Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,257 results
in General Elder Fraud
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud schemes, with 101,068 complaints filed—an 11% increase from 2022—according to an FBI report compiled by the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Tech support scams were the most common fraud type targeting this age group, followed by personal data breaches, romance scams, and investment fraud, with investment crimes alone costing victims over $1.2 billion. Cryptocurrency was involved in $1.1 billion of losses, while the FBI noted these figures likely underestimate actual fraud against seniors since only about half of all complaints included age data.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Sixteen people were charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars between January 2019 and December 2023. Scammers operating call centers in the Dominican Republic used spoofed phone numbers to call elderly victims, impersonating distressed grandchildren or relatives needing bail money, then posed as attorneys and officials to extract payments via couriers or mail. The charges carry penalties up to 20 years in prison, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% nationally and victims losing an average of $33,915 each in 2023.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. seniors over 60 experienced record elder fraud losses of $3.4 billion across over 101,000 reported complaints in 2023, with a 14% increase from 2022, according to an FBI report. Investment scams, tech support scams, romance scams, and "grandparent scams" were identified as the most costly schemes, with individual victims losing over $100,000 in some cases. The FBI urged financial institutions to implement stronger safeguards and emphasized that early reporting and public education are critical to preventing victims from completing fraudulent transfers.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
At least 101,000 Americans ages 60 and older lost an average of $33,915 each to digital fraud in 2023, totaling approximately $3.4 billion in losses, according to FBI data. Cryptocurrency scams accounted for nearly 40% of total losses ($1.33 billion), often preceded by romance or confidence schemes, while call center and tech support scams remained the most common complaint type. Some victims reported devastating consequences including selling homes, depleting retirement accounts, and in severe cases, suicide due to financial losses and shame.
nbcmontana.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare beneficiaries in Missoula are being warned of a rising genetic testing scam where fraudsters pose as representatives offering free DNA and cancer screenings, then use victims' Medicare numbers to file unauthorized claims that appear on Medicare statements. Senior Medicare Patrol advises beneficiaries to consult their own doctors rather than unknown phone contacts, carefully review Medicare statements for suspicious service codes like "gene analysis" or "molecular pathology," and report suspicious requests for health information to their local Senior Medicare Patrol office.
timberjay.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with financial losses exceeding $3.4 billion and an average victim loss of $33,915. Over 101,000 seniors aged 60+ reported fraud to IC3, with investment scams, tech support scams, and romance scams being among the most common schemes, while cryptocurrency scams affected over 12,000 seniors. The report notes that actual fraud rates are likely higher due to underreporting, and scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfakes and chatbots to target elderly victims.
fox19.com
· 2025-12-08
I'm unable to provide a summary because you've provided only a list of news headlines without the actual article content. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the full text of an article related to elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
Please provide the complete article or transcript you'd like summarized.
whbc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau advises seniors to report scams proactively rather than hide them due to shame or fear of losing independence, as concealment can allow fraud to escalate. The BBB recommends that both seniors and others use "block and delete" tactics to protect themselves from scams, and emphasizes that seniors should overcome embarrassment to inform family and friends when targeted by fraud.
abc7ny.com
· 2025-12-08
People over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, representing an 11% increase from 2022, with 101,068 complaints filed—a 14% rise—and an average loss of $33,915 per victim, according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Tech support fraud was the most common scam type targeting seniors, while investment scams caused the greatest financial losses at over $1.2 billion; the FBI urged financial institutions to strengthen protections and victims to report losses quickly, noting that scammers often operate from call centers in India, Western Africa, Laos, and Cambodia.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency investment scams—often initiated through dating apps, LinkedIn, or text messages—have caused over $82.7 million in losses across the Houston area in the last 16 months, with the FBI receiving new reports approximately weekly. Scammers build romantic relationships with victims over weeks or months, then convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes that show fraudulent gains; one Harris County man lost over $800,000 after being lured through a dating app. Once funds are transferred, most money moves overseas within minutes to southeast Asia and west Africa, making recovery extremely difficult, though one victim was ordered restitution of less than 20 percent of his losses.
winchesterstar.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report revealed that scammers stole over $94 million from Virginia residents over age 60 in 2023, representing a 56% increase from the prior year and moving the state into the top 10 nationally for elder fraud losses. Tech support fraud was the most commonly reported scam type, with victims over 60 losing more than all other age groups combined, some resorting to remortgaging homes and emptying retirement accounts to cover losses. The significant increase has been partially attributed to increased virtual activities and isolation following the COVID-19 pandemic, with experts noting that many cases go unreported to law enforcement.
