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A Middleport woman lost money to a phone scam in which a caller claimed she had won a $3 million raffle prize and convinced her to buy a $20 prepaid Visa card and share its numbers. State Police are investigating the incident as theft by deception. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate prize organizations never ask winners to purchase cards or pay fees upfront to claim winnings—legitimate prizes are free.

Utah seniors aged 60 and older lost nearly $66 million to fraud last year, with criminals using common tactics like impersonating government agencies, family members, or businesses to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information. U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak is conducting statewide presentations to help older adults recognize scams before becoming victims, noting that many cases go unreported due to embarrassment or fear of losing independence. To protect yourself, be suspicious of urgent demands for payment, unexpected prizes, and unsolicited contact claiming to represent trusted organizations—always verify requests independently before sending money or sharing personal details.

The IRS Criminal Investigation agency reports a sharp rise in fraud schemes targeting seniors, with 97 new elder fraud cases initiated in fiscal year 2025 alone and over $885 million in alleged fraud losses documented since 2021. Scammers use various deceptive tactics including impersonating government officials, claiming emergencies involving loved ones, building fake romantic relationships, and falsely promising lottery winnings or investment returns to steal money and personal information from older adults. Seniors should be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages demanding immediate payment, verify requests through official channels, and never send money to unknown parties—especially those claiming to be government officials or attorneys.

The IRS Criminal Investigation agency has warned of a significant surge in fraud schemes targeting older Americans, with 97 new elder fraud cases initiated in 2025 alone and over $885 million in alleged fraud losses documented from 2021-2026. Scammers use various tactics including impersonating government officials, claiming emergencies involving loved ones, and lottery scams to steal money and personal information from seniors, with a recent operation called Silver Shores targeting timeshare owners and resulting in over $30 million in losses from 372 victims. Older adults should be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages demanding immediate payment, verify requests through official channels before sending money, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.

Social media scams cost Americans $2.1 billion last year, with fraudsters using fake investment schemes, phishing attacks disguised as party invitations, and counterfeit shopping ads to steal money and personal information across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited friend requests, investment promises offering "guaranteed" returns, and suspicious links in messages or texts—verify requests directly with contacts and use strong, unique passwords for your accounts.

A criminal group called "Outsider" has been using AI to create thousands of fake websites and send millions of deceptive text messages impersonating mobile carriers, banks, and delivery services, resulting in $1.9 billion in losses since July 2023. The scam typically lures victims to counterfeit sites through texts about expiring rewards or undelivered packages, where they're tricked into entering banking credentials and one-time passwords that fraudsters use to steal their information. To protect yourself, verify any alerts by contacting your bank or carrier directly using official phone numbers, never click links in unsolicited texts, and be skeptical of urgent requests to log in or claim prizes.

An elderly Florida couple, Merdine and Fritz James (ages 74 and 87), lost over $141,000, their home, and their car to a scam in which a fraudster posing as a Publishers Clearing House representative convinced them they had won a $4 million prize and needed to pay "taxes" upfront to claim it. The scam devastated their finances and forced Merdine to give up her home-based hospice caregiving job just one year before she planned to retire. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications, remember that legitimate lotteries never require upfront payment, and verify any claims directly with the organization by calling their official number.

A Florida couple in their 70s and 80s lost their home, savings, and car after falling victim to a sweepstakes scam that cost them over $141,000, leaving them homeless in 2025. Senior scams have surged dramatically, with reports of older adults losing $10,000 or more quadrupling since 2020, while law enforcement has provided little assistance and seniors are becoming the fastest-growing homeless population. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls about prize winnings, never pay upfront fees or taxes for legitimate prizes, and verify claims directly with official organizations rather than through caller-provided contact information.

Over 88,000 elderly Americans fall victim to fraud annually, with Florida ranking second nationally for elder fraud cases—costing seniors over $293 million in losses in 2023 alone. One Martin County couple lost their home, car, and life savings totaling $141,000 to a years-long sweepstakes scam, ultimately becoming homeless. To protect yourself or loved ones, be wary of unsolicited contact, urgent demands for payment via gift cards or wire transfers, claims of prize winnings, and any requests that seem too good to be true.

Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to generate personalized, convincing emails and phishing campaigns that exploit urgency and trust—particularly targeting authors with fake book club offers, though the tactics affect people across all industries. These AI-powered scams can lead to stolen funds, identity theft, malware infections, and extortion, making them harder to spot than traditional scams. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited emails with suspicious praise or job offers, watch for red flags like all-caps text and generic personalization, verify organizations directly through official websites before clicking links, and never provide personal or financial information to unverified sources.

