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punchng.com
Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, were arrested on charges of operating an online romance scam that defrauded at least 13 elderly Americans of approximately $3.1 million between 2015 and 2022. The couple, who resided in Fulshear, Texas, targeted widowed victims on social media and dating platforms, building trust before coercing them to transfer money to accounts they controlled. Both face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, with Akporugo facing additional charges including aggravated identity theft and fraud related to access devices.
finance.yahoo.com
The FTC identified the 10 companies most impersonated by scammers, including Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, PayPal, and major banks, with scammers using phone calls, emails, and social media to contact victims and requesting payment via gift cards, bank transfers, or Zelle. Gift cards from Apple, Target, eBay, Walmart, and Amazon were the most common payment method used in 2023, with social media scams resulting in the highest financial losses despite email and phone being more frequent contact methods. The FTC recommends verifying requests independently, avoiding unfamiliar links and caller IDs, and refusing to send money through single payment methods, while also suggesting protective
kplctv.com
A text scam circulating in Lake Arthur, Louisiana falsely claims recipients must appear in court and directs them to call "Pretrial Services of Acadia Parish" at an out-of-area number, threatening dispatch of local authorities. Lake Arthur Police Department advises residents to discard these messages and report them to Louisiana State Police, as the scam is designed to extract money or personal information from victims.
clarksvilleonline.com
The Better Business Bureau warns military members and veterans to be alert for scams around Memorial Day, which typically include high-priced military loans with hidden fees, fake rental properties using stolen photos, misleading vehicle sales targeting deployed soldiers, and fraudulent charities mimicking legitimate nonprofits. The BBB recommends avoiding wire transfers, protecting computers from phishing, placing active duty alerts on credit reports, researching businesses and charities before engaging, and reporting suspected fraud through BBB.org/Scamtracker.
columbiatribune.com
The Better Business Bureau has received multiple reports of phishing text messages impersonating toll collection services, demanding payment of small amounts (typically $12) with threats of larger late fees to trick travelers into clicking malicious links and providing personal or payment information. Scammers exploit the fact that road travelers may not track tolls closely, with recent cases including fake messages spoofing the Illinois Tollway and fraudulent "Missouri Toll Services" texts directing payments through SunPass, a Florida-based toll agency that does not operate in Missouri. To avoid these scams, consumers should independently verify outstanding tolls through legitimate agency websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited text messages.
pymnts.com
Dating app companies Bumble and Match are implementing stronger content moderation and identity verification tools in response to rising safety concerns among women users, including unsolicited explicit material and violent threats that have contributed to stock drops exceeding 80% over three years. While Bumble's AI system blocks 95% of fake and scam profiles, scammers are simultaneously using AI-powered impersonation to perpetrate romance scams, making it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish legitimate matches from fraudulent ones designed to groom victims.
ifamagazine.com
In 2023, £1.17 billion was stolen through fraud in the UK (£3.2 million daily), with a notable 50% increase in "authorised payment" scams where victims are tricked into sending money themselves. Romance scams reached record highs at £36.5 million stolen (up 17% year-on-year), with victims typically making an average of 10 payments to the same scammer, while bank reimbursement rates improved to 64p per pound lost. The figures likely underestimate total fraud as many victims, particularly in romance scams, fail to report due to embarrassment and emotional manipulation.
indiaherald.com
I cannot summarize this content as requested. This appears to be a collection of unrelated headlines and article links from a news/content aggregation website, rather than a coherent article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.
