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forbes.com
A Pennsylvania woman nearly fell victim to a romance scam involving a fake foreign inheritance scheme, where an online acquaintance convinced her to front money for supposed legal fees and escrow to unlock a British estate. Red flags included fake legal documents with spelling errors, an implausible timeline, and a fabricated London law firm address, which legal experts confirmed were fraudulent. The article highlights how elder fraud is increasingly difficult to recover due to modern money transfer methods and cryptocurrency, and emphasizes the importance of verifying credentials and seeking professional legal advice before sending money in estate-related matters.
lincolnparishjournal.com
This educational piece by law enforcement examines modern phone-based scams targeting Americans, highlighting how technology has enabled criminals to defraud victims without in-person contact. The article details six prevalent scams: impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment for fines, fake charity solicitations, fraudulent debt collectors, fake prize offers, and IRS impersonation schemes—emphasizing that government agencies never demand immediate payment via phone, gift cards, or wire transfers, and advising victims to hang up and verify claims directly with legitimate organizations.
golaurens.com
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs released an updated version of "Ditch the Pitch," an educational guide designed to help consumers identify and avoid scams, with particular focus on protecting elderly residents. The guide will be distributed to over 9,000 seniors through the Department on Aging's home-delivered meal program, addressing common scams, prevention strategies, and steps to take if personal information is compromised. This partnership reflects growing concern about fraud targeting older adults, whose victimization rates are at all-time highs.
patch.com
The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office issued a warning about rising online scams targeting elderly residents following multiple incidents in El Grenada, California. One victim lost thousands of dollars after receiving a fake computer hack notification and being convinced to purchase gift cards that couriers collected from their home, while another elderly victim reported a similar scam attempt asking for a large bank withdrawal that they refused. Authorities advise residents never to allow remote computer access to strangers and to hang up and contact law enforcement if asked to withdraw money or purchase gift cards.
marketech-apac.com
StarHub and Singapore's Police Force launched a public education campaign featuring a Scam Masterclass Series to help residents recognize and prevent cyber threats. The campaign exposes common scam tactics including impersonation, job fraud, authority scams, and advanced AI voice-changer technology, offering practical tools to combat increasingly sophisticated schemes. The educational content is available across StarHub's website, retail stores, and multiple social media and television channels to reach a broad audience.
b105country.com
Grand Marais State Bank warned customers of a text message phishing scam impersonating the bank and requesting users click a link to "secure" their account after detecting a new device login. The scam attempts to trick victims into clicking malicious links (hosted on free website services like Weebly) and providing personal banking information that fraudsters could use to access accounts. The bank advises customers never to click unexpected links related to accounts and instead contact their bank directly to verify any security alerts.
aarp.org
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages to drivers claiming they have unpaid tolls, creating a sense of urgency by threatening additional fees if balances aren't paid immediately through fake toll payment websites. The Identity Theft Resource Center reports this scam is proliferating across the country, exploiting drivers' anxiety about legitimately owing toll fees by using real toll system names like "Good-to-Go" in Washington State and "Easy Pass" on the East Coast. The scheme preys on consumers' fear of accumulating fines and encourages them to click malicious links or provide personal information to cybercriminals.
ibsintelligence.com
Americans are increasingly concerned about rising financial fraud, with the FTC reporting $10 billion lost to scams in 2023 (up from $3.5 billion in 2020), and 74% of survey respondents worried that AI advancements will increase fraud rates. Nearly half of Americans surveyed (45%) reported being victims of financial fraud, with credit card theft (53%), electronic payment fraud (19%), and check fraud (17%) as top scams, and 24% losing $5,000 or more. Financial institutions face mounting pressure as fraud victims often switch banks or reduce services, with recovery rates for stolen funds remaining below 10% in most cases.
gmanetwork.com
Six Chinese nationals were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga by the NBI for operating online scam and cybercrime operations, including romance scams and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting victims globally. Operatives seized computers, phones, SIM cards, scripts, and customer ledgers that indicated organized fraudulent activities, and the suspects were referred to the Department of Justice for inquest under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
ministers.treasury.gov.au
Australia has seen a modest decrease in scam losses over the past 12 months, with Queensland reporting losses dropping from $54 million (January-June 2023) to $21 million in the same period this year, down significantly from $37-38 million in 2022. Investment scams account for over half of losses nationwide, typically originating through emails or social media messages promoting cryptocurrency investments, fake bonds, or fake celebrity endorsements. Key prevention advice includes: never clicking links in unsolicited text messages or emails, avoiding investments that offer returns above market rates, and consulting professional financial advisors rather than relying on social media recommendations.
