Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
10,275 results
in Robocalls / Phone Scams
abc.net.au
· 2026-07-26
Young male victims in the UK and Australia have been targeted by sextortion scammers who use dating apps and social media to solicit explicit images, then threaten to share them with contacts unless victims pay money or comply with demands. Between July and December 2025, Australia's eSafety Commission received 2,206 complaints of sexual extortion, with most victims aged 18-24, though some cases involved boys as young as 14-15. Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfake images to make threats more convincing, as demonstrated by victims like Jack and Mateo who faced demands ranging from $500 to undisclosed amounts.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-07-26
In 2025, over 201,000 Americans aged 60 and older lost more than $7.7 billion to cyber criminals, often through phone scams impersonating Social Security Administration, Medicare, or bank representatives. Scammers use specific high-pressure phrases—such as claiming benefits are suspended, accounts have been compromised, or immediate payment is required—designed to trigger fear and bypass rational thinking. The article identifies 12 common scam phrases and advises victims to hang up, contact official organizations directly through verified channels, and never share personal information or passwords in response to unsolicited calls.
moneywise.com
· 2026-07-26
A woman using a fake identity posted a fraudulent rental listing on Zillow for a Milwaukee home she didn't own and wasn't authorized to rent, scamming four families out of over $7,700 in total by collecting cash payments for rent and deposits before ghosting them or changing locks. The perpetrator, Yasmin Halimah Hameed, was actually a delinquent tenant facing eviction at the property and was out on bail for fraud-related charges when she carried out the scheme. Zillow removed the listing and blocked the account days after it was posted, though the victims had already lost their money.
fox10tv.com
· 2026-07-25
Financial scams targeting older adults are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with fraudsters combining traditional tactics like targeting people on fixed incomes with new technology such as AI-generated voice calls, according to researchers at Florida State University. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they have accumulated wealth, rely on fixed retirement income, and may experience age-related cognitive changes that make them easier targets. Experts emphasize that education is the most critical defense, recommending that people learn to recognize warning signs of fraud and that institutions teach students about elder financial abuse to create a generation of informed advocates.
forbes.com
· 2026-07-25
Fraud targeting older Americans has become a critical retirement security issue, with reported property crimes against seniors jumping 62% between 2015 and 2025, and the FBI receiving over 201,000 fraud complaints from people 60+ in 2025 alone—with average losses exceeding $38,000 per victim. Common scams affecting retirees include investment fraud, romance scams, fake tech support, government impersonation, and "grandparent scams" where criminals pose as family members in distress. To protect themselves, seniors should verify requests for money through independent contact with family members, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, never give remote access to their computer to unknown callers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wired.com
· 2026-07-25
Over two dozen suspected scam compounds have been rapidly built or expanded in Myanmar's Myawaddy region since early this year, with satellite imagery revealing that criminal operations are thriving despite a purported crackdown the previous year. These sites, typically operated by Chinese organized crime groups, are responsible for billions of dollars in global fraud schemes—including romance and cryptocurrency scams—that primarily target victims in the US, and they rely heavily on coerced labor from human trafficking victims lured by false job promises. To protect yourself, remain vigilant against unsolicited contact on social media, be skeptical of online romance prospects that quickly escalate emotionally or financially, and never send money or cryptocurrency to people you haven't met in person or trust implicitly.
nbcmiami.com
· 2026-07-25
Scammers are using AI-generated voices to impersonate Florida Power & Light employees and target South Florida customers with fake calls and text messages claiming they qualify for rebates or energy-saving programs. The fraudsters pressure victims to act quickly and share personal or financial information, exploiting the convincing nature of AI voices to make the scams sound legitimate. Customers should be cautious of any urgent calls or texts demanding immediate action—FPL advises that legitimate rebates are found on FPL.com/programs and the company never pressures customers to provide personal information over the phone.
peakofohio.com
· 2026-07-25
Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson launched a new initiative to combat romance scams, which predominantly target older adults who are tricked into fake online relationships and then asked to send money. The scams often leave victims financially devastated and emotionally isolated, with many cases going unreported due to shame and embarrassment. Ohioans can now call a dedicated hotline (1-855-961-SCAM) to report suspected cases and receive educational resources, while authorities will investigate potential criminal violations.
