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During the holiday season, scammers increasingly target shoppers through fraudulent emails, texts, and websites disguised as legitimate communications. Consumers can use AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini as free tools to verify suspicious messages by analyzing them for red flags such as urgent language, requests for secrecy, grammar errors, and illegitimate sender details. If you receive any questionable communication about purchases, donations, or tech insurance, simply copy and paste it into a chatbot to check its legitimacy before responding or providing any personal information.

# Gift Card Fraud Warning Attorneys general from 14 states, including Washington, are launching a campaign to warn consumers about growing gift card scams during the holiday season and into January 2026. Scammers impersonate trusted organizations and pressure victims to buy gift cards and share the codes, resulting in significant financial losses. To stay safe, consumers should inspect gift card packaging for sealing and covered PINs, check balances only on official retailer websites, never use gift cards to pay debts or claim prizes, and report any fraud to their state attorney general's office.

Scammers have stolen billions of dollars from Minnesota's social welfare programs through elaborate fraud schemes, including the notorious "Feeding Our Future" case that diverted $250 million in pandemic relief funds meant for vulnerable populations like children with autism, people with disabilities, and those seeking addiction treatment. The fraudsters—many with no connection to Minnesota—created fake community organizations and submitted inflated invoices that state officials continued to pay without proper oversight, while some criminals then transferred stolen funds internationally through weak money transfer regulations. Residents should be vigilant about verifying that social service organizations are legitimate and report suspicious billing or program activity to federal authorities, while policymakers need stronger oversight of government spending and stricter compliance rules on financial transfers.

Minnesota's fraud problem has ballooned to $9 billion, with criminals increasingly targeting the state's Medicaid programs through housing scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and other sophisticated frauds. Five new defendants have been recently charged, and authorities warn that fraudsters are now traveling to Minnesota specifically to exploit vulnerabilities in the system—a phenomenon officials call "fraud tourism." Taxpayers and residents should remain vigilant about housing and investment opportunities, verify credentials of financial advisors, and report suspicious Medicaid activity to authorities.

# Medicare Scam Summary Medicare scam calls targeting seniors have surged 40% year-over-year, with fraudsters using personal information stolen from the dark web to impersonate healthcare providers and convince older Americans to verify or share their Medicare numbers. The calls come frequently throughout the day from seemingly local numbers, and scammers use convincing scripts claiming seniors need to confirm coverage, update information, or accept new benefits—though Medicare rarely initiates unsolicited calls. To protect yourself, hang up on unexpected Medicare-related calls, never share your Medicare or Social Security number with callers, and verify any legitimate requests by contacting Medicare directly through its official phone number or website.

# Medicare Scam Summary Medicare scam calls have surged 40% year-over-year, with fraudsters using personal data stolen from the dark web to impersonate healthcare officials and pressure seniors into revealing their Medicare numbers or personal information. Scammers use deceptive tactics like claiming to offer new benefits, free equipment, or warning of coverage disruptions, often calling dozens of times daily with spoofed local numbers. To protect yourself: remember that Medicare rarely makes unsolicited calls, verify any requests through official channels by calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE, and never share your Medicare or Social Security number over the phone unless you initiated the call.

Scammers are targeting newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries by impersonating official government agencies and using personal information to gain trust before requesting sensitive details like Social Security numbers and bank account information. A woman named Linda nearly fell victim to such a scam when a caller claiming to be from the "Medicare Benefits Office" contacted her around her 65th birthday. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls about Medicare enrollment, remember that Medicare will never ask for your Social Security number or bank details over the phone, and verify any official communications by contacting Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE.

San Antonio police report a rising tide of scams targeting seniors, with 330 reported crimes against older adults in 2025, though authorities believe many more go unreported due to victims' embarrassment or shame. The most common scam is imposter fraud, where callers pose as law enforcement or government officials and pressure victims to send money via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers—methods that legitimate agencies never use. Experts recommend that seniors slow down before acting on urgent requests, seek education through community awareness programs, and report scams to authorities so patterns can be tracked and others protected.

When Linda turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare, she received a scam call from someone impersonating a Medicare official who used personal information to gain her trust and request her Social Security number and bank account details. Medicare scams targeting new seniors are increasingly common, with fraudsters using legitimate-sounding names and personal data obtained through data breaches to trick people into revealing sensitive financial information. To protect yourself, never give out personal or financial information over the phone unsolicited, verify caller identity by hanging up and calling Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE, and be aware that legitimate Medicare enrollment doesn't require immediate phone verification of SSN or bank account information.