mb.com.ph
Six Chinese nationals were arrested in Angeles City, Pampanga on August 14 for operating a cyber-scam operation involving romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, credit card scams, and fake investment schemes targeting victims globally. The NBI discovered computers, phones, fraudulent scripts, and cryptocurrency investment platforms at the arrested individuals' office during a warrant operation. The six suspects face charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.
tribuneonlineng.com
**Type:** Educational/Expert Interview
Anuoluwapo Ojomo, a financial services compliance expert, identifies key warning signs of elder financial exploitation including unusual account withdrawals, unpaid bills despite available funds, and sudden changes in financial decision-making, emphasizing that perpetrators range from family members to financial advisors. She notes that elder financial exploitation affects 5-10% of older people globally, with higher vulnerability among those experiencing cognitive decline, isolation, or recent loss, and stresses that prevention requires family monitoring, financial institution training, legal protections, and swift reporting to authorities when exploitation is suspected.
fortune.com
This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a business/HR feature about Synchrony's employee benefits strategy and workplace listening practices, with no connection to elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or financial exploitation of older adults.
independent.co.uk
A newspaper columnist fell victim to a Taylor Swift ticket scam after purchasing four tickets at face value (£100 each) from someone introduced through a friend-of-a-friend who was presented as trustworthy and a former primary school teacher. The scammer ceased communication via WhatsApp and blocked calls before delivering the tickets, leaving two 12-year-old girls disappointed before the Wembley Stadium concert. The author emphasizes this as a cautionary tale about social engineering and trust-based fraud rather than typical online phishing or fake resale sites.
onmanorama.com
A woman from Thiruvananthapuram lost approximately Rs 23 lakh (about $27,600 USD) in a "Scratch and Win" scam that began in December 2023, after receiving a physical card via courier promising an Rs 8 lakh prize. The scammers convinced her to pay various fees (GST, processing, and income tax) claiming they would be refunded along with her winnings, but instead transferred the money to fraudsters. The fraud was discovered only recently when her father learned of the situation and encouraged her to report it to cybercrime police, who registered a case and initiated an investigation.
straitstimes.com
Android users in Singapore attempted to install approximately 900,000 high-risk malware apps since February 2024, though Google's enhanced fraud protection blocked these installations on over 200,000 devices. Despite the high number of installation attempts, reported malware scam cases dropped significantly from 1,899 in 2023 to 95 in the first half of 2024, indicating that security measures implemented by tech companies, banks, and authorities are proving effective, though victims lost over $34 million in 2023.
tech.einnews.com
Private Digital Investigations announced new measures to combat rising cybercrimes including Nigerian romance scams and sextortion schemes, which exploit victims emotionally and financially through fake profiles and blackmail threats. The agency employs AI-driven profile analysis, digital forensics, and law enforcement collaborations to identify scammers, and offers public education through workshops, support hotlines, and online resources. The article advises victims to cease communication with suspected scammers, report profiles to platforms, avoid sharing explicit content, and seek help from professional investigators or authorities rather than paying ransom demands.
newsandtribune.com
The BBB received multiple scam reports including: an auction scam where "winners" were asked to wire money for items; fraudulent Facebook ads impersonating legitimate businesses like Sam Ash Music; employment scams requiring upfront app downloads or fees; romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals; fake charity fundraising calls; Amazon account hacking schemes; QR code phishing scams leading to malware; and puppy scams on Facebook groups involving hundreds of dollars in losses. The BBB advises consumers to verify sellers and charities directly, avoid unsolicited requests for personal information or upfront payments, use secure payment methods, and be cautious of online deals that seem too good to be true.
ca.news.yahoo.com
A newspaper columnist lost £400 ($500 USD equivalent) after falling for a Taylor Swift ticket scam where she purchased four tickets at face value from someone vouched for by mutual acquaintances—a former teacher presented as trustworthy—who never delivered the tickets and subsequently blocked all contact before the Wembley Stadium concert. The author shares her experience to warn others that scams rely on social trust and word-of-mouth assurance rather than just online phishing or typical fraud tactics, emphasizing how even seemingly legitimate people can perpetrate fraud.
fox26houston.com
The Better Business Bureau warns parents and students to watch out for several back-to-school scams, including fake social media ads and websites offering discounted school supplies and clothing at unrealistically low prices. Additional scams to avoid include tech support scams via suspicious emails or alerts, scholarship and financial aid scams, and phishing emails impersonating school officials. Experts recommend using credit cards with fraud protection, shopping only on secure websites with SSL certificates, and verifying legitimacy before providing personal information or clicking links.
