Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
4,606 results
in Tech Support Scams
bbc.com
· 2026-09-25
A 63-year-old British Army veteran was scammed by a fake TikTok account using AI-generated video of an allegedly injured ex-serviceman, paying £154.99 for a "handmade" wooden flag that was actually cheap Chinese plywood with a printed image. The BBC identified at least 45 similar accounts across multiple platforms running "pity scams" selling military-themed items with emotionally manipulative AI videos, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish fake content and exercise refund rights. The scams undermine genuine veteran charities and exploit public sympathy for ex-military personnel.
attackofthefanboy.com
· 2026-09-25
A sophisticated police impersonation scam uses spoofed phone numbers from legitimate UK police stations to deceive victims into revealing personal and financial information. Content creator Tom Wickstead received a call from someone claiming to be Detective Cunnings from Bromley Police Station who used rapport-building tactics and already possessed personal details (name, address, postcode), attempting to obtain his National Insurance number and bank details before he ended the call. UK police warn that callers will never request bank details, passwords, PINs, or threaten criminal action, and advise that these scammers aim to drain victims' life savings and assets.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-09-25
The IRS launched a new mobile app that allows taxpayers to securely check refund status and make payments directly from their phones, with CEO Frank Bisignano claiming it is "100% secure" and designed to combat fraud and identity theft. The app expansion comes as the IRS handled 600 million online inquiries last year—double the previous year—and is working to reduce its backlog of identity theft cases, which peaked at roughly 500,000 items in 2024 but has since been cut by more than half.
moneytalksnews.com
· 2026-09-24
Americans lost $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025, with investment fraud being the costliest category at $7.9 billion in losses, and adults over 60 reporting significantly larger individual losses including six-figure amounts when victimized. Traditional scams—including penny stock schemes, grandparent impersonations, romance fraud, prize scams, and bank impersonation—have been refined through modern technology like text messaging, AI voice cloning, and social media to target victims more efficiently and at unprecedented scale. The article advises verification of financial advisors, use of family code words, skepticism of unsolicited money requests from strangers, and direct contact with banks using verified phone numbers rather
newswav.com
· 2026-09-24
Scammers are targeting seniors over 50 through Bitcoin ATM fraud, where victims are tricked into withdrawing cash and converting it to cryptocurrency at machines located in familiar stores, which is then sent to criminal wallets with no legal recourse for recovery. The FBI reported over 13,400 cryptocurrency-kiosk fraud complaints in 2025 with losses exceeding $388 million, with seniors accounting for more than half the complaints and $302 million in losses. Scammers typically impersonate government agencies, banks, or tech support companies claiming urgent problems to pressure victims into using Bitcoin ATMs, which lack the consumer protections of traditional banking methods.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-09-24
Bitcoin ATM scams, often initiated by phone callers impersonating government agencies or banks, trick victims into withdrawing cash and converting it to cryptocurrency at kiosks, with the funds sent to scammer-controlled wallets and virtually impossible to recover. The FBI reported over 13,400 cryptocurrency-kiosk fraud complaints in 2025 totaling $388 million in losses, with seniors over 50 accounting for more than half the complaints and exceeding $302 million in losses. Criminals use spoofed phone numbers, AI technology, and fabricated financial emergencies to pressure victims into these irreversible transactions, which lack the legal protections of traditional banking.
ladbible.com
· 2026-09-24
A content creator named Tom Wickstead nearly fell victim to a sophisticated police impersonation scam where a fraudster claiming to be "Detective Cunnings" from Bromley Police Station called him, spoofed a legitimate police number, and attempted to extract his National Insurance number and bank details. The scammer used convincing tactics including small talk and qualifying questions to build false trust before requesting sensitive information. Police forces across the UK have warned that these impersonation scams are increasing, with criminals using technology to spoof official police numbers to make the fraud more believable.
