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moco360.media
Montgomery County law enforcement warned residents about gold bar scams linked to international organized crime groups operating from China and India that have defrauded approximately 20 local victims of millions of dollars since July 2023. Notable cases include a 23-year-old charged with stealing over $700,000 from a mentally disabled Leisure World resident and a 19-year-old charged with swindling an 82-year-old woman of more than $900,000; police have identified seven cases totaling $6.3 million in losses. Officials advised residents to avoid clicking pop-up ads, answering unknown numbers, and liquidating assets into cash or gold for couriers, noting that while
963kklz.com
A study by PrivacyJournal.net ranked Nevada as the most dangerous state for online dating, based on reported incidents of romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. Nevada ranked second nationally for romance scam reports and third for fraud reports, with Las Vegas contributing significantly to these numbers. The article advises online daters to take common sense precautions, noting that Vermont and Maine are the safest states for online dating.
fox23.com
Tulsa International Airport experienced a surge in romance scams where victims sent money (via gift cards, wire transfers, or Bitcoin) to online romantic partners for airline tickets, then waited at baggage claim for people who never arrived. Victims reported losses ranging up to $100,000, with even an 80-year-old woman among those defrauded; authorities note that recovered funds are rare. Police recommend verifying flight numbers and confirmation codes, while the Better Business Bureau advises online daters to watch for rapid relationship escalation, request video chats early, and report suspected scams to the FTC, local police, or BBB.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Modern scammers use sophisticated social engineering tactics—not victim naivety—to defraud people, employing psychological manipulation techniques and scripted interactions that mimic legitimate organizations like banks and police. Experts explain that continuous phone conversation and repeated "yes" responses create mental compliance, while common scam methods include mule account schemes (where job applicants are tricked into opening bank accounts for criminals) and APK file installation that grants remote phone access. Scammers reportedly employ psychologists and use standardized scripts refined over decades, making their operations highly organized criminal enterprises rather than isolated fraud attempts.
indiatoday.in
A Hyderabad businessman lost Rs 5.9 crore after being deceived by scammers posing as Goldman Sachs representatives who promoted a fake IPO investment scheme through WhatsApp and a fraudulent trading app called "GSIN." The victim transferred money across multiple transactions between January 30 and February 22 but became suspicious when asked to pay 10-20 percent of profits (Rs 1.4-2.8 crore) to withdraw his funds. The scammers funneled the money through 11 different bank accounts, making recovery difficult.
moroccoworldnews.com
Israeli con artist Simon Leviev posed as a wealthy diamond heir on Tinder and defrauded multiple women, including Norwegian Cecilie Fjellhøy, of hundreds of thousands of dollars through romance fraud. Fjellhøy lost £200,000 and faced additional legal battles with four Norwegian banks over loans taken during the scam, forcing her to sell her apartment for legal representation. Though Leviev was eventually convicted and imprisoned in Israel, he served only five months before release and has since resumed a public lifestyle, illustrating both the devastating emotional and financial impact of romance scams and the challenges in prosecuting international fraud cases.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
Scam victims in Malaysia often face repeated targeting by the same scammers who retain their personal information for follow-up frauds, and many victims lack awareness of protective measures and support resources. Key vulnerabilities include poor data protection practices and low public understanding of scams, particularly among seniors and youth, while only 35% of survey respondents knew to contact the National Scam Response Centre (997) within 24 hours to report fraud. Experts recommend improved public education about specific scam types, stronger legal frameworks against mule account schemes, and collaborative community action to combat online fraud.
huffpost.com
Scammers target students and families during the academic season with scholarship scams, typically sending deceptive emails promising tuition discounts or scholarships in exchange for application or processing fees. These fraudulent schemes exploit families' financial anxieties about college costs and may also aim to steal sensitive personal data for resale; red flags include guaranteed scholarships, requests for social security numbers, upfront fees, and wire transfer or peer-to-peer payment methods. Victims should report fraud to authorities and their banks immediately to dispute charges, though recovery options may be limited depending on the payment method used.
