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chroniclelive.co.uk
This educational article outlines eight common WhatsApp scams and prevention strategies. The scams include impersonation schemes (where fraudsters pose as family members or romantic interests), verification code theft, cryptocurrency and investment fraud, and malware distribution, with each targeting different types of personal information or money from victims. The key advice emphasizes verifying sender identity through independent channels, never sharing sensitive codes or personal data, researching investment opportunities thoroughly, and reporting suspicious activity to WhatsApp and authorities.
local.aarp.org
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sungazette.com
Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing House Bill 2064, which would allow banks to flag suspicious transactions, delay potentially fraudulent transfers, and share information with law enforcement and aging agencies to combat elder financial abuse. The legislation addresses a growing national problem—the National Council on Aging reported nearly 90,000 fraud complaints in 2022 totaling over $3 billion in losses, with common scams including grandparent fraud, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes. The bill aims to protect the state's aging population by giving financial institutions liability protections when they voluntarily report suspected exploitation and providing guardrails against high-pressure scams.
states.aarp.org
This educational piece highlights World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), which aims to raise global awareness about physical, emotional, and financial exploitation of older adults. AARP and Florida organizations are hosting multiple virtual and in-person events throughout June to educate seniors and caregivers on fraud prevention, scam recognition, and elder protection resources, with information available on the Florida Fraud Resource Page.
smh.com.au
A Melbourne couple lost approximately $300,000 to a sophisticated investment scam involving fraudulent HSBC representatives in March, recovering only $100,000 months later. The article explores the psychological aftermath of scams, highlighting that victims often experience prolonged shame, guilt, and self-blame despite being targets of crime, with societal attitudes and bank responses frequently exacerbating these emotional impacts. The piece emphasizes that scams cause lasting psychological trauma beyond financial loss and that victim-blaming culture discourages people from speaking about their experiences.
977wmoi.com
Josh Kramer, an investigator with the Monmouth Police Department, provides guidance for victims of common scams including cash prize, grandparent, social media, and imposter fraud. He advises victims to immediately contact their bank to report the incident and allow financial institutions to monitor for fraudulent use of personal information, while also emphasizing the importance of keeping device software updated to protect against scam-related security vulnerabilities.
cbc.ca
A Winnipeg man lost hundreds of dollars in a scam after Meta AI incorrectly verified a fake Facebook customer support phone number (1-844-457-0520) as legitimate. When he called the number to troubleshoot transferring his Facebook account to a new phone, the scammer gained access to his account and convinced him his IP address was hacked, then used remote access to his phone to fraudulently purchase a $500 Apple gift card via his PayPal account. The victim's wife recognized the scam and he was able to cancel his cards and reverse the charge, but the incident highlights the dangers of relying on AI verification tools for sensitive account support numbers.
cbsaustin.com
The City of Sunset Valley lost $12,000 in a phishing scam in March 2023 when someone impersonated a festival event planner and requested payment via a spoofed email. The fraudster, later identified as 66-year-old Cynthia Louis Dickinson, had compromised the vendor's email account and used prior communication history to make the request appear legitimate; Dickinson then transferred the funds from a coaching service account to her personal account.
powerretail.com.au
Delivery package scams are the most prevalent fraud affecting Australians, with 73% of survey respondents reporting receipt of fake delivery messages and over 25% falling victim to losses, including some exceeding $20,000. Over 80% of Australians receive between one to ten scam texts and calls weekly, with more than half initially believing fraudulent messages were legitimate before detecting the deception. Australia Post warns that scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and urges the public to verify communications, emphasizing that Australia Post never requests personal information, financial details, or payments via unsolicited contact.
ad-hoc-news.de
Globe Telecom in the Philippines implemented Mavenir's SpamShield messaging fraud prevention technology, which achieved a 67% year-on-year reduction in blocked spam and scam SMS messages (from 1.1 billion in Q1 2023 to 362.8 million in Q1 2024) and a 74% decline in bank-related scam messages. Customer-reported scam SMS incidents also fell 44% during the same period, demonstrating the technology's effectiveness in deterring fraudsters by raising technical barriers and reducing profit incentives for scammers.
news-journalonline.com
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 556 into law, which allows financial institutions to delay suspicious transactions from seniors aged 65+ or vulnerable adults for up to 15 business days (extendable to 30 days) while investigating potential fraud. The bill addresses the rising threat of scams targeting elderly Floridians, who lost nearly $294 million to fraud in 2023, with seniors nationwide losing over $3.4 billion that same year to schemes including fake calls, investment fraud, and romance scams. The law takes effect January 1, 2025, and requires banks to notify trusted contacts and develop employee training programs to identify and prevent financial exploitation.
