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During extreme weather events, scammers impersonate utility company representatives via phone, text, or email to threaten service shutoffs or demand payment for repairs, targeting vulnerable people who fear losing heat or power. The Federal Trade Commission warns that these scams surge after storms and outages, with criminals even claiming they can restore power faster for a fee or personal information. To protect yourself, pause before paying or sharing financial details and discuss any suspicious contact with a trusted friend or family member before taking action.

# Scams Cost Americans Billions in 2024 Scams and internet fraud have reached record levels, with the FBI reporting $16.6 billion in losses in 2024, and about 73% of U.S. adults experiencing some form of online scam or attack. Common schemes include counterfeit websites selling fake merchandise, fraudulent charities that exploit disasters, cryptocurrency investment scams, and fake debt collection demands. To protect yourself, verify charities before donating, avoid clicking suspicious links, be skeptical of unsolicited investment offers, and never pay on debts you don't recognize.

A Chinese citizen pleaded guilty to her role in an international fraud ring that stole $1.2 million from over 40 elderly victims across the United States between May 2025 and early 2026. The scammers posed as technical support representatives or bank officials, tricking seniors into paying for fake computer repairs or revealing financial information through phone calls, texts, and emails. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited contacts claiming there's a problem with their computer or account, verify caller identity by hanging up and calling official company numbers directly, and never provide personal financial information or make wire transfers based on urgent requests from strangers.

After major storms and severe weather, scammers posing as contractors and utility workers target homeowners needing repairs for burst pipes, broken furnaces, and other damage. Victims should be wary of unsolicited door-to-door or phone solicitations, verify contractors have valid licenses displayed on their vehicles, and never pay the full amount upfront—some scammers have taken thousands of dollars and disappeared without completing work. Using unlicensed contractors can also result in insurance claims being denied, so homeowners should always check credentials with the Better Business Bureau before hiring anyone.

Three Virginia men pleaded guilty to elder abuse and residential burglary for operating a roofing repair scam targeting seniors in San Mateo County, defrauding five victims of a combined $179,211. The scammers posed as representatives of a legitimate roofing company, inflating damage estimates and pressuring victims to wire money to fraudulent accounts. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited repair offers, get multiple independent quotes, never wire money to unfamiliar companies, and verify that contractors are actually affiliated with the businesses they claim to represent.

RVers are particularly vulnerable to scams because they frequently travel between states, use public Wi-Fi, and are isolated while traveling, making them targets for increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes including fake job offers, recovery scams targeting previous victims, government impersonation scams, and romance scams. To protect themselves, RVers should avoid unsolicited job offers requesting upfront payments or gift cards, never pay fees to recover stolen funds (legitimate agencies don't charge upfront), hang up on callers claiming to be government officials demanding immediate payment, and be cautious of online relationships that eventually request money. The key advice is to verify any unexpected contact through official channels, never send money to unknown parties, and remain skeptical of urgent payment demands regardless of who claims to be calling.

# Lottery Scam Conviction A man from out of state was sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding a 76-year-old Arkansas resident in a lottery scam scheme that promised an $11 million Jamaican lottery prize. The victim lost approximately $57,000 before law enforcement intervened during a cash exchange in May 2025, where the perpetrator attempted to hand over a briefcase containing only printer paper instead of winnings. Authorities advise elderly citizens and others to be suspicious of unsolicited lottery claims requiring upfront payments, as legitimate lotteries never ask winners to pay fees to collect winnings.

A man named Portier Guytan was convicted in January 2026 for running a financial scam that targeted an elderly Crossett resident, who was defrauded of $50,000 after being told he had won an $11 million Jamaican lottery. The scam began in May 2025 when the 76-year-old victim received a call from someone claiming he had won the lottery and needed to send money to claim his prize. To protect yourself from similar scams, be skeptical of unexpected lottery winnings or prize notifications, never send money upfront to claim prizes, and verify claims by contacting official authorities directly.

The Queens District Attorney's Elder Fraud Unit is warning seniors about sophisticated scams that exploit emotions like fear, romance, and greed to steal tens of thousands of dollars through phone, computer, home improvement, and romance schemes. Common tactics include fake investment opportunities presented by fraudsters met online who build trust before requesting money transfers, or romance scammers claiming to be new to an area and needing financial help. The key advice from authorities is to "verify, verify, verify"—don't act quickly when pressured, and always confirm requests through independent channels before sending any money.