7news.com.au
A Washington business owner nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam when a fraudster posing as a National Australia Bank representative called his assistant, requesting banking credentials under the pretense that his business credit card had been blocked due to activity in Darwin. The scammer targeted an account containing $3 million, but the business owner and assistant recognized red flags—including the scammer's inability to provide account details or the correct banker's name—and verified the call through official channels, preventing any loss. The article notes that impersonation scams are among the most common fraud tactics, with the Australian Tax Office receiving 22,000 reports of government impersonation scams in the past year, emphasizing the importance of vigilance
onlineathens.com
The Athens Community Council on Aging is hosting "Scam Jam," a four-hour educational luncheon on August 26 to help senior citizens protect themselves from fraud, featuring presentations from local law enforcement, financial institutions, and government agencies including the FTC and Better Business Bureau. The event comes as the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report documented 101,068 complaints from people aged 60 and over, with tech support scams and fraudulent investments causing the largest financial losses, and Georgia ranking 10th nationally in elder fraud losses.
sunshinecoastnews.com.au
Sunshine Coast police warned residents of a sophisticated gift card scam targeting elderly residents, in which fraudsters impersonate bank or telco security staff and convince victims to purchase thousands of dollars in gift cards under the guise of conducting a "sting operation" on scammers, promising reimbursement. One incident in June 2021 resulted in a 91-year-old man losing $28,000 in gift cards purchased in a single day. Police advised the public to treat requests for gift card purchases or money transfers as red flags and to verify directly with financial institutions rather than engaging with unsolicited callers.
wsaw.com
The Better Business Bureau cautions college students to watch out for seven common scams targeting them during the school year: phishing emails impersonating the school's financial department, fake credit card offers, fraudulent rental listings, identity theft, scholarship grant scams, online shopping scams, and test preparation blackmail schemes. The BBB recommends students verify offers through official channels, check credit reports regularly at annualcreditreport.com, view apartments in person before paying, and research companies on BBB.org before engaging with them. Students are encouraged to report suspected scams to BBB's ScamTracker and contact their local BBB office with concerns.
nextgov.com
The Department of Veterans Affairs launched VSAFE.gov, a new website and call center platform designed to help veterans and their families identify, avoid, and report scams targeting benefits, identity theft, and education fraud. The initiative was spurred by a surge in predatory schemes targeting veterans following the 2022 PACT Act expansion of benefits and healthcare services, with lawmakers pressing the VA to strengthen its anti-fraud protections. The platform consolidates resources from multiple federal agencies including the FTC, FCC, and Social Security Administration to provide veterans with fraud prevention tools and reporting assistance.
rbcroyalbank.com
This educational article identifies five common online scams targeting young people: fake contests requiring fees or personal information, fraudulent online shopping deals that harvest credit card and shipping data, social media quizzes designed to collect personal information for password cracking, phishing and smishing scams using enticing offers or false urgency, and job scams targeting graduates through fake job postings and interviews that steal identity or financial information. The article emphasizes that while young people are digitally savvy, they tend to be trusting and vulnerable to misinformation, and recommends educating them about these risks along with key security practices like using strong passwords, questioning online content, and avoiding sharing sensitive information.
wbckfm.com
The U.S. Secret Service has warned Michigan residents about "smishing"—text message phishing scams—targeting online shoppers with three main tactics: fake package tracking notifications, undelivered package alerts, and fraudulent purchase warnings, all designed to trick victims into clicking malicious links and surrendering sensitive financial information. The Secret Service recommends avoiding unsolicited messages entirely, never clicking links from unknown sources, independently verifying requests for personal information, and deleting suspicious texts rather than responding to them.
welivesecurity.com
This article outlines six common Craigslist scams to avoid: fraudsters selling non-existent items (tickets, cars, rentals, jobs) at below-market prices to solicit untraceable payments; overpayment schemes where a bounced check leaves sellers out of pocket; Google Voice verification code theft that allows scammers to create accounts linked to victims' phone numbers; phishing emails impersonating Craigslist to harvest personal information; fake cashier's checks that are easier to counterfeit than genuine ones; and fake escrow services. The article advises users to only use secure payment methods, verify items in person before payment, never share verification codes
x1075lasvegas.com
A study by PrivacyJournal.net ranked Nevada as the most dangerous state for online dating based on reported romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. Nevada ranked second nationally for romance scam reports and third for fraud reports, making it a higher-risk state for online daters seeking to avoid financial and personal victimization. The analysis identified Vermont as the safest state for online dating, while other risky states included Alaska, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, and South Carolina.
bluenotes.anz.com
Despite 94% of Australians surveyed feeling confident they could spot a scam, this article emphasizes that sophisticated scammers exploit human emotions and psychology, with particular targeting of Australians over 55 with substantial savings. Key scam types include romance, investment, and impersonation schemes, with investment scams alone resulting in approximately $79 million in losses in 2024, though under-reporting suggests actual numbers are higher. The article advises victims to pause before acting on urgent requests, immediately contact their bank if money has been sent, and report incidents to help raise awareness and prevent future fraud.
