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thesenior.com.au
Consumer group Choice surveyed 280 scam victims and found that 61% lost confidence in online financial transactions, while banks failed to prevent or adequately support most victims—with four out of five saying their bank did nothing to flag the scam beforehand. Australians lost $2.7 billion to scams in the most recent year, predominantly affecting older people, yet banks, telcos, and tech platforms face minimal consequences despite having the technology to detect and prevent fraud. Choice calls for mandatory business obligations including consumer reimbursement for scam losses, fair reporting pathways, and enforceable rules for financial institutions and digital platforms.
victoriabuzz.com
A 70-year-old man in Nanaimo lost $150 in cash on June 7th after being approached by four people in a Dodge Caravan who claimed they needed money for ferry tickets and a flight to Toronto. The victims gave him worthless jewelry (two rings and a gold chain) in exchange, promising repayment from Toronto, but the phone number provided was never answered and the jewelry assessed at zero value.
lampasasdispatchrecord.com
Catfishing scams involve fraudsters using fake identities to establish romantic relationships with victims for financial gain. The FTC received 56,000 romance scam complaints in 2021, more than triple the 2017 total, indicating a sharp rise in this fraud type. AARP provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding these schemes to protect vulnerable individuals from emotional manipulation and financial losses.
dailymaverick.co.za
This educational article distinguishes between fraud (forged documents, identity theft) and scams (convincing someone to provide money or banking details), noting that romance scams result in the highest monetary losses. The article provides guidance on protecting oneself, including using Google reverse image search to verify photos, recognizing red flags such as urgency, requests for additional payments, impersonation of legitimate companies, unrealistic returns, and unexpected phone service interruptions, and always contacting companies directly using independently sourced contact information.
wvnews.com
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI increased 14% last year, with over 100,000 people aged 60+ reporting scam victimization in 2023, compared to only 18,000 people under age 20. West Virginia is particularly vulnerable due to its aging population and residents' trusting nature. Common scams include malware schemes that lead to fake law enforcement calls demanding payment via wire transfer or gift cards, romance/online dating fraud, and insider schemes perpetrated by family members or caregivers, with law enforcement and community outreach efforts ongoing to raise awareness and prevention strategies.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Greater Manchester Police issued an urgent warning about a rising QR code fraud scam targeting car parks and parking meters, with three cases reported in one week. Fraudsters place fake QR code stickers over legitimate parking meter codes, directing victims to fraudulent payment sites that steal personal and financial information. Police recommend checking for tampered stickers, using only built-in phone QR scanners, and verifying URLs before completing transactions.
247ureports.com
Mr. Obinna Ezenwa was defrauded and emotionally manipulated by American woman Kymberly Stalvey Ann Shepard, whom he met on a dating app in October 2018 and married in January 2019 after she visited Nigeria. Shepard deceived Ezenwa about her ability to sponsor his US immigration, later revealing she was already legally married to three other men and had reached the immigration sponsorship limit; when he could not obtain a visa independently, she allegedly stalked and harassed him on social media, falsely accused him of extortion leading to his arrest in February 2021, and blocked all communication. This case involves romance frau
dlnews.com
Chainalysis partnered with law-enforcement agencies across six countries (US, UK, Canada, Spain, Netherlands, and Australia) to combat "approval phishing" scams that have defrauded victims of $2.7 billion in cryptocurrency since May 2021. Operation Spincaster generated over 7,000 leads between April and June, resulting in account closures, fund seizures, and intelligence-building related to approximately $162 million in reported losses. The initiative brought together 12 public sector agencies and 17 crypto exchanges to disrupt scams through public-private collaboration and blockchain analytics.
katc.com
A Nunez resident narrowly avoided a door-to-door scam when a man impersonating a DIRECT-TV employee attempted to collect personal information and bills from his home; the resident later confirmed with DIRECT-TV that no representative had been sent. The scammer, operating from an unmarked red car, claimed to be addressing customer complaints about pricing, and similar incidents were reported in the area with the suspect impersonating both DIRECT-TV and Dish employees. Sheriff officials advise residents to request valid peddler's licenses, verify caller identity directly with companies, and avoid sharing personal information or documents with unsolicited visitors.
bbc.com
Scammers are sending fraudulent links to grieving families claiming to offer livestreams of funeral services, initially charging £15 but potentially using the transactions to clone credit cards and drain bank accounts. The fraudsters use public records to identify the bereaved, create fake profiles with authentic details and photos of the deceased, and trick mourners into clicking malicious links that appear legitimate. Authorities advise verifying any funeral livestream links directly with funeral directors or crematoriums, as genuine services never require payment and links come only from official providers.