A $12 billion cryptocurrency fraud case involving Chen Zhi has exposed "pig butchering" scams, where criminals build fake relationships with victims to lure them into fraudulent investment schemes before disappearing with their money. The incident has prompted regulators worldwide to increase scrutiny on crypto operations, requiring businesses to implement stronger compliance measures like KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) protocols. To protect themselves, crypto businesses and companies paying contractors in cryptocurrency should use reputable payment platforms with built-in security features and conduct thorough due diligence on any crypto service providers.

A Lithuanian man named Evaldas Rimasauskas defrauded Google and Facebook out of $122 million over two years by sending fake invoices and tricking the companies into wiring money to accounts he controlled. He was arrested in 2017, extradited to the United States, and sentenced to five years in prison along with ordered restitution of over $26 million. The case highlights how even large corporations can fall victim to business email compromise schemes, so companies should implement verification procedures for payment requests and employees should confirm unusual wire transfer requests through separate communication channels before processing them.

A DoorDash driver in Austin, Texas was permanently banned from the platform after allegedly using an AI-generated image to falsely claim they had delivered a customer's order, potentially as part of a scheme to collect payment for fake deliveries. The scam affected at least one other customer in the same area, and DoorDash stated they compensated the affected customer and have zero tolerance for such fraud. Customers should carefully verify delivery photos and report suspicious activity immediately to their delivery app, and consider using features like live tracking or video confirmation when available.

Scammers are sending increasingly convincing text messages impersonating banks, delivery companies, and tech services to trick people into clicking malicious links or confirming personal information. Common tactics include fake package delivery alerts, fraudulent card charges, account security warnings, and toll payment threats—all designed to create urgency and bypass your critical thinking. To stay safe, ignore links in unsolicited texts, never reply to suspicious messages, and always verify account issues by contacting companies directly through their official apps or websites or by calling the phone number on your card.

Retirees face significant financial threats from both scammers and untrustworthy individuals, including predatory lenders offering complex financial products like reverse mortgages and home equity agreements with hidden fees. Vulnerable older adults are also targeted by aggressive salespeople pushing unnecessary products and services. To protect themselves, retirees should be cautious about unfamiliar financial offers, seek independent advice before committing to any lending arrangements, and verify that deals genuinely serve their interests rather than the seller's.

# Military Romance Scams Summary Scammers pose as military members on dating apps and social media to exploit people's admiration for those who serve, ultimately aiming to steal money, personal information, or banking credentials from victims. These romance scams are increasingly common because fraudsters use the distance of military deployment as a cover story to explain their unavailability and lack of contact. To protect yourself, be wary of online military profiles—especially those asking for money or personal information—verify identities through official military channels, and remember that legitimate soldiers won't ask for financial help through dating platforms.

This article highlights the most-read posts from America's Credit Unions Blog in 2025, covering how credit unions support members during crises, the importance of strategic planning, and community banking practices. Key takeaway: Members 1st Federal Credit Union demonstrated crisis preparedness during the federal shutdown by offering payment skips, deferred loans, and financial counseling—services that proved critical since previous shutdowns caused 27% of federal workers to miss mortgage/rent payments. For members facing financial hardship, the actionable advice is to proactively contact your credit union about flexible payment options and seek free financial counseling services rather than waiting until you fall behind.

# Charity Scams Summary Scammers exploit people's generosity by impersonating legitimate charities through emails, texts, social media, phone calls, and fake websites, particularly during holidays and after disasters. To protect yourself while still giving, verify that charities are registered with the California Attorney General and have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS, avoid organizations that pressure you to donate immediately, and research unfamiliar charities through trusted resources like Charity Navigator before giving.

# Fraud Summary While overall fraud declined in 2024, older Americans age 60 and older continued losing billions of dollars to scams, with impostor fraud, investment schemes, and tech-support scams causing the most damage. Although seniors file fewer fraud complaints than younger people, their individual losses are significantly higher because scammers exploit trust, create false urgency, and target retirement savings. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact claiming legal trouble or account issues, verify requests independently before sending money, and be wary of investment pitches promising guaranteed returns, especially those tied to trendy topics like AI or cryptocurrency.

This educational article reports that online scams caused a record $16.6 billion in losses in 2024, with 73% of U.S. adults experiencing some form of online scam or attack. The article outlines common scam tactics (unsolicited contact, promises of easy money, requests for personal information or upfront payments) and describes six prevalent scam types including counterfeit merchandise, charity fraud, cryptocurrency investment fraud, bogus debts, home repair scams, and emergency/grandparent scams that specifically target seniors. Awareness of these warning signs can help individuals avoid becoming victims.