bluenotes.anz.com
Despite 94% of Australians surveyed feeling confident they could spot a scam, sophisticated social engineering tactics and organized criminal syndicates continue to exploit human emotions and trust, particularly targeting Australians over 55 with substantial savings. Investment scams alone resulted in approximately $79 million in losses in 2024, though reporting remains low at 3,818 cases, suggesting significant underreporting. The article advises victims to pause before acting on urgent requests, contact their bank immediately if funds are sent, and report incidents to increase awareness, noting that ANZ's fraud controls prevented over $100 million in losses during the year to March 2024.
myheraldreview.com
Americans aged 60 and over lost $3.4 billion to scammers in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the prior year, with the number of fraud complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center rising 14%. Trust and romance scams were the most widely reported type of elder fraud, followed by personal data breaches, confidence scams, non-payment/non-delivery scams, and investment scams. The article provides guidance for banks on identifying suspicious account activity and recommends that customers verify contacts, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, and delay transactions when uncertain.
jdsupra.com
Financial institutions reported over $27 billion in elder exploitation losses between June 2022 and June 2023, with scams being the predominant form of abuse targeting individuals aged 60 and older. The FBI's 2023 report documented significant increases in elder scams, resulting in over $3.4 billion in losses to victims. Experts recommend reviewing FinCEN and CFPB guidelines to help combat financial exploitation of seniors.
kiplinger.com
In 2023, over 101,000 people age 60 and older lost nearly $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report, with common scams including tech support fraud ($590 million in losses), investment fraud ($4.57 billion, up 38% year-over-year), power of attorney abuse, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, and homeowner scams. AI-driven fraud is making scams increasingly sophisticated, with criminals creating convincing fake audio and video to deceive victims. Protection requires vigilance about warning signs such as unusual account activity and suspicious communications, along with education and open family dialogue about financial security.
country1037fm.com
South Carolina ranks as the 45th safest state for online dating, with elevated risks including 396 registered sex offenders per 100,000 residents, 1,062 STD reports per 100,000 residents, and 334 fraud cases per 100,000 residents. A study by PrivacyJournal.net identified romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime as primary dangers in online dating nationwide, with Nevada ranking as the most dangerous state overall.
paulfletcher.com.au
This is not an article about elder fraud or scams. It is a TechLeaders 2024 conference speech that discusses technology's broader societal impacts, both positive and negative. While the speaker mentions romance scams, fake social media endorsements, and text-based scams ($26.9 million in losses to Australians in 2023) as examples of technology-enabled crime, the document is a general technology policy speech rather than a focused report on elder abuse or fraud.
wrexham.com
Wrexham residents are being warned about rental scams where fraudsters pose as landlords to steal money from prospective tenants through phantom listings, hijacked ads, or bait-and-switch tactics. Common warning signs include suspiciously low rent, requests for upfront payments, avoidance of in-person meetings, high-pressure tactics, and incomplete property information, with one victim losing £1,400. Residents are advised to use reputable platforms, verify landlord credentials through Rent Smart Wales, meet properties in person before paying, and report suspected scams to Citizens Advice or Trading Standards.
businessinsider.com
Election officials across multiple states warned about voter registration scams ahead of the 2024 presidential election, where scammers posed as get-out-the-vote groups via text messages and other communications to trick victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal information like Social Security numbers. Voter registration fraud is one of the three most common election-cycle scams, and officials recommend verifying communications directly with local election officials and reporting suspicious contacts to the FTC. No specific dollar amounts or victim counts were reported in the warnings.
cbc.ca
**Power Bill Scam Alert:** A Nova Scotia resident was targeted by scammers operating a fake utility payment line that appeared as a sponsored search result, where the fraudster obtained his personal billing information and credit card details before the bank blocked the transaction. Nova Scotia Power reports an increasing number of similar scams using sophisticated tactics that operate briefly to evade detection.
finance.yahoo.com
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launched an investigation into JP Morgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo (Zelle's parent companies) after reimbursement rates for disputed Zelle transactions dropped from 62% in 2019 to 38% in 2023, with bank employees given broad discretion in determining whether to reimburse consumers. Zelle argues that law enforcement and user education are the primary solutions, while congressional lawmakers introduced the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act to increase financial institutions' responsibility for fraud reimbursements, as recovering money lost through payment apps remains significantly more difficult than reclaiming unauthorized credit card charges.
mi-3.com.au
Australian banks launched a new campaign under the Scam-Safe Accord to publicize their anti-scam protections, including payment delays, warnings, and account blocking to prevent fraudulent transfers. The campaign, led by the Australian Banking Association and involving 55 mutual banks and credit unions, reflects industry efforts to combat scams through technology and cross-sector collaboration, with early results showing scam losses decreasing for the first time in six years.