culvercityobserver.com
"Brushing" is a scam in which third-party sellers send unsolicited packages to publicly available addresses to fraudulently boost their seller ratings and reviews. Recipients should confirm the package is not a gift, then report it to the platform (such as Amazon) by providing the number of unwanted packages, tracking numbers, and relevant details to assist investigations. The company investigates reports and may suspend or remove sellers' privileges, withhold payments, and cooperate with law enforcement.
states.aarp.org
In 2023, post-disaster fraud cost Americans over $9.3 billion, with scammers impersonating government, utility, and insurance workers to solicit fees and upfront deposits from disaster victims by promising federal grants, priority repairs, or faster claim processing. Legitimate FEMA agents will never request payment and carry government-issued photo badges, and consumers should verify any offers through official channels before providing money or personal information. The AARP Fraud Watch Network provides free resources to help identify and report disaster-related scams.
dailydodge.com
A Bank Secrecy Act officer at Farmers and Merchants Union Bank in Columbus discussed common financial scams affecting consumers, including check, investment, and romance scams. Key prevention advice includes trusting your instincts when something seems suspicious, independently verifying phone numbers and caller identities rather than using provided contact information, contacting your financial institution directly to confirm requests, and signing up for FTC consumer alerts.
siliconvalley.com
A woman was scammed through a Facebook ad advertising Bombas socks at an unrealistically low price and never received her order. The article discusses various online shopping scams involving fake ads on Facebook and third-party sellers on Amazon, and provides protective measures including: verifying seller legitimacy and reviews, checking for secure website connections (HTTPS), using credit cards or reputable payment services, purchasing only returnable items, and comparing prices across platforms before buying from unfamiliar merchants.
siliconvalley.com
A woman was scammed after responding to a Facebook ad offering Bombas socks at an unrealistically low price and never received her order, illustrating how illegitimate sellers exploit social media platforms to advertise name-brand products they cannot deliver at those prices. The article provides guidance on avoiding online shopping fraud, including verifying seller legitimacy through research and reviews, checking for secure websites (HTTPS), using protected payment methods like credit cards or PayPal, and taking advantage of return policies during trial periods. Consumers should be cautious of third-party sellers on platforms like Amazon and compare prices across retailers, as prices that seem too good to be true typically are.
auckland.scoop.co.nz
Scammers impersonating police officers have been targeting vulnerable, elderly New Zealanders via landline calls, claiming victims are fraud victims and directing them to withdraw cash to be handed over as "evidence." Since June 2024, New Zealand Police have made multiple arrests including a 26-year-old UK national who was convicted of defrauding 21 Auckland victims of over $330,000 across 27 fraud charges. Police emphasize that legitimate officers will never request banking details, PINs, passwords, or money over the phone, and recommend contacting 105 to verify any officer's identity.
coindesk.com
This article is not about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. It covers business developments in the cryptocurrency industry, specifically Bitso's partnership with Coincover for digital asset security services, along with unrelated crypto industry funding news. While the article mentions that Latin American crypto exchanges face hacking and fraud risks (with $900 million lost to crypto hacks and fraud in a recent year), it does not describe any specific scams affecting elderly individuals or provide elder fraud prevention guidance.
forbes.com
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a methodology and informational guide from Forbes Advisor explaining how they evaluate and rank credit cards, including their criteria for assessing over 400 cards across categories and their process for selecting top offers based on annual fees, rewards rates, welcome bonuses, and consumer protections. This content is financial product comparison material and falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on fraud and elder abuse research.
aol.com
U.S. consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, a 14 percent increase from 2022, according to the FTC. Police and Active Aging Inc. warn that scammers target people of all ages through multiple channels including mail, phone calls, email, text, and social media, using tactics such as demanding gift card payments, impersonating government agencies, and fabricating family emergencies. The agencies recommend protective measures including establishing family code words, avoiding unsolicited contacts, and resisting pressure to act immediately.
news.trendmicro.com
Deepfake technology powered by AI is fueling a rising tide of scams in 2024, with deepfake content increasing 900% between 2019 and 2020. Cybercriminals use deepfakes to impersonate celebrities, recruiters, and romantic partners through fake video calls, job interviews, and investment schemes to steal money and personal information from victims. Key scams include romance fraud (where scammers conduct convincing video calls using face-swapping), recruiting scams (impersonating employers on LinkedIn to extract payment and data), and investment scams (using fake celebrity endorsements to promote cryptocurrency schemes).