wvua23.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the prior year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing more than $100,000 each, and investigators warn of rising sophistication in schemes including tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and in-person courier pickups of cash and precious metals. The losses may be significantly underreported, and experts caution that these crimes can leave elderly victims financially devastated and destitute.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in the past year, representing an 11 percent increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints from older victims, with nearly 6,000 losing over $100,000 each, as organized criminal enterprises increasingly use sophisticated tactics including tech support scams, romance scams, investment frauds, and in-person courier schemes to drain bank accounts. Investigators warn that these scams have a devastating impact on older Americans who may lack the ability to replace lost funds.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Montgomery man, Nicholas Allen, was sentenced to 64 months in state prison for financial exploitation of the elderly, securities fraud, and theft after defrauding multiple elderly victims of over $200,000 through misrepresentations and solicitations. Allen's state sentence runs concurrently with a 76-month federal sentence imposed in February 2024, and he was ordered to pay approximately $370,000 in restitution and permanently barred from the securities industry in Alabama.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elder fraud complaints increased 14% with losses rising 11%, as individuals age 60+ reported 101,068 scams totaling $3.4 billion, averaging $33,915 per victim, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Tech support scams were the most frequently reported fraud type (17,696 victims), while investment scams proved costliest at $1.2 billion in losses, followed by tech support scams ($590 million) and business email compromise scams ($382 million). The actual numbers are believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting and incomplete victim age data in crime reports.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 56-year-old Houston woman, Regina Lynn Thomas, and her 38-year-old son, Isaiah Thomas, were charged with defrauding an elderly couple of over $1 million through an elaborate scheme in which Regina posed as a nurse and convinced the victims they needed to pay for legal representation related to false FEMA fraud allegations. The defendants allegedly funneled the victims' payments into Isaiah's account and shared the proceeds, facing up to 20 years in federal prison and $250,000 fines per count if convicted.
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports that seniors over 60 are prime targets for fraud, with Alabama residents in this age group losing over $33 million to scams. Elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with tech scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams—particularly the "grandparent scam"—leading the way, as scammers increasingly use urgency and fear tactics to pressure victims into sending money or revealing sensitive information. Experts recommend that seniors and their family members hang up immediately when pressured for banking information, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, as these are hallmarks of fraud.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial exploitation of elders increased 14% over the past year according to the FBI, with tech support scams, data breaches, romance scams, and investment fraud being the most commonly reported types among those over 60. While public education programs have long warned seniors about these risks, the article argues that awareness campaigns targeting elders alone are insufficient, as early-stage cognitive decline—particularly loss of financial judgment—often goes unrecognized by the affected individuals themselves. The authors recommend that families take a more active role in monitoring aging relatives' finances and spending, especially for those spending significant time online, rather than relying solely on elder-directed fraud prevention education.
consumerfinancemonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN's 2023 Financial Trend Analysis examined 155,415 Bank Secrecy Act filings reporting approximately $27 billion in elder financial exploitation (EFE) between June 2022 and June 2023, with scams accounting for 80% of reports and theft for 20%, where family members—particularly children—perpetrated 40% of theft cases. The analysis found that perpetrators primarily use unsophisticated methods avoiding direct contact with financial institutions, such as account takeover (22% of scams), tech support scams (10%), and romance scams (9%), with funds typically transferred via checks, wires, and online transfers, averaging
mysuncoast.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that elder fraud is escalating, with Florida victims losing approximately $293 million and seniors over 60 nationally losing about $3.4 billion, often through impersonation scams such as the "grandparent scam" where fraudsters pose as relatives in distress asking for emergency money. Experts advise seniors to avoid sending money to unknown individuals, verify caller identities directly, and watch for red flags including urgency tactics, suspicious email addresses, and typos in communications.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-08
According to an FBI report, elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023, with victims aged 60 and over reporting over 101,000 incidents and suffering approximately $3.4 billion in total losses (averaging $33,915 per victim). Tech support scams were the most common type, while investment scams proved costliest at over $1.2 billion, with criminals increasingly using cryptocurrency to facilitate fraud. Local authorities emphasize that victims should verify payment requests directly with companies before sending money to prevent falling victim to these scams.