1011now.com
· 2026-07-25
Older adults are increasingly vulnerable to financial scams that combine traditional fraud tactics with new AI technology, such as AI-generated voice calls, making these schemes harder to detect. Researchers attribute this vulnerability to older adults' accumulated wealth, fixed incomes, and age-related cognitive changes, while the rise of AI is creating new, sophisticated dimensions to fraud. The experts recommend education as the primary defense, urging more awareness programs and training for both older adults and future professionals to help combat this growing problem.
wbur.org
· 2026-07-24
New York Times reporter Carlos Barragán discovered an organized romance scam network operating from Nigeria after his own mother fell victim to one of these schemes, prompting him to travel there and investigate. The scammers, known as "Yahoo Boys," target vulnerable and lonely people seeking emotional connection, causing serious emotional and financial harm to victims across the globe. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly toward declarations of love or requests for money, verify the identity of people you meet online, and be skeptical of romantic interests who claim to need financial help or have sudden emergencies.
asiaone.com
· 2026-07-24
A woman in Singapore lost over $1 million in two weeks after a scammer impersonated a police officer on WhatsApp, using a Member of Parliament's photo as their profile picture, and convinced her she had outstanding arrest warrants. The scammer isolated the victim by instructing her to keep the matter secret and gradually coaxed her into making 32 bank transfers and handing over jewelry and valuables. To protect yourself, verify claims with official authorities before taking action, stay alert for pressure tactics involving threats or secrecy, and reach out to trusted people if something feels suspicious—contact Singapore's ScamShield Helpline at 1799 if you need assistance.
windsornewstoday.ca
· 2026-07-24
Scammers posing as telecommunications company employees are contacting people in Ontario with offers for free or discounted cell phones, then asking for personal information and shipping a device before claiming a mistake was made and requesting its return—ultimately billing victims for the phone, service charges, and fraudulent account activity. To protect yourself, avoid providing personal information to unsolicited callers, and if you receive such a call, hang up and contact your provider directly using verified contact information from your bill or official website rather than returning any device without first confirming with your provider. Anyone who has fallen victim should contact the Ontario Provincial Police at 1-888-310-1122.
ohioattorneygeneral.gov
· 2026-07-24
Romance scams cost Americans age 60 and older $584 million in 2025—a 50% increase from the previous year—with actual losses likely much higher due to underreporting by embarrassed victims. The Ohio Attorney General's Office is combating these crimes by providing resources including hotline numbers, guidance on immediate protective steps (like securing personal information), and educational materials to help people recognize and avoid romance scams. If you suspect a loved one is being targeted, contact the Attorney General's hotline immediately, and remember that acting quickly to protect personal information is key to regaining control after victimization.
patch.com
· 2026-07-24
Older Americans lost $7.7 billion to online scams in 2025, with over 200,000 seniors falling victim to phishing, smishing, and vishing schemes—a 37% increase from the previous year. The Palos Park Police Department is hosting two free educational seminars on August 4th to help residents recognize and avoid these scams, led by experienced officers who will explain current fraud trends and warning signs. Residents of all ages are encouraged to attend either the 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. session to learn how to protect themselves and their personal information from scammers.
cohousedems.com
· 2026-07-24
Starting August 12, 2026, two new Colorado laws take effect to protect vulnerable residents from fraud and financial exploitation. HB26-1017 redirects criminal restitution payments away from insurance companies and back to actual crime victims, while HB26-1110 specifically helps prevent older and vulnerable Coloradans from being scammed. These laws ensure that restitution funds—money criminals must pay back—go directly to people harmed by crime rather than to insurance companies, helping victims rebuild their lives rather than getting trapped in cycles of unpayable debt.
sheridanmedia.com
· 2026-07-24
Americans lost over $20.9 billion to internet crimes in 2025, with investment scams and cryptocurrency fraud causing the most damage, while seniors aged 60 and older were hit particularly hard, losing $7.7 billion. Common scam tactics include phishing emails and texts that trick people into clicking malicious links, paying via gift cards (which are hard to trace), and making wire transfers, often with scammers keeping victims on the phone to prevent them from listening to bank employees' warnings. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited messages demanding immediate action, never use gift cards or wire transfers for payments as requested by strangers, and listen to your bank's fraud warnings even if a caller pressures you to ignore them.
