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villagelife.com
· 2026-06-25
The IRS Criminal Investigation agency reports a sharp rise in fraud schemes targeting seniors, with 97 new elder fraud cases initiated in fiscal year 2025 alone and over $885 million in alleged fraud losses documented since 2021. Scammers use various deceptive tactics including impersonating government officials, claiming emergencies involving loved ones, building fake romantic relationships, and falsely promising lottery winnings or investment returns to steal money and personal information from older adults. Seniors should be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages demanding immediate payment, verify requests through official channels, and never send money to unknown parties—especially those claiming to be government officials or attorneys.
mtdemocrat.com
· 2026-06-25
The IRS Criminal Investigation agency has warned of a significant surge in fraud schemes targeting older Americans, with 97 new elder fraud cases initiated in 2025 alone and over $885 million in alleged fraud losses documented from 2021-2026. Scammers use various tactics including impersonating government officials, claiming emergencies involving loved ones, and lottery scams to steal money and personal information from seniors, with a recent operation called Silver Shores targeting timeshare owners and resulting in over $30 million in losses from 372 victims. Older adults should be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages demanding immediate payment, verify requests through official channels before sending money, and report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
advisorhub.com
· 2026-06-25
Edward Jones has invested in Carefull, a fraud-prevention service that monitors accounts and alerts clients or trusted contacts to suspicious activity, signs of scams, or potential cognitive decline—protecting seniors who lose over $7.7 billion annually to financial fraud. The investment makes Carefull's services available free to Edward Jones' 9 million clients through its 20,000 brokers, and similar tools are now being adopted by other major financial firms. Seniors and their families should consider enabling account monitoring services and setting up trusted contacts who can receive alerts about unusual financial activity.
soloneconomist.com
· 2026-06-25
Iowa's new House File 2232, effective July 1, empowers insurance companies to temporarily freeze suspicious transactions to protect seniors from financial fraud and exploitation. The law was inspired by a similar framework in the securities industry that has proven highly effective—in 2025 alone, financial professionals flagged 42 suspicious transactions with 100% accuracy, preventing $2.59 million from reaching scammers and recovering $1.13 million for victims. Seniors and their families should take action by naming a trusted contact with their financial institutions and staying vigilant against increasingly sophisticated scams involving AI impersonation, social media fraud, and digital asset schemes.
floridadaily.com
· 2026-06-25
A Chinese national living in Apopka was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for participating in an elder fraud scheme that targeted seniors across Florida through phone calls and electronic messages, attempting to steal over $95,000 from vulnerable victims between July 2025 and July 30, 2025. The scheme caused significant financial hardship to at least one victim in an assisted living community, highlighting a growing problem of foreign nationals orchestrating elder fraud operations in the state. Federal prosecutors urge seniors and their families to be cautious of unsolicited calls and messages requesting money, and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.
kiro7.com
· 2026-06-25
A 42-year-old Nigerian man named Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo was sentenced to five years in prison for stealing $3.5 million through romance scams targeting eight victims, mostly older, divorced, or widowed individuals on dating apps like Match and Christian Café. Nwadialo posed as a military officer named "Giovanni" and used various sob stories—including claims about military fees, son's tuition, and funeral costs—to convince victims to send money, with some victims draining their savings or selling their homes. To protect yourself: be cautious of online romantic interests who avoid meeting in person, refuse requests for money (especially large sums), and verify military or employment claims through official channels before sending any funds.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2026-06-25
Franklin Ikechukwu Nwadialo, a Nigerian council chairman, was sentenced to five years in prison by a U.S. federal court for running a romance scam that defrauded eight victims of $3.5 million over 15 years. The scam involved him posing as trustworthy individuals online—sometimes claiming to run a nonprofit for autistic children—to gain victims' trust and steal their savings, targeting people who were already vulnerable due to grief or heartbreak. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and research anyone asking for financial assistance before sending funds.