guampdn.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Senior citizens advised to be wary of scams
**Summary:** Acting Governor Josh Tenorio addressed the problem of online scammers targeting Guam's senior citizens during a Senior Citizens Month proclamation ceremony in May 2024. A large number of local seniors are falling victim to these online scams, prompting government officials to issue warnings and encourage vigilance among the elderly population.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FBI reported that Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support scams and investment schemes causing the most damage at $600 million and $1.2 billion respectively. Call center schemes were particularly devastating for seniors, accounting for nearly $770 million in losses and reportedly leading some victims to remortgage homes, drain retirement accounts, and in extreme cases, take their own lives. California reported the highest losses nationally at $620 million across over 11,000 complaints from elderly victims, and the FBI recommends seniors verify unsolicited contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspecte
fox5dc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Montgomery County are targeting seniors with cash-to-gold schemes, convincing victims that converting their savings into gold bars will protect them from fraud—a tactic that has resulted in over $55 million in losses nationwide from May to December 2023. A 26-year-old man was arrested after attempting to defraud an elderly victim of $200,000 by posing as a federal agent, while another suspect was indicted in a case where a 64-year-old woman lost $700,000; authorities note that scammers exploit gold bullion websites because these transactions appear routine compared to large cash or gift card withdrawals that trigger bank alerts.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating utility company representatives using increasingly aggressive tactics, including visiting homes to request computer access, photograph bills, or demand payment via pre-paid debit cards, while also using fake phone numbers to contact customers. Utility companies including NYSEG and RG&E warn that they never send representatives to homes for these purposes and advise customers to verify caller identity by contacting their provider directly, particularly during spring when elderly residents are commonly targeted. Victims should report scams to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
The Yahoo Boys, a loosely organized collective of thousands of scammers primarily based in West Africa, operate openly on social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, and YouTube, conducting romance scams, sextortion schemes, business email compromise, and AI-generated deepfake fraud that collectively total hundreds of millions of dollars annually. These cybercriminals openly share their identities, sell fraudulent scripts and fake identification documents, and coordinate their activities across dozens of groups with hundreds of thousands of combined members, with social media companies providing what experts describe as "free office space" for their criminal operations. While major platforms have removed many Yahoo Boys accounts after media scrut
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Emmanuel Quamey, a 36-year-old Ghanaian national, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for money laundering connected to romance scams that defrauded over a dozen vulnerable and elderly U.S. victims between September 2019 and March 2023. Quamey received and laundered approximately $3.8 million in fraud proceeds through multiple bank accounts in the United States and Ghana, and was ordered to pay $3.3 million in forfeiture and restitution to victims. Romance scams involve perpetrators posing as romantic partners on social media and dating websites to trick victims into sending money under false pretenses.
ajc.com
· 2025-12-08
Two retired law enforcement officers, Joe Gavalis (77) and Dan Flynn (72), volunteer with the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force Foundation to combat elder fraud and abuse in Georgia. Through their work with the foundation, they have facilitated over 60 training sessions for law enforcement, distributed consumer education guides to senior centers and community groups reaching approximately 8,000 people, and provide ongoing guidance to active officers on financial crime investigations. Their efforts address a critical gap, as most police officers in Georgia lack specialized training in investigating financial crimes against elderly citizens.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
A man posing as a federal agent was arrested in Montgomery County after attempting to con a senior citizen into converting approximately $230,000 in retirement savings into gold bars; the scam was thwarted when a friend intervened and convinced the victim to contact police before the handover. The suspect, identified as Ravinkle Mathon, was apprehended during a staged pickup where he received a decoy box filled with tools instead of gold bars. Authorities report this con has victimized over a dozen Montgomery County seniors in the past year and warn that legitimate law enforcement will never request cash-to-gold conversions.
njbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center released its 2023 Elder Fraud Report showing a 14% increase in complaints and 11% increase in losses targeting Americans over 60. New Jersey received 2,049 complaints from victims over 60, resulting in $104.1 million in losses (8th highest nationally), though the FBI notes actual fraud and losses likely exceed reported figures due to underreporting. FBI leadership emphasized that combatting elder financial exploitation remains a priority and urged the public to report all fraud incidents to help identify trends and support investigations.