To provide an Elderus database summary, I would need an actual article or transcript focused on fraud, scams, or elder abuse targeting seniors. If you have such content, please share it and I'll be happy to create a concise 2-3 sentence summary.
ca.style.yahoo.com
Winnipeg and Manitoba experienced a 160% increase in cybercrime reports from 2015 to 2016 (rising from 123 to 321 cases in Winnipeg), significantly exceeding the national average of 34%, though police acknowledge many incidents go unreported due to victim embarrassment. Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and targeting diverse populations—from job seekers and romance scam victims to businesses through "spear phishing" schemes, such as the fraudulent email that cost an Edmonton university $11.8 million. Police advise verifying unusual requests for money or transfers with trusted colleagues and exercising caution when dealing with unknown parties online.
greaterkashmir.com
The Indian Embassy in Laos rescued and repatriated 13 Indian workers who were deceived by false employment promises and trapped in illegal work arrangements, bringing the total rescued from Laos to 428; the workers were found in a wood factory and a special economic zone. Indian authorities warn citizens against fraudulent overseas job offers, particularly those involving human trafficking networks that lure victims into cyber scams, money laundering, and cryptocurrency fraud, and advise using only authorized employment channels and conducting background checks on prospective employers in Southeast Asia.
theworldlink.com
Elderly Oregonians lost $44 million to internet scams in 2023, with FBI data showing a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints and an 11% rise in associated losses that year. The average victim aged 60 and older lost $33,915, with over $3.4 billion in total losses nationwide, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported type and investment scams causing the greatest financial damage at over $1.2 billion.
foxnews.com
An elderly woman in the tri-state area nearly lost $25,000 in an elaborate phishing scam involving fake Geek Squad invoices that escalated when the scammer showed up at her home to collect cash in person. The victim provided her bank account number and computer access after receiving a phishing email, then was pressured to withdraw $20,000 in cash based on a false claim of an accidental $25,000 refund; authorities arrested the scammer during the pickup. The article advises victims to verify subscriptions, track invoice patterns, contact companies through official websites, and watch for unprofessional language or threats from callers requesting sensitive information.
wrde.com
Delaware's House of Representatives unanimously approved House Bill 317, which requires gift card sellers to display warnings about scams targeting seniors, after more than 6,000 Delawareans fell victim to fraudsters impersonating government agencies and utilities in the past year. Victims lost over $700 each on average, contributing to $22.3 million in total fraud losses statewide, ranking Delaware 4th nationally for fraud reports. The bill now awaits Senate consideration.
clintonherald.com
**Jury Duty/Court Warrant Scam**
Scammers impersonating Clinton County deputies are calling victims claiming they missed a court appearance and have an arrest warrant, demanding immediate payment of $3,000-$6,000 in Bitcoin through nearby kiosks to post bond. This is the top fraud-related call currently reported to law enforcement in Clinton County, with multiple victims caught in recent weeks; scammers spoof Iowa phone numbers, keep victims on the line, and falsely promise refunds if the victim claims they never received a subpoena.
birminghammail.co.uk
An identity theft victim in Birmingham discovered fraudsters had stolen their personal details to purchase a Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra phone (£1,099) from Curry's in London using a fake contract in their name, only realizing the fraud after receiving suspicious emails from Curry's and Vodafone over a 36-hour period. The victim successfully reported the fraud to Vodafone, avoided financial loss, though experienced temporary credit rating damage, and now emphasizes the importance of immediately verifying suspicious communications rather than dismissing them as phishing scams. The incident highlights that identity fraud remains the most common type of fraud in the UK, with Cifas reporting over 237,000
keysnews.com
Romance scams cost consumers $1.3 billion in 2022, with cybercriminals cultivating online relationships for months before requesting money. Experts recommend moving relationships slowly, watching for red flags (requests to move off dating apps, refusal to video call, generic terms of endearment), conducting reverse image searches on profile photos, and avoiding any money transfers or financial exchanges with people you have not met in person.
sudbury.com
Fraud losses in Canada surged from approximately $165 million in 2020 to $569 million in 2023, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, though officials estimate actual losses may be 10-20 times higher since only 5-10% of victims report incidents. Common scams include grandparent schemes and romance fraud, with fraudsters increasingly leveraging generative AI, making phishing attacks a daily threat for Canadians with email and cellphones.