news4jax.com
· 2026-06-25
Scammers in St. Johns County are increasingly using cryptocurrency ATMs to defraud victims by manipulating them through fear, promises of quick money, or embarrassment, then directing them to deposit cash into crypto kiosks that sends funds directly to criminals. The scam affects people of all ages, including seniors and business owners, and often involves victims being told to use a crypto ATM as payment or instructed to discard their receipts. To protect yourself, never send money via cryptocurrency to someone you don't know, treat any request to use a crypto ATM as a major red flag, and keep your receipt as evidence in case you need to report the fraud to authorities.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2026-06-25
Santa Clara County is addressing a rising wave of financial scams targeting older adults, with the Department of Aging and Adult Services and AARP hosting educational forums to help residents recognize and avoid fraud schemes like fake IRS demands and fraudulent bank calls. According to a 2025 county report, Adult Protective Services received over 4,200 reports of financial exploitation, with nearly half involving scams and 65% of those reports confirmed as legitimate fraud. Residents are encouraged to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for personal information, verify caller identities independently, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
bbc.com
· 2026-06-25
If you've been scammed, the article advises staying calm and acting quickly—contact your bank immediately to potentially stop the transaction and freeze compromised accounts. You should gather all details about the scam (scammer contact info, what information you shared, money lost, and payment method) and report it to the appropriate authorities: call 101 or your local police if the scammer is nearby or payment was recent, Report Fraud (0300 123 2040) if you're in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland, or Police Scotland if you're in Scotland. Getting a crime reference number from these reports can help your bank assist with recovery.
nbcchicago.com
· 2026-06-25
Chicago police have warned senior citizens about an escalating scam where criminals impersonate customer service representatives, tech support, or government officials to pressure victims into liquidating their life savings. Scammers use phone calls and computer access to convince seniors they owe money and demand immediate payment through unusual methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or gold bullion, which are then collected by couriers. Seniors should be alert to warning signs including urgent demands for payment, requests for unusual payment methods, and pressure to keep the situation secret from family and banks—and should power off their computer and avoid downloading software from unknown sources if they suspect a scam.
aspeninstitute.org
· 2026-06-24
Fraud and scams have become a major financial threat to American households, with criminal networks stealing billions of dollars by exploiting communication systems, payment channels, and platforms across borders. The Aspen Institute's National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention—involving over 80 institutions and 300 experts from government, law enforcement, finance, technology, and retail—developed a comprehensive national strategy requiring coordinated action across all sectors to make scams harder to execute and easier to disrupt. The initiative is now moving into implementation phase, focusing on closing gaps that allow scammers to move between systems undetected through stronger federal leadership, public-private partnerships, and modernized legal frameworks.
wcjb.com
· 2026-06-24
A 40-year-old woman living in Florida was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for defrauding elderly residents across the state in a scheme that targeted at least six victims and attempted to steal over $95,000. The woman, who was on an H-1B visa, drove to multiple locations throughout Florida to collect money from seniors, including at least one victim from a Gainesville assisted living facility. Elderly residents should be cautious of unsolicited contact asking for money and verify requests through official channels before sending funds, and family members should regularly check in on elderly relatives to help prevent them from becoming victims of such scams.
positivelyosceola.com
· 2026-06-24
Senator Ashley Moody has introduced the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act to combat the rising tide of financial fraud targeting older Americans, proposing to create specialized Elder Justice Task Forces that coordinate efforts among local, state, and federal law enforcement. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency, online fraud, and impersonation schemes because they often have substantial retirement savings and established credit. The legislation would expand federal grant funding to give investigators better tools and resources to prosecute criminals exploiting older adults.
