with fake calls claiming a grandchild needed bail money, then sent couriers to collect cash from victims' homes. To protect yourself, be skeptical of urgent calls about family members in legal trouble, verify claims by calling family directly, and never withdraw cash or give money to unknown visitors at your door.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General is warning residents about a new variation of cash scams where criminals use intermediaries (like Uber drivers) to collect payment in person, after manipulating victims with fake emergencies or fraudulent alerts—two recent cases resulted in over $30,000 in losses. Victims are typically pressured to act quickly and told to withdraw cash for urgent situations like family emergencies or false fraud charges. The state recommends never paying cash to unknown people, ignoring unsolicited calls and pop-ups, and taking time to verify claims rather than acting under pressure.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday and State Senator Lisa Baker hosted a scam prevention event at the Kingston Active Adult Center, where about 65 seniors learned how to recognize and avoid increasingly sophisticated scams targeting older adults. The event, led by David Shallcross from the Attorney General's Senior Protection Unit, focused on teaching seniors to identify red flags and take action when something seems suspicious, as scammers are becoming more aggressive and convincing. Pennsylvania has the third-highest percentage of seniors in the nation, making scam awareness education particularly important for protecting vulnerable older residents.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is launching a pilot program to send text messages to drivers about unpaid tolls, which officials say could speed up collections, but the move comes amid growing concerns about toll-related text scams that have been targeting drivers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Toll-by-plate customers who haven't paid their first invoice will be the initial focus of the program, and the turnpike has clarified that legitimate messages won't request direct payment. Drivers should verify unpaid tolls directly through the E-ZPass website rather than responding to unsolicited text messages, and be cautious of any texts demanding immediate payment for tolls.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning residents about a cash scam where criminals pose as authority figures or claim a family emergency to pressure victims into paying money in person to a third party, with two recent cases resulting in over $30,000 in losses. Scammers exploit the untraceable nature of cash and create artificial urgency to prevent victims from verifying the claims. To protect yourself, never pay cash to unknown individuals, and hang up or ignore any communication demanding immediate payment—if you suspect you've been scammed, contact the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection at 1-800-441-2555.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General is warning sports fans about ticket and merchandise scams as the Philadelphia 76ers, Flyers, and Penguins enter the playoffs, when scammers typically exploit high demand by selling fake tickets and counterfeit gear. Fans should only purchase from official sources, verify seller legitimacy, and use secure payment methods. If scammed, victims should dispute charges with their credit card company and file a complaint with the state's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Pennsylvania ranked 6th nationally in internet crime complaints with over 31,000 reported cases resulting in $538 million in losses, according to a new FBI report. Seniors over 60 were hit hardest, losing $215.88 million across 7,088 complaints, though people of all ages fell victim to investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams. The FBI advises residents to be cautious of phishing emails, verify investment opportunities carefully, and be skeptical of unsolicited tech support offers, with AI-generated content now being used increasingly in fraud schemes.

Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities is offering free financial literacy events throughout April to help residents avoid fraud, identity theft, and investment scams through education on budgeting, saving, and cybersecurity. The programs are designed for people of all ages and backgrounds and aim to provide practical skills to recognize financial threats and make better money decisions. Pennsylvanians can access these free resources by visiting pa.gov/dobs, calling 1-800-PA-BANKS, or reporting scams through 1-866-PACOMPLAINT.

A Beaver County woman says she is trying to sort out a costly mystery after falling victim to what appears to be a scam involving two iPads she ordered through Xfinity. “It’s like the fear of having ...

Scammers targeted Pennsylvania drivers with fake unpaid toll text messages over the weekend, leading Philadelphia courts to issue a statewide consumer fraud alert. The latest scam message, which many...