Washington state leaders are opposing a Trump administration order that would force the TransAlta coal power plant in Centralia to continue operating beyond its planned shutdown at the end of 2024, calling the move unnecessary and harmful. The plant has been preparing to close for over a decade, has already laid off workers, and lacks remaining coal to burn, making the "emergency" justification baseless according to state officials. Governor Ferguson and Attorney General Brown warn the order will increase electricity costs and pollution while undermining Washington's transition to cleaner energy sources, despite the company's existing plans to convert the facility to a more reliable energy source in partnership with Puget Sound Energy.

A sophisticated phone fraud wave is targeting older adults, particularly during winter when seniors spend more time indoors and rely heavily on phone communication. Scammers are using spoofed local phone numbers and impersonating government agencies (Medicare, IRS, Social Security) or medical providers to manipulate seniors into sharing personal information or sending money through high-pressure tactics. Experts advise older adults to remain skeptical of unexpected calls, verify caller identity independently by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, and never provide personal or financial information over the phone.

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Scammers are targeting seniors and veterans in South Carolina's Upstate region by using stolen Medicare numbers to bill them for medical equipment they never ordered, with fake bills sometimes charging thousands of dollars. One veteran received a bill for nearly $7,000 in urinary catheters from a Texas company he'd never contacted, and the Oconee County Sheriff's Office has received around five similar complaints. To protect yourself, treat your Medicare number with the same security as your Social Security number or bank account information, and report any suspicious bills to local authorities immediately.

Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown secured a court order blocking the Trump administration's attempts to fine states millions of dollars over their SNAP (food assistance) program operations. The administration had tried to cut off benefits to lawful permanent residents and then threatened states with penalties for not quickly enough implementing contradictory guidance that kept changing. If you receive SNAP benefits as a green card holder or know someone who does, you should know that the court has confirmed your eligibility remains protected, and your state cannot be penalized for delays in implementing unclear federal directives.

Scammers are targeting Medicare beneficiaries with fake calls claiming to issue new plastic cards or requesting verification of Medicare numbers to prevent coverage loss—tactics that are entirely fraudulent. Seniors in New York and nationwide are vulnerable to these schemes, which contribute to an estimated $60 billion in annual Medicare fraud losses. To protect yourself, never provide personal information over the phone in response to unsolicited calls, and if you suspect fraud or believe your Medicare number has been compromised, contact the New York State Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374 or visit www.nysenior.org for assistance.

Scammers are targeting Medicare recipients with fake phone calls claiming to issue new plastic Medicare cards or requesting verification of Medicare numbers to prevent coverage loss, but Medicare never calls people asking for this information and only issues standard paper cards. Seniors and their caregivers should immediately hang up on unsolicited calls asking for Medicare information, never share personal or medical details with unexpected callers, and regularly review their Medicare statements for unfamiliar charges. The New York StateWide Senior Action Council is warning older adults about this recurring scam and urging them to report suspicious activity to protect themselves from fraud.

# Fraud and Scams Summary Minnesota Aging Pathways is offering a free virtual seminar on January 14 to help people—particularly older adults—learn how to prevent, detect, and report fraud and scams, which are increasingly targeting seniors. The presentation will cover fraud prevention strategies and information from the Senior Medicare Patrol federal program, with registration available through Eventbrite or by calling 800-333-2433. To protect yourself, attend educational sessions like this one and learn how to recognize warning signs of scams targeting your personal information.

Pig butchering scams are elaborate frauds where scammers build romantic or friendly relationships with victims online to gain their trust, then convince them to invest money in cryptocurrency or other schemes before disappearing with their funds. While less common than other scams like phishing, pig butchering causes the most severe financial damage—accounting for nearly half of all scam losses in the U.S.—because victims often hand over significant savings. To protect yourself, be cautious when someone you've recently met online encourages you to invest money, verify investment opportunities independently, and remember that legitimate connections don't pressure you to move money quickly or use untraceable payment methods.

# Medicare Scams Summary Criminals are impersonating Medicare officials year-round to trick seniors into sharing personal information through phone calls, emails, texts, and mail—sometimes using spoofed phone numbers and threatening to cancel coverage. Medicare beneficiaries should know that legitimate Medicare never calls unexpectedly asking for your Medicare number or financial information; if contacted, hang up and call Medicare directly using the number on your card. Recent cases show scammers are increasingly bold, with fraudsters submitting hundreds of millions in false claims, so it's critical to report suspected fraud and watch for warning signs of medical identity theft.

Seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers who exploit their savings, home ownership, and relative unfamiliarity with technology to commit fraud. Common scams include unsolicited calls selling unnecessary products like medical-alert devices, lottery/prize schemes requiring upfront fees, and fake mobile health clinics that bill insurance and Medicare using stolen personal information. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls and emails, never pay upfront fees for prizes you've won, verify any medical services through official channels, and report suspicious activity to the FTC.