onesafe.io
· 2026-09-24
The FBI Crypto Crime Forum highlighted the growing threat of cryptocurrency-related scams, including the WaterPlum syndicate (affiliated with North Korea) which compromised over 30,000 devices and stole $10.7 million through impersonation and malware tactics. The forum brought together law enforcement and crypto-security experts to address emerging threats such as Tornado Cash manipulation and pig butchering scams, while the FBI launched its new Virtual Assets Unit to coordinate international cryptocurrency investigations across the U.S., Japan, Germany, and Australia.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2026-09-24
The FBI has operated an invite-only crypto crime forum called the Virtual Asset Technical Exchange for nine years, bringing together law enforcement, overseas investigators, and crypto-security firms to address threats including terrorist financing, fraud, trafficking, and North Korean hacking activity. Recent discussions at the September 2024 event in San Antonio focused on emerging threats such as pig butchering scams, Tornado Cash usage, and cartels' use of cryptocurrency, with attendance limited to about 50 private-sector vendors and hundreds of total participants. The initiative reflects the FBI's broader efforts to combat crypto-related crimes, including recent seizures of over $560,000 destined for Hamas and coordination with international agencies to identify North Korean cyberc
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-09-24
A coalition of major banks including Bank of America, Capital One, NatWest, ASB Bank, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia warned that AI shopping agents pose growing risks of scams, fraud, and data privacy breaches as the technology outpaces consumer protections and industry standards. The banks expressed concern that AI agents could request sensitive payment information, steer consumers toward less secure payment methods, or be exploited for fraudulent transactions, while consumers remain unclear about their protections if something goes wrong. The banks are proposing safeguards to policymakers, including mandatory disclosure when AI agents are involved in transactions, greater transparency in how AI makes purchasing decisions, and stronger data protection measures.
graphic.com.gh
· 2026-09-23
Romance scams involve perpetrators building fake emotional relationships over weeks or months through empathetic messaging and intimate details, eventually requesting money for emergencies or opportunities, with victims reporting losses ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Beyond financial costs, victims experience shame, social isolation, and lasting distrust that can devastate families and communities, particularly in regions like Ghana where remittances are common. Public education and open family conversations about online relationships are critical to reducing stigma and helping victims seek help.
brokernews.com.au
· 2026-09-23
National Australia Bank opened a Community Hub in Cairns connecting customers with dedicated fraud and financial hardship specialists, as scam losses in Australia reached $2.18 billion in 2025, a 7.8% increase from 2024, with over four in five referrals in Cairns linked to scams and fraud. The hub is NAB's second Community Hub location following a pilot in Werribee, Victoria, and aims to provide customers access to support before challenges escalate into crises.
gsma.com
· 2026-09-23
Maxis, a Malaysian telecommunications operator, implemented a multi-layered anti-fraud framework combining SMS/call blocking, malicious website filtering, and fake base station detection to combat scams across Malaysia in coordination with regulators and law enforcement. The initiative achieved a 65% reduction in scam SMS deliveries between Q4 2024 and Q1 2025, with technical controls including SMS firewalls, fraud detection systems, and international gateway filtering working alongside government directives and the National Scam Response Centre. While successful enforcement actions have removed rogue infrastructure, scammers are adapting by shifting to over-the-top platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook that operate outside direct operator control.
gsma.com
· 2026-09-23
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison deployed an AI-powered anti-scam system in Indonesia that identifies and blocks fraudulent SMS messages and voice calls at the network level without storing content or requiring human review. Within six months of launch in August 2025, the system identified over 2 billion suspicious communications and detected 124,000 scam phone numbers across Indonesian mobile networks. The solution combines automated threat detection with subscriber education programs to protect users from scams while maintaining compliance with Indonesia's data protection requirements.
gsma.com
· 2026-09-23
Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka's largest mobile operator, deployed a network-level SMS URL screening system in June 2026 to combat scams after finding that 20% of users had been targeted by scammers over two years, with half falling victim and 30% of victims losing more than a month's income. The system screens all URL-bearing SMS messages in real time as they transit the network, blocking high-confidence malicious links outright and attaching visual security warnings to suspicious messages before delivery to alert subscribers before they interact with potentially fraudulent links.
mountain-news.com
· 2026-09-23
Inland Counties Legal Services representatives presented information on scams targeting older Americans, noting that seniors lose over $3 billion annually with those over 80 experiencing the highest median losses. The presentation covered multiple scam types including phone fraud, caller ID spoofing, phishing text messages, social media scams (which grew from $19 million in 2019 to $380 million in 2023), and tech support scams that stole $587.8 million from victims over 60 in 2022. Attorneys emphasized that many scams go unreported due to seniors' reluctance to admit victimization, and advised the audience to pause before responding to suspicious contacts, avoid clicking links, and
aberdeenlive.news
· 2026-09-22
A BBC docuseries features three women defrauded by a romance scammer posing as an Aberdeen oil rig worker named Scott Hall, who used fake profiles and love-bombing tactics to manipulate victims into sending money. The victims—from Connecticut, Ontario, and Frankfurt—lost a combined approximately $1.9 million, with one woman sending £1.1 million to the scammer using different names and stolen photos of LA makeup artist Brian Haughen. The scam is attributed to the "Yahoo Boys," an organized fraud group that has evolved their operations across social media platforms over the past two decades.
