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nbcmiami.com
Florida ranked second nationally for elderly fraud losses in 2023, with seniors over 60 reporting over $180 million in losses across investment schemes ($90 million), tech support scams ($51.5 million), and romance scams ($40 million). Nationally, fraud losses to people over 60 exceeded $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022—affecting at least 101,000 victims with an average loss of $33,915 per person, with some victims forced to sell homes, liquidate retirement accounts, or borrow from family to cover losses.
honey.nine.com.au
A cyber security expert warns that AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are enabling increasingly sophisticated romance scams on dating apps—described as "catfishing on steroids"—by allowing scammers to create AI-generated or enhanced photos and personalized messages that are harder to detect. One in four Australian singles surveyed reported being targeted by dating scams, with Australians losing over $40 million to dating app and social media scams in the previous year, particularly affecting people over 55. The article provides detection tips including looking for unrealistic photo features, using reverse image searches, and testing text with AI-detection tools, while noting that dating apps employ varying safety measures such as identity
cbsnews.com
Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with Florida ranking second nationally for complaints and reported losses. Florida seniors lost over $90 million to investment schemes, $51.5 million to tech support fraud, and over $40 million to romance scams, with the FBI urging victims to overcome shame and report crimes immediately.
patch.com
The Narragansett Police Department is hosting a free public seminar on scam awareness and prevention, scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. The seminar will cover common scam types including grandparent, tech support, and romance scams, along with local case studies, prevention tips, and reporting procedures for residents of all ages.
aarp.org
An AARP article details election-related scams targeting voters, using a real incident where a fraud expert was approached by a scammer posing as a voter registration volunteer at a Christmas tree lot in Austin, Texas. The article explains that scammers use fake voter registration forms via phishing links, malicious apps, and in-person deception to steal personal data such as Social Security numbers, passwords, and payment information. The piece advises voters to register only through official government channels (online at government websites, by mail, or in person at election offices) and to avoid clicking unsolicited links or downloading apps from unofficial sources.
knopnews2.com
A Stanton County, Nebraska couple lost $100,000 after a pop-up warning appeared on their computer claiming illegal content was present; they were instructed to withdraw the money in gold coins and deliver it to unknown individuals while being told not to contact family or law enforcement. The scam exploited the couple's fear of jail time and relied on social engineering tactics to prevent them from seeking help. The case is being investigated by the Stanton County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska Attorney General's office, and FBI.
cnet.com
Google announced upcoming AI-powered scam-detection tools for Android phones that use its Gemini AI to alert users in real-time when a phone conversation contains suspicious wording commonly used by scammers, with alerts displaying on-screen and an audio notification to warn users. The feature, still in testing with no official release date, processes audio analysis locally on the device to maintain privacy, and comes as Microsoft announced a similar competing feature, while scammers increasingly use AI-generated voice impersonations of celebrities and public figures to deceive victims. On average, phone users receive approximately 14 spam calls per month, prompting regulators like the FCC to declare AI-generated impersonation calls illegal in an effort to
13abc.com
Homeowners in Toledo, Ohio received mail scams claiming their home warranty was expiring and including what appeared to be a $200 check, despite never having purchased such coverage. The fraudulent "final notice" letters used fear tactics to pressure recipients into calling a number, with scammers insisting victims must have had coverage to be on their mailing list. The Better Business Bureau advises people to trust their instincts and avoid responding to unexpected checks or urgent claims from unknown sources, as these tactics exploit fear and greed to hook victims into scams.
kgw.com
Scammers sent fraudulent text messages impersonating Cheng Saephan, an Oregon resident who won a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot, claiming to offer recipients a share of his winnings in exchange for personal information or payment. The Oregon Lottery confirmed these texts are fake phishing scams and warned the public that lottery winnings are never distributed this way. Victims should not respond to such messages and can report suspicious texts to the FBI, their cellphone provider (via SPAM/7726), or the FTC.
wbay.com
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau launched an online Scam Survivors Toolkit to help people who have fallen victim to scams by providing personalized step-by-step guidance based on the type of scam and payment method involved. The tool aims to reduce stigma around scam victimization and encourage reporting, as individual reports help the BBB alert the broader community to prevent future incidents.