April Guadalupe Hernandez was indicted by a Bernalillo County grand jury for assuming the identities of licensed nurses and illegally providing hospice care, including mis-transcribing a medication order that nearly resulted in a fatal morphine overdose. Hernandez, a certified nurse assistant, allegedly stole the identities of three nurses from Texas, California, and Kansas to gain employment at three healthcare facilities over 18 months, defrauding them of approximately $40,000. She faces 19 charges including identity theft, nursing without a license, elder abuse, and violations of the Nursing Practice Act, with a potential sentence of up to 27.5 years in prison

A 27-year-old certified nurse assistant in New Mexico was indicted on 19 counts including identity theft, elder abuse, nursing without a license, and Medicaid fraud after assuming the identities of licensed nurses to provide unauthorized hospice care while receiving approximately $40,000 in fraudulent Medicaid payments. The fraud scheme lasted over 18 months across three hospice facilities and resulted in a near-fatal morphine overdose to a patient; Hernandez faces up to 27.5 years in prison if convicted.

Linda Karlinsey, a Utah Medicare beneficiary, was targeted by Almaz Med Supply, a New York-based company that fraudulently billed Medicare over $10,800 for unauthorized medical supplies she never ordered or received, including glucose monitors and wound dressings. While Medicare rejected the initial $2,600 glucose monitor charges, the company successfully frauded the system for $6,300 in wound dressing claims that were paid before detection. The case highlights the importance of Medicare beneficiaries reviewing their statements carefully and reporting suspicious charges, as Medicare fraud costs approximately $60 billion annually.

Between January 2020 and December 2024, the U.S. Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $312 billion in suspicious transactions linked to Chinese money laundering networks, which facilitate illicit financial flows for drug cartels, human trafficking, and fraud schemes. Among the suspicious activity, 108 Bank Secrecy Act filings involved elder abuse, and 43 reports identified $766 million in transactions tied to adult and senior day care centers in New York. These networks operate through multiple channels including real estate transactions ($53.7 billion across 17,389 filings), trade-based money laundering, money mule schemes, and the recruitment of compl

Between January 2020 and December 2024, the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) identified 137,153 Bank Secrecy Act reports involving Chinese money laundering networks (CMLNs) that moved approximately $312 billion in suspicious transactions, including $766 million linked to adult and senior day care centers suggesting potential elder abuse and fraud. CMLNs exploit financial loopholes to launder drug cartel proceeds while helping Chinese entities bypass currency restrictions, and increasingly use real estate, trade-based schemes, money mules, and infiltration of financial institutions to obscure illicit funds. The Treasury Department has prioritized dism

Logan Morrison, a certified nursing assistant at Dayspring Senior Living LLC in Hilliard, Florida, was arrested on August 28, 2025, for one count of abuse of a disabled adult after allegedly grabbing and shoving a disabled resident to the ground. The arrest was made by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with assistance from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.

April Guadalupe Hernandez was indicted on 19 counts after impersonating nurses to provide care to hospice patients in New Mexico, allegedly stealing approximately $40,000 through fraudulent billing. Operating under a stolen identity, Hernandez mis-transcribed a medication order that nearly resulted in a fatal morphine overdose for one patient, leading to charges including identity theft, unlicensed nursing practice, fraud, and resident abuse.

A 26-year-old certified nurse assistant in New Mexico, April Guadalupe Hernandez, was charged with 19 counts of misconduct including nursing without a license, identity theft, abuse of a resident, and fraud for falsifying nursing credentials and stealing identities of nurses from Texas, California, and Kansas. Over one year, Hernandez worked at three hospice centers using different name variations, claiming to hold higher nursing credentials than she possessed, and made a potentially fatal medication error (an overdose of morphine) that was caught before administration; she has an arraignment scheduled for September 8th.

This educational article outlines eight categories of federal crimes that attract FBI investigation, ranging from terrorism and espionage to cybercrime, public corruption, civil rights violations, and organized crime. The piece provides examples of each category, such as the 2013 Boston Marathon bombers' online radicalization, the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack, and the Equifax data breach affecting 147 million Americans. The article is designed to inform readers about activities—both intentional and unintentional—that could trigger FBI scrutiny beyond commonly known offenses like terrorism or organized crime.

Baxter County, Arkansas is experiencing a rise in scams targeting residents, prompting local law enforcement to host a public call-in program with Sheriff John Montgomery to educate citizens on fraud prevention. The initiative follows recent arrests of three men accused of acting as "money mules" for overseas scam operations; common schemes affecting residents include government impersonation, tech support fraud, fake sweepstakes, romance scams, and home repair fraud using phishing emails, robocalls, and spoofed numbers.