kucoin.com
· 2026-06-24
The US Department of Justice seized 127,271 Bitcoin (worth $14-15 billion) from the Cambodian Prince Group, the largest crypto forfeiture in DOJ history, after charging the organization's leader with wire fraud and money laundering. The criminal enterprise operated "pig butchering" scam compounds across Cambodia where trafficking victims were allegedly forced to build fake romantic and investment relationships with victims online, then deceive them into sending money to fraudulent crypto platforms. To protect yourself: be extremely cautious of unsolicited romantic or investment contacts online, never send money to unknown crypto platforms or people you've only met digitally, and verify any investment opportunity through independent official channels before committing funds.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-06-24
Hu Shi, a suspected manager of Prince Group—a massive "pig butchering" scam operation based in Cambodia that defrauded victims worldwide—was arrested in Japan in June 2025 for submitting a fraudulent address change form to obtain permanent residency. The Prince Group and affiliated organizations were sanctioned by U.S. authorities in October 2025 after stealing billions of dollars from Americans, with the group's ringleader Chen Zhi facing charges related to nearly $15 billion in cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, romantic advances from strangers online, and requests to move conversations to private platforms—hallmarks of pig butchering scams where criminals build trust before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-06-24
The US government seized 127,271 Bitcoin (worth up to $15 billion) in its largest cryptocurrency seizure ever, targeting Cambodia's Prince Group—a criminal organization accused of operating forced-labor scam compounds that defrauded victims through "pig butchering" schemes, where fraudsters build fake relationships to convince people to invest in fraudulent crypto platforms. The group's alleged leader, 37-year-old Chen Zhi, was indicted on wire fraud and money laundering charges, while the US and UK coordinated enforcement actions against 146 targets connected to the organization. Victims of romance or investment scams should be cautious of requests to transfer money to crypto platforms, especially after building relationships with strangers online, and should verify investment opportunities through official channels before committing funds.
kucoin.com
· 2026-06-24
Thailand's Department of Special Investigations uncovered a major money laundering scheme involving over $300 million in criminal proceeds from phone scams and online gambling that were being funneled through illegal cryptocurrency mining operations. Authorities arrested multiple Chinese and Myanmar nationals involved in the network, seized thousands of mining rigs, and recovered millions in crypto assets, while also investigating implicated Thai officials for potential corruption. If you're contacted about investment opportunities or requests for upfront payments, especially involving cryptocurrency or gambling platforms, be extremely cautious as these are common tactics used in "pig butchering" scams targeting unsuspecting victims.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2026-06-24
The U.S. Department of Justice seized cloud computing infrastructure used by Cambodia's Huione Group, a Telegram-based marketplace that allegedly laundered billions in cryptocurrency stolen through fraud schemes and facilitated trade in stolen financial data. The action targets the technical backbone of crypto crime networks rather than individual bad actors, as cybercrime losses hit $21 billion in 2025, with crypto investment fraud alone accounting for $7.2 billion. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities, never send money to unfamiliar cryptocurrency platforms or escrow services, and report suspicious activity to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
english.newsfirst.lk
· 2026-06-23
Sri Lanka Police have issued a nationwide warning about rising romance scams targeting women, where fraudsters use social media to build fake relationships, manipulate victims into sending money and valuables, and in severe cases, exploit them through sexual assault, robbery, or worse. Victims have been deceived through promises of marriage, drugged without consent, and had their personal photos and videos stolen for further exploitation. Police advise women to be cautious on social media, verify identities of online contacts, avoid sharing personal information or financial details, and report suspicious behavior immediately to authorities.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-23
Scam texts targeting older adults, particularly those with memory issues like dementia, are causing significant financial losses—one 81-year-old woman was charged over $5,000 by a political campaign after clicking malicious links, though the charges were eventually refunded. The article provides guidance on protecting vulnerable seniors by adjusting phone settings, carrier account controls, and payment restrictions to make risky texts and unauthorized purchases harder to complete while still allowing them to use their phones normally. Key steps include enabling text filters, restricting contacts to known numbers, setting up bank alerts, and tightening payment settings to prevent surprise charges.