This educational article reports that scams cost Americans $16.6 billion in 2024, with 73 percent of U.S. adults experiencing online scams or attacks. The piece outlines common red flags—unsolicited contact, promises of easy money, requests for personal information or upfront payments—and describes prominent scam types including counterfeit merchandise, charity fraud, cryptocurrency investment schemes, bogus debts, home repair scams, and emergency/grandparent scams that particularly target elderly individuals.

This 2013 overview identifies the top scams affecting La Porte County and beyond, with phishing (stealing personal information for identity theft) ranked as the most prevalent fraud. The top ten scams include grandparent impersonation schemes targeting elderly relatives, doorstep contractor fraud using high-pressure sales tactics, work-from-home schemes, lottery scams, Nigerian advance-fee frauds, and account hijacking of email and social media platforms. The article emphasizes that internet growth and social networking have expanded scam delivery methods and increased victim numbers significantly, with many scams persisting or resurfacing over years despite awareness efforts.

Police departments in Robeson and Caernarvon townships in southern Berks County, Pennsylvania, issued a warning about door-to-door contractors offering low-cost paving and construction work, which are frequently associated with scams or substandard workmanship. The townships have not issued solicitation permits for these types of jobs, and residents are advised to contact police if approached by suspicious contractors.

A 40-year-old Queens resident, Abba Cohen, was arrested for defrauding a Bergen County senior of $25,800 in a home improvement scam that occurred in January 2024. Cohen, who had prior similar charges, was apprehended by New York City Police in August and remains in custody awaiting extradition to New Jersey on charges of conspiracy to commit theft by deception and receiving stolen property.

This educational article outlines five common charity scams that exploit people's generosity, particularly following disasters: fake FEMA websites impersonating government relief agencies, fraudulent charities mimicking legitimate organizations, phony crowdfunding campaigns using false stories, scam contractors demanding upfront payment, and sketchy peer-to-peer payment requests. The article provides safety guidance including donating only through official charity websites verified on CharityNavigator.org, avoiding unsolicited links and payment methods like gift cards or wire transfers, and verifying contractor credentials before hiring.

Phone-based elder scams remain prevalent in 2024, with fraudsters using evolving tactics that exploit trust and urgency to target older adults. Common scams include Medicare impersonation, fake tech support, grandparent emergency schemes, lottery/prize offers, utility company threats, and government agency impersonation—each designed to steal personal information, drain bank accounts, or install malware. The key protection strategy is to never share personal information over unsolicited calls, verify requests independently by contacting official sources directly, and ask verification questions that only legitimate contacts would know.

The article discusses a surge in impersonation scams targeting seniors, where scammers pose as government agencies or trusted businesses (like Amazon) to convince victims to transfer money for "protection," ultimately stealing it. The FTC reports a nearly 200% increase in reports of older Americans losing up to $10,000 since 2020, with a 400% increase in losses exceeding $100,000, and younger Americans are increasingly affected. The piece provides protective advice including being wary of money transfer requests, refusing demands for gift cards or cryptocurrency transfers, and hanging up to independently verify caller claims.

An Orange County, North Carolina woman lost over $17,000 in a sophisticated scam involving fake bank and PayPal fraud alerts, remote computer access, fraudulent letters printed from her own printer, and an in-person cash collection at her home. The scammers manipulated her through a four-hour phone call, convincing her to withdraw cash from her bank after transferring funds from her savings to checking and creating the false appearance of an $18,000 deposit. Investigators indicate this was part of a larger operation targeting multiple victims across several counties in the Triangle area.

Oregon law enforcement agencies issued a public warning about common summer scams, including impersonators posing as police or court officials demanding payment for missed jury duty via cryptocurrency or gift cards, fraudsters claiming pets have been hit by cars to extort veterinary fees, and fake vacation rental listings offering unrealistic deals. Officials advised residents to independently verify contact information, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and use only authorized vendors for ticket purchases and vacation bookings.

Pennsylvania State Police issued a warning about increased scams, con artist schemes, and home invasions targeting residents, particularly the elderly. Common tactics include home improvement fraud (offering low-quality services like diluted driveway sealant at below-market prices), paired home invasions where one person distracts the homeowner while the other searches for valuables (often posing as utility workers), and phone scams that lead to identity theft. Police recommend verifying identification and employment, checking contractor references, and being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true.