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas launched a fraud alert through its Senior Medicare Patrol Program to educate seniors about Medicare scams, which cost the program $60-$100 billion annually. Common scams include unsolicited shipments of medical braces and kits billed to Medicare, as well as phone calls attempting to steal personal information. The program helps seniors identify fraud, report scams, and seek restitution, serving over 4,600 seniors in the region in 2024.

Eleven individuals were arrested in connection with an alleged $10 billion Medicare fraud scheme, highlighting a growing problem in healthcare fraud that costs the U.S. billions annually. Capital Blue Cross reports an uptick in fraudulent claims involving durable medical equipment (DME), with scammers using medical knowledge to submit false claims for services never provided or needed. The organization recommends protecting yourself by safeguarding personal information, verifying DME prescriptions with your doctor, monitoring insurance statements, and reporting suspicious activity immediately.

This educational article from FODMAP Everyday® identifies 12 items people over 50 should remove from their wallets to protect against identity theft and fraud. The piece emphasizes that elder fraud is a critical threat, citing FBI data showing scams targeting people over 60 caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (averaging $33,915 per victim), with total fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in 2024—a 25% increase year-over-year. Key recommendations include removing Social Security cards, excessive credit cards, and debit cards, as thieves can use these items to commit identity theft, credit card fraud, and drain

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed a lawsuit against two operators of a nonprofit afterschool program in Silver City, alleging they submitted over $1.6 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims for services never provided and engaged in identity theft using social security numbers of both adults and children. The defendants, Susanne Kee and Bethanne Kee-Medran, face 91 combined counts of fraud and identity theft, with allegations including falsely representing psychological disorders to support the fraudulent billing scheme.

The Palmer Center in Independence, Missouri hosted its annual "Scamboree" event to educate approximately 175 senior attendees about fraud prevention, featuring resources on common scams including investment fraud and utility company impersonation schemes. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol program, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to fraud, errors, and abuse, with participants advised to avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers and to hang up immediately on suspicious calls.

Chicago residents identified online fraud as a major concern, with 90 percent of survey respondents rating protection from it as "important" or "very important." The Federal Trade Commission received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, with Illinois accounting for over 186,000 fraud reports, and the article provides expert guidance on identifying, avoiding, and responding to various types of fraud including account fraud, non-delivery scams, and impersonation schemes.

The operators of Kids in Need of Support Services (KISS), a nonprofit after-school program in Silver City, New Mexico, were charged with submitting over $1.6 million in fraudulent Medicaid claims for services never rendered and committing identity theft using the Social Security numbers of dozens of children and adults in their care. CEO Susanne Kee and her daughter Bethanne Kee face multiple counts of fraud, identity theft, and conspiracy, with investigators finding evidence of impossible billing schedules (including psychotherapy claims for infants under 30 days old) and families confirming they never authorized or received the billed services. The investigation, conducted by the N.M. Department of

Hospice Care Medicare Fraud has been designated as the New York StateWide Senior Action Council's Medicare Fraud of the Month for August 2025. Scammers target seniors by offering free services (cooking, cleaning, in-home help) and then illegally enroll them in hospice care without their knowledge, billing Medicare for unnecessary or non-existent services. Seniors can protect themselves by remembering that only doctors can certify hospice care, reviewing their Medicare statements for unauthorized charges, and reporting suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.

TARCOG is hosting a free Fraud and Scam Summit in Athens, Alabama to educate seniors, caregivers, and professionals about recognizing and preventing scams, which cost Americans nearly $5 billion annually. The event features experts from law enforcement and the Alabama Securities Commission discussing common fraud tactics, identity theft prevention, and reporting procedures, with particular focus on romance scams as the fastest-growing threat targeting vulnerable seniors. Attendees can register on the waiting list by contacting TARCOG at 256-830-0818, and resources will be available online for those unable to attend.

This article examines the financial vulnerability of aging populations globally, noting that only 49.2% of adults aged 55+ demonstrate basic financial literacy, making them susceptible to fraud and inadequate retirement planning. It highlights how countries with robust financial education programs (like Sweden and Norway) have reduced senior fraud exposure by 30%, and discusses emerging solutions including government policy changes, annuity products, and AI-driven fintech tools that simplify retirement planning for low-literacy populations. The piece positions the aging demographic as a $10 trillion investment opportunity while emphasizing the need for scalable education, transparent financial products, and technology-driven safeguards to protect seniors from financial mismanagement and predatory schemes.