arabnews.pk
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) launched a new "Account Finder" service to help retail banking customers verify account ownership and reduce risks of unauthorized access, impersonation, and suspicious transactions. The initiative is part of SAMA's broader efforts to combat financial fraud in Saudi Arabia, where a joint study with Interpol identified five major types of fraud affecting Arab countries—including investment scams, business email compromise, romance scams, and sextortion—with fraudulent sites receiving over 137,000 daily visits from potential victims.
boothbayregister.com
**Summary:**
AARP warns of three prevalent Medicare scams in 2024: false billing for services not rendered (such as diabetes treatments for non-diabetic patients), fraudulent "free product" offers that deliver cheap or no items, and free genetic testing schemes at health fairs designed to steal Medicare numbers. Consumers should protect themselves by carefully reviewing Medicare statements, never sharing their Medicare number with unsolicited callers, and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network.
whig.com
The Better Business Bureau received multiple reports in spring 2024 of phishing text messages impersonating toll collection services, claiming recipients owe small amounts (typically $12) with threats of larger late fees ($50) to trick them into clicking malicious links and entering personal or payment information. Scammers exploit the likelihood that travelers won't track tolls closely, using fake URLs and spoofed agency names; consumers should verify any toll balance directly through the legitimate agency website or phone number rather than clicking unsolicited text links.
cnet.com
In 2023, Best Buy and Geek Squad were the most impersonated companies in scams, with approximately 52,000 FTC reports, followed by Amazon (34,000 reports) and PayPal (10,000 reports). However, Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams resulted in significantly higher financial losses—$60 million and $49 million respectively—as scammers typically claimed software had expired or computers were infected, then requested payment or personal information through untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. Best Buy advised consumers to verify contact through official channels and report suspected fraud to the company and local authorities.
wbiw.com
This article outlines six common PayPal scams affecting thousands of users in 2024, including fake payment confirmation emails, fraudulent invoices, accidental transfer schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, shipping address manipulation, and misuse of the "Friends and Family" payment option. The piece provides practical prevention advice for each scam type, emphasizing direct verification with PayPal, avoiding unsolicited links, and using secure payment categories for transactions with unknown parties.
abc7chicago.com
**Summary:**
The National Insurance Crime Bureau warns consumers to be cautious of contractor fraud, particularly after severe weather events when homeowners are eager to rebuild. Key prevention steps include contacting your insurance company first, verifying contractor licensing, obtaining multiple quotes, avoiding door-to-door solicitors, researching reviews online, getting all agreements in writing, and paying with credit cards to enable charge disputes if needed.
alicetx.com
Young adults and recent graduates are increasingly targeted by employment scams, particularly during summer hiring season. These scams typically involve fraudulent job offers that request personal information or upfront payments from job seekers before employment begins. The Better Business Bureau advises job applicants to verify company legitimacy, avoid positions requiring advance fees, and be cautious of communications with spelling errors or unprofessional language.
finance.yahoo.com
Cryptocurrency scams resulted in over $24 million in losses during 2023, with common schemes including high-yield investment scams (Ponzi schemes), phishing attacks on fake trading platforms, and impersonation of celebrities or authorities. Users are advised to verify investment authenticity, access platforms only through official channels, avoid suspicious links, use strong cybersecurity software, and authenticate payment requests through official channels before providing personal information or funds.
theworldlink.com
**Elder fraud targeting Oregonians increased significantly in 2023, with individuals aged 60 and older losing $44 million in that state alone and $3.4 billion nationally—a 14 percent increase in complaints and 11 percent increase in losses compared to 2022.** Tech support scams were the most commonly reported type of elder fraud, while investment scams caused the highest losses at over $1.2 billion; other prevalent schemes included romance scams, government impersonation, and cryptocurrency fraud. The average elderly victim lost $33,915, with over 101,000 Americans aged 60+ reporting elder fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime
currypilot.com
Internet scams targeting elderly Oregonians increased significantly in 2023, with individuals aged 60 and over losing $3.4 billion nationally and $44 million in Oregon alone, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center report. Over 101,000 victims aged 60+ reported fraud to the IC3, with tech support scams being most common and investment scams causing the largest losses (over $1.2 billion). Local law enforcement in Oregon has also documented cases involving seniors being defrauded of homes and retirement savings through online scams and identity theft.