The IRS Criminal Investigation division reports a significant surge in fraud targeting seniors, with 97 new elder fraud cases opened in fiscal year 2025 alone and $885.86 million in alleged fraud uncovered between 2021-2026. Common schemes include criminals impersonating government officials or attorneys, claiming emergencies involving loved ones, or building fake romantic relationships to extract money and personal information from older adults. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited contact demanding immediate payment, verify caller identities through official channels, and consult trusted family members or authorities before sending money.

Older adults lost $7.748 billion to scammers in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year—according to an IRS warning, with common fraud schemes including investment fraud, government impersonation calls, identity theft, and romance scams. The IRS emphasized that nearly 97% of prosecuted elder fraud cases result in convictions and urged seniors to protect themselves by monitoring accounts, avoiding suspicious links, verifying callers' identities, and never sending money to unknown people. Those who suspect fraud can report it at IRS.gov or contact the Washington D.C. Field Office directly.

Fraudsters are increasingly targeting older Americans through various elaborate schemes including fake timeshare settlements, romance scams, lottery scams, and emergency impersonation tactics, with scammers defrauding seniors of over $885 million in the last five years. The IRS recently arrested more than 20 people in "Operation Silver Shores," a scheme where criminals posed as attorneys and government officials to trick timeshare owners into sending money, which was then laundered through shell companies. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact claiming you've won money or are entitled to settlements, verify caller identities independently, and report suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline.

The IRS is warning about a sharp rise in fraud targeting seniors, with investigators opening 255 elder fraud cases since 2021 involving nearly $886 million in losses—over $736 million of that occurring since 2024. Common scams include government impersonation, romance schemes, fake investment opportunities, and fake lottery winnings, where criminals pressure victims to quickly send money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Older adults and their families should verify suspicious claims before acting, avoid sending money to unknown parties, and report potential scams to law enforcement or the IRS Criminal Investigation division.

Smartphones have become prime targets for cybercriminals because they now function as digital wallets, banks, and repositories of personal information, making them attractive entry points for attacks. The article warns that criminals exploit people's trust through deceptive text messages and fake websites designed to trick users into clicking malicious links or downloading harmful software. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited messages claiming urgent action is needed, verify links before clicking, and avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources.

In 2024, Americans lost $470 million to text scams (also called "smishing"), which are fraudulent messages designed to trick people into clicking malicious links, sharing personal information, or sending money. Common scams include fake package delivery notifications, fake bank alerts, and fake job offers, and they're becoming increasingly difficult to detect as scammers use AI technology. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited texts, avoid clicking suspicious links, verify contact information independently, enable spam filters on your phone, and report suspected scams to 7726 (SPAM) and the Federal Trade Commission.

Elder abuse—including physical violence, emotional mistreatment, neglect, and financial exploitation—is a widespread problem in Texas that often goes unreported due to stigma, fear, and lack of awareness. About 10% of adults over 60 experience some form of abuse annually, though experts believe the actual rate is much higher, making vulnerable seniors with mobility issues, cognitive impairments, or social isolation particularly at risk. To help protect elderly Texans, communities are urged to learn warning signs of abuse, report suspected cases to Texas Adult Protective Services, and become more vigilant about safeguarding seniors' wellbeing.

The IRS is warning seniors about a surge in financial fraud, with losses reaching $7.748 billion in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year. Older adults are targeted through various schemes including government impersonation, fake investments, identity theft, and romance scams across phone calls, email, and social media. To protect themselves, seniors should verify any unexpected contact through official phone numbers and never send money via gift cards or wire transfers to unknown parties.

Scammers are exploiting trusted Big Tech platforms like Google, WhatsApp, and others to defraud users by impersonating legitimate businesses—in one case, a man was tricked into paying for a fake wine order after calling a number displayed in a Google search result. The scam exploited users' trust in these platforms' information and convenience features, affecting ordinary people going about their daily tasks. To protect yourself, verify business contact information directly through official websites or in-person visits rather than relying solely on search results or app-provided information, and be cautious about prepayment requests from businesses.

