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limerickleader.ie
Irish police (Gardaí) have issued a warning about the rising trend of romance scams, which involve fraudsters feigning romantic interest to build trust and then soliciting money from victims under false pretenses. Key warning signs include scammers moving conversations off dating platforms, asking personal questions while avoiding sharing about themselves, rushing to establish emotional bonds, creating financial emergencies, and consistently avoiding in-person meetings. Victims are urged to report suspected romance scams to their local garda station.
states.aarp.org
A 73-year-old Connecticut man lost $20,000 in a romance scam after developing an emotional connection to a woman on Facebook who posed as his girlfriend and convinced him the money was for taxes on a supposed windfall. Connecticut implemented a new law effective July 1 that authorizes banks to place temporary holds (up to 45 days) on suspicious transactions for customers 60 and older, allowing time for investigation and potentially preventing financial exploitation before funds are transferred.
states.aarp.org
Shannon and Kit Abell are retired professionals in Roanoke County, Virginia who volunteer as fraud prevention educators through the Triad program, a partnership between AARP, law enforcement, and community groups designed to reduce crime against older adults. Shannon delivered 52 fraud prevention presentations in 2023 covering scams such as romance fraud, identity theft, and grandparent scams, while the Triad program has expanded from over 200 Virginia locations at its peak to 59 chapters, with AARP and state officials working to revitalize participation. The program emphasizes peer-to-peer education and local law enforcement involvement to build community trust and help victims connect with appropriate resources.
news.trendmicro.com
This educational article outlines emerging AI-enabled scams targeting the public, including deepfake celebrity giveaway scams, AI voice cloning used to impersonate family members or demand ransom for kidnapped children, and deepfake video attacks on business platforms like Microsoft Teams (with one Hong Kong firm losing $25 million to fraudsters impersonating their CFO). The article advises consumers to verify collaborations through official websites and social media accounts and warns of AI-generated fake news and romance scams as additional threats.
trendmicro.com
AI-generated deepfakes and voice cloning technology are increasingly being exploited by scammers to perpetrate fraud against unsuspecting victims. Common schemes include fake celebrity giveaways using deepfake videos, voice cloning to impersonate family members or authority figures for ransom demands and the "grandparent scam," and impersonation attacks via business platforms like Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp that have resulted in significant financial losses (including a $25 million case involving a deepfake CFO). Victims should verify collaborations through official websites and social media accounts, be cautious of unsolicited messages requesting meetings, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
fallriverreporter.com
A 77-year-old Massachusetts woman lost $9,500 to a "grandparent scam" in which a caller claimed to be her grandson in need of emergency cash for a car accident involving a pregnant woman. When scammers attempted to extract an additional $5,000 by impersonating a federal agent, the victim became suspicious and contacted police, who intercepted the second pickup and apprehended the driver (who was unknowingly hired through a ride-share app). The case remains under investigation, and police are urging public awareness to help prevent this common scheme targeting seniors.
the-sun.com
East Haven, Connecticut residents were warned about a lottery scam sent via mail claiming they won $500,000 from "Global Link Lottery Inc." and enclosing a fraudulent $6,985 check supposedly for taxes and fees. The scam instructed recipients to call a number to claim their winnings, but police warned that the check is fraudulent and cashing it would make the recipient liable for the lost funds, while calling the number could result in identity theft.
english.jagran.com
Over 5,000 Indians were lured to Cambodia under false employment pretenses (primarily data entry jobs) and forced to conduct cyber fraud operations, including dating scams, investment schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and courier scams targeting victims in India. The Indian External Affairs Ministry reported rescuing and repatriating approximately 250 Indians (75 in the preceding three months) and stated it was working with Cambodian authorities to dismantle the trafficking and fraud networks responsible for these schemes.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This educational piece identifies five key indicators of scam websites: unnatural or misspelled URLs that resemble legitimate sites, missing HTTPS security and untrusted certificates, unrealistically low prices with limited payment options, unprofessional content with poor grammar and low-quality images, and negative reviews or absent contact information. Consumers should verify website legitimacy through these checks before making purchases or sharing personal information online.