cpapracticeadvisor.com
· 2026-07-24
In 2025, approximately 15 million Americans (6% of the population) lost about $68 billion to financial scams, with the median loss being $500 and nearly half of victims experiencing severe or moderate financial hardship. Scams disproportionately affected lower-income adults, people of color, and those without a bachelor's degree, with most scams originating through online purchases, phone calls, and social media. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited contact through these channels, verify requests before sharing personal information or money, and report suspected scams to authorities.
forbes.com
· 2026-07-24
Pig butchering scams—a form of financial fraud where scammers build trust with victims over weeks or months before persuading them to invest large sums in cryptocurrency—have caused an estimated $15 billion in losses and are increasingly targeting business leaders and employees through LinkedIn and other social platforms. Scammers use fake personas, facial AI technology, and impersonation of trusted figures like executives or investment partners to deceive victims into sending money in installments. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment conversations from unfamiliar contacts on professional networks, verify the identity of anyone requesting financial decisions through independent channels (not just video calls), and educate your team about these tactics through company security training.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-07-24
Southeast Asian criminal networks cost victims between $88-114 billion in 2025 through interconnected scam operations, including romance scams and investment fraud, with proceeds laundered through cryptocurrency. The UN reports that these formerly independent syndicates have merged into a sophisticated, transnational operation offering specialized services like money laundering and data harvesting. To protect themselves, people should be wary of unsolicited investment and romance opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency, and authorities need better training to trace criminal funds through digital channels.
bobsullivan.net
· 2026-07-24
A test pilot named Pat Marsh has been the unwitting victim of romance scams for nearly a decade, with his identity stolen and used to deceive hundreds of people on dating sites into believing they were in romantic relationships with him. Victims have sent him thousands of cards, letters, gifts, and money, and some have even shown up at his home, leading to dangerous confrontations. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating profiles, verify identities through video calls, and be wary of requests for money or personal information from people you've only met online.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2026-07-23
Seniors in San Diego County are losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually to fraud schemes that use impersonation, urgency, and increasingly AI technology—with victims 60 and older nationally reporting over $7.75 billion in losses in 2025, a 59% increase from the previous year. The article urges Congress to pass H.R. 2478, the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act, which would allow banks to temporarily pause suspicious withdrawals to prevent exploitation. Actionable steps include contacting your senators to support this legislation and being cautious of unsolicited calls, texts, and emails claiming to be from grandchildren, banks, or government agencies, especially those creating a sense of urgency.
wausaupilotandreview.com
· 2026-07-23
A Chicago man named Tao Wu was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for orchestrating a scam that stole over $135,000 from an elderly Marathon County woman's life savings. Wu received a total sentence of 7½ years (split between prison time and extended supervision) and was ordered to pay restitution, maintain employment, and avoid contact with the victim. Elderly residents should be cautious of unsolicited financial requests and contact from strangers, verify requests through independent means, and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately.
witn.com
· 2026-07-23
The Kinston Police Department held a fraud prevention forum for seniors after seeing an increase in scam attempts targeting older adults in their community. Common schemes include spoofed phone calls from fake bank representatives, romance scams, and marketplace fraud, with Americans 60 and older losing over $7.7 billion to fraud in 2025. Police advise seniors to verify requests before sharing personal information or money, avoid gift card payments, trust their instincts by hanging up on suspicious calls, and report scams within the first 72 hours when recovery is still possible.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-23
Older adults in South Florida are increasingly targeted by scams—including romance schemes, fake tech support calls, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud—which can devastate those living on fixed incomes where even small losses affect their ability to afford housing, food, and medications. A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam where a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor to gain her trust and money. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take preventive steps to protect themselves, such as watching for common scam tactics and being cautious about unfamiliar technology and unsolicited contacts.