legit.ng
A Nigerian man (@dieahdy) was scammed at Computer Village in Lagos when a scammer gave him what appeared to be cash wrapped with a rubber band, but which turned out to be cardboard cut to resemble money. The victim only discovered the deception after returning home and posted a TikTok video warning others to be careful of scammers in the area, expressing shock at how he fell for the scheme. The incident reflects a pattern of fraud at Computer Village, where scammers use sleight-of-hand tactics to dupe unsuspecting customers into receiving worthless items instead of cash or electronics.
mirror.co.uk
This article outlines ten common tourist scams targeting visitors to European cities, including pickpocketing in crowded areas, bar bill fraud (particularly in Budapest), fake police officers posing as currency inspectors, unsolicited bracelet/flower sellers, counterfeit gold ring schemes, fake transportation tickets, ATM manipulation, taxi overcharges, and other street-level cons. The piece provides practical prevention advice for each scam, such as using anti-theft bags, avoiding unmarked bars, insisting on going to police stations when approached by officials, rejecting items from strangers, and purchasing tickets only from official vendors.
nbcconnecticut.com
Following a global IT outage, Connecticut's Department of Consumer Protection warned the public that scammers exploit such disruptions by sending phishing emails and texts impersonating IT teams and software companies like CrowdStrike and Microsoft to steal sensitive information. The department advised people to be suspicious of emails with incorrect addresses, typos, unknown links, or requests for passwords, and to report suspected phishing attempts to the FTC, Anti-Phishing Working Group, or via text to SPAM (7726).
wfsb.com
Following a global IT outage caused by a CrowdStrike software update in July 2024, the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection warned the public of increased phishing, imposter, and scam risks as criminals exploited the situation to target vulnerable users. Officials cautioned people to watch for suspicious emails, text messages, and phone calls impersonating IT teams or tech company support, which may contain malicious links or requests for sensitive information. The department urged consumers to verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking unknown links, and report suspected phishing attempts to the FTC or Anti-Phishing Working Group.
bbc.co.uk
Following a global IT outage linked to CrowdStrike, cyber-security agencies worldwide warned of a surge in opportunistic scams exploiting the incident, including fake emails, websites, and phone calls posing as official CrowdStrike or Microsoft support. Hackers registered malicious websites and released bogus software fixes claiming to help users recover, with the goal of stealing credentials or distributing malware to both IT professionals and the general public. Authorities advised users to only access information and fixes through official CrowdStrike channels and to remain vigilant against phishing attempts capitalizing on widespread confusion and concern.
cbia.com
Following the July 19 global IT outage affecting Microsoft-based systems, state officials warned of increased scam activity, as fraudsters exploit the confusion by impersonating IT teams and sending phishing emails to gain access to sensitive information. Warning signs include suspicious email addresses, generic messages with typos, unknown links, and requests for passwords or personal information. Individuals should verify suspicious communications directly with known contact information and report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission.
bbc.com
Following the CrowdStrike IT outage, cyber-security agencies in the UK and Australia warned of a wave of opportunistic scams, including fake emails, websites, and phone calls impersonating CrowdStrike or Microsoft to distribute malicious software or steal personal information. Researchers documented a sharp rise in fraudulent domain registrations designed to trick IT managers and the public into downloading malware or divulging sensitive data. Authorities advised users to verify they are communicating with official representatives and only use legitimate company websites for updates and support.
pasoroblesdailynews.com
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office reported over $150,000 stolen in a tech support scam targeting older residents, with individual victims losing between $60,000 and $120,000 each. The scam begins with pop-up warnings claiming a computer is compromised, directing victims to call a number where scammers pose as bank fraud representatives and eventually arrange in-person cash pickups using fake security codes to appear legitimate. The sheriff's office advises residents to contact law enforcement if they receive suspicious pop-ups or money-demanding calls and to inform family and friends about the scheme.
yourdailyjournal.com
The Hamlet Senior Center hosted a fraud prevention symposium led by North Carolina Attorney General's Office investigator Luke Perrin to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams. Perrin addressed common misconceptions—such as the false belief that only elderly people are targeted—and provided practical advice including how to identify suspicious emails and phone calls, the importance of using credit cards over debit cards for online purchases, and warnings about social media scams that use fake surveys to steal security question answers. The event drew a standing-room-only crowd, prompting the Senior Center Director to plan additional fraud prevention programs for the broader community.