greenwichfreepress.com
Cryptocurrency investment fraud grew 53% in 2023 to $4.5 billion (potentially $75 billion since 2021), primarily driven by "pig butchering" scams where fraudsters build trust with victims through dating apps and social media before directing them to fake investment platforms. Once victims see fabricated profits, scammers pressure them to invest more before disappearing with the funds; the Connecticut State Police recovered nearly $4 million in 2023, though this represents a fraction of total losses. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, promises of guaranteed high returns, pressure to invest quickly, unregistered investments, and requests for personal information or unconventional payment methods like cryptocurrency
cantonrep.com
**Type:** Educational/Awareness - Home Improvement Contractor Scams
Home improvement contractors use various tactics to defraud homeowners, including offering artificially low prices, claiming to have leftover supplies from nearby jobs, and pressuring customers into upfront payments before delivering substandard or no work. To protect yourself, avoid cash-only deals and high-pressure tactics, verify contractor licensing and insurance, request written contracts with detailed terms, check references through the Better Business Bureau, and work only with local, properly identified businesses.
7news.com.au
A woman in her 60s was stopped from sending A$2,000 to a scammer posing as her Turkish boyfriend after a quick-thinking NAB bank teller noticed red flags in her story—including that she couldn't name her "boyfriend," had never met him, and was being directed to send money to a stranger in Sydney instead. The scammer had created an emotional narrative about needing money for medical treatment in the UK, with an increasingly coercive tone, and even called during the transaction to pressure her. NAB reported a 29% increase in romance scam complaints, with Australians losing an estimated A$40 million to such scams in 2023, with those
au.finance.yahoo.com
A Melbourne woman in her 60s was prevented from transferring $2,000 to an overseas "boyfriend" in Turkey by a vigilant NAB bank teller who detected a romance scam. The teller identified red flags including the woman's unfamiliarity with the money's recipient, increasingly coercive text messages, and the "boyfriend's" urgent call pressuring her to send funds for claimed medical treatment. According to Scamwatch, Australians lost $33 million to romance and friendship scams in 2023, with such scams increasing 29 percent year-on-year.
wkow.com
An elderly woman in Dane County nearly lost $30,000 to a scammer posing as an IRS agent who claimed her money was involved in criminal activity and demanded cash as proof of innocence. Police arrested a 23-year-old man from Chicago after an anonymous tip led them to intercept him as he traveled back with the stolen funds. Law enforcement agencies across Wisconsin are warning residents that such IRS impersonation scams are common and particularly effective against elderly individuals, and recommend victims contact their financial institutions and discuss suspicious requests with trusted contacts before providing money or personal information.
shawlocal.com
This letter describes two scams targeting consumers: fake purchase confirmation emails with suspicious attachments designed to trick recipients into clicking links or opening files, and phone impersonators claiming to be from medical facilities who request personal information to "update patient profiles" and likely file fraudulent insurance claims. The writer advises deleting suspicious emails without opening attachments, monitoring bank accounts regularly, and never providing personal information to unsolicited callers—particularly warning that elderly patients with frequent medical visits are vulnerable targets.
straitstimes.com
At 64, Madam Esah Ali is a tech-savvy senior who narrowly avoided a scam four years ago when a fraudster impersonated an immigration officer requesting payment for a purported overseas parcel. Motivated by this experience, she joined Project PRAISE, a Singapore Police Force and RSVP partnership, and now conducts anti-scam awareness presentations to seniors at community centers, emphasizing the importance of not sharing personal information online and warning that even IT-savvy individuals can fall victim to scams. In 2023 alone, Singapore reported over 46,000 scam cases resulting in losses exceeding $650 million.