theguardian.com
· 2026-09-22
Fashion scams targeting online shoppers involve fake websites and marketplace listings offering nonexistent items or cheap counterfeits, often using pressure tactics around limited-time deals and scarcity to rush buyers into purchases. Scammers create increasingly sophisticated replicas of legitimate retailer sites and use stolen product images with professional-sounding descriptions, with victims either receiving inferior dupes or nothing at all. The article provides guidance on spotting these frauds, including checking for red flags like suspicious URLs, broken links, reverse image searching products, and verifying seller legitimacy through independent reviews.
aberdeenlive.news
· 2026-09-22
Three women from Connecticut, Ontario, and Frankfurt were defrauded by romance scammers using the same fake profile of a man claiming to be an oil rig worker off the Aberdeen coast, with victims losing between $40,000 and approximately $1.5 million each. The scammers, part of a group known as the "Yahoo Boys," used stolen photos of LA-based makeup artist Brian Haughen to create fake identities and manipulate victims into sending money through love-bombing tactics. The BBC docuseries "Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" documents how these victims and the real person whose image was stolen worked together to uncover the extent of the fraud operation.
wideopencountry.com
· 2026-09-22
A 63-year-old Pennsylvania woman lost $384,000 in a romance scam after being contacted on TikTok by someone impersonating an up-and-coming country star. The scammer moved their conversations to the encrypted messaging app Telegram and repeatedly requested large sums of money via Apple gift cards. This case illustrates how romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly those less tech-savvy, can result in devastating financial losses.
jornal.unicamp.br
· 2026-09-22
Researchers at Unicamp's Recod.ai laboratory developed an artificial intelligence model called Smish-Checker that detects SMS fraud (smishing) by analyzing multiple types of evidence including URLs, message content, and network signals rather than relying on obvious flaws like typos. The AI system groups similar messages together to efficiently handle large volumes of fraudulent texts, addressing the challenge that advanced generative AI has made it easier for scammers to create nearly indistinguishable fake messages without grammatical errors. The methodology is applicable beyond SMS to platforms like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
heraldextra.com
· 2026-09-22
BYU researchers found that AI-generated phishing messages are more effective at deceiving people than human-created ones, fooling recipients 28% of the time compared to 21% for human messages, with AI particularly excelling at creating highly personalized scams. The study revealed that users could only correctly identify whether a message was AI or human-generated 52% of the time—essentially a coin flip—highlighting the growing threat of AI-powered fraud targeting individuals through text, email, and phone calls. Researchers are now exploring how AI itself might be used to provide personalized phishing training to help people and employees better recognize and defend against these evolving scams.
lilifepolitics.com
· 2026-09-22
A 50-year-old Brooklyn man was arrested for attempting to steal $20,000 from a 68-year-old Baldwin resident through a tech support scam in which the victim received a computer warning message and was instructed to withdraw cash from his bank. The victim suspected fraud after withdrawing the funds and contacted police, leading to the arrest of Biaodi Jiang, who was charged with Attempted Grand Larceny in the Third Degree.
patch.com
· 2026-09-22
A 68-year-old Baldwin man lost $20,000 in a tech support scam after receiving a computer warning message and being directed to withdraw funds from his bank. Brooklyn resident Biaodi Jiang, 50, was arrested and charged with third-degree attempted grand larceny after the victim realized the fraud and contacted police.
amac.us
· 2026-09-22
Social media scams exploit trusted platforms and personal details shared online to deceive users into sending money, revealing personal information, or downloading malware, with older adults facing heightened risk due to unfamiliarity with newer tactics and accumulated savings. Common scams include impersonation schemes like the "grandparent scam," where fraudsters pose as family members in distress requesting urgent money, and fake product offers within trusted community groups. Users can protect themselves by creating strong, unique passwords, being cautious about what personal details they share online, and verifying requests through independent contact with known family members or organizations.