daytonatimes.com
Elder fraud is rising nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with Volusia County reporting $4.6 million in losses over the past year as scammers target older adults through imposter calls, investment fraud, and tech scams. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office created a three-person financial fraud unit and used a screening of the movie "Thelma"—which depicts a grandmother falling victim to an imposter scam—to educate 140+ seniors on fraud awareness and prevention. A 90-year-old attendee avoided a fake son/lawyer scam demanding $10,000 by verifying her son's location, exemplifying the importance of
suffolktimes.timesreview.com
A Greenport senior narrowly avoided an online scam on July 2 when she became suspicious of a caller claiming to be from the Federal Trade Commission who instructed her to move money to a digital safe deposit box; she proactively withdrew her funds and discovered nine fraudulent credit card applications in her name, all of which were denied. Separately, on July 10, a 75-year-old Southold woman lost $15,000 to a scammer claiming to be from Capital One headquarters.
rappler.com
The Social Security System (SSS) of the Philippines warned the public about phishing text scams where scammers impersonate SSS and trick recipients into clicking malicious links by promising benefits or warning of expiring payments, which steal personal information like SSS numbers and login credentials. Members can identify fake alerts by checking that legitimate SSS messages come from "SSS" as the sender and direct users to www.sss.gov.ph, while scam messages originate from unidentified mobile numbers. The SSS Special Investigation Department investigated the incidents and reported them to the National Telecommunications Commission, and victims are advised to report fraud to law enforcement or contact SID directly.
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odt.co.nz
This article is not related to elder fraud or elder abuse. It covers local police enforcement activities in Wānaka, New Zealand, including drug cultivation charges, dangerous driving enforcement, hazardous weather road safety campaigns, and a brief mention of general Facebook scams involving firewood sales where buyers paid without receiving goods.
goldrushcam.com
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office reports a sophisticated scam targeting older residents in which fraudsters send pop-up warnings claiming computers are compromised and direct victims to call a number for help. After gaining the victim's trust through multiple conversations and posing as bank fraud departments, the scammers arrange in-person cash pickups at victims' homes using fake "security codes" to appear legitimate. Victims have lost substantial sums, including cases exceeding $60,000 and $120,000, and authorities urge residents to report suspicious pop-ups or money-demanding calls and warn family members about this scheme.
kwch.com
A 35-year-old New York man pleaded guilty to mistreating an elder person after defrauding a 78-year-old Wichita woman out of more than $100,000 in a romance scam, where he posed as someone named Victor seeking financial help. Jango Touray was sentenced to three years probation and ordered to pay full restitution, with a 34-month prison sentence imposed if he violates probation or fails to pay. Romance scams typically begin with social media friend requests or emails from attractive strangers claiming financial difficulties, and are difficult to prosecute and recover funds from because scammers operate across state lines and launder money through multiple accounts
wrrv.com
New York State Police issued a fraud alert warning older residents about a scam in which perpetrators convince victims to withdraw money from their bank accounts for the scammers to pick up. The scam has generated multiple complaints from seniors, and police emphasized that anyone contacted by phone or computer with such requests should immediately call 911 and never withdraw or surrender funds. Scams targeting New Yorkers cost the state over $10 million last year, with other common schemes against seniors including romance, investment, and "grandparents" scams.
express.co.uk
This article provides awareness and prevention tips for common tourist scams across Europe, including pickpocketing in crowded areas, inflated bar bills in Budapest, fake police officers posing as authorities to steal money or valuables, and street vendors offering unsolicited items like bracelets or flowers. The piece advises travelers to stay alert, use anti-theft bags, avoid dingy bars with unclear pricing, insist on going to police stations if approached by officers, and trust their instincts when meeting strangers.
aol.com
Elder scams cost banks over $27 billion in 2023, with victims losing an average of $33,000 per case, increasingly facilitated by AI-enabled voice cloning and impersonation fraud. Common scams targeting older adults employ two main tactics: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). The most effective prevention involves pausing when pressured, verifying identities through independent channels, and consulting trusted third parties before making financial decisions or sharing personal information.