thenational.scot
A UK survey of over 3,000 fraud victims found that 43% were scammed in the afternoon, with Wednesday and Thursday being the most common days for fraud to occur. The research revealed that people are more vulnerable to scams when distracted or tired, with nearly 30% of victims reporting negative mental health impacts and 33% becoming less trusting of others. The Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign recommends taking time to pause and verify requests before sharing money or personal information, challenging suspicious communications, and immediately contacting banks and Action Fraud if scammed.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 45-year-old woman from Bengaluru lost Rs 18 lakh after receiving a fraudulent scratch card claiming to be from the online shopping website Mesh; she was tricked into paying taxes and documentation fees after being told she had won Rs 15.51 lakh, only to discover the entire scheme was a scam. Scratch card scams typically use fake or rigged cards to lure victims into paying advance fees for non-existent prizes by impersonating legitimate companies and exploiting the victim's belief they must pay taxes or processing costs to claim winnings. To protect yourself, avoid responding to unsolicited scratch cards, verify promotions directly with companies
timesnownews.com
A 45-year-old woman in Bengaluru lost Rs 18 lakh after receiving a fraudulent scratch card posing as a Meesho e-commerce promotion, which claimed she had won Rs 15.51 lakh. The scammers then convinced her to pay 30% in taxes via multiple RTGS transfers between February and May 2024, exploiting her trust before ceasing communication. The victim filed a police complaint, and a case was registered under IT Act and IPC sections for identity theft and cheating by personation.
ilmattino.it
A woman from Summonte, Italy, posted used furniture for sale online but was defrauded by a fake buyer who posed as an interested purchaser and convinced her to transfer €550 to a prepaid card. The Carabinieri identified and charged a 55-year-old man from Macerata province with fraud following the victim's report. The police issued a warning about this emerging scam targeting online sellers who are deceived into sending money by individuals posing as buyers.
justice.gov
Seven California residents were federally indicted for operating a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting elderly victims nationwide through tech support scams, romance fraud, and imposter schemes, using fraudulent Taiwanese passports and fake immigration documents to open bank accounts that funneled over $7 million in victim cash through money mules. Three additional conspirators—Bowen Chen, Jiacheng Chen, and Vianne Chen—were added to the indictment on May 8, joining four others previously charged, with the largest deposits ($1.3 million, $615,000, and $440,000 respectively) traced to specific defendants. The case was part of a federal Money Mule Initiative that prosecut
chicagotribune.com
In 2022, older adults reported losing over $1.6 billion to fraud, with the FTC estimating actual losses may reach $48 billion due to underreporting; investment scams, business impersonation, and tech support scams saw significant year-over-year increases, some exceeding 100%. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and colleagues introduced the bipartisan Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, which would require the FTC to create a searchable regional scam database with law enforcement contacts and work with media to distribute fraud information to seniors and caregivers. Senior advocates stress that increasing awareness and understanding sophisticated scam tactics is critical, as isolation and lon
qns.com
AARP partnered with the Flushing YMCA to host a free document shredding event for older adults as part of 33 statewide events aimed at preventing identity theft and fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, New York experienced over 200,000 fraud reports last year totaling $401 million in losses, with a median loss of $500 per victim. The event drew dozens of participants who sought to safely destroy documents containing personal information, with attendees noting the convenience of professional shredding compared to doing it manually at home.
kbtx.com
The FBI reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing $3.4 billion across 101,000 reported cases, averaging $33,000 per victim. In Texas alone, over 7,000 seniors lost $278 million, with investment scams, government impersonation schemes, and romance scams showing the largest growth; investment scams averaged $270,000 per victim in Texas. The FBI advises seniors to avoid trusting unknown contacts, verify caller identities independently, and report fraud to enable broader conspiracy investigations.
2news.com
The Better Business Bureau is offering free scam prevention talks for seniors on May 12, 2024, designed to educate older adults on how to avoid falling victim to scams. The educational program aims to increase awareness and provide protective information to vulnerable populations.
2news.com
The Better Business Bureau is hosting two free educational events for seniors to learn scam prevention strategies. The events will be held at Sierra View Library in Reno on May 13 at 11 a.m. and at Northwest Reno Library on May 14 at 1 p.m., both in library meeting rooms.
the-sun.com
A Florida community has experienced over $2 million in fraud losses in the past year, with one veteran losing $1.5 million in a gold bars scam where criminals impersonated federal agents and convinced him to purchase gold bars as "bait" to solve alleged social security fraud. Bradenton Police Chief Melanie Bevan created a special task force to investigate these crimes and educate seniors, noting that older Americans are disproportionately targeted due to lower tech literacy and that recovery of stolen funds is rarely possible. The FBI reports that in 2023, seniors over 60 accounted for over 101,000 reported scam victims and losses exceeding $3.4
manchesterjournal.com
This educational piece explains how romance and relationship scams differ from other crimes and why victims often experience shame rather than sympathy. Scammers target lonely or grieving individuals through social media, slowly building trust over time before repeatedly requesting money for fabricated emergencies or personal crises—making these scams more psychologically damaging than single-incident crimes like robbery. The article advises early intervention by trusted third parties and provides resources including the AARP Consumer Hotline (877-908-3360) for victims seeking help.