goodlander.house.gov
· 2026-09-21
The U.S. House passed five bipartisan bills championed by Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander, including the GUARD Act to help law enforcement combat fraud targeting seniors, which costs Americans $20.9 billion annually with "pig butchering" cryptocurrency schemes accounting for $11.37 billion of that total. The legislation also addresses water infrastructure funding, utility rate protections, xylazine trafficking, and emergency radio access for New Hampshire residents.
dailyrecord.co.uk
· 2026-09-21
A BBC docuseries follows three women—from Connecticut, Ontario, and Frankfurt—who were defrauded by romance scammers using stolen photos and fake identities, with victims losing between $40,000 and approximately £1.1 million. The scammers, linked to organized groups known as "Yahoo Boys," posed as workers on oil rigs off Aberdeen and other professions to build romantic relationships online before requesting money for emergencies. The series also features Brian Haughen, a Los Angeles makeup artist whose photographs were stolen and used across multiple fake accounts to perpetrate the scams.
techflowpost.com
· 2026-09-21
This article analyzes specialized jargon used in East and Southeast Asian cryptocurrency money laundering networks, specifically examining the term "Liao" (料), which refers to illicit fiat currency from fraud, extortion, gambling, and human trafficking awaiting conversion into untraceable cryptocurrencies or goods. The article describes common laundering methods such as Card-to-USDT exchanges and classifies illicit funds by risk level and victim type, including "pupil Liao" (money scammed from students), "part-time job Liao" (fake employment schemes), and "pig butchering scam Liao" (romance investment fraud), with higher-risk frontline launderers commanding
usatoday.com
· 2026-09-21
Lori Flowers lost $600,000 in a pig-butchering scam orchestrated by someone posing as a Belgian businessman on LinkedIn who convinced her to withdraw funds from her 401(k) and take out personal loans for a fake business investment. After losing the money in 2022, she faced an additional $225,000 tax bill from the IRS, which treated the stolen funds as income, ultimately forcing her to declare bankruptcy. The article highlights how Congress eliminated tax deductions for theft victims in 2017, and discusses proposed legislation to restore these protections for scam victims.
newswav.com
· 2026-09-21
Singapore police are warning the public about a phishing scam using fake SPF logos and pop-up alerts claiming devices are locked due to illegal website access and demanding payment of "outstanding fines" within hours. Victims who fall for the scam discover unauthorized foreign currency charges on their bank accounts that often exceed the stated fines. Authorities emphasized that the SPF never remotely locks devices or issues fines via pop-ups and urged the public to verify suspicious alerts through the ScamShield Helpline at 1799.
menendez.house.gov
· 2026-09-21
Congressman Rob Menendez introduced two bipartisan bills that passed the House Energy and Commerce Committee: the AI for Secure Networks Act, which addresses AI-driven cyberattacks on communications and critical infrastructure, and the Strategic Task Force on Scam Prevention Act, which aims to create a national coordinated effort among federal agencies, law enforcement, and corporations to combat increasingly sophisticated scams targeting American families and seniors. Neither bill specifies particular scams, victims, or dollar amounts, as they focus on establishing preventative frameworks and policy rather than addressing specific fraud incidents.
eurekalert.org
· 2026-09-21
Scammers are using generative AI to create deepfake videos of physicians for fraudulent purposes, including selling fake products, extracting sensitive personal data through phishing, and spreading medical misinformation. Researchers have identified four primary exploitation methods: commercial endorsement fraud, engagement farming, medical misinformation, and phishing attacks, with additional risks including fraudulent professional communications and reputation sabotage. No specific dollar amounts or victim counts were reported in this analysis of the emerging deepfake physician scam threat.
usatoday.com
· 2026-09-20
Alison Walsh booked an Airbnb vacation rental in San Diego for spring break that drastically differed from the listing photos—featuring safety hazards like rusty nails and duct tape—which she suspected were AI-generated, and she had to scramble to find alternative accommodations while waiting a month for a full refund. A 2026 survey found that 52% of American travelers have booked rentals that looked significantly different from their listing images, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated photos, fake reviews, and bait-and-switch tactics to deceive guests.
impactpr.co.nz
· 2026-09-20
New Zealand consumers and businesses are being warned about AI search scams where ChatGPT and similar tools direct users to unsafe websites including fake online stores, cryptocurrency scams, and malicious sites, despite users trusting AI recommendations more than unsolicited messages. Cybersecurity researchers found that AI-generated links may appear credible within legitimate-looking responses, and criminals exploit this by using fake login pages to steal business credentials, potentially leading to financial theft through intercepted payment communications. The threat is escalating as AI also helps attackers develop exploits faster, reducing the window for businesses to patch security vulnerabilities from 771 days in 2018 to zero days by 2026.