fox9.com
· 2026-06-23
DoorDash drivers in Minnesota are being targeted by scammers who place fake orders, then call posing as company support staff to trick drivers into sharing account information. Once they gain access, the scammers drain the drivers' earnings and savings—in one case stealing over $400 from a driver named Donna Olheiser. To protect yourself, never share account verification information over the phone, and contact DoorDash directly through the official app or website if you have questions about your account or orders.
news.bitcoin.com
· 2026-06-23
Hu Shi, a suspected manager of the Prince Group—one of the largest "pig butchering" scam operations in Cambodia—was arrested in Japan in June on charges of falsifying public records. The Prince Group, which was designated a transnational criminal organization by U.S. authorities in October 2025, allegedly stole billions of dollars from victims through romance and investment scams, with its ringleader Chen Zhi facing wire fraud charges and the group facing forfeiture of nearly $15 billion in bitcoin. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romance and investment opportunities from unknown individuals, especially those requesting money or personal information, and verify any significant financial claims through independent channels before committing funds.
mexc.com
· 2026-06-23
The FBI is intensifying efforts to combat "pig butchering" scams, a sophisticated cryptocurrency fraud where criminals build trust with victims over time through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake crypto platforms and stealing their money. These scams, which have cost victims billions of dollars globally, typically involve fraudsters posing as romantic interests or investment advisors who gradually encourage victims to deposit increasing amounts into fraudulent accounts before disappearing. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities from online contacts, verify any investment platform's legitimacy through official channels, and never transfer money to someone you've only met online claiming to offer guaranteed returns.
paloaltoonline.com
· 2026-06-23
Santa Clara County is addressing a growing problem of financial scams targeting older adults, with county officials reporting 4,226 allegations of financial exploitation in 2025, nearly half involving scams. Common schemes include fraudsters impersonating the IRS or banks to trick victims into revealing personal information or transferring assets, with vulnerable seniors particularly at risk for real estate fraud and exploitation of declining cognitive abilities. To protect themselves, residents should avoid unsolicited financial requests, verify contact by calling official numbers on their cards, establish a family code word for verification during unexpected calls, and report scams immediately to law enforcement—as frozen funds can sometimes be recovered if reported quickly.
sfgate.com
· 2026-06-23
Santa Clara County is launching educational efforts to combat rising financial scams targeting older adults, with a 2025 report showing 4,226 reported cases of financial exploitation, nearly half involving scams. Common schemes include scammers impersonating the IRS or banks requesting personal information, as well as real estate fraud targeting seniors with home equity. Residents are advised to verify unsolicited financial institution contacts by calling the number on their credit card, establish family code words for unusual calls, and report scams immediately to authorities, as recovering transferred money is difficult once it's gone.
gulfcoastnewsnow.com
· 2026-06-23
Scammers impersonating Lee County deputies are calling residents claiming they have arrest warrants and demanding payment of thousands of dollars to avoid jail time—two women recently fell victim to the scheme, with one nearly losing $6,000 before police intervened. The scammers use fake warrants, threaten jail sentences, and pressure victims into buying Bitcoin by falsely claiming they cannot tell anyone (citing a "gag order"). To protect yourself: legitimate law enforcement will never demand immediate payment over the phone, threaten arrest via call, or ask you to buy cryptocurrency—if you receive such a call, hang up and contact your local police department directly.
abc.net.au
· 2026-06-23
Scammers are targeting Australians with fake ABC News articles promoted through Facebook ads, using AI-generated images of celebrities and politicians to lure people into fraudulent investment platforms like "Hexonix 365," with some victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The fake articles are nearly identical clones of the real ABC News website, complete with dramatic AI-written stories about public figures promoting secret investment strategies, and include fake "editor's notes" claiming ABC has verified the platforms as legitimate. To protect yourself, be skeptical of sensational investment stories on social media, verify news directly on official ABC News websites rather than clicking ads, and remember that legitimate news outlets never promote specific investment platforms in their articles.