kpax.com
· 2026-07-23
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen hosted an Elder Justice Summit in Kalispell to warn seniors about sophisticated scams targeting older citizens, highlighting the case of Susan Bivins, who lost her entire $240,000 life savings to scammers posing as Amazon and DEA officials in 2022. Scammers increasingly use advanced technology, artificial intelligence, and emotional manipulation to exploit seniors' fears, making it difficult for law enforcement to recover stolen funds since criminals typically operate overseas. Knudsen advised Montanans to constantly question suspicious communications, immediately cut off contact with suspected scammers, and report incidents to law enforcement rather than sending money or personal information.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-07-23
U.S. federal prosecutors are pursuing civil forfeiture of over $25 million in cryptocurrency linked to international fraud and money laundering networks, continuing efforts to combat crypto scams that caused victims more than $7.2 billion in losses in 2025 alone. The action, filed by the DOJ's Scam Center Strike Force focused on Southeast Asian fraud operations, targets tokens allegedly connected to investment schemes, though specific suspects and wallet details remain undisclosed at this early stage. To protect themselves, people should verify investment opportunities independently, avoid unsolicited crypto investment offers, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
observernews.net
· 2026-07-23
Scammers are increasingly targeting Hillsborough County residents, particularly seniors and vulnerable people, through three main schemes: gold bar scams, lottery scams, and romance scams. In the gold bar scam, fraudsters impersonate government officials and pressure victims into withdrawing savings to buy gold bars by falsely claiming identity theft or criminal activity, with one case resulting in a $1.4 million loss to an 80-year-old veteran. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected calls or messages claiming emergencies, never withdraw money based on such contact, and verify any government agency communication by calling the official number directly rather than using numbers provided by the caller.
poliisi.fi
· 2026-07-23
Scammers are impersonating Finnish police officers through fake video calls on Google Meet, sometimes using deepfake technology to replicate the faces of real officers, and tricking victims—particularly foreign residents in Finland—into revealing banking credentials and personal information by creating a false sense of urgency and legal threats. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate police never request banking or identification information via phone or video calls, adjust your Google Meet settings to accept calls only from known contacts, and immediately contact your bank and report to police if you suspect you've been victimized. This sophisticated fraud scheme caused 88 million euros in damage in 2025 across various scam types.
americascreditunions.org
· 2026-07-23
Credit unions in Ohio and Montana are implementing new fraud prevention tactics, such as brief questionnaires for large cash withdrawals, to catch scams before members lose money. One Cleveland-area credit union's simple intervention—asking a member withdrawing $15,000 where the cash was going—led her to realize she was likely being scammed and halt the transaction. These member-owned institutions are partnering with law enforcement and local agencies to create moments of reflection that help stop fraud, with some credit unions reporting three to four suspicious withdrawal attempts per month at individual branches.
polizei.nrw
· 2026-07-23
An elderly woman in Leichlingen fell victim to a phone scam in which a caller impersonating a prosecutor claimed her daughter caused a fatal accident and demanded bail, convincing her to withdraw cash and hand over jewelry worth tens of thousands of euros to an unknown person. Police warn that such calls are fraudulent schemes targeting seniors, and advise people to hang up immediately on suspicious calls, never give cash or valuables to strangers, and alert authorities if targeted—emphasizing that German police never demand bail by phone for traffic accidents.
foxbusiness.com
· 2026-07-22
# Summary
A 39-year-old Chinese national, Didi Zou, was arrested in June for allegedly orchestrating a sophisticated internet fraud scheme that defrauded an elderly Buffalo-area woman of $360,000 in life savings and inherited assets. Using fake Microsoft security alerts and posing as an IRS agent, Zou tricked the victim into transferring $20,000 in cash and gold coins/bullion to "protect" her funds from supposed hackers. Zou faces federal charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering and was ordered held in custody pending trial.
bbc.com
· 2026-07-22
A 70-year-old man in Wiltshire lost £1,800 to an elaborate Amazon scam in which fraudsters posed as Amazon employees and used a two-person verification trick to appear legitimate. The scammers claimed his account was being used fraudulently, asked him to download software and grant remote access, and even had a second caller pose as an Amazon representative to "verify" the first scammer's identity. Amazon warns customers that it never asks for remote access, software downloads, or payments outside its website or app, and advises people to be suspicious of unsolicited calls claiming account problems—always contact Amazon directly through official channels instead of following instructions from incoming callers.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-22
A 70-year-old man in Wiltshire lost £1,800 to sophisticated scammers who impersonated Amazon employees and gained his trust through detailed personal knowledge and a clever two-person scheme where one fraudster "verified" the other as legitimate. The scammers convinced him his account was compromised and his IP address corrupted, pressuring him to download software and follow instructions while fake text messages from his bank appeared to confirm the fraud. Amazon warns customers that it never asks for remote access to devices, software downloads, or payments outside its official website or app, and advises people to hang up suspicious calls and contact Amazon directly through official channels if they have account concerns.
aol.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers increase their activity during summer months by targeting vacation planning and recreational spending, exploiting opportunities when people share personal information and make purchases online. Common summer scams include vacation rental fraud and impostor schemes, with Americans losing $3.5 billion to impostor scams alone in 2025. To protect yourself, stay vigilant about verifying the legitimacy of vacation rental hosts, avoid making impulse purchases, and be cautious about sharing personal details during summer travel planning.