foxcarolina.com
The Asheville Police Department warned the public of scammers impersonating Chief Michael Lamb, claiming victims have active arrest warrants and threatening jail time unless they send money immediately. The APD advises residents to never pay money over the phone, ask for caller information and verify it directly with APD at (828) 252-1110, and report suspected scams through official channels.
malaymail.com
Scammers today employ sophisticated social engineering tactics—including scripted phone calls using psychological manipulation techniques and impersonation of trusted institutions—rather than relying on victims' lack of knowledge. Common scam methods include mule account schemes targeting job seekers who are tricked into opening bank accounts and providing personal information, and APK file scams that grant scammers control of victims' mobile phones through fake job or service advertisements. Experts note that scammers may employ actual psychologists to craft these tactics, making them increasingly difficult for victims to detect regardless of their education or experience level.
ca.news.yahoo.com
This is a political news article about the 2004 California gubernatorial recall election, not an elder fraud case. The article describes Republican candidate Larry Elder preemptively claiming voter fraud before the election results were known, using unsubstantiated statistical analyses to suggest fraud occurred. This does not involve elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse, so it falls outside the scope of the Elderus database.
courant.com
A Connecticut resident lost over $68,000 in a phishing scam involving unsolicited cryptocurrency token offers in April, but state police recovered more than $60,000 using blockchain analytics to trace the stolen funds to the suspect's wallet. The investigation identified multiple victims across the country in this ongoing scheme. Connecticut State Police advise residents to avoid unsolicited investment offers and never share personal or financial information with unknown contacts via text, phone, email, or social media.
straitstimes.com
A 21-year-old national serviceman's suicide in 2021 after losing $10,000 to a scam prompted Singapore's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) to intensify anti-scam efforts. GovTech's Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (Satis) has taken down over 42,000 scam websites since July 2023, including fraudulent sites impersonating government agencies, banks, and concert ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster, which victimized at least 2,000 people of $1 million from January to May alone. GovTech warns that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence an
rawstory.com
Donald Trump's political campaign reported being compromised through a phishing email scam, resulting in internal campaign documents, including a dossier on running mate J.D. Vance, being sent to Politico by an anonymous individual. The campaign blamed "foreign sources" for the breach, though the incident drew widespread mockery and skepticism on social media, with observers questioning the campaign's cybersecurity practices and credibility.
lokmattimes.com
A 39-year-old woman in Mumbai lost Rs 44 lakh (approximately $5,280 USD) in an online share trading scam after responding to a Facebook advertisement and being directed through multiple WhatsApp groups by scammers posing as investment facilitators. The fraudsters used a fake trading app called Jambin and promised guaranteed 100% profits, eventually demanding an additional 30% deposit before allowing any withdrawals. The woman filed a First Information Report with the Central Cyber Police Station after discovering the scam when she attempted to withdraw funds in June 2024.
wild941.com
Florida ranks as the 47th safest state for online dating, according to a PrivacyJournal.net study analyzing romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. The state ranks second-worst nationally for both identity theft and fraud, and seventh-worst for romance scams, though it performs better on violent crime and sex offender statistics. The study identifies Nevada as the most dangerous state and Vermont as the safest, recommending that online daters take common sense precautions regardless of location.
ca.news.yahoo.com
Vancouver police are investigating 26 cases of scams targeting the Chinese Canadian community that have netted scammers nearly $6 million since the start of the year, with authorities believing more victims have yet to come forward. Three primary scam types are being used: spoofed calls impersonating Chinese police demanding money transfers to Hong Kong, "blessing scams" exploiting spiritual beliefs to extort cash and jewelry from victims (especially elderly), and fake job postings that pivot to romance or investment scams once victims engage. Vulnerable populations including seniors and newcomers are particularly susceptible due to cultural and language barriers, and police are urging community members to report incidents and warn family and friends.
cbc.ca
Since January 2024, scammers have defrauded Vancouver's Chinese Canadian community of nearly $6 million through three primary schemes: impersonating Chinese police officers to redirect victims to Hong Kong banks, exploiting spiritual beliefs to extort cash and jewelry from elderly victims, and recruiting victims via fake job postings before switching to romance or investment scams. The Vancouver Police Department is investigating 26 cases and expects more victims to come forward, with community leaders noting that seniors and newcomers face heightened vulnerability due to language and cultural barriers.