sanjosespotlight.com
· 2026-06-22
Santa Clara County is raising awareness about financial scams that increasingly target older adults, with a 2025 report showing 4,226 reported allegations of financial exploitation, nearly half involving scams. Common scams include fraudsters impersonating the IRS or banks requesting personal information, as well as real estate fraud targeting seniors with home equity. Experts recommend residents be skeptical of unsolicited contact from financial institutions, use code words with family for verification, and report scams immediately—since recovering stolen money becomes difficult once it's transferred.
newsfirst.lk
· 2026-06-22
Sri Lankan authorities have warned of a sharp rise in romance scams targeting women, where fraudsters build fake relationships through social media, manipulate victims into sending money and valuables, and in some cases escalate to sexual assault, robbery, or murder. The scams often involve stolen personal photos and videos used to establish false trust, with some victims being drugged or coerced into handing over financial assets and property. Police are urging women to be cautious of online relationships that quickly turn romantic or involve requests for money, to verify identities independently, and to report suspicious behavior to authorities immediately.
english.vov.vn
· 2026-06-22
Ho Chi Minh City police discovered and shut down multiple large-scale online scam operations run by foreign nationals, with raids in May and June uncovering over 160 Chinese nationals operating from guesthouses and hotels without proper documentation. The scammers were targeting victims primarily in China through e-commerce fraud, investment schemes, and financial scams, using hundreds of computers and mobile phones seized during the operations. For residents and businesses, authorities emphasized the importance of verifying guest identification and properly registering temporary residencies to prevent similar illegal operations from establishing in their properties.
nerdbot.com
· 2026-06-22
As cryptocurrency adoption has grown into a multi-trillion-dollar industry, so has the sophistication of related fraud schemes—including ransomware attacks, investment scams, pig butchering schemes, wallet compromises, and money laundering. Specialized blockchain forensic investigation firms have become essential for financial crime prevention, asset recovery, and regulatory compliance in this complex digital landscape. Those involved in cryptocurrency should work with reputable exchanges and wallet providers, enable strong security measures, and be cautious of unsolicited investment offers, as these specialized investigators help trace stolen assets and combat increasingly complex digital financial crimes.
keenesentinel.com
· 2026-06-21
Older adults in New Hampshire are increasingly falling victim to sophisticated scams including cryptocurrency fraud, investment schemes, romance scams, and government imposter scams, with many victims pressured into secrecy before they can consult family or authorities. These crimes often result in devastating financial losses and eroded sense of security, though many incidents go unreported. Authorities urge immediate reporting of suspected elder fraud and recommend that older adults consult trusted family members and financial institutions before acting on urgent financial requests.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-06-21
Seniors lost approximately $16 billion to scams in 2025, with imposter scams being one of the most common type, where fraudsters pose as government agencies, banks, or family members via phone, text, or email to steal financial information and money. These scams often use fear tactics—such as threatening tax penalties or legal action—to pressure victims into quickly sharing credit card details or personal information. To protect yourself, stay aware of imposter scam tactics, verify the identity of anyone requesting personal or financial information through independent contact methods, and remember that legitimate agencies won't demand immediate payment or threaten you over the phone.
kob.com
· 2026-06-21
A 27-year-old caregiver in Albuquerque was accused of stealing nearly $6,000 from an elderly bedridden man by using his credit card without permission for purchases at stores like GEICO and Albertsons, with the victim's daughter discovering the fraud after the caregiver stopped working and the landlord checked the mail. The victim's family learned the hard way that elder fraud is a persistent problem, as this was the second time in four years someone had stolen from the father. To protect elderly loved ones, families should monitor financial statements regularly, especially when caregivers have access to personal information, and consider limiting caregiver access to credit cards and financial accounts.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2026-06-21
In 2026, cryptocurrency scams evolved dramatically, with $17 billion lost to fraud that now disguises itself as legitimate customer service, compliance checks, and payment systems rather than obvious red flags. Impersonation scams—where criminals pose as trusted figures like exchange support agents, government agencies, or even family members using AI-cloned voices—grew by 1,400% and are significantly more profitable, extracting an average of $3.2 million per operation. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact from companies or individuals, verify requests through official channels directly, and never share sensitive information or make payments based on urgent-sounding messages, even if they appear authentic.