fox26houston.com
· 2025-12-08
A mother-son duo from Houston were charged with defrauding an elderly couple of over $1 million through an elaborate scheme in which Regina Thomas posed as a nurse and later claimed federal authorities were investigating the couple for FEMA fraud. She then connected them with a fake attorney (actually her son Isaiah Thomas), who they paid for legal services, with the money being deposited into the son's account. Both face up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 fines per count if convicted.
sun-sentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida residents over 60 lost nearly $300 million to elder fraud in 2023, making the state the second-highest in the nation for elder fraud for at least the fourth consecutive year, according to an FBI report. The state's large elderly population makes it particularly vulnerable to fraudulent schemes targeting senior citizens.
tampabay.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 50 elderly Americans in Broward County fell victim to lottery scams between 2020-2021, losing more than $6.6 million collectively after being told they won prizes and asked to pay upfront fees for shipping and taxes. Florida ranked second nationally for elder fraud in 2023 with residents over 60 losing nearly $300 million, reflecting a broader U.S. trend where elderly victims lost $3.4 billion that year to investment fraud, romance scams, tech-support scams, and government impersonation schemes. The crimes remain significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment and fear of losing independence, with experts estimating only one-
indystar.com
· 2025-12-08
Indiana seniors over 60 reported $26.5 million in financial losses across approximately 1,170 fraud cases in 2023, driven primarily by investment schemes ($12 million), tech support fraud ($8.9 million), and romance scams. Nationally, seniors suffered over $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud being the most commonly reported crime type and investment scams proving the costliest. The FBI released this data to educate the public and prevent further victimization, noting that some victims have taken extreme measures such as remortgaging homes and depleting retirement accounts to cover losses.
rutherfordsource.com
· 2025-12-08
The Murfreesboro Police Department reported two sophisticated scams targeting elderly residents in March. A 75-year-old lost $138,000 after receiving fraudulent emails impersonating McAfee Services requesting wire transfers, while a 73-year-old lost $71,000 total ($28,000 wire transfer plus $11,000 in gift cards) after encountering a fake Microsoft/FTC ad on eBay that used false child pornography allegations to manipulate him into downloading remote access software and transferring funds. Police advise residents to remain skeptical of unsolicited communications and to hang up on suspicious calls.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Florida seniors lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2023, ranking the state second-highest in the nation for elderly fraud, according to FBI data showing over 101,000 seniors filed fraud complaints—a 14% increase from 2022. Tech support scams led reported incidents, while romance scams caused significant unreported losses, with victims often losing tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars due to shame and embarrassment. Law enforcement warns of evolving schemes including AI-assisted voice cloning and impersonation of law enforcement, urging seniors not to answer unknown numbers and to report suspicious activity through available channels.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Vidal Roquez, 39, from Providence, Rhode Island, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for his role in a grandparent scam that victimized at least thirteen seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, where he personally collected cash from victims after they were deceived into believing a relative needed bail money. He was sentenced to twelve months and one day in federal prison, ordered to pay $130,300 in restitution, and required to perform community service by educating senior citizen groups about the scam and fraud prevention after his release.
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
A Clark County jury found that a Camas woman, Joan Seedorff, was financially exploited by her daughter Jenny Purple and son-in-law Eugene Cosby, who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from her over several years to purchase homes and fund their personal lifestyle. The case illustrates that family member exploitation is a more common form of elder financial abuse than scams perpetrated by strangers. The verdict underscores the serious financial vulnerability many older adults face from those closest to them.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
New Mexico seniors reported losing over $17.7 million to scams in 2023, with the FBI receiving more than 750 complaints about elder fraud in the state. The most prevalent scam types include romance scams, tech support fraud, and cryptocurrency investment schemes, with scammers often posing as representatives from major companies or creating fake online relationships. The FBI recommends family members check in regularly with elderly relatives, watch for red flags like unsolicited calls from companies, and report suspected fraud immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from Americans over 60 last year, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, according to an FBI report. The FBI received over 100,000 complaints from older victims, with common schemes including tech support scams, romance fraud, investment fraud, and increasingly sophisticated courier-based schemes where criminals trick victims into withdrawing cash or precious metals for pickup. The rise in losses reflects organized criminal enterprises exploiting vulnerable populations through multiple tactics, with the FBI warning that actual losses are likely higher than reported.