sciotocountydailynews.com
· 2026-09-19
A woman lost nearly $1,000 from three accounts after calling a number in a fake Geek Squad refund email, where scammers impersonated company representatives and convinced her to send money before admitting the fraud. In a separate case, another woman reported suspicious gift-card charges totaling over $78 connected to a man she was communicating with through a dating app, highlighting two common scam tactics: fake refund schemes and online romance fraud. The FTC warns consumers to verify company contact information independently rather than using numbers from unsolicited emails or texts, and to never send money to people met only online.
abc45.com
· 2026-09-19
The Burlington Police Department is warning residents about multiple scam types including fake customer service, jury duty impersonation, malware pop-ups, sweepstakes, romance, and NFC/ghost tapping scams. Police advise residents to verify requests directly with official sources, never provide remote access or banking information to unsolicited callers, and report suspicious activity to avoid becoming victims of these evolving fraud schemes.
wbrc.com
· 2026-09-19
Card skimming scams are evolving as criminals develop new technologies to steal payment information without physical contact, including insert-style skimmers for chip cards and RFID skimming that targets tap-to-pay transactions; the FBI reports skimmer fraud costs Americans over $1 billion annually. Two individuals were recently arrested in Mississippi with skimming devices, fake cards, and over $10,000 in cash after planting skimmers at three Jefferson County businesses. Experts recommend using digital wallets with biometric security, RFID-blocking sleeves, inspecting card readers before use, and monitoring statements for unauthorized charges to protect against these evolving threats.
lifehacker.com
· 2026-09-19
Apple's iOS 27 introduces "Impersonation Risk Detection," a built-in feature that analyzes device and account information to identify signs of social engineering scams where bad actors impersonate banks, government agencies, tech companies, or trusted contacts to pressure victims into disabling security features or sharing financial information. The feature assigns risk levels (Unknown, Medium, or High) to suspicious activities like large payments or disabling two-factor authentication, which apps can use to add delays, warnings, or identity verification steps. However, the feature is disabled by default and requires app developer support to be effective, limiting its widespread adoption and protection potential.
wilcosun.com
· 2026-09-19
In 2025, approximately 560,000 scams were reported across the U.S., resulting in $20.9 billion in losses, with Georgetown residents falling victim weekly to fraud ranging from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Common scams affecting residents include phishing, romance scams, tech support fraud, government impersonation, investment schemes, and sweepstake scams, often initiated through unsolicited contact via phone, text, or email. Legitimate agencies typically do not request payment via phone or text and never accept gift cards or cryptocurrency as payment methods.
thesun.ng
· 2026-09-18
Access Bank Plc launched a "Spot The Scam" financial crimes awareness campaign targeting teenagers aged 12-16 in Nigeria, prompted by rising cases of young people becoming victims or perpetrators of fraud including romance scams, hacking, and money laundering. The initiative, running until December 2026, combines financial crime education with a debate competition for secondary schools in Lagos State, teaching youth to recognize manipulation, question suspicious requests, and seek help when encountering fraudulent activities. The campaign addresses common fraud methods targeting young people such as fake giveaways, celebrity impersonation, fake job offers, and investment scams.
dallasobserver.com
· 2026-09-18
A Texas family of four was indicted for operating unlicensed boarding homes where they exploited elderly and disabled residents, including orchestrating the fraudulent sale of a 79-year-old woman's home and stealing over $156,000 that they misrepresented as a family gift to purchase their own property. The defendants face up to 30 years in federal prison on charges of conspiracy and making false statements to financial institutions. The case reflects a broader surge in elder fraud, with adults over 60 reporting 201,266 fraud complaints totaling $7.7 billion in losses last year, and AI-powered scams accounting for $900 million in reported losses.