nationalseniors.com.au
Criminals are targeting Australian Age Pension recipients with social media messages and online advertisements promising non-existent "bonus" payments of up to $1,800 from Centrelink, directing victims to fake websites designed to steal personal information. Services Australia warns seniors to only use official government websites and highlights multiple active scams affecting older Australians, including MyGov impersonation, Medicare fraud, fake disaster relief, COVID-19 schemes, and deepfake investment scams that have caused significant financial losses. The Australian government has allocated $67.5 million over four years to combat scamming, but individuals must remain vigilant about unsolicited messages and suspicious links.
katytimes.com
Members Choice Credit Union released awareness tips during Older Americans Month highlighting common scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, intimidation scams impersonating authorities, text message phishing, freebie schemes, and romance scams. The credit union recommends protective measures such as establishing family emergency passwords, verifying caller identities through separate communication channels, monitoring financial accounts for unusual activity, and utilizing resources like AARP's elder fraud guidelines.
thereporter.com
Nearly 750 senior citizens in Solano County reported financial abuse in the previous year, prompting Solano Public Health's Older and Disabled Adult Services to launch the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center website. The center provides prevention resources, educational materials on five key anti-scam strategies, and a reporting mechanism for fraud cases, while addressing three major fraud categories affecting the county: phone/mail fraud, internet/email/texting fraud, and family/caregiver fraud. Nationally, seniors lose over $3 billion annually to fraud, averaging $35,101 per victim.
macombgov.org
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office and Chase Bank are co-hosting two free educational presentations on June 18, 2024, to help seniors recognize and avoid scams. Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido will distribute an informational booklet covering common scams targeting seniors including identity theft, telemarketing fraud, internet fraud, home improvement fraud, and caregiver fraud, with discussions on recent financial scams and protective measures. The events are open to all Macomb County residents at two college campuses with no reservations required.
local.aarp.org
Three trending Medicare scams in 2024 include false billing for diabetes treatment and devices not received, fraudulent offers of free products that are cheap or never delivered, and fake genetic testing schemes at health fairs designed to steal Medicare numbers. Seniors are advised to scrutinize monthly Medicare statements, never share their Medicare number with unsolicited offers, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
murrayledger.com
In 2023, Americans older than 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses across more than 100,000 complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, with losses increasing 11% from 2022. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support and call center fraud ($1.3 billion in losses), phony investment schemes ($1.2 billion), and fake romance scams, with the particularly devastating "Phantom Hacker" scam draining victims of their life savings through multiple fraudulent personas. In Kentucky specifically, seniors reported $12.8 million in losses across 908 complaints, and the FBI notes that some victims have rem
businessinsider.com
Mastercard developed an AI fraud-detection system in partnership with UK banks (Lloyds, NatWest, TSB) to identify authorized-push-payment fraud, where scammers impersonate trusted figures to convince victims to transfer money. The AI system analyzes transaction patterns, account relationships, and suspicious behaviors in real-time to alert banks before fraud occurs, with results suggesting it could prevent an estimated £100 million ($126 million) in fraud losses across the UK banking sector if scaled broadly.
abnnewswire.net
Refundaroo, a financial recovery organization founded in 2020, helps scam victims worldwide retrieve stolen funds using a team of lawyers, forensic accountants, and ex-military personnel. The company has recovered over $5 million in 2023 alone and reports that Australian scam losses reached $2.74 billion in 2023, with investment scams causing the most harm at $1.3 billion. Refundaroo offers an online case-tracking portal and maintains a database to help individuals verify company legitimacy and avoid fraudulent schemes.
katytimes.com
Members Choice Credit Union released awareness tips for Older Americans Month highlighting common scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, intimidation scams impersonating authorities, text message scams, freebie scams, and romance scams. The organization provided prevention strategies for each scam type and recommended that family members monitor elderly relatives' financial activity, set up fraud alerts, encourage password changes, and utilize resources like AARP's elder fraud guidelines.