Romance scams have surged in 2026, particularly around Valentine's Day, as scammers increasingly use AI-generated photos, videos, and messages to create fake dating profiles and websites that convincingly mimic real people and relationships. These scams primarily target people seeking connections on dating sites and social media, tricking them into sharing personal information and making payments for fake memberships. To protect yourself, be cautious of new online contacts who quickly build emotional connections, verify profiles independently, never share personal or financial information early on, and report suspicious activity to the platform or authorities.

A 28-year-old Pennsylvania woman was charged with theft after posing as an Eagles Autism Foundation employee on social media and taking over $2,000 from at least five people by selling them discounted game tickets that were never delivered. Victims were contacted through social media or mutual friends and made payments via Apple Pay, receiving fake follow-up emails claiming the tickets would be released through a portal. To protect yourself, verify ticket purchases directly through official team or organization websites, avoid buying from unofficial social media accounts, and be skeptical of unsolicited ticket offers—especially ones claiming to support a charity.

# Romance Scam Summary A Pennsylvania man's wife was scammed out of $18,000 over five months by someone posing as a Texan she met on TikTok, who used "love bombing" tactics and fabricated stories about needing money for his children to manipulate her. The FBI is warning the public about a surge in romance scams, particularly around Valentine's Day, which often involve constant messaging, emotional manipulation, and requests for money that never result in promised returns. To protect yourself, be cautious of rapid relationship escalation with strangers online, verify identities independently, and never send money to people you haven't met in person, especially if they make excuses or urgent requests.

# Romance Scam Summary A woman named Kate Kleinert lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam, where scammers pose as potential romantic partners online to steal money from victims. The podcast "The High Price of Love: Uncovering Romance Scams" features Kate's story and expert advice from AARP Pennsylvania to help people recognize and avoid these schemes. If you're dating online, be cautious of new suitors asking for money, verify their identities before developing emotional connections, and report any suspicious activity to AARP's Fraud Watch Network at aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.

AARP is warning Pennsylvania's elderly residents to watch out for romance scams—particularly "catfishing" schemes where scammers use fake identities on social media to build trust with lonely victims before asking for money. One victim, AARP volunteer Kate Kleinert, lost $39,000 after befriending someone who claimed to be a UN surgeon online. To protect yourself, be skeptical of romantic connections with people you've never met in person, verify identities before sharing personal information, and never send money to online acquaintances.

Two Indian-origin men have been charged with money laundering for allegedly defrauding elderly people across Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Ohio through schemes impersonating tech workers, Microsoft support, PayPal representatives, and FTC officials. The scammers targeted vulnerable seniors, with at least one victim losing $40,000 in cash. Elderly people should be cautious of unsolicited calls about computer problems or account issues, verify caller identity through official channels, and never send money or personal information to unknown callers claiming to represent major companies or government agencies.

# Pennsylvania's Anti-Fraud Initiative Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities is hosting free educational events throughout February to help residents, particularly older adults, recognize and avoid scams including romance fraud and identity theft. The sessions will teach warning signs of common scams, risk-reduction strategies, and response procedures if targeted, using formats like "Fraud BINGO" games to engage participants. Residents who suspect they've been scammed are urged to report it by calling 1-866-PACOMPLAI for assistance.

# Pennsylvania's Fraud Prevention Initiative Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities is hosting free educational events throughout February to help residents, particularly seniors, learn how to protect themselves from financial fraud, identity theft, and scams. The sessions will cover practical strategies for recognizing warning signs, safeguarding personal information, and include topics like romance scams and identity theft prevention. Residents concerned about their financial security should attend one of these community events to gain actionable knowledge about protecting themselves from common fraud schemes.