9to5mac.com
In 2023, US residents over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with 87% of losses linked to personal information theft obtained from data brokers. Fraudsters use sophisticated tools and stolen personal data harvested from people-search websites and data brokers to target older Americans with scam calls that lead to financial fraud and identity theft. Removing personal information from data broker databases reduces vulnerability to these targeted scams.
onlineathens.com
A 32-year-old Athens woman lost $30,000 to a scammer impersonating a Clarke County Sheriff's Office officer who threatened her with jail time for a missed court appearance and instructed her to send money via bitcoin ATM. The victim made three cash withdrawals totaling $29,000 and followed instructions to claim the withdrawals were for a car purchase at her bank. The FTC reports that government impersonation scams remain among the top frauds reported, with nearly 160,000 such cases in 2023, and advises victims never to trust demands for gift cards, bitcoin transfers, or money moves from anyone claiming to be a government agency or business.
europeansting.com
Romance fraud is a large-scale international crime generating approximately $1 trillion in profits by exploiting people's desire for love through technology and deception. Cecilie Fjellhøy, featured in Netflix's 'The Tinder Swindler,' was defrauded of £200,000 in 54 days by a scammer posing as a wealthy CEO who used elaborate schemes including fake entourages and staged emergencies to manipulate her into taking loans. The article highlights the challenge of combating romance fraud globally, noting that while 40% of all crime is fraud, only 1% of police resources are allocated to combat it, and victims often face additional trauma through
bhamnow.com
A Birmingham FBI agent specializing in financial crimes identified six common scams targeting seniors in Alabama—including lottery/sweepstakes, tech support, romance, grandparent, home improvement, and government impersonation scams—noting that elder fraud is rising in the state and that scammers create artificial urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions. The article advises seniors and their families to secure social media accounts, seek second opinions before acting on urgent requests, and contact law enforcement if targeted, while noting that many victims don't report scams due to shame, embarrassment, or fear of retaliation.
rocklandreport.com
The article excerpt provided does not contain sufficient information about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse to summarize. While the final line mentions "a phone scam in which callers impersonate," the details about what type of scam it is, who was targeted, how much money was involved, and the outcome are cut off. Please provide the complete article text for an accurate summary.
pagosasun.com
This is an educational awareness piece announcing a Medicare fraud prevention event scheduled for June 6 at the Pagosa Senior Center, presented by the Archuleta County Sheriff's Office and San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging. Medicare fraud costs the program an estimated $60 billion annually and has devastating impacts on beneficiaries, families, and caregivers through lost time, stress, and compromised medical identities. The article provides practical prevention advice for beneficiaries, caregivers, families, healthcare providers, and community members, including monitoring insurance statements, protecting Medicare numbers, reviewing statements for unauthorized medical equipment shipments, and reporting concerns to the Senior Medicare Patrol program.
infosecurity-magazine.com
Romance scams affect thousands annually, with at least 31% of Americans encountering romance scammers who create fake identities on dating apps to build emotional trust before soliciting money. The average loss per incident reached £6,937 ($8,812) in 2023, with victims aged 65-74 losing the highest amounts (averaging £13,123/$16,670), and women reporting higher average losses than men despite men comprising 52% of victims. Banks play a critical role in detection and prevention through data analysis and fraud prevention technologies, particularly as scammers increasingly use Authorized Push Payment Fraud methods to extract funds from emotionally manipulated victims.