azcentral.com
According to an FTC report, scammers most frequently impersonate Best Buy's Geek Squad (52,000 reports in 2023), followed by Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House, using methods including fraudulent emails, phone calls, and social media to pressure victims into urgent action. Microsoft impersonators caused the highest financial losses, exemplified by a Mesa resident who lost nearly her entire life savings after being directed to a fake support line and tricked into depositing $25,000 in Bitcoin. Consumers can protect themselves by recognizing red flags such as demands for cryptocurrency payments, pressure to act immediately, and unsolicited contact, and should verify company ident
wbay.com
In 2023, scammers impersonated well-known companies in fraud schemes that cost consumers over $600 million, with Best Buy/Geek Squad being the most frequently impersonated company (52,000 reports, $15 million in losses) and Microsoft impersonation scams causing the largest financial impact ($60 million lost). The Federal Trade Commission finalized a new rule in April 2024 that strengthens enforcement tools against business impersonation scams, including the ability to file federal court cases to recover money for victims and impose civil penalties on violators.
whmi.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers about a widespread Venmo scam where fraudsters "accidentally" send money to users and then request repayment, exploiting stolen funds that are later reversed. The AG advised consumers never to return such funds and instead report the error to Venmo, as refunding money linked to fraudulent charges results in the innocent user bearing the financial loss. The alert also detailed other P2P payment app scams including impersonation of banks and merchants, and recommended consumers never share personal information and treat P2P payments like cash.
states.aarp.org
Medicare is a frequent target for criminal scammers, with the Senior Medicare Patrol reporting three prevalent scams in 2024: false billing for diabetes treatments and devices that were never received, offers of free products that are either never delivered or of poor quality, and fraudulent free genetic testing at health fairs used to obtain Medicare numbers. To protect themselves, beneficiaries should carefully review their monthly Medicare statements for unauthorized charges, never share their Medicare number with anyone except healthcare providers, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
tristatealert.com
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warned consumers about the rising threat of imposter scams that use sophisticated technologies, including AI-generated voices, to impersonate trusted figures such as government officials, bank representatives, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening fines or arrest, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams demanding payment for unnecessary repairs. To protect yourself, verify callers' identities by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, establish code words with family members, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, FTC, or AARP Fraud Watch
finance.yahoo.com
An AARP report found that 141.5 million U.S. adults (42%) have been victims of fraud, with those buying or selling homes facing elevated risk from cyber-thieves using peer-to-peer payment platforms, fake social media ads, and high-pressure tactics. Key protective measures include avoiding peer-to-peer payments with unknown vendors, using credit cards for online transactions, verifying service providers through official websites rather than unsolicited contacts, and confirming wire transfer instructions directly with legitimate lenders before sending funds.
independentri.com
Narragansett, Rhode Island police warned residents about increasing social media scams, including impersonation, extortion, identity theft, romance schemes, and sweepstakes fraud. Detective James Wass reported that while the number of reported cases fluctuated between 10-18 annually from 2020-2023, losses peaked in 2021 at $614,466 before declining, suggesting scammers may be targeting smaller payouts. The department advised residents to be skeptical of unsolicited sweepstakes and to resist pressure to act quickly.
washingtonexaminer.com
Pennsylvania's aging population faces growing elder fraud risk, prompting Rep. Joe Hogan to introduce House Bill 2064, which would allow banks to flag suspicious transactions, delay potentially fraudulent payments, and share information with law enforcement and area agencies on aging. The National Council on Aging reported nearly 90,000 fraud complaints in 2022 totaling over $3 billion in losses nationally, with common scams including government impersonation, grandparent schemes, and romantic fraud targeting vulnerable seniors. The legislation aims to protect elders through financial institution safeguards, public education, and coordination between banks and protective services.
justice.gov
Former Epsilon Data Management executives Robert Reger and David Lytle were convicted of conspiracy and mail/wire fraud for knowingly selling targeted consumer data lists to perpetrators of mass-mailing fraud schemes over a 10-year period. The defendants used Epsilon's algorithms to identify millions of consumers most vulnerable to fraud, including elderly people, and sold approximately 100 lists to fraudster clients who sent deceptive letters falsely promising cash prizes and wealth. The case demonstrates corporate accountability for facilitating consumer fraud through the misuse of personal data and targeting vulnerable populations.
witl.com
Scammers in Michigan are using Venmo and other peer-to-peer payment apps to defraud users by "accidentally" sending stolen money and then requesting it back; when Venmo's fraud detection catches the transaction, the recipient's account is charged back, leaving them liable for the loss. Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel advises recipients not to return such funds but instead contact Venmo support directly, and warns residents to avoid other P2P scams including fake fraud department calls and fraudulent bank alerts requesting personal information like Social Security numbers.
