Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
14,184 results
in Scam Awareness
floridatoday.com
A Florida opinion piece highlights the prevalence of elder fraud targeting Space Coast seniors, featuring the case of 80-year-old Judy Kirk who nearly fell victim to a tech support scam demanding $25,000. According to FBI data, seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with Florida ranking second nationally; common scams affecting state residents include tech support, investment, romance, gift card, and roofing schemes. The article emphasizes that while Kirk avoided financial loss by sensing something wrong at the last moment, many of her peers were successfully scammed, underscoring the need for elder awareness and vigilance.
tech.hindustantimes.com
A 37-year-old woman in Navi Mumbai lost ₹54 lakh in an online investment scam between May 7-10, after being lured with promises of freelance work rating restaurants and subsequently coerced into transferring funds with false assurances of high returns. The victim reported the fraud to cyber police, and a case was registered against four unidentified perpetrators. The incident highlights the importance of verifying job opportunities through established platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, avoiding unfamiliar links, and refraining from sharing sensitive information with unknown online contacts.
kroc.com
In 2023, the FTC reported that Americans lost over $10 billion to scams, with Minnesota residents falling victim to various schemes including law enforcement impersonation, phishing emails, social media fraud, and fake streaming service emails. The article provides awareness of common scams while promoting a free document shredding event in Rochester, Minnesota on May 22, 2024, co-hosted by AARP and the Better Business Bureau to help residents safely dispose of sensitive documents and protect against identity theft.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 37-year-old pregnant woman in Navi Mumbai, India lost over Rs 54 lakh (approximately $65,000 USD) in a work-from-home scam between May 7-10, after fraudsters promised payment for rating companies and restaurants but disappeared after she made multiple advance payments. The Navi Mumbai cyber police registered a case against four unidentified individuals under the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act, and the incident highlights the dangers of online scams targeting those seeking remote income opportunities. The article advises verifying company legitimacy through research, avoiding unsolicited work-from-home offers on social media, never paying upfront fees, and being skeptical of
collins.senate.gov
U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Kyrsten Sinema introduced a bipartisan resolution that unanimously passed the Senate to designate May 15, 2024, as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day." According to FBI data, seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023—an 11% increase from 2022—through various schemes including tech support, romance, and cryptocurrency scams. The resolution aims to raise awareness and help protect seniors' savings from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
nerdwallet.com
Older adults are increasingly targeted by financial scams, with losses reaching $3.4 billion in the past year—an 11% increase from the previous year, with an average loss of $33,915 per victim. Scammers target this demographic because they typically have savings and assets, are more trusting, and less likely to report fraud, with tech support scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams being most common. Protective measures include adopting basic data hygiene practices (using secure websites, strong passwords, two-factor authentication), verifying unsolicited contacts directly with known sources, establishing multiple trusted contacts to monitor accounts, and reducing stigma around reporting scams.
cbs6albany.com
Two Albany residents, Amber Diacetis (30) and Devin Zielinski (33), were arrested for allegedly stealing over $200,000 from an 86-year-old state pensioner by becoming his live-in caregiver and convincing him to let them manage his bills, which they failed to pay for four years while using the money for personal expenses. The victim's home went into foreclosure, his vehicle was repossessed, and he lived without utilities or plumbing while isolated and unaware of the theft. The case highlights a broader problem, as people over 60 experienced $3.4 billion in elder fraud losses in 2023, an 11%
nasdaq.com
Losses from scams targeting adults age 60 and older reached $3.4 billion last year—an 11% increase from the prior year—with an average loss of $33,915 per victim, according to FBI data. Older adults are frequently targeted through tech support scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams because they often have substantial assets and may be more trusting and less likely to report fraud. Experts recommend protective measures including strong data hygiene practices, using credit cards for online purchases, verifying unsolicited communications directly with trusted sources, establishing account oversight with multiple trusted contacts, and fostering open conversations about scams to reduce shame and encourage reporting.