kiplinger.com
Reports of job-related scams to the Better Business Bureau more than doubled in 2023, with the FTC logging over 107,000 fraudulent job opportunities resulting in approximately $491 million in losses. Scammers use artificial intelligence and social media to target job seekers with "work from home" schemes, extracting personal information for identity theft or requesting up-front payments. Key warning signs include recruiters asking for Social Security numbers or bank account information before discussing the position, and victims should verify job offers through legitimate company contact information rather than recruiter-provided links.
searchlight.vc
St. Vincent and the Grenadines police have warned residents about rising online financial scams, particularly romance scams involving fake identities (catfishing) and phishing attacks targeting confidential information. Victims are predominantly older persons in their late 40s to 50s, with local law enforcement receiving reports of these incidents twice monthly. Authorities advise downloading apps only from official app stores and caution the public about fraudulent emails and websites, noting that identity-related crimes can result in fines up to $200,000 or three years imprisonment under the 2016 Cyber Crime Act.
ftc.gov
Scammers frequently impersonate well-known companies like Best Buy's Geek Squad, Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House to deceive victims, with Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams resulting in the highest reported losses in 2023. While email and phone calls are the most common contact methods, scammers achieve the largest financial losses through social media-initiated investment scams paid via cryptocurrency or bank transfers, along with romance and tech support scams demanding payment through gift cards (particularly Apple gift cards). The FTC advises consumers to verify unexpected communications through official channels, avoid clicking links from unknown sources, and refuse payment methods that scammers insist
atlantanewsfirst.com
Scammers exploit Memorial Day by impersonating military and veteran charities, using high-pressure donation solicitation tactics to target Georgia's large military population. According to the 2024 BBB Risk Report, active-duty military members are 29% more susceptible to scams than the general population, with median losses of $491 per victim in 2022—more than double the general population's median loss of $163. To protect themselves, potential donors should avoid high-pressure calls, ask charities for their mission statement and fund allocation details, and verify organizations through resources like Charity Navigator before donating.
chroniclejournal.com
Thunder Bay police are warning residents about two scams: one involving mailed letters falsely claiming personal information was leaked on the dark web and requesting victims to call a number to provide personal details, and another using emails about unauthorized recurring charges to solicit contact information and financial details. Both scams may escalate to requesting wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments, and police recommend vulnerable individuals and their family members be alerted to these threats.
wrat.com
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers about fake streaming service activation scams targeting Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and PBS Passport users through fraudulent emails and text messages with lookalike websites designed to steal personal information or distribute malware. Scammers exploit the familiarity of legitimate subscription communications by creating official-looking prompts to "activate" or "update" accounts, tricking new or returning subscribers into clicking malicious links. The BBB recommends verifying official URLs before clicking links, avoiding sponsored search results, and never entering login credentials on unofficial sites or sharing passwords with customer service representatives.
woub.org
Scammers in Athens, Ohio impersonated local police officers, including using real officers' names and spoofed phone numbers, to convince residents they had outstanding warrants and demanded payment of legal fees. The Athens Police Department noted this was the first time scammers used actual officer names, and similar donation-based scams were also reported by the Nelsonville Police Department; authorities indicate these calls typically originate overseas and are difficult to trace. Victims are advised to report losses to the Federal Trade Commission and unwanted calls to DoNotCall.gov.
discoverhumboldt.com
Saskatchewan RCMP is warning the public about text message scams impersonating the Saskatchewan Traffic Safety Bureau, claiming recipients have been caught speeding in school zones and must click a link to avoid court. The RCMP advises recipients not to respond to or click links in unsolicited messages, to block the sender immediately, and to report suspected scams to local RCMP detachments or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
goldrushcam.com
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested in San Diego for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors using a layered scam involving fake tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation. A 63-year-old Poway victim was tricked into withdrawing $28,000 after being told his computer had viruses and his bank account had unauthorized transfers; investigators found evidence Liu had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and $1 million fine.