the-sun.com
Wells Fargo customer Julia Gibson lost $2,500 through a Zelle scam after fraudsters impersonated bank employees and convinced her to transfer funds; she initially received a provisional credit but the bank later reversed it, leaving her account at $0 with overdraft fees. The article notes that scammers use Zelle and similar money-transfer apps because transactions cannot be reversed once sent, and banks often fail to reimburse victims since customers technically authorize the transfers themselves. Key prevention advice includes being skeptical of urgent requests, never sending money to unknown contacts, and knowing that legitimate banks will never ask customers to send funds via Zelle or to overseas accounts.
mainstreetdailynews.com
A 72-year-old widow named Mary from Gainesville was scammed out of $90,000 by a man claiming to be named "Bill" who contacted her through LinkedIn and posed as an oil company engineer, eventually claiming he wanted to marry her but needed money due to frozen assets in China. The article also details a separate grandparent scam targeting 78-year-old Alfred Dorsett, who lost $5,000 after being told his grandniece was in legal trouble, and notes that the FTC reported 853,935 imposter scams nationwide in 2023 resulting in $2.7 billion in losses, with romance scams being a common t
uk.finance.yahoo.com
**Social Security Scams and AI-Enabled Fraud**
Americans aged 60 and older reported $3.1 billion in scam losses in 2022, representing an 84% increase from the previous year, with 88,262 fraud complaints filed that year at an average loss of $35,101 per victim. Fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence to steal Social Security numbers and benefits by creating fake accounts, impersonating public figures through AI-generated videos, and manipulating personal records, with seniors particularly vulnerable due to accumulated savings and lower technological literacy. Experts advise verifying the legitimacy of Social Security communications and watching for AI-generation errors such
kezi.com
Eugene Police Officer Colin Woolston created a free scam prevention course to educate the public about increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, emphasizing that knowledge is the best defense against scams. The most prevalent scam he identified involves fake tech support pop-ups that lead victims to unknowingly transfer money to scammers posing as bank representatives, with losses ranging from thousands of dollars that can impact rent, food, and groceries. Woolston encourages scam victims to share their experiences with others to help prevent additional people from becoming victims, and offers free presentations on fraud awareness and identity protection.
vindy.com
This is a community announcement listing local senior services and events in the Mahoning County, Ohio area. Highlights include free AARP tax preparation for seniors, a P.E.R.I. meeting featuring a presentation on preventing healthcare fraud and medical identity theft, meal programs, job training opportunities for low-income seniors age 55+, and various social and recreational activities. No specific fraud incidents or financial losses are reported.
cnet.com
Smishing (text message phishing) scams are widespread, with about one in three Americans having received such texts and roughly one-third falling victim without immediately realizing it. The FBI reported 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 resulting in nearly $19 million in losses, with cybercriminals increasingly using AI to craft convincing fraudulent messages. To protect yourself, verify you've opted into bank text notifications through your official bank account settings, watch for red flags like requests for personal information or urgent calls to action, and always contact your bank directly using the number on your card rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
nbcdfw.com
This article provides safety guidance for consumers using Facebook Marketplace and similar online secondhand selling platforms, where consumers have lost over $2.7 billion to social media scams since 2021. Key recommendations include: never sharing personal information outside of Facebook Messenger, meeting in public well-lit locations (such as police station parking lots), avoiding cash payments in favor of secure payment methods with test transactions, and avoiding the purchase of used car seats. The advice emphasizes that scammers target both financial data and personal information from buyers and sellers on these platforms.
montgomeryadvertiser.com
This educational awareness piece from the Social Security Administration encourages community members to help combat Social Security-related scams by educating others about government imposter fraud and reporting incidents promptly to the Social Security Office of the Inspector General. The article provides resources including a scam alert fact sheet and directs people to www.ssa.gov/scam and SSA OIG's social media channels for information on current scam tactics.
boothbayregister.com
**Celebrity Impostor Scams Enhanced by AI Technology**
Criminals are leveraging artificial intelligence to make celebrity impostor scams increasingly convincing, moving from fake social media profiles and messaging to deepfake videos that impersonate celebrities like Dolly Parton, Elon Musk, and Tom Hanks. Scammers use these fraudulent schemes to establish false connections with fans, offering personal access, investment opportunities, or charity support to steal money. Consumers should be cautious of any personal contact claims from celebrities and report suspected scams to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network.