jdsupra.com
In 2023, elderly Americans lost over $3.4 billion to fraud, with the FBI reporting an 11% increase in elder fraud losses compared to 2022, and the DOJ charging 16 defendants in April 2024 connected to a scam defrauding hundreds of seniors. Common schemes include tech support fraud, government impersonation, and "grandparent scams" where perpetrators use spoofed phone numbers to impersonate distressed relatives or officials, convincing victims to wire money. To mitigate losses, experts recommend regular elder check-ins with financial account monitoring, restricting wire transfers by amount or location, and implementing verbal verification protocols before funds are transferre
yahoo.com
The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office has launched an online fraud complaint form to help seniors report suspected scams, which are increasingly targeting older adults through schemes like fake lotteries, tech support scams, and romance/grandparent scams. According to FBI data, seniors over 60 reported $3.4 billion in financial fraud losses in 2023, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. The A.G.'s office urges seniors to protect themselves by avoiding sharing personal information unsolicited, verifying emails before clicking links, and rejecting high-pressure payment requests.
lfpress.com
Romance scams involve fraudsters posing as romantic interests online to manipulate victims into sending money, personal information, or cryptocurrency, often citing emergencies or investment opportunities. Recent cases in Ontario have resulted in significant losses, including one victim losing over $2 million and a Toronto woman losing $450,000; nationally, nearly 800 Canadians lost almost $42 million to romance scams in 2023, with one in four victims in their 60s. Protection strategies include avoiding sharing personal or banking information with online strangers, refusing to invest in unfamiliar platforms, and being wary of people who confess love quickly or consistently make excuses to avoid meeting in person.
states.aarp.org
AARP Illinois is hosting a monthly virtual fraud prevention series featuring expert speakers including the Better Business Bureau, with the first session on May 28 addressing general fraud protection strategies and upcoming sessions covering specific scam types such as travel fraud, mail fraud, internet fraud, romance scams, healthcare scams, and holiday scams. The program aims to educate participants on recognizing and avoiding common fraud schemes to protect their personal information and financial security.
money.com
Young job seekers, particularly students seeking remote work, are being targeted in "money mule" scams where fraudsters trick them into transferring stolen money through their bank accounts, digital wallets, or cryptocurrency accounts. These scams often originate from lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams, and unwitting participants can face identity theft and potential criminal charges for money laundering. The Justice Department took action against over 3,000 money mules in the past year, with criminal charges brought against more than 20 serious offenders, including a case involving three people charged for recruiting college students to launder approximately $7 million from elderly tech fraud victims over three years.
nbcmontana.com
The IRS warned of widespread tax scams involving false claims for fuel tax credits, sick and family leave credits, and household employment taxes, which social media posts and scam artists have misrepresented as pathways to large refunds. Taxpayers who file fraudulent or frivolous claims face penalties up to $5,000 per return, audits, and potential criminal prosecution, with the IRS having already frozen refunds for thousands of affected filers. To avoid such scams, taxpayers should use reputable tax software, consult certified tax professionals, or seek assistance from IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs rather than relying on social media advice.
iowastartingline.com
A Central Iowa woman nearly fell for a sophisticated jury duty scam in which a caller impersonated a Polk County sheriff's sergeant, provided her correct personal information, and falsely claimed she had missed jury duty and had a warrant for her arrest. The scammer spoofed the sheriff's office phone number and used detailed personal data found online to appear credible, but the victim's husband identified red flags including incorrect county information and the demand for payment. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, these scams are increasingly common and difficult to investigate; legitimate fines for missed jury duty are only imposed by judges in court, never by law enforcement over the phone.
bgindependentmedia.org
Bowling Green Police reported eight scams in a single week, increasingly targeting young people alongside traditional elderly victims. Common schemes included fake vehicle sales on Facebook Marketplace requiring deposit payments via gift cards or Bitcoin, impersonation of federal agents, sextortion involving nude photos, and fake bond payment requests. Police advise residents to trust their instincts, verify purchases in person, consult trusted contacts before acting, and resist pressure for immediate payment or photo sharing, noting that alert business employees have helped prevent some losses by identifying suspicious large purchases of gift cards and cryptocurrency.