vancouver.citynews.ca
Since the beginning of 2024, Vancouver police have opened 26 files related to three separate scams targeting the local Chinese community, with victims losing a total of $6 million. The scams involve: strangers exploiting spiritual beliefs to extort cash and jewelry; fraudsters impersonating Chinese police officers via spoofed phone calls and directing victims to send money to Hong Kong; and fake job postings in traditional Chinese that pivot to romance or investment schemes. Police suspect many more victims have not yet come forward and are urging community members to report incidents and warn vulnerable friends and family members.
etvnews.com
This is an educational piece advising seniors on a legitimate Social Security Administration email notifying users to migrate old "my Social Security" accounts created before September 18, 2021 to new Login.gov accounts for improved security and simpler access. The article warns readers to verify they are visiting the official SSA website (ssa.gov) rather than fraudulent scam sites mimicking the legitimate portal, and provides the SSA's fraud hotline (800-269-0271) for reporting suspicious emails or links.
caixinglobal.com
A livestream shopping scam targeting elderly Chinese citizens has defrauded victims of substantial sums by selling counterfeit antiques and collectibles with false promises of high returns and buyback guarantees. Kou Shoule, a senior in Shandong province, lost nearly 300,000 yuan ($42,000) since March on fake antique livestreams, and despite his daughter's intervention efforts, he refused to cooperate with authorities to recover losses, damaging their family relationship. The scam operates on platforms like Kuaishou using dramatic narratives and manipulative language to exploit older users, with scammers continuously creating new accounts to evade detection while platforms face criticism for
deccanchronicle.com
Medical experts at INASL 2024 in Kochi warned against fraudulent liver detox products and social media remedies, emphasizing that the liver naturally detoxifies itself and that lifestyle changes—such as avoiding alcohol, maintaining healthy weight, controlling sugar intake, and exercising—are the evidence-based approach to liver health. The convention debunked claims about homemade detox recipes circulating on social media as ineffective, with Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan specifically highlighting that such "detox scams" lack scientific validity.
boothbayregister.com
Criminal scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities online, creating realistic videos and fake social media profiles to defraud fans through fraudulent investment opportunities, product endorsements, and ticket sales. Consumers should be skeptical of any personal connection or financial opportunity presented by celebrities on social media, as these are likely scams. AARP recommends reporting suspected scams to the Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360 or visiting aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
abc7chicago.com
McAfee research reveals a 380% increase in suspicious links targeting back-to-school shoppers this year. The advisory recommends consumers shop only at legitimate retailers with HTTPS security, avoid deals on social media and unsolicited messages, and use caution when sharing personal information online or shopping on public Wi-Fi.
dailyhodl.com
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other major banks over their handling of fraud and scams on the Zelle instant payments platform. A Senate subcommittee found that these three banks reimbursed victims only 38% of the time in 2023 (down from 62% in 2019) and collectively refused to reimburse $880 million in disputed transactions between 2021-2023, though Zelle began requiring selective reimbursements in certain scam scenarios over the summer.
abc12.com
A 75-year-old Davison, Michigan man lost nearly $130,000 in a sweepstakes scam that exploited his long-term relationship with Publishers Clearing House. Scammers contacted him claiming he had won $2.5 million and instructed him to wire over $58,000 to cover processing fees, then continued demanding additional payments and fraudulently obtained a loan against his checking account when funds ran low. The victim's family is warning others about the scheme and notes that similar issues persist despite the FTC's 2023 settlement requiring Publishers Clearing House to pay $18.5 million to defrauded consumers.
cbs12.com
The Boynton Beach Police Department reported a rise in pickpocket distraction scams targeting elderly residents, primarily at store checkout points. Scammers place money on the floor to distract victims while stealing their credit or debit cards. Police advise the public to remain vigilant and keep payment cards secured and attended at all times.
antiochherald.com
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services (CCSLS), a nonprofit providing free legal aid to seniors 60+ for over 40 years, hosted a Summer Soirée & Symposium fundraiser on August 22nd featuring panel discussions on aging, entertainment, and refreshments. The organization presented the inaugural Elder Justice Award to Judge Virginia George in recognition of her advocacy for elder law and older adults' rights in the county. CCSLS assists over 1,000 seniors annually with legal issues including preventing evictions, combating elder abuse and fraud, and estate planning.
tribtoday.com
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse suitable for summarization in the Elderus database. "Orchids and Onions" is an opinion column that celebrates local achievements and criticizes various issues in a community. While one brief section mentions elder fraud statistics, it is not the focus of the piece and contains no specific incident, victim information, or detailed scam details relevant to elder fraud research.