ghanaweb.com
Kofi Osei, a 30-year-old Ghanaian national, was sentenced to 4.5 years in prison for orchestrating a romance fraud scheme that stole over $8 million from elderly victims between 2016 and 2020. Working with accomplices, Osei created fake identities and opened 77 bank accounts to receive and launder fraud proceeds, with specific victims deceived into sending $200,000 and $65,000 based on false claims about overseas emergencies involving fictitious romantic partners. In addition to his prison sentence, Osei was ordered to pay $4.1 million in restitution.
natwest.com
This is an educational resource from NatWest Bank outlining fraud prevention strategies and reporting procedures. The bank provides tools including security scoring, biometric authentication, and step-by-step guides to help customers identify and avoid common scams such as holiday fraud and romance scams, while offering support through Victim Support services for those who have been defrauded.
indiatoday.in
A 34-year-old woman named Preethi from Coimbatore lost Rs 4.63 lakh (approximately $5,560 USD) to an online job scam initiated via Telegram, where a fraudster first offered her a part-time job writing Google reviews, then convinced her to invest money with promised returns. When she requested her investment returns, the fraudster demanded additional payments, prompting her to report the scam to cybercrime police who registered a case under fraud and Information Technology Act sections.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 40-year-old man from Thane was defrauded of Rs 23 lakh in an online stock market investment scam after encountering a Facebook advertisement that led him to a fraudulent WhatsApp group promising lucrative trading returns. The scammers provided fake training, instructed him to invest in specific stocks, and routed his money through their own bank accounts under the guise of legitimate investments. When the victim attempted to withdraw his funds, he was told of a technical glitch and the scammers subsequently became unreachable.
the-sun.com
Scammers have created dozens of fake social media accounts impersonating Powerball winner Theodorus Struyck (who won $1.7 billion in a syndicate) to solicit private information and promise fake cash donations to followers, a scheme also used against previous lottery winner Edwin Castro ($2.04 billion winner in 2022). The fraudsters use fake screenshots of payments, misspelled messages, and requests for Cash App information or personal details to victimize unsuspecting users, particularly those experiencing financial hardship. Both winners have kept low profiles on social media to avoid these scams, which experts warn pose particular risks to elderly and less tech-savvy individuals.
insider.govtech.com
Elder fraud cases increased 84% in 2022 with losses in the tens of billions of dollars, with pension systems particularly vulnerable as they digitize and store sensitive personal and financial information online. Advanced digital identity verification measures, including real-time cross-referencing of personal information against multiple data sources and verification of beneficiary death status, are essential to prevent fraudsters from diverting benefits and to ensure pension funds reach legitimate recipients. Implementing proactive identity verification technology can achieve high auto-approval rates for legitimate transactions while significantly reducing fraud and false positives in pension systems.
justice.gov
Carla Magaly Alcedo Mendoza, a 43-year-old from Lima, Peru, was extradited to the United States to face federal charges for operating call center fraud schemes from 2013 to 2018 that targeted Spanish-speaking Americans. Alcedo and her co-conspirators falsely posed as representatives of universities and government agencies, luring victims with promises of financial assistance for English language programs, then extorted them by demanding payment for fabricated fees and threatening legal action or arrest. This marks the fourteenth arrest and tenth extradition in the investigation; if convicted on all 18 counts, Alcedo faces up to 20 years in prison per count.
witn.com
In 2024, imposter scams remain the most commonly reported fraud category, with emerging threats including AI scams, synthetic identity fraud, and fake charity schemes. One Pitt County resident lost over $12,000 after scammers posed as Microsoft support and convinced her to call a fraudulent number, highlighting how scammers use fear tactics to manipulate victims. Experts recommend staying calm when receiving suspicious emails or calls, avoiding clicking links or calling provided numbers, and contacting legitimate technology professionals for verification.