chicago.suntimes.com
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau distributed $15 million in compensation checks to 13,413 Illinois residents who were victims of an online lending scam by Texas-based company Think Finance, which collected payments on loans that were legally void under state interest rate caps and licensing requirements. The settlement, part of a larger $384 million payout across 17 states to 191,000 victims, resulted from a 2017 lawsuit against Think Finance for making illegal electronic withdrawals and debt collection calls on non-existent debts. Affected Illinois residents received an average of $1,100 per check from the CFPB's victims relief fund.
wetaskiwintimes.com
Wetaskiwin RCMP warned the public of an active grandparent scam in the community where victims have lost six-figure amounts of money. Scammers impersonate judges, lawyers, or police officers claiming a family member is incarcerated and needs bail money, sometimes using AI-generated voice replications of victims' loved ones. Police emphasized that bail is never paid by phone, courts and police will not request payments or personal information by phone, and victims should verify claims by contacting the relevant agency directly.
sanfernandosun.com
On National Senior Fraud Awareness Day, the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program, led by Adrienne Omansky, provided elder fraud prevention guidance to Los Angeles seniors. The program recommends a "Take Five, Tell Two" approach where seniors pause before responding to suspicious requests and discuss them with two people, while warning against emerging AI-based scams that clone relatives' voices, wire transfers via gift cards, and sharing personal information. According to FBI data cited in the article, elderly scam victims increased 84% between 2021 and 2022, with hundreds of thousands of cases annually representing over $3 billion in annual losses.
boston25news.com
Massachusetts residents over age 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022, with 1,653 victims averaging $42,408 in losses each, according to VPNPro's analysis of FBI and FTC data. Seniors in the state were 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults, with investment scams, business imposter scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types. Experts recommend that adult children have conversations with elderly parents about fraud red flags and caution them against providing personal or financial information over the phone or through unusual payment methods.
finance.yahoo.com
Massachusetts residents over age 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022, with 1,653 victims averaging $42,408 in losses per person, according to an analysis of FBI and FTC data by VPNPro. Seniors aged 60 and older were 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults, with investment scams, business imposter scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types. Experts recommend that families discuss fraud prevention with elderly relatives, including warning signs such as requests for unusual payment methods, pressure to act quickly, and unsolicited offers.
delawarelive.com
Delaware's elderly population lost over $14 million to fraud in 2022, with 305 victims aged 60 and over suffering average losses of $45,977 each, according to FBI data analyzed by cybersecurity experts. The state recorded 106.6 fraud victims per 100,000 elderly residents, with investment scams, business impostor schemes, and romance scams being the most costly types nationally, while those aged 60 and over were 517% more likely to fall victim to tech support scams than younger adults.
mynewsla.com
The Los Angeles City Council recognized National Senior Fraud Awareness Day by honoring the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program, which educates seniors on fraud prevention in communities like Fairfax District and Lincoln Heights. According to the FBI, elderly scam victims increased 84% between 2021 and 2022, with hundreds of thousands of cases annually resulting in over $3 billion in losses, highlighting the need for community-based protective efforts and awareness campaigns.
wlbt.com
According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, online scams accounted for 70% of all fraud reports, with cryptocurrency scams emerging as the riskiest type (median loss of $3,800) and employment scams ranking second (median loss of nearly $2,000). Young adults aged 18-24 reported the highest median dollar losses, while social media scams increased 63.8% and online purchase fraud affected over 80% of victims who lost money.
wtsp.com
A Florida woman received an unsolicited genetic testing kit with her Medicare information and was contacted by someone claiming to represent the lab offering "free" testing covered by Medicare—a common healthcare fraud scheme. Scammers target seniors at public venues and through mail to obtain Medicare numbers for identity theft and fraudulent billing, with false claims sometimes reaching thousands of dollars; Medicare only covers genetic testing when ordered by a patient's physician and deemed medically necessary. Victims are protected from liability if investigations confirm their non-participation, with the burden shifting to the fraudulent provider instead.