clarksvilleonline.com
Police departments and the Better Business Bureau are warning consumers about rapidly increasing QR code scams that direct victims to phishing websites, malicious downloads, and fraudulent payment portals. Common schemes include parking meter payment fraud, cryptocurrency wallet scams, utility/government impostor scams, and romance scams, which can result in significant financial losses and personal data theft. Consumers are advised to verify QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from unfamiliar sources, check for tampering on public codes, and report suspected fraud to the BBB or FTC.
forwardtimes.com
In 2023, senior citizens reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses, a 14 percent increase from 2022, with losses continuing to rise in 2024 at $1.6 billion through May alone. The article highlights a specific case in Houston where a man was indicted for defrauding a 92-year-old dementia patient out of his home by falsely claiming property tax obligations and repair needs, then coercing him to sign over his deed. Experts emphasize that reporting fraud promptly and seeking help from legal services are critical, as scammers actively target vulnerable elderly individuals, particularly in the African American community.
www3.erie.gov
In 2023, elder fraud complaints rose 14% with 101,000 victims collectively losing $3.4 billion, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. The article identifies eight common senior scams—including grandparent, medical device, IRS imposter, and sweepstakes scams—and provides prevention tips such as never sharing personal information over the phone, blocking robocalls, keeping software updated, and verifying caller identity before responding. Seniors should be particularly cautious of unsolicited calls, suspicious emails with attachments, and fraudsters impersonating government agencies.
cbsnews.com
A 76-year-old Concord retiree lost over $190,000 in a tech support scam that began in March when a caller impersonated an Xfinity cybersecurity official, claiming his computer was hacked and crypto account fraudulently opened. The scammer escalated the scheme by posing as an FTC agent, threatening a wire fraud investigation and instructing Frilich to deposit his life savings into a "secure wallet" while monitoring him via computer camera and sending couriers to collect cash. This case exemplifies the broader elder fraud crisis, with Americans 60 and older losing over $3.4 billion to such scams in 2023, with
unionleader.com
Email has become the primary method used by scammers to target New Hampshire seniors for identity theft and financial fraud, according to federal and state officials. In 2023, over 400 New Hampshire residents aged 60 and older lost more than $11 million to scams, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence to impersonate trusted contacts. Experts advise consumers to never provide money or personal information to unsolicited contacts and to verify requests by calling known phone numbers directly.
forbes.com
This article highlights five emerging phishing scam tactics that security experts recently identified, including state-sponsored attacks targeting 40,000 high-level business professionals using sophisticated Microsoft impersonations and multi-factor authentication bypasses, and a 183% surge in weight-loss drug scams with 176,871 phishing attempts targeting individuals seeking discounted Ozempic and similar medications. Additional tactics include tricking users into running malicious PowerShell commands through fake error dialogs, hijacking legitimate customer portals to send trusted phishing emails, and exploiting Windows Search functionality to deploy malware, demonstrating how adversaries continuously evolve their methods to evade detection.
freep.com
This article warns consumers about several back-to-school scams that surge in August and September, including fake websites that duplicate legitimate retailers to steal money or personal information, clickbait ads with nearly-identical URLs offering unrealistic discounts, and fraudulent payment requests. Victims often receive outdated or counterfeit merchandise, nothing at all, or lose money entirely when paying through digital platforms like Zelle that offer no fraud protection. The article advises shoppers to verify deals directly on official websites, check for red flags like suspicious URLs and missing contact information, use credit cards instead of payment apps, and contact their bank before completing questionable transactions.
aarp.org
The Google Voice scam involves fraudsters posing as buyers on Facebook Marketplace who request verification codes from sellers, claiming to confirm identity and prevent fraud. Once the seller provides the six-digit verification code, scammers use it to create a Google Voice account linked to the seller's number, generating a disguised phone number to conduct additional scams while leaving a trail leading to the innocent victim. The FTC first warned of this scam in 2021, and it remains the most commonly reported fraud to the Identity Theft Resource Center, accounting for 60 percent of scams reported in 2023.
butlerradio.com
Pennsylvania State Police warned residents of an increasing scam where callers impersonate Sheriff's office officials claiming victims have warrants that can be cleared through Bitcoin payments. The scammers exploit Bitcoin's difficulty to trace, though legitimate law enforcement cannot clear warrants via cryptocurrency. Residents are advised to ignore such calls and report them to their local State Police Barracks.
galvnews.com
Check fraud costs the U.S. banking system $10-50 billion annually, with independent bankers arguing that major banks' failure to enforce "know your customer" requirements and adequately police accounts allows fraudsters to deposit stolen checks that are quickly withdrawn before detection. Galveston County has been particularly hard hit, with criminal enterprises stealing over $1 million in postal checks in 2022, and 90% of independent bank association members reported difficulty obtaining reimbursement from larger banks that improperly accepted fraudulent checks.