news.bbc.co.uk
· 2026-07-22
A 70-year-old man in Wiltshire lost £1,800 to a sophisticated Amazon impersonation scam where fraudsters posed as Amazon employees and used a second caller to "verify" the first, creating a false sense of legitimacy. The scammers claimed unauthorized purchases were being made on his account and convinced him his device was compromised, directing him to type commands and download software. Amazon warns customers that it never asks for remote device access, software downloads, or payments outside its official website or app—so anyone receiving such requests should hang up immediately and contact Amazon directly through their official channels.
abc.net.au
· 2026-07-22
Online scam operations in Myanmar have grown dramatically since the 2021 military coup, with criminal networks now operating large compounds in jungle border regions where thousands of trafficked workers are forced to conduct romance scams and other cyber fraud under brutal conditions—including physical abuse, isolation, and starvation as punishment for missing quotas. A recent raid on one major facility called Shunda Park freed about 3,000 workers and recovered thousands of devices and training materials, revealing the industrial scale of these operations that generate millions of dollars while exploiting victims from around the world. If you receive unsolicited romantic advances online from someone you've never met in person, especially if they eventually ask for money or personal information, you should block the contact immediately and report it to the platform, as these are likely scammers operating from such compounds.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are impersonating FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to target people who have already lost money to fraud, using tactics like AI-generated deepfake videos, fake websites, and social media impersonation to trick victims into sharing more personal and financial information. The FBI has received over 100 reports of these "recovery scams" since December 2023, with losses exceeding $20 billion reported across all cyber fraud in 2025—a 26% increase from the previous year, hitting older adults especially hard. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact claiming to recover your lost funds, verify any FBI communication directly through official channels, and avoid clicking links or sharing information with people who contact you first.
hoosierenquirer.com
· 2026-07-22
An elderly Indiana man lost his home to title theft while hospitalized when a former caregiver fraudulently changed the property records, but local police refused to file a report, claiming it was a civil matter rather than a crime. The incident highlights a broader problem of elder fraud cases going unreported and unaddressed in Indiana, with courts and prosecutors reportedly too overwhelmed to handle these crimes effectively. Seniors should protect themselves by monitoring property records, keeping legal documents secure, carefully vetting caregivers, and contacting Adult Protective Services or state authorities if they suspect fraud rather than relying solely on local police.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-22
The FBI is warning Americans about sophisticated scams where fraudsters impersonate FBI agents to target people who have already fallen victim to fraud, attempting to steal more money by claiming they can recover lost funds. These scams use fake social media profiles, AI-generated deepfake videos, and fraudulent websites that mimic official FBI pages to trick victims into providing financial information or clicking malicious links. To protect yourself, verify any FBI contact through official FBI channels directly, never click links from unsolicited messages claiming to help recover funds, and be especially cautious if you've already reported a scam.
uppermichiganssource.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to impersonate friends, family members, and colleagues in phone calls and messages to steal money, with billions of dollars lost annually and seniors over 60 being particularly targeted. Law enforcement recommends establishing family code words, limiting personal information on social media, being suspicious of urgent money requests, and scrutinizing video calls for unnatural details like incorrect lighting or unusual eye movements. If contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank or a family member in an emergency, hang up and independently verify the caller's identity before taking any action.
haveagonews.com.au
· 2026-07-22
Seniors in Western Australia have lost over $1 million to gift card scams in recent years, with romance scams—where criminals pose as online romantic partners—now being the leading cause. Scammers convince victims to purchase gift cards and share the serial numbers, with some victims losing tens of thousands of dollars despite warnings from retail staff. To protect yourself, remember that no legitimate business, government agency, or employer will ever ask for payment via gift cards, and report any suspected scams to WA ScamNet at 1300 30 40 54.
wa.gov.au
· 2026-07-22
Gift card scams in Western Australia have surged past $1 million in losses this year, with older residents becoming primary targets through romance scams where fraudsters pose as love interests and convince victims to buy large amounts of gift cards. The scammers are increasingly sophisticated, coaching victims on what to say to store staff and directing them to multiple retailers to avoid detection, though some victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars despite warnings from cashiers. Consumer Protection urges retailers to maintain visible scam warnings and train staff to question customers making unusually large gift card purchases, while the public should be wary of anyone—especially online romantic interests—requesting payment via gift cards.