Fraudsters stole over $12.5 billion from Americans over 55 in 2024, a 25% increase from $10 billion in 2023, according to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network report. Seniors are targeted due to limited online experience, accumulated wealth, and social isolation, with common scams including grandparent schemes, romance scams, impersonation of government agencies or utilities, tech support fraud, home repair scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Experts advise that pressure to act quickly is a hallmark of scams, and legitimate government agencies and corporations typically do not contact people via unsolicited text messages or calls demanding immediate payment.

This article discusses various scams and questionable spending habits that millennials fall victim to, including multilevel marketing schemes, online sports betting, rage bait engagement, fake detox products, and premium food delivery services. The piece compiles Reddit comments from millennials admitting to these scams, though commenters debate whether some items (like detox products and food delivery) are actual scams or simply poor financial decisions and that similar issues affected previous generations.

Cybercriminals are exploiting the summer holiday season in the UK through sophisticated scams including AI-generated fake travel websites, bogus delivery notifications (parcel scam searches up 400%), and fraudulent accommodation bookings, with victims losing hundreds to thousands of pounds and risking identity theft and account compromise. August is identified as a peak fraud month when people's guards are lowered by holiday distractions, and sharing travel details online—such as boarding passes on social media—further exposes victims to targeted attacks and personal data theft.

An 82-year-old Ocala woman lost $7,300 in cryptocurrency and nearly lost $160,000 in cash converted to gold in a multi-stage scam involving a fake computer hack, fraudulent bank officer call, and an accomplice attempting to pick up the gold at her home—the plot was foiled by law enforcement and a gold exchange company alert, resulting in the arrest of Jiann Cao. Local agencies report approximately $1 million stolen monthly from elder fraud victims in Marion County, with common scams including tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes; officials recommend verifying the authenticity of unsolicited communications and emphasize education and reporting as key prevention strategies.

This educational forum features elder fraud experts discussing common scams targeting seniors, including email, social media, tech support, and phone-based schemes. Elderly individuals are frequent targets because they have more free time, may be lonely or financially worried, and scammers exploit urgency and fear to manipulate them. The panel shares real victim experiences—including a woman who lost over $400,000 to an imposter federal agent scam and now owes $100,000 in taxes—and emphasizes that scams use multiple layers of deception designed to be difficult to trace before funds are depleted.

This educational forum featuring experts and fraud victims discusses common scams targeting elderly people, including email/social media schemes, tech support scams, and impersonation of law enforcement or government officials. Seniors are frequent targets because they may be lonely, vulnerable, or less technologically savvy, and scammers exploit urgency and fear to manipulate victims; real victims lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one woman who lost over $400,000 and now owes the IRS $100,000 in additional taxes. The discussion emphasizes that fraudsters use sophisticated, multi-layered schemes designed to be difficult to trace and recommends awareness and verification of unexpected contacts as prevention strategies.

In Bogotá, Colombia, organized scammers known as "pinchallantas" (tire-puncturers) deliberately damage car tires on busy streets using sharp objects attached to motorcycles, then direct stranded motorists to complicit repair shops that make additional holes and overcharge for repairs. Victims like architect Óscar Villanueva and lawyer Felipe Gallo (who paid $150 for repairs that could have covered new tires) have reported hundreds of complaints monthly, prompting police to raid suspected repair shops and target the mechanics profiting from an estimated 30 flat-tire repairs per day.

The article describes five active scams in the Valley area: fake delivery drivers posing as legitimate couriers to extort payment for nonexistent packages, sweepstakes fraud schemes that have resulted in losses exceeding $100,000, fraudsters using stolen personal information to open vehicle accounts in victims' names, scammers impersonating police officers and bail bondsmen to extort payment, and unlicensed door-to-door salespeople operating without required permits. Residents are advised to verify identities before sharing personal information, hang up on suspicious callers, and familiarize themselves with local soliciting regulations to protect against these schemes.

North Branford police conducted an elder fraud awareness presentation at Evergreen Woods Community to educate seniors on prevention strategies. The presentation highlighted that seniors lose more than $3 billion annually to various fraud schemes including romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and government impersonation scams, with tips provided on how to recognize and protect against these threats.

A 2025 bipartisan report highlights that fraud and scams cost seniors $4.8 billion in 2024, with investment, cryptocurrency, and romance scams posing the greatest risks to older adults who are often targeted due to politeness, trust, and unfamiliarity with digital technologies. Common scams include Medicare fraud ($80.5 million in losses), imposter scams ($789 million in losses), phishing, and deepfakes, which cause not only financial devastation but also significant emotional and physical health impacts on victims.