A Dollar Tree manager in Clearwater, Florida, stopped an elderly customer from losing $1,000 in a gift card scam by refusing to sell him a second $500 card after noticing he was on a phone call with someone claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House, who promised him a truck in exchange for the purchases. The manager persuaded the customer to hang up and refunded his first purchase, earning her the police department's Samaritan Award. The key warning sign was the customer's behavior at the register combined with the unlikely promise of a high-value prize—a common red flag for scams targeting older adults, so staying alert and questioning unusual requests can help protect vulnerable people from fraud.

Anne Marshall lost her life savings to a tech support scam that began with a fake pop-up warning about expired Geek Squad support, which she called to dispute—giving scammers remote access to her computer and leading to escalating demands for money. Her story, shared at a Sun City community fundraiser breakfast, highlights a widespread problem affecting approximately 50,000 Americans annually, with victims over 50 accounting for more than half of all scam losses totaling $20.9 billion in 2025. Residents should be cautious of unsolicited pop-ups and calls, avoid granting remote access to their computers, and remember that scammers deliberately target people when they're tired or busy—falling victim doesn't mean you're stupid, according to law enforcement.

An 85-year-old Florida woman fell victim to a "lonely scam" where she was convinced she had won $7 million but needed to send money upfront—she had already lost $3,500 and was planning to give more when police intervened. These scams, which also include robocalls, fake lottery winnings, and computer support schemes, continue to target older Americans despite years of warnings from police and the FBI. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming you've won prizes or need to send money first, verify unexpected winnings through official channels, and consider having trusted family members help monitor suspicious financial requests.

A Jamaican national named Jordan Trought has pleaded guilty to leading an international sweepstakes scam that defrauded over 200 elderly American victims of more than $9 million between 2015 and 2025. The scheme involved scammers calling or texting victims claiming they had won money and prizes, then convincing them to pay "taxes" or "fees" upfront and in some cases gaining access to their bank accounts to steal additional funds. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited calls or texts about sweepstakes winnings, never pay upfront fees to claim a prize, and verify any legitimate prize claims by contacting the official company directly.

Older adults lost over $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025, with investment scams and tech-support fraud being the most common schemes targeting people age 60 and older. Credit unions are fighting back by developing and sharing free educational resources, like the new Elder Exploitation Prevention Toolkit, and working closely with law enforcement to stop fraudulent transactions before they happen. To protect yourself, stay skeptical of unsolicited investment offers and tech-support requests, and report suspicious activity to your financial institution and local police immediately.

Consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud last year—a 25% increase from the previous year—with social media account takeovers being the top threat, affecting an estimated 35% of the public in 2025. Fraudsters use increasingly sophisticated tactics including password theft, impersonation scams, and identity theft to steal money and personal information from victims and their contacts. To protect yourself, experts recommend being alert to suspicious messages from contacts who seem "off," verifying requests through alternative channels before sharing personal information, and reporting compromised accounts immediately to the platform.

A Jamaican man pleaded guilty to a three-year romance and lottery scam targeting an 85-year-old Arizona resident, who lost approximately $469,302. Between 2015 and 2019, the perpetrator and his co-conspirators posed as romantic interests and lottery winners, convincing the victim to send money for fees and taxes on supposed prizes. The victim has been awarded restitution, and the case serves as a reminder for seniors to be wary of unsolicited romantic contact and lottery claims requiring upfront payment.

A North Carolina man was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal information of more than 7 million elderly Americans to Jamaican scammers between 2016 and 2023, earning over $5.2 million while victims lost at least $9.5 million to lottery fraud schemes. Elderly Americans aged 60 and older are increasingly targeted by scammers, with over 200,000 fraud complaints filed in 2025 alone—a 37% increase from the previous year. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, never share personal information with unknown callers, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Troy Murray, a North Carolina man, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for selling the personal data of more than 7 million elderly Americans to scammers between 2016 and 2023, resulting in over $9.5 million in victim losses from lottery fraud schemes. Murray sold detailed lead lists containing names, phone numbers, and addresses to scammers primarily in Jamaica, earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually until wire services blocked him and he switched to accepting prepaid gift cards. Elderly Americans should be cautious of unsolicited lottery or prize notifications, verify any winnings through official channels before sharing personal information, and report suspicious calls or messages to authorities.

Washington state residents lost over $18 million to imposter scams in 2025, with scammers frequently posing as government agencies like the IRS or Social Security Administration to trick victims into giving up money and personal information. People over 60 have been hit particularly hard, with fraud losses in that age group increasing 400% since 2020, while scams targeting family and friends have tripled from 2024 to 2025. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from government agencies or businesses you know, verify caller identity through official channels before sharing information, and never click links or download files from suspicious sources.