greenwichsentinel.com
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security, Medicare) or businesses to steal personal information and money. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake caller IDs, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to exploit victims. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact by phone, email, or text about tax issues, and victims should hang up on unexpected calls and report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
azbigmedia.com
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses totaling over $3.4 billion in 2023 and averaging $34,000 per victim, using methods like deceptive emails, phone calls, and impersonation scams. Common schemes include government impersonation, sweepstakes scams, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams targeting seniors due to isolation and limited technical knowledge. Prevention strategies include staying informed about evolving scams, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family about finances, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and pausing before responding to urgent requests for money or personal information.
yahoo.com
Elder scams cost banks over $27 billion in suspicious activity in 2023, with individual losses averaging more than $33,000 per case, increasingly enabled by AI-powered voice cloning and identity masking technology. Six common scam types target older adults through two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, and grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, and lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted third parties when emotional decisions are involved.
wvnews.com
Elder fraud complaints to the FBI increased 14% last year, with over 100,000 people aged 60 and older reporting scam victimization in 2023, compared to only 18,000 people under 20. West Virginia, having one of the nation's oldest populations, is particularly vulnerable to schemes including malware scams (where scammers pose as tech support or federal agents demanding payment), romance scams, and insider fraud perpetrated by family members or caregivers. Law enforcement officials recommend elders avoid clicking unknown links, recognize that legitimate agencies never demand phone payment or gift cards, and encourage younger family members to regularly check in about their online safety.
mtb.com
This educational resource outlines how to protect aging loved ones from fraud and financial abuse, which can be perpetrated by strangers, friends, caregivers, or family members. The piece identifies six common senior scams—suspicious solicitation, counterfeit check schemes, lottery fraud, fake inheritance notifications, romance scams, and internet sale fraud—and provides practical warning signs and preventive advice for each. M&T Bank offers a dedicated helpline (1-800-724-2440) for reporting suspected financial abuse or fraud involving seniors.
foxbusiness.com
Scammers are impersonating the U.S. Postal Service through deceptive text messages claiming delivery issues or suspended accounts to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and providing personal information such as Social Security numbers, account credentials, and payment card details. The USPS warns customers that it only uses 5-digit short codes for SMS and never includes links in unsolicited texts; recipients should verify package status only through USPS.com and report suspicious messages to authorities.
texasattorneygeneral.gov
Following the CrowdStrike service outage, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned residents to be vigilant against scams exploiting the cybersecurity incident, particularly unsolicited contacts claiming to be from CrowdStrike requesting login credentials or personal information. Consumers are advised to immediately change any compromised passwords, avoid reusing them across accounts, and report suspected data breaches to their organization's customer support or IT department.
fox10phoenix.com
Scammers are impersonating the USPS through fake text messages claiming package delivery issues, account suspensions, or waiting packages, attempting to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that steal personal information such as social security numbers and credit card details. The USPS was the most imitated brand in phishing scams during the second quarter, prompting an official alert warning customers that legitimate USPS texts only come from 5-digit short codes and never contain links or requests without prior customer tracking number requests.
nationalseniors.com.au
Scammers are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence technologies, particularly generative AI, to create convincing fake content used in various fraud schemes targeting the public. Common AI-enabled scams include deepfake payment redirection scams impersonating company executives, social media investment scams featuring fake celebrity videos, voice-cloning "Hi Mum" scams, sophisticated phishing emails with realistic logos, job scams with fake websites, and romance scams using AI-generated profile pictures and chatbots. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals should verify information independently, maintain strong online security practices, and educate themselves about AI-based scam techniques.
katv.com
Scammers impersonating law enforcement officers are calling Arkansas residents and demanding payment via wire transfer, prepaid cards, or gift cards to resolve alleged criminal matters or enroll in fake rehabilitation programs, using caller ID spoofing and pre-recorded messages to deceive victims. Attorney General Tim Griffin advises people never to send money to callers claiming to be law enforcement, to verify caller identity by independently calling the agency, and to never share personal information over the phone. Victims should report fraudulent calls to the Attorney General's Office with details of the call time, number, and message.
ctnewsjunkie.com
**Not an Elder Fraud Summary**
This article does not contain information about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. It is an opinion piece advocating for minimal regulation of peer-to-peer payment platforms like Zelle, arguing that proposed Senate oversight would harm small businesses and community banks. While the piece mentions fraud investigations on these platforms, it does not describe specific scams, victims, or cases relevant to the Elderus database.