ktvz.com
Following a record $1.3 billion Powerball win in Portland in April, the Oregon Lottery warned the public about associated scams, including a text message falsely claiming the winner was donating prize money to randomly selected citizens and asking recipients to call a number to claim winnings. The lottery emphasized that unsolicited messages with urgency or requests for personal information are red flags, and stressed that the Oregon Lottery never asks winners to pay fees to access winnings.
baytobaynews.com
Delaware lawmakers unanimously advanced House Bill 317 in May, a consumer protection measure requiring retailers to display warnings about gift card scams at point of sale. Delaware reported 6,742 fraud cases in the prior year with a median loss of $700 per person, with older adults particularly vulnerable—those aged 70-79 lost a median of $800 and those over 80 averaged $1,500 per incident, as scammers increasingly pose as government agencies to trick victims into purchasing gift cards as untraceable payment.
mymotherlode.com
Canada experiences significant fraud across multiple schemes, including identity theft, phone scams impersonating government officials, and mortgage fraud, with Canadian authorities estimating over $30 million lost since 2014 from RCMP impersonation and tech support scams combined. A survey found 34 percent of Canadians have experienced at least one type of fraud, with experts recommending protective measures such as creating unique passwords, screening calls, shredding personal documents, and using licensed professionals for financial transactions. Mortgage fraud has risen dramatically in Canada due to vulnerabilities in the borrowing process that rely heavily on borrower-provided information, making it easy for fraudsters to submit false details about income, employment, or
ca.movies.yahoo.com
A study of 644 older adults in the Chicago area found that 16.4% were vulnerable to government imposter scams, falling for a fictitious Social Security and Medicare benefits fraud attempt by providing personal information or Social Security numbers, while an additional 15.1% engaged but remained skeptical. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that vulnerability to fraud affects many seniors regardless of cognitive status, though those with lower financial literacy and scam awareness were most susceptible. The findings underscore that elder fraud poses significant public health and economic threats, with victimization potentially leading to serious consequences including hospitalization and depression.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Scammers used deepfake technology to target Mark Read, CEO of WPP, creating voice clones and fake accounts using publicly available photos and YouTube footage to impersonate him in Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp communications with senior executives. The fraudsters aimed to extract personal details and money by posing as Read and requesting the setup of a new business, but the attack was unsuccessful due to employee vigilance. Read warned colleagues of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks targeting senior leaders that employ psychological manipulation tactics tailored beyond typical scams targeting vulnerable populations.
taipeitimes.com
Taiwan's Cabinet approved several anti-fraud bills that would impose 3-10 year prison sentences and fines up to NT$30 million for convicted scammers, while requiring foreign online platforms to register with the government and remove fraudulent content or face penalties. The legislation was prompted partly by a viral Facebook post from a woman whose 76-year-old father lost a NT$30 million house after being scammed through a stock group chat, though the article notes that fraud is rising globally, with Taiwanese losing over NT$8.8 billion to fraud in 37,823 reported cases in the prior year. The article emphasizes that combating increasingly sophisticated scams requires not only legal reforms
au.lifestyle.yahoo.com
AI technology is making romance scams increasingly common and harder to detect in online dating, with artificial intelligence enabling scammers to impersonate real people more convincingly through chatbots and deepfakes. Australians lost over $5.8 million to dating and romance scams in the first three months of 2024, with 27% of dating app users targeted and nearly 40% of those becoming victims. Experts advise vigilance for warning signs including avoidance of video calls, sparse profile images, and rapid relationship progression to protect against these AI-enhanced scams.
walb.com
The Tifton Police Department warned residents about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim victims have outstanding warrants and demand payment to resolve them, using phone spoofing techniques to appear as legitimate numbers and sometimes impersonating real officers. Residents were advised not to return calls or send money and to report such calls to police. This warning followed another cyber scam that cost the city of Tifton nearly $50,000 just days earlier.
businessinsider.com
Scammers are exploiting Instacart's system by posing as customers or hacking legitimate accounts to request that shoppers purchase high-value gift cards (often $100+) and share the codes before checkout, allowing fraudsters to spend the money while leaving shoppers and customers liable for the charges. Affected parties include Instacart delivery workers who risk account deactivation for violating company policy, legitimate customers whose accounts are hacked, and Instacart itself facing chargebacks, despite having an explicit policy prohibiting gift card purchases.