wmur.com
Merrimack County residents were targeted by AI-powered phone scams in which fraudsters spoofed caller IDs to impersonate law enforcement and family members. Scammers used artificial intelligence to manipulate voices and falsely claim warrants requiring payment or pose as relatives needing emergency money wired via Bitcoin ATMs, with at least one victim losing $5,000. Sheriff David Croft advised residents to verify callers independently and noted that legitimate law enforcement never requests money to resolve warrants.
digit.in
A woman in northeast Delhi lost Rs 2 lakh in a "digital arrest" scam in which three fraudsters posed as CBI officials, falsely claimed her husband had been arrested on rape charges, and kept her on the phone for six hours to extort the payment. The three scammers from Bihar were arrested following police raids based on technical surveillance. A "digital arrest" scam involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement to threaten victims into transferring money by claiming legal action or public exposure, and victims can protect themselves by verifying caller authenticity through official channels and avoiding unsolicited payment requests.
prnewswire.com
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their "Fraud of the Month for August," highlighting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion nationally per year. The organization provided guidance for seniors to protect themselves, including: verifying unsolicited callers before sharing personal information, reporting lost or stolen Medicare cards immediately, treating Medicare cards like credit cards, and reviewing statements regularly for suspicious activity. Seniors can report suspected fraud or compromised information to the New York Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.
yahoo.com
Federal and state officials highlighted that email has become the primary method scammers use to target New Hampshire seniors, with over 400 residents aged 60 and older losing more than $11 million to scams in 2023. Experts warned that artificial intelligence now enables scammers to impersonate loved ones convincingly, and advised consumers never to engage with unsolicited contacts requesting money or personal information, instead hanging up and calling back through known numbers. U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas discussed the growing threat and emphasized the need for sustained congressional resources to combat senior fraud.
nj1015.com
An elderly woman in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, lost $13,000 in a tech support scam on July 25 after a pop-up warning of a computer virus directed her to call a fake Microsoft support number. The scammer, posing as a TD Bank representative, convinced her to withdraw cash from her bank account to "protect" her financial information, and a male courier in his early 30s was sent to her home to collect the money. State Police are seeking the courier suspect and warn the public never to move money based on unsolicited tech support alerts or phone calls.
states.aarp.org
Jim Williams lost $25,000 to cryptocurrency fraud after being lured by a website promising high Bitcoin returns and directed to use a Bitcoin ATM with his bank debit card. His son, a pastor, attributed his father's vulnerability partly to cognitive decline and organized fraud prevention presentations at his church to educate older adults about scams and available resources. The case illustrates how even tech-savvy and financially literate seniors can fall victim to fraud, particularly when cognitive changes make them more susceptible to deception.
wvua23.com
Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry to impersonate family members and request bail money, fake law enforcement calls claiming missed jury duty or warrants, and phishing texts posing as banks with frozen accounts. The article advises consumers to verify suspicious calls independently by hanging up and calling back directly, avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, and be skeptical of unexpected prize notifications and car warranty offers.
wbbjtv.com
This educational article outlines common rental scams including fake listings, unauthorized fees, and deposits for non-existent rentals, and recommends verification strategies such as viewing properties in person, verifying landlord identity and credentials, and checking county property records. The Better Business Bureau reports 2-3 rental scam complaints weekly in West Tennessee, with younger renters aged 19-29 showing 42% higher victimization rates than other age groups.
newstalk870.am
The Federal Trade Commission warns Washington State residents about utility company barcode scams in which fraudsters impersonate utility companies via calls or messages, creating urgency around unpaid bills and directing victims to scan QR codes or barcodes to pay through Walmart, Walgreens, or other payment methods. To protect themselves, consumers should independently verify bills by contacting their utility company using official phone numbers or websites, recognize that legitimate utilities do not demand specific payment methods that prevent refunds, and immediately report suspected fraud to reverse payments if money has already been sent.
mymcmedia.org
Law enforcement officials in Montgomery County arrested five scammers involved in fraud schemes that defrauded four victims of an estimated $2.9 million, with three additional cases pending that could bring total losses to $6.3 million. The scammers impersonated government officials to convince victims—mostly elderly individuals aged 61-94—to convert savings into gold bars or hand over cash directly, with one victim losing $2.3 million. Officials advise the public to avoid answering calls from unknown numbers, never click pop-up ads, hang up immediately if callers demand money, and contact trusted individuals or police for verification before sending any funds.