techround.co.uk
· 2026-07-22
Pig butchering scams are a rapidly growing form of fraud that have cost victims over $10 billion globally, in which criminals spend weeks or months building trust with victims through social media, messaging apps, and dating platforms before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency schemes. Unlike traditional scams that rely on urgency, these sophisticated scams operate as a slow "grooming process" designed to gradually extract larger amounts of money from victims who believe they're developing genuine relationships or legitimate investment opportunities. To protect yourself, be cautious of new online contacts who seem unusually friendly and interested in discussing investments, and avoid sharing financial information or sending money to anyone you haven't met in person or verified through official channels.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-07-22
U.S. authorities have recovered over $25 million in cryptocurrency stolen from thousands of fraud victims in the United States and Canada, with the funds seized as part of the Scam Center Strike Force launched to combat crypto investment fraud linked to Chinese criminal syndicates. The recovered money came from five separate investigations involving "pig butchering" scams, where criminals build trust with victims over time, convince them to buy cryptocurrency, and then steal the funds through fake trading platforms operated by networks based in Southeast Asia. Victims can protect themselves by being cautious about unsolicited investment opportunities, verifying that trading platforms are legitimate, and reporting suspicious cryptocurrency transactions to authorities.
wgal.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are using AI-generated voices to call people claiming a $919.45 Walmart purchase (a PlayStation 5 and headset) was charged to their account, hoping to trick victims into pressing a button or calling back to "cancel" the order. Once victims respond, the scammers attempt to steal their bank account or credit card information by posing as Walmart support and offering a refund. If you receive such a call, don't return it—instead, independently check your actual Walmart and bank accounts for any fraudulent charges.
wknofm.org
· 2026-07-22
A recent study found that 73% of U.S. adults have encountered online scams or cyberattacks, with victims receiving deceptive emails, texts, and calls designed to steal personal information or money—yet many don't report these crimes due to shame and fear of judgment. Scammers succeed through sophisticated manipulation tactics rather than victim mistakes, so experts emphasize responding to victims with empathy rather than blame. If someone you know is scammed, use nonjudgmental language, encourage them to report it, and help remove the stigma so others feel comfortable sharing their experiences and taking preventive action.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-07-22
Three men were arrested for defrauding over $1 million from seniors in Virginia and Maryland using a two-stage scam: fake Amazon alerts warning of unauthorized purchases, followed by imposters posing as federal agents claiming the victims' identities were compromised and demanding they convert savings into gold bars or cash for "safekeeping." The scheme is part of a larger national trend combining business impersonation with government-agent impersonation to exploit elderly victims. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls about account problems, remember that legitimate companies and federal agencies never demand immediate payment or asset conversion over the phone, and verify any such claims by hanging up and calling the official organization directly.
floridaweekly.com
· 2026-07-22
A Palm Beach woman fell victim to a classic romance scam in which a fraudster posed as a Hallmark actor and eventually separated her from money—a scheme emblematic of the growing threat seniors face across South Florida. Older adults living on fixed incomes are increasingly targeted by various scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, Medicare fraud, and romance schemes, with even small financial losses potentially jeopardizing their ability to afford housing, utilities, medication, and care. Experts recommend that seniors and their families take protective steps such as staying alert to common scam tactics, being cautious with technology, and verifying the identities of people requesting money or personal information.
techradar.com
· 2026-07-22
Scammers are increasingly impersonating FBI agents and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center on social media to target people who have already lost money to cybercrime, offering fake recovery services to steal additional funds or personal information. These fraudsters contact victims through Facebook, email, or direct messages and then move conversations to secure channels like Telegram to avoid detection. The FBI warns that it will never ask for payment to recover lost funds, and victims should report suspected scams at ic3.gov or contact the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) for those 60 and older.
wpgtalkradio.com
· 2026-07-21
A 50-year-old Hammonton man has been arrested for allegedly defrauding an 80-year-old woman out of $914,200 over six years by exploiting their long-standing relationship to manipulate her finances through fraudulent leases, forged mortgage documents, and unauthorized checks. The victim's family members discovered the scheme and alerted police, leading to charges including money laundering and multiple counts of theft by deception. Anyone who suspects they may be another victim or has information about the case is urged to contact the Hammonton Police Department or Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.