businessinsider.com
A 70-year-old Parkinson's patient lost approximately $50,000 to scammers impersonating baseball player Trea Turner after she defended him on social media. The fraudsters convinced her over Google Chat that Turner needed financial help with personal and property issues, using persistent and convincing tactics that exploited her trust. Law enforcement believes the scammers may be operating outside the United States, and authorities recommend avoiding engagement with unsolicited messages from celebrities and being cautious about posting on public figures' social media pages.
royalexaminer.com
Social Security scams caused approximately $3 billion in losses to beneficiaries in 2022, representing an 84% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI. Common schemes include impersonation calls from fake SSA employees, demands for immediate payment under false pretenses, and claims that Social Security numbers have been suspended. The SSA advises people to hang up on suspicious callers, verify claims through official channels, and report fraudulent activity to the SSA fraud hotline at 800-269-0271.
huffpost.com
The "grandparent scam" targets seniors by impersonating grandchildren in emergencies, typically claiming they need bail money after an arrest, with the FBI charging 16 defendants in 2024 for a scheme that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars. Scammers use personal information found online and increasingly employ AI voice cloning to make calls convincing, but experts recommend victims focus on what is being asked rather than voice recognition, verify bail payment procedures, and question requests to keep secrets from family members.
ahwatukee.com
The Better Business Bureau identified the top scams affecting Metro Phoenix residents in March: employment scams where fake employers send fraudulent checks (one victim lost $5,000), online shopping scams featuring artificially low prices and payment app requests (one person lost $1,770 attempting to buy designer bags), and romance scams involving cryptocurrency that have resulted in significant losses (one victim lost $20,000). The article provides warning signs for each scam type and recommends verifying information, using credit cards for online purchases, and consulting trusted contacts before sending money or making investments.
weareiowa.com
A mother in Des Moines, Iowa discovered her adult son with intellectual and developmental disabilities had fallen victim to a romance scam after a woman he met on Facebook built rapport with him over a week and convinced him to cash a check, purchase $1,500 in Apple gift cards, and send her the card numbers before the scheme was discovered when the check bounced. Law enforcement officials emphasize that people with disabilities are frequent targets of online and phone scams, and recommend caregivers maintain open communication about their loved one's online contacts, utilize parental controls, and educate them about red flags such as requests for gift cards, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency.
freepressjournal.in
A 73-year-old engineering consultant from Grant Road was defrauded of Rs 45,000 after receiving an unsolicited message claiming his gas connection would be disconnected for an unpaid bill. The scammer posed as a gas company employee, convinced the victim to download a malicious link under the pretext of updating bill details, and siphoned the funds from his bank account. Police registered a case under cheating and IT Act provisions as scammers expand from electricity bill fraud to gas connection schemes.
news18.com
A retired engineer in Mangaluru, Karnataka lost Rs 1.6 crore between May 2-6 when scammers impersonating international courier service employees claimed his package contained incriminating documents and drugs, demanding "caution money" to avoid investigation. The article also highlights a separate case where a woman doctor in Noida lost Rs 45 lakh to fraudsters posing as Mumbai crime branch officers via video call, and notes that India experienced Rs 7,488.6 crore in cybercrime losses in the previous year.
thezebra.org
Senior Services of Alexandria and the Alexandria Bar Association are hosting Senior Law Day 2024 on June 8 in Alexandria, VA, a free educational event featuring panels on protecting against financial scams, housing and end-of-life decisions, and essential legal documents like wills and powers of attorney. The event highlights that financial fraud affecting older adults totals approximately $3 billion annually, with fraud by known individuals averaging $120,000 in losses per incident, and will include presentations from AARP's fraud prevention director, local law enforcement, and elder-care attorneys.
kiplinger.com
The Federal Trade Commission warns that college students are increasingly targeted by job scam fraudsters who use fake job postings or spoofed emails impersonating professors to lure victims. The typical scheme involves mailing a check to the student, requesting they wire a portion to another account; the check later bounces after the student has already sent their own money to the scammer. Students can protect themselves by refusing any job that sends payment before work begins, verifying company legitimacy online, contacting supposed senders directly through known channels, and requesting job details in writing.