kstatecollegian.com
A recent study found that Generation Z members experienced more financial losses and data theft from online scams than older adults, contradicting the common perception that scams primarily target seniors. The article provides practical fraud prevention advice including using secure payment methods, verifying caller identities by calling back directly, avoiding suspicious links and remote access requests, and being cautious of impersonators posing as banks, retailers, landlords, and tech support providers.
local.aarp.org
This is an educational awareness piece from AARP Florida highlighting fraud prevention resources for older adults in Florida. AARP offers a 24/7 Fraud Watch Network hotline, community shredding events for secure document disposal, partnerships with law enforcement and financial institutions, and educational materials through the AARP Florida Fraud Resource Center to help seniors recognize and avoid common scams like phishing and grandparent fraud. The article emphasizes that fraud prevention requires ongoing vigilance, community collaboration, and staying informed about evolving scammer tactics.
universitystar.com
College students, particularly those ages 20 and below, have experienced the fastest growth rate in scam losses since 2017, with scams taking forms such as fraudulent concert ticket sales, fake employment offers, and phishing emails. Texas State students are especially vulnerable due to the university's location between Austin and San Antonio, where scammers exploit students seeking discounted concert tickets and job opportunities. To combat this trend, universities should implement fraud prevention workshops, integrate scam awareness into orientation programs, improve email security filters, and educate students on safe transaction practices such as using PayPal's "Goods and Services" program.
pentictonherald.ca
In 2023, Canada recorded 41,111 fraud victims, prompting the Essex County OPP to host a community awareness event on recognizing and preventing scams. Key recommendations include avoiding unsolicited calls and emails, keeping personal information private, and recognizing urgency tactics—with common current scams including romance scams, grandparent/emergency scams, and Canada Revenue Agency impersonation. Officials emphasized that fraud cases are underreported due to embarrassment and encouraged victims to report incidents to help protect others.
1011now.com
A 73-year-old Lincoln, Nebraska resident lost $29,000 in a computer scam after a pop-up prompted her to call a fraudulent number posing as Geek Squad support, which resulted in the scammer gaining remote access to her computer and instructing her to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM. Lincoln Police reported that fraud cases have been rising with elderly people as primary targets, and advised residents to verify identities of callers, discuss scam awareness with loved ones, and hang up when in doubt.
clarechampion.ie
This Irish awareness article highlights the rising sophistication of financial scams and provides protective measures for potential victims. Key scam types targeting young people include money muling (using personal bank accounts to launder stolen funds, which carries criminal penalties), ticket fraud for sold-out events, and phishing schemes, with victims losing €8.6 million in the first half of 2023. The article advises protecting finances through strong passwords, two-factor authentication, vigilance against unsolicited contact, and using only official vendors for ticket purchases.
greenwichfreepress.com
The IRS launched its annual "Dirty Dozen" awareness campaign warning taxpayers about evolving phishing and smishing scams designed to steal sensitive personal and financial information. Fraudsters impersonate the IRS via unsolicited emails and text messages, using tactics like phony refund offers or false legal threats to trick victims into clicking malicious links or downloading malware. The IRS advises taxpayers and tax professionals to remain vigilant, avoid clicking links in unsolicited communications, and be especially cautious during tax season when such scams peak.
fox56.com
Scammers have been selling counterfeit solar-viewing glasses ahead of the April 8 solar eclipse, capitalizing on consumer demand for eye protection during the event. Fake glasses lack the special filters needed to protect eyes from the sun's intense energy, unlike legitimate ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. Pennsylvania authorities urge consumers to verify glasses are marked with the ISO 12312-2 certification number and to report suspected fake products to the Attorney General's office.
dglobe.com
The Senior LinkAge Line, through the Minnesota Area Agency on Aging, is hosting a virtual fraud prevention class on April 9 to educate older adults about rising scams that increasingly target seniors. The class will cover fraud detection, prevention strategies, and reporting procedures to help protect personal information and safety.