patch.com
· 2026-09-18
Stanley G. Richards, a Prince George's County man, was fined $5.9 million and permanently banned from Maryland's securities industry for his role in promoting NovaTech, an unlawful pyramid scheme that posed as a cryptocurrency and forex trading platform. Beginning in 2021, Richards aggressively marketed NovaTech investments on YouTube, video calls, and social media, defrauding approximately 3,000 Maryland residents who lost around $37 million collectively, while the scheme generated between $600 million to $1 billion globally from 2019-2023. Richards operated as an unregistered investment adviser and rose to senior director status within NovaTech's hierarchy by selling over
thecyberexpress.com
· 2026-09-17
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan GUARD Act on September 15, 2026, legislation designed to combat elder financial fraud and cryptocurrency investment scams by providing state, local, and Tribal law enforcement with additional resources, training, and blockchain tracing tools. The bill addresses the growing problem of "pig butchering" crypto scams and other financial crimes, with FBI data showing $20.9 billion in total internet crime losses in 2025, including $11.37 billion in cryptocurrency-related losses. The legislation now advances to the Senate and has garnered support from organizations including AARP, the Iowa State Police Association, and various financial and consumer protection groups.
yahoo.com
· 2026-09-17
Ohio seniors lost over $160 million to fraud in 2025, with an average loss of $20,000 per victim, according to FBI data. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence, including voice imitation technology, alongside traditional methods like investment schemes, phishing emails, and impersonation of government agencies and tech companies. Many of these transnational scams originate in Southeast Asia, India, and Africa, with cryptocurrency schemes being particularly prevalent.
foxnews.com
· 2026-09-17
Cybercriminal losses reached nearly $21 billion last year, with investment fraud accounting for $8.65 billion of that total, as scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics including AI and phone number spoofing to impersonate banks and other trusted companies. The primary tactic involves creating panic by falsely claiming victims are subjects of fraud, then exploiting that urgency to extract sensitive information or drain accounts. Security experts recommend never answering unexpected calls from companies, instead independently verifying contact through trusted phone numbers on bank cards or official websites before responding to any requests for personal information.
ic3.gov
· 2026-09-17
Between January 2025 and July 2026, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received nearly 61,000 complaints of law enforcement and government impersonation scams resulting in over $1.6 billion in losses. Scammers contact victims via phone, email, and text using spoofed official numbers and credentials to make urgent threats of legal consequences, demanding payment through prepaid cards, cryptocurrency, bank wires, or cash. Targeted victims include the general public, medical professionals threatened with license revocation, and foreign nationals threatened with extradition, with specialized schemes against these groups resulting in hundreds of millions in additional losses.
wnky.com
· 2026-09-17
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2978, the GUARD Act, by a vote of 414-7, legislation cosponsored by Congressman Brett Guthrie that provides additional federal funding to law enforcement agencies to combat elder fraud and financial scams targeting seniors. The bill would enable law enforcement to use existing federal grant programs to hire and train officers dedicated to countering fraud schemes such as relationship scams, phishing, and confidence schemes, with requirements for agencies to report on implementation. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans lost nearly $16 billion in reported fraud schemes in 2025, with estimates suggesting actual losses exceed $190 billion when accounting for unreported schemes.
vladtv.com
· 2026-09-17
DJ Vlad's 80-year-old mother was defrauded of $200,000 in an FBI impersonation scam where fake federal agents gained remote access to her computer, claiming her Social Security and bank account were compromised, then directed her to purchase gold coins and transfer them in a parking lot exchange. The scam utilized tactics including fake pop-ups, authority impersonation, isolation from family, and manipulation through fear, with former CIA officer Charles Finfrock explaining how such schemes exploit vulnerable seniors. The case highlights the growing prevalence of elder fraud and gold-based scams targeting seniors.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2026-09-17
OpenAI and AARP launched a free AI training program in September 2025 to teach 1,000 older adults across 10 US communities how to use ChatGPT to identify scams and suspicious messages. The initiative addresses a critical problem: Americans aged 60 and over filed 201,266 fraud complaints in 2025, resulting in $7.748 billion in losses—a 59% increase from 2024, with investment scams alone accounting for over $3.5 billion. The workshops teach older adults to recognize warning signs in suspicious communications such as urgent language, demands for secrecy, and suspicious links, while emphasizing that ChatGPT should be combined
pymnts.com
· 2026-09-17
The House passed the bipartisan GUARD Act on September 15 with a 414-7 vote, providing state and local law enforcement additional federal grant funding and resources to investigate financial scams targeting seniors, particularly cryptocurrency-based "pig butchering" schemes where fraudsters gradually build trust before stealing victims' savings. The legislation authorizes federal agencies to assist local authorities with blockchain-tracing technology to track stolen money and pursue perpetrators who often operate from overseas networks. The bill now moves to the Senate, where a similar measure has already been advanced.