newlinesmag.com
A 36-year-old Indian woman named Jhumpa Biswas was targeted by a romance scammer posing as "Mark Anthony," a Scottish cosmetic surgeon who initiated contact via Instagram with flattering messages. Over weeks of increasingly intimate communication across social media and WhatsApp, the scammer built emotional trust through romantic gestures, personal attention, and carefully crafted backstory, exploiting Biswas's limited romantic experience and emotional vulnerability. The article details how the scammer's grooming tactics—including flattery, validation, and demonstrations of care—set the stage for financial exploitation that would follow.
hanfordsentinel.com
CBS News's "Anything for Love" series documented romance scams on dating apps that facilitate human trafficking, including the case of 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who was coerced into financial fraud by a trafficker and was later found dead. The FBI warned in March 2020 that dating apps are being exploited by sex traffickers to target vulnerable people, including children, with an estimated 27.3 million people globally trafficked annually generating $150 billion in profits, and dating app companies have resisted implementing basic safety measures such as background checks and age verification despite multiple convictions of traffickers using their platforms. The author calls for Congress to enact regulations requiring dating
miaminewtimes.com
In 2023, romance scams resulted in over 64,000 reports and $1.1 billion in losses, predominantly affecting elderly victims who were deceived by scammers posing as romantic partners on dating apps and social media. Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Florida, was arrested and sentenced to 30 months in prison for laundering nearly $3 million from romance scams by funneling money to Ghana; she personally facilitated transfers from three elderly victims in their 60s-70s who lost over $158,000 combined. Federal law enforcement has intensified prosecution efforts against romance scam networks, with romance fraud losses increasing
wmdt.com
In 2022, Maryland residents age 60 and older lost $63.6 million to fraud, with online scams being the most common method. Common schemes targeting older adults include grandparent scams (requesting emergency money), romance and investment scams, and impersonation of law enforcement, often facilitated through information gathered on social media. Red flags to watch for include unexpected emails or calls with misspellings, suspicious URLs, and unsolicited requests for money or personal information; protective measures include enabling multi-factor authentication on accounts, verifying caller identity through official channels, and reporting suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.
stthomastoday.ca
A Malahide resident lost over $2 million in an online romance scam that unfolded over four years starting in 2020, after meeting someone on a dating platform who eventually claimed to need financial assistance for taxes related to an out-of-country inheritance. The victim transferred funds through prepaid gift cards and wire transfers without ever meeting the scammer in person, and Elgin OPP continues investigating the case. The police emphasize protecting personal information, avoiding requests from unknown contacts, and never sending money to people you haven't met as key prevention strategies.
wflx.com
According to the BBB's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report, online scams comprised 70% of all fraud reports, with cryptocurrency scams ranking as the riskiest type with a median loss of $3,800 per victim, followed by employment scams at nearly $2,000 per victim. Social media scams rose 63.8% from 2022-2023, and young adults ages 18-24 reported the highest median dollar losses across all age groups, often due to lack of skepticism about online transactions. The BBB recommends consumers verify legitimacy of websites and investment opportunities before providing payment information and report all suspicious activity to help prevent future victims.
foxbusiness.com
Since early March, the FBI has received over 2,000 reports of "smishing" scams targeting drivers in three states, where scammers send text messages falsely claiming outstanding toll bills and directing victims to fraudulent links designed to impersonate state toll services. Victims who click these links risk compromise of their financial accounts and should immediately secure their accounts, check legitimate toll service websites, and file complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, while reporting any unauthorized charges.