ktvq.com
Montanans lost $21.1 million to fraud in 2023, a 24% increase from 2022, with impostor scams and identity theft being the primary culprits. A new jury duty scam variant is proliferating in Montana, where scammers impersonate sheriff's deputies demanding $3,000 for missed jury duty, then direct victims to Coinstar machines to transfer funds; victims range from their 20s to 80s, though younger people are increasingly targeted due to their responsiveness to phone-based communications and social media. Experts advise ignoring suspicious calls, texts, and emails, as scammers continuously evolve their
finance.yahoo.com
A Colorado homebuyer lost nearly $100,000 in down payment savings to a wire transfer scam after receiving a realistic-looking email that appeared to be from his bank requesting the transfer to complete his home purchase; the scammers had gained access to his emails and included accurate account information to make the request seem legitimate. The FBI received over 2,000 wire fraud complaints daily in 2023, with Americans losing $311 million total to wire transfer scams according to the FTC. To protect themselves, homebuyers should verify wire transfer requests by calling their bank directly using a number they find themselves, use secure portals through title companies, and never send funds without direct verbal confirmation from the intende
wvlt.tv
Card skimmers were discovered and removed from cash registers at three Food City locations in Kodak, Gatlinburg, and Mechanicsville/Knoxville, Tennessee, affecting approximately 146 magnetic stripe card transactions between April 9-17. The skimmers only captured card numbers and PINs; suspects were identified via surveillance, detained when attempting to retrieve the devices, and taken into custody on multiple charges. Customers who swiped magnetic stripe cards at these locations during the affected dates are advised to monitor their bank and credit accounts.
onlineathens.com
A 65-year-old Athens woman lost over $150,000 after responding to a fake Microsoft pop-up warning that her IP address was compromised. Over approximately one week, scammers convinced her that her account contained charges related to child pornography, instructed her to withdraw $50,000 in cash to give to a courier posing as a federal agent, and later directed her to send an additional $35,000 via Bitcoin; the scam also resulted in at least $35,000 being stolen from her 87-year-old mother's connected bank account. The woman reported the fraud to Athens-Clarke police after realizing she had been deceived.
candysdirt.com
Homeowners should beware of two types of property tax scams: companies charging fees to file free homestead exemptions (either as flat fees or percentage-of-savings arrangements) and fraudulent websites mimicking government property tax sites to mislead homeowners about deadlines and procedures. The article highlights a fake "Collincountyappraisaldistrict.org" site that ranks high in Google searches and displays incorrect deadline information, and advises Texas residents to report suspected fraud to the Texas Attorney General's office and verify information directly through official county appraisal district websites.
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice announced completion of the Money Mule Initiative, a campaign that disrupted transnational fraud networks by taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate scams targeting Americans, particularly elderly victims of lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. More than 20 individuals were criminally charged, including cases involving $4.5 million laundered from romance scams targeting elderly victims, a grandparent scam operation using couriers to collect cash from seniors, and a tech support fraud scheme that collected approximately $7 million from elderly victims. The initiative combined criminal prosecutions, warning letters to unknowing participants,
atlantablackstar.com
Peter Gray from West Yorkshire was sentenced to 56 months in prison after scamming four women he met on Tinder out of £80,000 by photographing their driver's licenses and bank cards without consent, then using their identities to take out loans in their names. The victims, whose loans ranged from £9,000 to over £20,000, reported that Gray's fraud prevented one woman from completing her home purchase and caused significant financial and emotional harm. The case highlights the dangers of romance scams, which according to the FTC result in $1.14 billion in annual losses globally with an average victim loss of $2,000.
shorenewsnetwork.com
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, an annual campaign that resulted in criminal charges against over 20 individuals and warning letters to approximately 2,970 money mules involved in facilitating fraud schemes. The initiative targeted networks that transmit stolen funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters, with cases including two men accused of laundering $4.5 million from romance scams and business email compromises targeting elderly victims, and five defendants who acted as couriers collecting cash from grandparent scam victims. The agencies emphasized the importance of public education to prevent unknowing individuals from becoming money mules, as many are initially victimized by romance or lottery scams before being manipulated into ass
yahoo.com
This educational piece highlights common scams targeting elderly Americans during Older Americans Month. Key prevention advice includes: never sending money based on urgent requests, hanging up on suspicious callers, ignoring unsolicited service offers (such as fake contractors), and reporting all suspected scams to law enforcement. Authorities emphasize that legitimate law enforcement will never demand phone payment or refuse direct communication, and stress that reporting attempts helps protect other potential victims.
aol.com
Following devastating Oklahoma tornadoes, MoneyGram warned consumers about fraudulent charity scams where victims average losses of $824 by sending money transfers to fake organizations with names similar to legitimate charities. The company identified five red flags including high-pressure tactics, wire-transfer-only payment demands, and lack of organizational information, and advised consumers to recognize, react to, and report suspected scams to authorities.