Legal experts from LSC-funded organizations discuss how civil legal services address critical needs of aging Americans, with LSC programs assisting over 312,000 seniors age 60+ annually with issues including wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives. Seniors face particular vulnerability to scams and fraud, and these legal crises compound other challenges like housing costs and medical issues that threaten their safety, stability, and ability to age independently with dignity.

Windsor police are investigating two contractor scams targeting senior homeowners in July, in which elderly victims were driven to banks and pressured to withdraw large sums of money under false pretenses for alleged roofing and repair work. In the first incident, a woman withdrew $13,000 and attempted to withdraw another $13,000 after being driven by a suspect claiming to be Mark Bignam; in the second, a man was lured into withdrawing $10,000 (with an attempted additional $5,000 withdrawal declined) after work allegedly began on his roof. Police are seeking public assistance in identifying the suspects and determining whether the incidents are connected.

An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 in life savings to a "gold bar scam" in which scammers impersonated federal agents, claimed her accounts were at risk, and convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping"; local law enforcement prevented an additional $300,000 loss after her sister reported the scheme to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline. The scam typically involves fraudsters creating false urgency about compromised finances, instructing victims to convert assets into gold, and dispatching couriers to collect the valuables before disappearing. The Oregon DOJ warns that no legitimate government agency requests gold purchases or home visits for money collection, and urges victims to hang up

The FBI and FTC are warning the public about evolving scams that exploit advancing technology, including AI-generated voice impersonations of law enforcement and government officials. Elderly Americans are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and home repair scams, with millions falling victim annually. The agencies also warn against business email compromise, charity fraud (especially after disasters), cryptocurrency job scams, VA benefits overpayment scams, and card skimmers, recommending victims verify charitable organizations through trusted databases and use credit cards rather than cash, gift cards, or wire transfers for donations.

Scammers impersonate FEMA officials after natural disasters, calling, texting, or visiting people to solicit cash upfront for fake disaster grants, home inspections, or assistance services. FEMA never charges for disaster assistance or requests money, banking information, or personal data, so anyone making such requests is fraudulent. To protect yourself, verify identity through official FEMA badges, avoid responding to unsolicited communications, and contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-3362 if uncertain about a representative's legitimacy.

An Indian civil contractor lost INR 1.67 crore ($200,000) after being scammed through WhatsApp by a woman posing as a potential bride who claimed to work for a cryptocurrency trading company in Singapore. The victim made multiple deposits between April and June after seeing initial profits of INR 8,300, but the fake app locked his wallet when he attempted withdrawal and demanded an additional INR 25 lakh to release funds. Cyberabad Police registered a case and are investigating multiple bank accounts and phone numbers connected to the scam, with authorities warning that social platforms are increasingly being exploited by cybercriminals.

Scammers exploited summer vacation and home improvement seasons to steal approximately $1.7 billion last year, employing sophisticated tactics including fake vacation rental listings with upfront payment requests, door-to-door home improvement schemes offering discounted rates but delivering shoddy or incomplete work, inflated moving company fees, ticket scalping scams, and fraudulent mortgage relief offers targeting homeowners in financial distress. The article advises consumers to verify sellers' legitimacy, check licenses and reviews, only purchase from official sources, work exclusively with established lenders or HUD-approved counselors, and conduct thorough research before committing money.

Experts warn that seniors and residents of rural communities are increasingly targeted by scams, including cryptocurrency investment schemes and door-to-door contractor fraud, with investment scams averaging $4,000 in losses per victim. Red flags include unsolicited investment offers from unknown individuals and scammers exploiting loneliness through friendship-building tactics before pitching schemes. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying the legitimacy of contacts and reaching out to the BBB if you suspect involvement in a scam.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warned residents about door-to-door pest-control scams involving high-pressure sales tactics, hidden fees, and undisclosed long-term contracts. The scam typically targets consumers off-guard during summer months, with fraudsters failing to deliver services, imposing surprise charges, or forcing automatic contract renewals. Consumers are advised to avoid pressure tactics, read contracts carefully before signing, verify local peddler registration, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's office rather than remaining silent out of embarrassment.

Following the 2025 hurricane season, officials warn residents to be cautious of unlicensed contractors and scammers seeking to exploit storm damage. The Better Business Bureau recommends vetting contractors in advance of needing repairs to protect oneself from hurricane-related fraud schemes.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday issued a consumer alert warning residents to be cautious of scammers exploiting storm and flood damage by targeting those seeking vehicle purchases and home improvement contractors. The advisory recommends verifying contractor registration, obtaining written estimates, avoiding large upfront payments, using bank certificates of completion, and reporting suspected scams to the Bureau of Consumer Protection.