wsbtv.com
Work-from-home job scams have surged over 500 percent, with scammers increasingly using AI technology to create convincing fake job postings and impersonate legitimate companies on platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Jessica Brown nearly fell victim to a scam impersonating medical consulting firm Synterex, which offered her a $30/hour remote position but required her to cash a $5,000 check for office equipment; the Identity Theft Resource Center reported a 545 percent increase in AI-generated scam reports in one month, noting that AI has made fraudulent documents and profiles significantly harder to distinguish from legitimate ones. The FTC recommends verifying job opportunities by
cbsnews.com
Scammers on TikTok are posing as legitimate pharmacies to sell popular weight loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro without prescriptions at lower prices, using fake testimonials and before-and-after photos to lure vulnerable buyers. A joint investigation by Digital Citizens Alliance and Coalition for a Safer Web found dozens of such scam accounts that accepted payments through Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo but never delivered products, exposing victims to fraud, counterfeit drugs, or dangerous unsupervised medication use. Both the drug manufacturers and TikTok have responded by emphasizing that these medications require prescriptions and medical supervision,
mininggazette.com
Little Brothers — Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) warned the public of a texting scam in which fraudsters impersonated the organization to solicit donations, falsely claiming to represent the group's services. The organization emphasized that all its programs are free and advised residents never to provide personal or financial information via unsolicited calls, texts, or emails, noting that scammers use "spoofing" techniques to appear as trusted sources.
fox9.com
Phone scammers in Minnesota are impersonating major banks like Wells Fargo through spoofed caller IDs to convince victims to send money via Zelle transfers, claiming urgent fraud prevention is needed. The scam uses social engineering and artificial urgency to manipulate people into sending funds to fraudulent "cancellation numbers" rather than stealing banking credentials directly. Experts recommend hanging up and calling the bank directly using the number on your card or statement to verify any fraud claims.
prnewswire.com
A joint investigation uncovered at least sixty scam operators on TikTok impersonating pharmacies and medical professionals to defraud Americans seeking Ozempic and other weight loss drugs, collecting hundreds of dollars per victim before failing to deliver the products. The scammers exploit TikTok's algorithms, which recommend weight loss drug sellers to users and facilitate connections between bad actors and vulnerable consumers, using payment apps like Zelle and Venmo to make refunds difficult. The investigation also found that nearly half of Americans using these drugs acquired them without prescriptions, highlighting both the prevalence of scams and the broader problem of illegal drug distribution on social media platforms.
natlawreview.com
The U.S. Department of Justice charged 16 defendants in April 2024 for a scam that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars using impersonation tactics. In 2023, individuals over 60 reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion from elder fraud—an 11% increase from 2022—with common scams involving investment fraud, tech support impersonation, and government impersonation. To prevent losses, experts recommend regular financial account monitoring, setting wire transfer restrictions, and establishing verbal verification processes before sending money.
wgal.com
National Senior Fraud Awareness Day highlights a concerning rise in elder fraud, with FBI reports showing a 14% increase in complaints and $3.4 billion in losses during 2023. Tech support scams are the leading threat, where fraudsters send emails about fake computer charges and trick victims into granting computer and bank account access under the guise of issuing refunds. Protection strategies include resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited contacts, never sharing financial information with unverified sources, and having open conversations with elderly family members about their online and phone interactions.
wfhb.org
The FBI reports a significant increase in fraud cases targeting seniors aged 60 and older, while the Better Business Bureau simultaneously found that young adults aged 18-24 are losing more money to scammers than any other age group. Both findings highlight that fraud affects multiple generations, with different age groups experiencing different levels of vulnerability to various scam types.
forbes.com
This educational article identifies two scams particularly affecting seniors: gift card draining, where thieves steal gift cards, scratch off security codes, and reseal them for resale—affecting about one in four Americans according to AARP—and check washing, where criminals steal mailed checks, chemically remove the information, and rewrite them for fraudulent deposits, costing over $815 million annually. Seniors are vulnerable to both scams due to reliance on checks and gift cards as payment methods, with recommendations including purchasing eGift cards, using credit card purchases when possible, and exploring alternative payment methods to reduce fraud risk.