newsmirror.net
Seniors lost over $3 billion to scams in 2023, with losses reaching $1.6 billion in just the first five months of 2024, representing a significant increase year-over-year. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and good credit, making them attractive to con artists. Common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (where scammers pose as romantic partners to extract money) and tech support scams (where fake pop-ups trick victims into calling numbers and granting remote computer access).
registerguard.com
The Better Business Bureau is warning job seekers about a fraudulent Idaho-based reshipping company called Intelligent Post, which contacts people through career websites like Indeed with fake remote job offers and requests personal information including government-issued ID photos to commit identity fraud and open fraudulent credit accounts. The dissolved company, operating under multiple aliases, has generated 47 scam tracker reports and eight complaints in the past 12 months, with at least two victims in Oregon under age 35. The BBB advises job seekers to verify employment offers through official company websites and avoid sharing sensitive personal information with unknown entities.
abc7ny.com
Following a global tech outage, scammers exploited the disruption by sending fraudulent emails, texts, and robocalls requesting personal information such as passwords, account numbers, and social security numbers. Security experts warned the public to be vigilant against spoofed caller IDs and phishing attempts, noting that Americans lost $2.7 billion to imposter scams in 2023 and fraud is projected to worsen in 2024. Recommended precautions include hanging up on suspicious calls, calling back official numbers from statements or cards, and never surrendering card information to unsolicited callers.
dropboxforum.com
This is a forum post about Dropbox customer service complaints, not an elder fraud case. A user reported being charged for four months without purchasing a plan and characterized the company as a scam with poor customer support, though no details about the specific fraud mechanism or resolution were provided.
**Note:** This article does not contain elder fraud, scam, or abuse content relevant to the Elderus database and should not be indexed.
thespec.com
A Brant County resident lost $34,500 to a romance scammer who initiated contact through a dating app, then moved conversations to another platform and persuaded the victim to invest in cryptocurrency. When the victim attempted to withdraw funds, they encountered additional fees with strict deadlines that resulted in further losses, and the money has not been recovered. Police advise caution when online contacts suggest changing communication platforms, request money, or show inconsistencies in their stories.
coinspeaker.com
Binance collaborated with the FBI in San Diego to investigate a "pig butchering" scam, resulting in the seizure of $2.5 million in cryptocurrency (2.5 million USDT) from accounts controlled by a perpetrator in Thailand. Pig butchering scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims through online communication before manipulating them into fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, often by posing as romantic interests and allowing small initial withdrawals to build false confidence. The U.S. Attorney's Office filed a civil forfeiture action to recover the seized funds, which may be used to compensate victims.
leaderadvertiser.com
Up to 20% of older Americans fall victim to elder fraud annually, with losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023. Common scams targeting seniors include government impersonation, sweepstakes, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Prevention strategies include staying educated on evolving fraud tactics, monitoring accounts regularly, maintaining open communication with family members, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and avoiding pressure to send money quickly by hanging up and calling back to verify.
ncoa.org
This educational article explains how online scams target older adults, using a real case example where 80-year-old Alice Lin lost over $700,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam on WeChat. According to the FBI IC3, people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses in 2023 (up 11% from 2022), with an average loss of nearly $34,000 per victim. The article details five psychological manipulation tactics scammers use against seniors—including targeting social isolation, impersonating authority figures, and exploiting trust—and provides specific protective measures such as consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious requests and verifying organizations through official channels.
forbes.com
Job scams are increasingly sophisticated and targeting vulnerable job seekers, particularly in tight labor markets like the U.K. which had 904,000 vacancies in May 2024. Experts warn job hunters to avoid offers with vague descriptions, too-good-to-be-true promises, suspicious website URLs, poor communication quality, unsolicited job offers through social media, and any listings requiring upfront payments.
wnem.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned residents about a government imposter scam in which fraudsters pose as government officials claiming to offer "free government money from the CARES Act" to steal personal information. The alert advises consumers to block contact attempts, avoid clicking links or opening attachments, and report suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission and Attorney General's office, while noting that legitimate government agencies will never demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or threaten immediate arrest.
thestar.com
Romance scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to create convincing fake profiles and communications on dating apps and social media, making it harder for victims to distinguish real from fabricated interactions. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, $52.4 million in romance fraud losses were reported in 2023, though actual losses are estimated at five to ten times higher due to underreporting; scammers typically target vulnerable individuals by building trust before requesting money for emergencies, investments, or other financial schemes. Experts advise that any request for money is a major red flag, and urge victims to report incidents to police despite potential embarrassment, as information sharing helps investigators identify patterns across