Senior scams are escalating rapidly in Tennessee's three largest cities—Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville—with reported losses reaching $108 million in 2025 affecting over 3,500 victims aged 60 and older, representing a 39% increase in victims and 75% increase in losses compared to 2024. Investment scams saw the most dramatic rise, tripling from $17.1 million to $51.6 million, while romance scams, tech support scams, and lottery schemes also increased significantly. Seniors should be especially cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities and romance interactions online, verify caller identities through official phone numbers rather than numbers provided in calls, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

A Jamaican man known as "Ice Man" pleaded guilty to orchestrating a romance and lottery scam that defrauded an 85-year-old Arizona woman of over $469,000 between 2015 and 2019. The scheme involved sending fake love messages and flowers, then convincing the victim she had won the lottery and a car, but needed to pay taxes and fees to claim her prizes. Elderly residents should be cautious of unsolicited romantic contact online, lottery winnings they didn't enter, and any requests to pay upfront fees or taxes—legitimate lotteries never require payment to claim prizes.

A Kentucky woman lost tens of thousands of dollars to a Nigerian romance scam where she believed she was dating a wealthy man named "Michael Oliver," who was actually a scammer operating from New Jersey. Federal investigators discovered the operation had defrauded at least 23 victims across the U.S. of over $700,000 through multiple schemes including romance scams, lottery fraud, and inheritance fraud, with money laundered through numerous bank accounts. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly involve requests for money, verify identities through video calls, and never send cash or valuables to people you've only met online.

A Scotch Plains resident lost $61,000 in a sweepstakes scam after being told they won a prize and asked to send payment to claim it. These scams typically contact victims via phone, email, text, or social media, requesting money, gift cards, or personal information under the false pretense of prize winnings. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate sweepstakes never require upfront payments to claim winnings, and you should avoid sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited contacts.

During peak travel seasons, scammers target vacation planners through phishing text messages that impersonate toll services, claiming unpaid fees and urging you to click a link to avoid additional charges—but these fake websites steal your payment and personal information. To protect yourself, adopt healthy skepticism toward urgent messages from unfamiliar sources, verify toll charges directly through official carrier websites or phone numbers, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts. Taking time to verify requests before responding is your best defense against these scams.

A retired local news anchor in Hawaii lost nearly $70,000 of her retirement savings to a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes scam, where she was tricked into paying taxes and fees for a fake $5.5 million prize. The scam, which the FBI reports cost Americans close to $200 million last year, uses convincing fake documents and kind-sounding scammers to prey on victims of all ages, though older adults tend to lose larger amounts. Experts advise being skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications and remembering that legitimate lotteries never ask winners to pay upfront fees or taxes before claiming winnings.

A Baltimore man nearly fell victim to a sweepstakes scam where a caller claiming to represent Reader's Digest and Publishers Clearing House told him he'd won $9.4 million and a Mercedes-Benz, then requested $500 in Apple gift cards for "document fees." The scam is part of a wider problem in Maryland—the Department of Justice recently charged Jamaican nationals with running a lottery fraud scheme that stole over $9.5 million from victims who were similarly asked to pay taxes and fees upfront. The key takeaway: legitimate sweepstakes will never ask you to pay money to claim a prize, so if you're contacted about a prize you don't remember entering and asked for upfront payment, it's a scam.

Financial scams are surging across Philadelphia and nationwide, with reported losses hitting $16.6 billion in 2024, using increasingly sophisticated methods like fake text messages impersonating bosses or government agencies to trick people into purchasing gift cards or clicking malicious links. Victims aren't necessarily careless—scammers use stolen data from past breaches and AI technology to make their schemes more convincing and targeted. To protect yourself, experts recommend staying skeptical of unexpected requests (especially those demanding urgency), verifying requests through official channels by calling the organization directly, and being cautious about sharing personal information online.

Older adults are losing billions of dollars to increasingly sophisticated scams, with fraud losses rising from $600 million in 2020 to $2.4 billion in 2024, according to federal data. Seniors are targeted because they often have retirement savings and assets, plus may be less familiar with evolving technology like AI-powered voice mimicry and phishing schemes. Experts advise older adults and their families to be cautious of urgent requests for money, verify caller identities through independent contact information, and stay skeptical of unsolicited communications—especially those creating emotional pressure.