the-sun.com
A 73-year-old Michigan woman lost approximately $700,000 over several months after being deceived by a scammer posing as a Federal Trade Commission lawyer who claimed she had won a $3.5 million sweepstakes prize and a new car, but needed to send money upfront to secure the winnings. The victim purchased expensive jewelry and wired checks to the fraudster until a friend convinced her the scheme was illegitimate and urged her to contact police, prompting an investigation by Troy Police Department. The case underscores common sweepstakes scam tactics and highlights the importance of recognizing red flags such as unsolicited prize claims, requests for upfront payment, and impersonation
patch.com
A 22-year-old man named Zhi Gao was sentenced to two years of probation for his role in defrauding a 65-year-old San Diego woman of over $200,000 in life savings through a multi-stage scam. The scam began with a fake Microsoft pop-up message on her computer, escalated to fraudulent Chase Bank calls claiming account fraud, and resulted in the victim making multiple cash withdrawals of $20,000-$30,000 that she handed to couriers; Gao was arrested during a sting operation while attempting to collect a final $30,000 payment, and has paid $30,000 in restitution
patch.com
New Jersey residents lost $441.2 million to scams in 2023, a 55% increase from 2022, making the state the fifth-highest in total losses nationwide, according to an FBI report. Over 12,000 New Jersey victims fell prey to various scams including phishing, tech support fraud, and personal data breaches, with seniors accounting for more than half of tech scam losses, particularly those ages 60 and older who lost $3.4 billion nationally.
journalofaccountancy.com
The IRS opened its 2024 Dirty Dozen list of scams with a warning about phishing and smishing scams designed to steal sensitive financial and personal information from taxpayers and tax professionals. Fraudsters impersonate the IRS via deceptive emails and text messages using tactics like fake refund offers or false threats of legal action to trick victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal data that can lead to identity theft. The IRS emphasized it only initiates contact through regular mail, never through email, text, or social media, and provided reporting resources for victims.
wbrc.com
The FBI warns of text message scams where fraudsters spoof bank phone numbers and convince victims to transfer money to "secure" accounts for protection. One victim, Kelsey Herrett, lost nearly $2,000 after responding to a fake Wells Fargo alert and being guided through account transfers by a scammer who impersonated a bank agent; bank accounts offer less fraud protection than credit cards, and victims typically cannot recover funds they voluntarily transfer. The FTC reported $330 million in losses to text message scams in the previous year, and experts advise never responding to unknown numbers and always verifying urgent requests by calling trusted contacts.
clickondetroit.com
A 73-year-old Troy woman lost $669,500 to a prize scam in which a fraudster posed as an FTC attorney and claimed she had won $3.5 million from Publishers Clearing House. Over several months, the victim sent multiple cashier's checks, deposited money into Bitcoin ATMs, and purchased jewelry based on false claims she was securing funds and paying vehicle storage fees. Police say recovery is unlikely and advise that legitimate prize-givers never require upfront payments.
cavazossentinel.com
This educational article from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division provides guidance on identity protection and outlines common scams targeting soldiers, veterans, and their families. Key recommendations include using strong passwords, password managers, two-factor authentication, and separating work and personal accounts, while growing threats include impersonation scams (where scammers pose as military officials), romance scams targeting those over 50, credit repair fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, social media account takeovers, and two-factor authentication exploitation. Supervisory Special Agent Deric Palmer emphasizes that data brokers sell personal information for as little as $20, enabling social engineering attacks, and warns that impersonation scams cause reputational
vancouversun.com
British Columbians lost at least $46.4 million to online investment scams in 2023, with losses skyrocketing from $8.5 million in 2021, according to the B.C. Securities Commission. These "pig butchering" scams typically begin with unsolicited social media contact that evolves into a relationship, after which scammers direct victims to fraudulent investment websites, encourage them to invest via cryptocurrency, and then disappear with the money. The B.C. Securities Commission warns the public to be suspicious of unsolicited online messages, avoid investing based on advice from online contacts, and reject promises of quick, large returns.