refinery29.com
This article presents four real scam experiences and lessons learned. The cases include: fake concert ticket fraud ($amount unspecified, victim recovered funds), a camera sale scam ($3,000 loss via fake verification email), a money-flipping scheme involving a former roommate ($350 dispute), and a fake tattoo deposit scam ($200 loss). Common tactics across these incidents include creating artificial urgency, using trusted platforms and social media, impersonation, and exploiting personal relationships—with victims learning to verify legitimacy, act quickly on disputes, and question unusual requests even from seemingly credible sources.
mtlblog.com
A young tech-savvy Montreal resident fell victim to a scam perpetrated by Appliance Repair Expert (a Canada-wide company) when hiring them to repair a dryer in November 2023, despite checking online reviews beforehand. The author identifies six key lessons for avoiding similar scams, including recognizing that online reviews can be manipulated with fake positive ratings, and emphasizes that sophisticated scams increasingly target people of all ages and tech-savviness levels, with a 2023 Ipsos poll showing 43% of Canadians have been victimized by fraud.
hbcubuzz.com
A college student testified before Congress about losing $2,400 in a job scam conducted through Zelle, a payment app owned by seven major U.S. banks, highlighting the platform's lack of fraud protection and difficulty reaching customer service. Lawmakers criticized Zelle for providing inadequate reimbursement policies compared to other payment apps and called on the banks to take greater responsibility for preventing fraud, though some questioned whether shutting down Zelle would solve the broader problem of scammers using alternative payment methods. Zelle responded by emphasizing its consumer education efforts and calling for coordinated government action to combat fraud across all payment platforms.
dailydot.com
A viral TikTok scam prompted an expert on fine print to expose a fraudulent Sephora gift card scheme that has deceived thousands of users. The scam uses a stolen identity (@emma__rosey, impersonating Sequoia Cathron) to post misleading content directing victims to a fake Sephora site, which then redirects them to RewardZone USA, LLC—a company that harvests personal data including financial, health, Medicare, and biometric information to sell for profit. The expert warns viewers not to interact with such content and emphasizes that most victims fail to read privacy policies, making them vulnerable to identity theft and data exploitation.
monroenews.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel presented consumer protection information to seniors at the Frenchtown Center for Active Adults, covering common scam tactics including urgent requests, fake personal connections, financial demands, and unusual payment methods like gift cards. Nessel highlighted emerging threats such as spoofing technology that uses AI to impersonate friends and family, and rising check fraud, while recommending protective measures including strong privacy settings, password changes, two-factor authentication, credit card use, and reporting suspicious communications. The presentation emphasized that seniors are vulnerable targets and encouraged attendees to stay informed rather than fearful by asking verification questions and remembering that legitimate government agencies contact citizens by mail, not phone.
wcyb.com
Financial scams targeting seniors are rising, with the FBI reporting that scams cost 80,000 seniors $3.1 billion in 2022. The Smyth County Chamber of Commerce hosted an Older Americans Day event where Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares and local law enforcement warned residents about common scams—including phone calls impersonating banks or loved ones—and emphasized never sharing personal financial information unsolicited. Officials advised victims to contact the Attorney General's Office or call 911, and encouraged a "trust, but verify" approach to any requests for sensitive data, particularly given emerging threats from artificial intelligence that can mimic voices.
applevalleynewsnow.com
Seniors in the Yakima Valley are increasingly targeted by scammers, with those over 60 reporting over $3.4 billion in losses to the FBI's IC3 in 2023, an 11% increase from the prior year. Common scams include romance schemes (such as a 75-year-old woman who lost $25,000-$30,000 in gift cards to an imposter), grandparent scams, and fake investment schemes promising quick returns in cryptocurrency. Scammers exploit seniors' vulnerabilities including loneliness, cognitive decline, and free time online, with artificial intelligence expected to make future scams more sophisticated and believable.