A Durham County caregiver bonded out on charges of exploiting her client through check fraud, exemplifying a broader trend of financial abuse by caregivers targeting vulnerable adults. The article documents multiple cases including a nurse who stole a patient's identity, a caregiver who used an elderly woman's financial information to make thousands in unauthorized transactions, and a healthcare company operator sentenced to 17 years for a $500,000 Medicare fraud scheme. The AARP reports over 369,000 annual incidents of financial abuse against older adults in the U.S., with experts recommending background checks, financial monitoring, secure document storage, and requiring receipts to protect vulnerable individuals in care.

A senior scam awareness seminar was held in Palm Desert to educate older adults about fraud prevention amid increasing fraud losses in the community. The event, featuring speaker Greg Wallace, covered topics including Medicare fraud, identity theft prevention, and general elder fraud awareness. The seminar aimed to help seniors in the Coachella Valley recognize and avoid common scams targeting their age group.

Mary Kaphuka and her family of six fell victim to a rental apartment scam in Milwaukee after paying a $1,200 security deposit to a woman named "Ms. Allie" on Facebook who claimed to assist vulnerable mothers find housing; the apartment did not exist and the scammer disappeared, leaving the family homeless. Kaphuka has reported the case to police and plans to file a small claims lawsuit, while the family currently relies on shelters and temporary housing. According to the FTC, real estate scams are prevalent, with the FBI documenting 9,521 complaints in 2023 resulting in over $145 million in damages.

Social Security recipients face escalating financial fraud, with seniors over 60 losing an estimated $3.4 billion to scams in 2023 alone. The article outlines seven common scam types targeting this vulnerable population: fake government calls (including a new SSA warning about fraudsters posing as federal agencies demanding payment via untraceable methods), Medicare fraud, grandparent scams, financial services impersonation, tech support scams, fake assistance programs, and romance scams. The article provides protective measures for each scam type, emphasizing verification of contacts, use of official phone numbers, and avoidance of unusual payment methods and unsolicited requests for personal information.

In response to rising scams targeting older adults in California, Assemblymember Greg Wallis and the Desert Recreation District are hosting a free Senior Scam Awareness Seminar at the Palm Desert Community Center on August 13, 2025. Older adults reported approximately $700 million in combined losses nationally in 2024, prompting the event to feature law enforcement and consumer protection experts discussing scam identification, reporting procedures, and protective measures against identity theft, Medicare fraud, and financial exploitation.

**Article:** AInvest Newsletter - Elder Fraud and Financial Literacy Crisis U.S. seniors aged 55+ lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023 as financial literacy declined to 49.2% and cognitive impairment rates spiked, with 62.3% of older adults in federally qualified health centers exhibiting undiagnosed mild cognitive impairment. Global elder fraud losses exceed $36 billion annually, creating systemic risks to retirement security and healthcare systems, while simultaneously spurring a $10 trillion longevity market focused on AI-driven financial platforms, annuities, and cognitive intervention tools to mitigate

This educational piece examines the financial vulnerabilities facing aging populations, noting that 7.2 million Americans aged 65+ currently live with Alzheimer's dementia (projected to triple by 2060), with dementia-related costs reaching $384 billion annually and expected to surge to $1.6 trillion by 2050. Financial literacy among U.S. seniors aged 55+ has declined to 49.2%, increasing susceptibility to fraud—global elder fraud losses exceed $36 billion annually—while cognitive decline leads to poor financial decisions regarding Social Security, Medicare, and long-term care planning. The article highlights emerging solutions including AI-driven fintech platforms that reduce

This article discusses the growing threat of scams and cyber security risks that have emerged alongside rapid technological advancement. It notes that over the past year, scammers have employed various new methods to steal personal information through email, text messages, and phone calls. The full content requires a subscription to access.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who chairs the Committee on Aging, held a roundtable in Florida to address a "growing threat" of elder fraud targeting seniors through increasingly sophisticated schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails, often originating from foreign call centers. Stakeholders reported that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment, while Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions through false billing. The roundtable emphasized that awareness, prevention, stronger penalties, and coordinated efforts among banks, government, and law enforcement are essential to combat what is described as a "national crisis" an

U.S. Senator Rick Scott held a roundtable in Florida to address the escalating threat of scams and fraud targeting seniors, highlighting common schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails. Speakers emphasized that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and that many large-scale operations originate from foreign call centers, constituting a national security concern; they also noted that Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions of dollars annually through false billing and manipulation of member numbers. The roundtable stressed that awareness, prevention, and stronger legal penalties are essential to combat this crisis, while acknowledging that embarrassment often prevents victims from reporting