insurancenewsnet.com
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week educates beneficiaries, caregivers, families, healthcare providers, and community members on protecting themselves and others from Medicare fraud, which costs the program an estimated amount annually. Key prevention strategies include monitoring Medicare statements for unauthorized services, safeguarding Medicare numbers, reviewing medical equipment shipments, and reporting suspicious activity to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), which provides free resources and educational services to detect and report fraud, errors, and abuse. Individuals can contact the SMP at 1-800-963-5337 for questions and assistance with potential Medicare fraud concerns.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert regarding a widespread Venmo scam in which fraudsters "accidentally" send stolen funds to users and then request the money be returned, ultimately causing financial loss when the fraudulent charges are reversed. The alert advises consumers never to return such transfers and to contact the payment service instead, and outlines additional P2P payment scams including impersonation of banks, phishing for personal information, fake business payment requests, and stolen credit card schemes. Victims can file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission or Michigan's Attorney General office.
cbs58.com
A financial expert highlighted that criminals steal over $28 billion annually from seniors, noting that scammers often target older Americans due to their substantial savings and that most thefts are committed by acquaintances including family or caregivers. Three key red flags to watch for are sudden unexplained banking habit changes, unexpected alterations to financial documents, and unnecessary services. Legislation such as the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act is being pursued to help reduce senior fraud.
chicagofed.org
Financial scams targeting older adults are rising, and while seniors are not more likely to be scammed than younger people, they experience greater harm when victimized. The Chicago Federal Reserve convened experts who identified key vulnerabilities—including declining financial literacy masked by high confidence, social isolation, and emotional manipulation tactics used by scammers—and recommended strategies such as consulting trusted advisors, establishing power of attorney, recognizing urgency/secrecy red flags, and approaching victims with sensitivity to shame and resistance.
crestviewbulletin.com
Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (observed around June 5) educates Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers on protecting themselves from fraud, errors, and abuse through monitoring statements, protecting Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program offers free resources like My Health Care Trackers and educational support to help individuals detect and prevent Medicare fraud, which causes significant harm to both beneficiaries and the Medicare program.
fox43.com
A Dauphin County resident was scammed out of $20,000 in a grandparent scam where they received a phone call claiming a family member was in legal trouble and needed money urgently. An older man posing as a "courier" later collected the cash from the resident's home, though the family member was confirmed to be in no actual legal trouble. Lower Swatara Township Police are seeking surveillance footage from the area and note this scam primarily targets senior citizens.
pennwatch.org
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities hosted multiple educational presentations throughout June to help seniors and the public recognize and prevent financial fraud and elder abuse. Programs covered topics including elder financial abuse recognition, cybersecurity, identity theft prevention, and investment fraud awareness, with sessions delivered through interactive formats like Fraud BINGO in partnership with organizations such as AARP Pennsylvania and local libraries across the state.
azag.gov
**Summary:**
Ariell Dix, age 37, was convicted of two felonies related to illegal control of an enterprise and sentenced to three and a half years in prison for her role in an Arizona Medicaid (AHCCCS) fraud scheme. Dix helped establish fraudulent clinics, obtained patient lists for illegal billing, and falsified records to enable the scheme, which defrauded the state of tens of millions of dollars between January 2019 and September 2021.
mlive.com
A 70-year-old Jackson, Michigan woman was barred by federal court order in May 2024 from participating in romance scams after repeatedly serving as a "money transmitter" for fraudsters while also being victimized herself. Holly Locke received packages of money from scam victims and forwarded them to fraudsters she met online, beginning with someone in Ghana in 2022 who claimed to need funds for an orphanage; despite being warned by postal inspectors and signing a cease-and-desist order, she resumed the activity in May 2023 with new scammers met on Facebook. The consent decree, approved by U.S. District Judge Paul D.
desmoinesregister.com
John F. Clarke, 55, a Des Moines man who targeted single women on dating sites by posing under aliases and gaining access to their phones and credit to purchase and resell electronics, was sentenced to up to 15 years in prison in Black Hawk County for probation violations connected to felony theft and lottery theft charges, with additional cases pending in other counties. Clarke had an extensive criminal history spanning decades with nearly two dozen felonies, and his arrest in December came after victims reported him on social media and law enforcement discovered he had expanded his scheme to multiple states including Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
benzinga.com
**Summary:**
Canadian authorities warned of a surge in "pig butchering" romance scams operating on dating apps and websites, where scammers build relationships with victims before redirecting them to fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platforms. In 2023, Canadians lost $309.4 million to investment fraud, with $172 million stemming from social media-related scams, and globally, such schemes have caused an estimated $75 billion in losses since 2020. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization urge citizens to be wary of cryptocurrency investment discussions with online matches and to report suspected fraud to authorities.