dailyitem.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that scammers stole $3.4 billion from Americans aged 60 and older in 2023, with victims in that age group accounting for at least 11% of reported fraud complaints. Scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including tech support scams and targeting bank accounts, with some victims losing their entire life savings. The article provides recommendations to protect against fraud, including never sharing sensitive information over unsecured channels, monitoring accounts regularly, declining requests for immediate money transfers, and contacting authorities if a scam is suspected.
ladailypost.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, 759 New Mexico residents over age 60 lost more than $17.7 million to online fraud, with the costliest scams being confidence/romance schemes ($4.9 million), investment fraud ($4.6 million), and tech support scams ($3.1 million). The FBI emphasizes that older adults are vulnerable targets due to financial stability, potential isolation, and lower awareness of online threats, and urges seniors and families to educate themselves about these scams and report incidents through ic3.gov or their local FBI office.
thegardenisland.com
· 2025-12-08
Hawai'i seniors over 60 lost $27.96 million to fraud schemes in 2023, a dramatic increase from $10 million in 2021, with 453 complaints filed to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, ranking the state 37th nationally. The most common scams targeting older Americans include investment fraud, tech support schemes, romance cons, and extortion, with nationwide losses exceeding $3.4 billion in 2023. Law enforcement officials urge seniors and their families to report suspected fraud to the FBI and educate themselves about these schemes, noting that many cases go unreported.
theberkshireedge.com
· 2025-12-08
The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office is investigating at least two "grandparent scams" targeting senior citizens, in which fraudsters impersonate relatives in crisis situations and request money. Scammers obtain personal information through social media or purchased data, and now use AI voice-cloning technology to make the deception more convincing. Resources on protecting against this fraud type are available from the FCC and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Tennesseans over age 60 lost $43 million to scams in 2023, representing an 18% increase from 2022, with tech support fraud being the most common scheme and investment scams causing the largest financial losses at nearly $15 million. Nationally, elderly victims reported over $3.4 billion in losses across 101,068 complaints, reflecting a 14% increase in elder fraud, with romance scams and data breaches also significantly affecting seniors in Tennessee.
parkrapidsenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Minnesota's senior financial fraud investigator Lisa Lovering states that awareness of scam tactics reduces victimization risk by 80% and significantly loss severity by 40%. According to AARP's 2023 data, seniors lost $28.3 billion to elder exploitation and fraud, with those over 80 experiencing average losses of $1,674 compared to $548 for young adults, though underreporting is widespread. Lovering advises avoiding payments via cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to unknown contacts; being skeptical of unsolicited calls from government agencies or businesses; and recognizing common tactics like imposter scams, romance scams, and lottery schemes that
tucson.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole over $3.4 billion from Americans over age 60 last year, an 11% increase from the previous year, with the FBI receiving more than 100,000 complaints and nearly 6,000 victims losing over $100,000 each. Tech support scams remain the most common fraud, with criminals impersonating officials to convince victims their accounts are compromised and directing them to transfer funds or withdraw cash/gold for in-person courier pickup. The FBI warns that these increasingly sophisticated schemes represent organized, transnational criminal enterprises using romance scams, investment fraud, and other tactics that can leave vulnerable seniors financially destitute.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida seniors lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2023, ranking the state second-highest in the nation for elderly fraud, according to FBI data showing over 101,000 seniors filed fraud reports. Tech support scams led the reported incidents, though romance scams caused significant unreported losses, with victims losing life savings totaling tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Law enforcement warns seniors not to respond to unsolicited calls claiming to be from police or courts and advises reporting scams through local sheriff's offices.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Rental fraud has surged nationwide since the pandemic, with 93% of major apartment owners and managers reporting fraud in the past year, often involving individuals using false identities for criminal purposes such as drug dealing, property destruction, or sex trafficking. These fraudulent activities drive up rents for honest tenants, reduce affordable housing stock, and create safety concerns for residents and staff; small landlords are particularly vulnerable to losses they cannot absorb. The epidemic is partly attributed to pandemic-era eviction moratoriums that emboldened fraudsters, with fraudulent applications doubling from 15% to 29% between February and August 2020.
cw34.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida seniors lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2023, ranking the state second-highest in the nation for elderly fraud, according to FBI data showing over 101,000 seniors filed fraud reports. Tech support scams led the fraud types, though romance scams resulted in the largest individual losses (tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars), with many cases going unreported due to victim shame. Law enforcement warns seniors to avoid answering unknown calls and clarifies that legitimate authorities do not call ahead about warrants or missed jury duty.