Scammers are impersonating Publishers Clearing House and calling Brookville residents claiming they've won a car and $500,000, then requesting personal or financial information. At least two local residents have been targeted by this scam, with one already falling victim. To protect yourself, hang up immediately if you receive such a call, remember that Publishers Clearing House never contacts winners by phone or asks for payment, and report suspicious calls to the Brookville Police Department at 937-833-2001.

With World Cup ticket prices soaring into the thousands, the Federal Trade Commission is warning fans about scams targeting eager buyers who may be deceived by fraudulent sellers or artificially low prices. To stay safe, purchase tickets only through official channels like FIFA.com or verified resellers such as StubHub and Ticketmaster Resale, verify websites use "https://" with a security lock, and always pay with a credit card for fraud protection. If you suspect you've been scammed, immediately contact your bank, report it to the FTC and your state attorney general, and monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.

Fraud losses hit a record $15.9 billion in 2025, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated fake websites, emails, and videos to target people on social media and through phishing attempts. Investment, romance, crypto, and impostor scams are the main culprits, with nearly 30% of victims reporting the scam started on social media. To protect yourself, question unsolicited offers, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or texts, access financial accounts only through official websites or apps you type directly into your browser, and trust your instincts if something seems off.

The San Antonio Police Department warns that online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using AI-generated content, spoofed phone numbers, and high-pressure tactics to impersonate authorities and trick victims into sending money via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. San Antonio seniors are particularly targeted, with 330 crimes reported in 2025, and impostor fraud—where scammers pose as police or government officials—being the most common scheme. To protect yourself, authorities recommend hanging up on suspicious calls and verifying claims directly with official agencies, avoiding unfamiliar numbers, being skeptical of urgency or secrecy demands, and consulting trusted contacts before sending money.

Senior citizens are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated scams, including the "phantom hacker/courier scheme" that costs Americans over $500 million annually, exemplified by a 76-year-old New Jersey man who lost hundreds of thousands of dollars after calling a number in a fake Norton antivirus email. These scams take various forms—from Medicare fraud and "grandparent" schemes to romance and IRS impersonation scams—and often go unreported because victims are embarrassed, making the true financial impact likely far greater than estimated. Banks and businesses need to take responsibility for enabling these schemes, and seniors should be cautious about unsolicited emails and calls requesting personal information or urgent wire transfers.

Millions of elderly Americans lose over $7 billion annually to financial scams including romance, lottery, and sweepstakes schemes, with seniors being targeted because they are often trusting, have savings, and own homes. Criminals use multiple communication channels—online, phone, mail, TV, and radio—to gain trust and exploit victims. To protect yourself, stay cautious of unsolicited contact offering money or romance, verify requests through official channels, and consult resources like the FBI's fraud prevention guidance or local senior protection services.

A Cambridgeshire woman nearly fell victim to a romance scam in which a fraudster posed as American actor Jay Harrington, convincing her to sell her home to fund a move to the USA for marriage. An alert estate agent recognized the scheme and contacted police, preventing her from losing her home, though she had already sent hundreds of pounds to various UK and US addresses and purchased a wedding dress. Police advise that romance scams targeting vulnerable people are increasingly common, and recommend vigilance when strangers request money or personal financial information online.

An 82-year-old man in Grand Island, Nebraska lost $9,000 in a phone scam, a case now being investigated as theft by deception. Elderly Americans are particularly vulnerable to these schemes, with seniors losing over $3 billion annually to various scams including romance, lottery, and sweepstakes fraud. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls asking for money or personal information, verify caller identity independently, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement.

Women are increasingly targeted by AI-powered scams on social media and dating platforms, with criminals using fake personas, deepfakes, and voice cloning to perpetrate romance scams and sextortion schemes that combine emotional manipulation with financial or reputational harm. According to Bitdefender's 2025 survey, over 70% of people encountered a scam in the past year, with 37% citing AI-powered scams as their biggest concern. To protect yourself, remain cautious of requests for money or personal information from online connections, verify identities through video calls, and report suspicious accounts immediately to the platform.

Dear Savvy Senior,My adult kids keep warning me about scams, but it’s hard to know which calls and messages are dangerous. What scams are most commonly aimed at seniors right now?--Almost 80 Dear Alm...

Press release from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, remember that protecting yourself from fraud takes more than luck. Prize scams often in...

Hyderabad: A 71-year-old man was duped of Rs 4.4 lakh in the Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) lottery fraud in Hyderabad. The victim approached the cybercrime unit of the Hyderabad police, stating that on...