wokv.com
In 2022, Florida's population aged 60 and over lost over $328 million to fraud, with 8,480 victims averaging $38,693 in losses per person—ranking the state ninth nationally. Investment scams were the most costly fraud type nationally ($400 million), followed by business impostor and romance scams, with online fraud and bank transfers being the primary methods used by scammers to target and steal from older adults.
nbcwashington.com
Unpaid toll text message scams are rapidly increasing, targeting drivers across the country by falsely claiming outstanding toll balances and directing recipients to fraudulent websites designed to steal credit card and personal information. To protect themselves, recipients should avoid clicking suspicious links, verify toll accounts directly through official state websites, and freeze credit with all three bureaus if compromised. The Identity Theft Resource Center and FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center track these incidents, which can result in identity theft and financial fraud.
nasdaq.com
An AARP report found that 141.5 million American adults (42%) have been victims of fraud, with those buying or selling homes facing heightened risk from scammers using peer-to-peer payment apps, fake social media ads, and high-pressure tactics. Common scams targeting homebuyers include fake service provider ads on social media, unsolicited home warranty solicitations, wire transfer fraud, and account hacking, with experts recommending consumers verify service providers through official channels, avoid peer-to-peer payment apps for unfamiliar vendors, use credit cards for online purchases when possible, and monitor accounts for suspicious activity.
therecord.media
Since January, cybercriminals have targeted college students and faculty with an advance fee scam offering free pianos, sending at least 125,000 messages claiming pianos were available due to circumstances like deaths in the family. When victims respond, scammers direct them to fake shipping company emails that request upfront payment via cryptocurrency or money transfer apps; once payment is sent, contact ceases. One Bitcoin wallet connected to the campaign contained over $900,000 in transactions, with researchers tracing at least one IP address to Nigeria.
autisticadvocacy.org
A scam using the Autism Society of America Network's (ASAN's) name and logo on a fraudulent Facebook account ("Madison Daniels") falsely recruits copywriters for a fake autism conference, sends counterfeit contracts, and then requests victims wire money to pay a supposed second contractor, promising overpayment via fake check. ASAN clarifies it has no upcoming conferences, does not recruit copywriters, and never asks contractors to pay other contractors; the organization has reported the account to Facebook and urges the public to verify any employment opportunities directly with ASAN.
news-leader.com
Scammers are impersonating toll collection services with phishing text messages claiming recipients owe small amounts (typically $12) with threats of large late fees ($50), directing them to fake payment links to steal personal and financial information. The Better Business Bureau received multiple reports of this scam in spring 2024, including cases targeting travelers in Illinois and Missouri, where scammers falsely claimed to represent toll agencies in states without toll roads or services. Consumers should verify toll balances directly through official agency websites or phone numbers rather than clicking unsolicited text links, and should report suspicious messages to BBB Scam Tracker or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wlos.com
This educational article addresses the rising trend of financial scams targeting elderly people and emphasizes that knowledge and community vigilance are key defenses. It recommends that seniors protect themselves by exercising caution with unsolicited communications, utilizing security software, maintaining strong passwords, monitoring financial statements regularly, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC and local authorities. The article also encourages families and communities to stay informed about common scams through trusted resources like the FBI and National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11).
actionnews5.com
The FTC reported over 330,000 impersonation scam complaints in 2023, with consumers losing $1.1 billion to fraudsters pretending to be businesses or government agencies. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to scrutinize email addresses for suspicious characteristics, verify suspicious communications directly with companies, and avoid providing payment information to unfamiliar entities, while encouraging reporting of suspicious emails and texts to the BBB Scam Tracker.
1011now.com
Two Lincoln businesses lost a combined $9,310 to phone scams targeting their employees: one employee purchased $6,000 in Sephora gift cards after communicating with a scammer via text, while another employee bought $3,310 in Bitcoin after receiving fraudulent calls and texts claiming to be from their supervisor. The Lincoln Police Department advises verifying caller identity by independently contacting the person they claim to be, and recommends filing a police report if scammed.