caribbeannationalweekly.com
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to financial scams—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud and investment scams being the most common schemes. Florida ranked second nationally in elder fraud complaints and losses, with seniors there losing over $90 million to investment schemes alone. The FBI emphasizes that victims should report suspected scams immediately despite feelings of shame, as prompt reporting helps authorities address these crimes.
floridadaily.com
Florida state officials have prioritized combating fraud after FBI data showed seniors lost over $300 million to scams in 2023, the second-highest rate nationally. Governor Ron DeSantis signed new legislation protecting residents who sign up for fraud notification services and allowing deed fraud alerts to combat property theft schemes. State officials warn against common scams including deed fraud, jury duty impersonation, roof scams, and cryptocurrency transfers, urging residents never to respond to unrecognized emails or send money through unsecured methods.
cbs12.com
The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Annual Report documented a significant surge in financial exploitation of Americans over 60, who reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022. Tech support fraud was the most commonly reported scam type, while investment schemes caused the largest financial losses; Florida ranked second nationally with seniors losing over $90 million to investment scams, $51.5 million to tech support fraud, and $40 million to romance scams. The FBI emphasizes the importance of timely reporting despite victims' reluctance due to shame, and encourages affected individuals to contact local FBI offices or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wflaorlando.iheart.com
Florida ranked second nationally for elder fraud losses in 2023, with elderly residents targeted through tech support scams, impersonation schemes using AI-generated voice mimicry, investment fraud ($90+ million), and romance scams ($40+ million), according to FBI findings shared by Special Agent Zacharia Baldwin. Fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence technology to impersonate relatives, making victims believe they are communicating with loved ones.
wflanews.iheart.com
The FBI issued a 2023 warning that Florida ranks second nationally for elder fraud losses, with fraudsters using AI voice-mimicking technology to impersonate relatives in tech support and impersonation scams. Florida's elderly residents lost over $90 million to investment schemes and $40 million to romance scams during this period.
fox13news.com
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran was defrauded of $1.5 million in a multi-state gold bar scheme in which scammers impersonated federal agents, gained his trust over weeks, and manipulated his military patriotism to convince him to transfer his retirement funds. Swetaben Patel, 42, was arrested as an alleged "mule" in the operation, which involved multiple perpetrators across several states and coordinated drop-off locations. The Bradenton Police Department reports that elder fraud cases in their jurisdiction have increased 50% this year, with the FBI noting that Americans 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to
bbc.co.uk
Mark Acklom, dubbed "Britain's most notorious conman," defrauded Carolyn Woods of £850,000 over a 12-year period by posing as an MI6 agent and successful businessman, convincing her to loan him money for property renovations while promising marriage. Acklom admitted to defrauding Woods of £300,000 in 2019 and was extradited from Spain and jailed for nearly six years in the UK; however, Woods believes she will never recover her money as Proceeds of Crime Act hearings aimed at forcing repayment have been repeatedly delayed and are now scheduled for December 2024 at the
1011now.com
A Stanton County, Nebraska couple lost $100,000 after falling victim to a tech support scam that began with a pop-up warning about illegal material on their computer; they were instructed to withdraw cash, purchase gold coins, and deliver them to scammers while being warned not to contact family or law enforcement. The couple, described as educated and retired, believed the threat of jail time and only reported the fraud after disclosing it to family members. The Stanton County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Attorney General's office are investigating, and authorities warn that legitimate agencies never demand money under threat of jail or require secrecy.
bbc.com
Mark Acklom, a prolific conman dubbed "Britain's most notorious conman," defrauded Carolyn Woods of £850,000 over a year-long relationship beginning in 2012, convincing her he was an MI6 agent and successful businessman while extracting hundreds of thousands in loans for fake property renovations. After admitting to defrauding her of £300,000 in 2019 and serving nearly six years in prison, Acklom was extradited to Spain where he was released in 2023, leaving Ms. Woods with no recovered funds and court proceedings for money recovery delayed until at least December 2024. Ms. Woods,