# Fraud Summary Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned older residents that scammers stole over $76 million from Pennsylvanians in 2025, making seniors a primary target. During Identity Theft Awareness Week events in Dauphin and Luzerne counties, Sunday shared tips on recognizing trending scams and protecting personal information. Older residents should be cautious about unsolicited contacts, verify requests for money or personal details, and report suspected fraud to authorities.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned that scammers using advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, stole significant amounts of money from Pennsylvania residents in 2025, with seniors being particularly vulnerable to losing their savings. During National Identity Theft Awareness Week, Sunday spoke to about 40 people at a Kingston community center to educate seniors—one of the groups most targeted by fraud—on how to protect themselves. While the article doesn't specify detailed prevention tips, it emphasizes that AI has made modern scams harder to detect, making awareness and education critical for vulnerable populations.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday warned seniors about rising identity theft and scam risks during Identity Theft Awareness Week, highlighting that fraudsters use convincing emails with malicious links to install spyware that captures passwords and financial information. Older adults are frequently targeted by these scams, which resulted in significant financial losses reported in 2025. To protect themselves, seniors should avoid clicking suspicious links in emails, be cautious about legitimate-looking communications, and stay informed about common scam tactics.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General warned seniors about surging identity theft and fraud scams during Identity Theft Awareness Week, noting that older adults are frequent targets of impersonation and financial exploitation schemes that cost victims significant money in 2025. Scammers increasingly use stolen personal information and deceptive communications to access finances, taking advantage of seniors' perceived financial stability and unfamiliarity with new technology. To protect themselves, residents should safeguard personal information, recognize warning signs of fraud, report suspected scams immediately, and seek assistance early—timely action can limit damage and help authorities identify broader fraud patterns.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday highlighted a growing fraud problem during Theft Awareness Week, noting that the state received over 4,000 scam complaints in 2025 resulting in $76 million in losses, with seniors being particularly targeted. To combat this trend, the Attorney General's Office created an Elder Exploitation Section dedicated to prosecuting financial fraud against older residents. Anyone who becomes a victim of a scam is urged to report it immediately to authorities, as prompt reporting can help investigators track down scammers and potentially recover funds.

Pennsylvania residents lost over $76 million to scammers in 2025, with older residents particularly vulnerable to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes enhanced by artificial intelligence. The most common scams were phishing and government imposter schemes, with victims typically losing money through wire transfers and cryptocurrency payments. Attorney General Dave Sunday advises people to report scams immediately, as quick reporting increases the chances of fund recovery, and recommends staying educated about current scam tactics as the best defense.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday highlighted the growing threat of senior scams during identity theft awareness week, noting that the state received over 4,000 fraud complaints last year totaling $76 million, with phishing, government impersonation, and loan modification being the most common schemes. Sunday advised residents to be extremely cautious of unexpected contacts and to hang up or close the door if someone pressures them to act immediately. Anyone who falls victim to a scam should report it to authorities rather than staying silent.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday met with older residents to address the growing problem of scams in the state, highlighting that thousands of fraud complaints are reported annually. The meeting focused on educating vulnerable populations about the most common scam tactics and warning signs they should watch for. To protect yourself, stay skeptical of unsolicited job offers and financial requests, verify caller identities before sharing personal information, and report suspicious activity to local authorities or the Attorney General's office.

AARP Pennsylvania is warning older residents about five major scams expected to surge in 2026—including employment fraud, recovery scams, digital arrests, blackmail schemes, and romance scams—as criminals use advancing technology and AI to make deceptive tactics more convincing. Losses from impostor scams targeting seniors aged 60+ have skyrocketed from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024, with individual cases now reaching $100,000 or more. To protect yourself, pause before responding to urgent demands or suspicious offers, verify claims independently, and report any scams to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.

# Utility Scam Summary Scammers are targeting Pennsylvania utility customers this winter through fake websites, misleading ads, and fraudulent phone calls that impersonate legitimate utility companies, exploiting customers' fear of losing heat or electricity to pressure them into sharing personal and banking information. Victims can lose access to their bank accounts or have their identity stolen, with scammers using tactics like claiming missed payments and threatening immediate service shutoffs. To protect yourself, type your utility company's web address directly into your browser (found on your bill) rather than clicking search results, and hang up immediately if anyone unexpectedly calls asking for personal or banking information.