thecommunityvoice.com
· 2026-06-20
The IRS Criminal Investigation division reports a significant surge in fraud targeting seniors, with 97 new elder fraud cases opened in fiscal year 2025 alone and $885.86 million in alleged fraud uncovered between 2021-2026. Common schemes include criminals impersonating government officials or attorneys, claiming emergencies involving loved ones, or building fake romantic relationships to extract money and personal information from older adults. Seniors should be wary of unsolicited contact demanding immediate payment, verify caller identities through official channels, and consult trusted family members or authorities before sending money.
startupfortune.com
· 2026-06-20
The FBI under Kash Patel is aggressively cracking down on cryptocurrency fraud through coordinated international operations, treating it as organized crime rather than a regulatory issue—including a April 2026 operation that resulted in 276 arrests across scam compounds and a June operation with Meta and other tech platforms that removed 1.4 million fraudulent accounts and seized over $3 million in crypto. Victims are being targeted through "pig-butchering" scams that use fake relationships and investment platforms to steal their money, with cryptocurrency being the preferred vehicle for these crimes. Crypto business founders need to take these enforcement efforts seriously, as the FBI is now moving faster and more publicly than traditional regulators, coordinating with platforms, exchanges, and international law enforcement rather than waiting for formal policy frameworks.
yahoo.com
· 2026-06-20
The Coffee County Sheriff's Office is alerting residents about a rising threat of elder fraud, where scammers are using increasingly convincing tactics through phone calls, texts, emails, and social media to target senior citizens. The office advises families to warn elderly relatives never to share personal or financial information with unknown contacts, be suspicious of payment requests via gift cards or wire transfers, and verify any suspicious requests with trusted contacts before acting. Anyone who suspects they've been targeted by a scam should contact the Coffee County Sheriff's Office at (334) 894-5535.
blog.knowbe4.com
· 2026-06-20
Americans lost approximately $900 million to AI-powered scams in 2025, with total scam losses reaching nearly $21 billion—a 26% increase from the previous year. Criminals are using AI technology like voice cloning, deepfakes, and automated scripts to execute sophisticated fraud schemes including romance scams, impersonation of government officials, fake kidnapping threats, and counterfeit influencer accounts. To protect yourself, the FBI recommends verifying identities through official contact channels rather than responding to unsolicited calls or messages, and being especially cautious of government impersonation attempts that use spoofed caller IDs and AI-generated audio or video.
en.bloomingbit.io
· 2026-06-20
FBI Director Kash Patel has pledged to aggressively pursue cryptocurrency fraudsters, stating the bureau will find and prosecute offenders involved in crypto-related crimes. Recent enforcement efforts by the FBI and Department of Justice have targeted investment fraud, romance scams, and money laundering schemes involving digital assets. While regulators are cracking down on fraud, they're simultaneously working to support legitimate cryptocurrency industry growth.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-06-20
Cybercrime in Asia and the South Pacific has grown so rapidly that it now rivals traditional crime, with organized scam operations accounting for over 30% of all recorded crime in more than half of surveyed countries. The threats are evolving fast—criminals are increasingly using AI, ransomware, sophisticated phishing schemes, and infostealer malware to steal credentials and launch attacks on digital banking and financial platforms. To protect yourself, be wary of phishing emails, use strong unique passwords, enable multi-factor authentication, and avoid clicking suspicious links or downloading unexpected files.
beachmetro.com
· 2026-06-19
Seniors, particularly women, are increasingly vulnerable to romance scams on dating apps and social media, where scammers build fake relationships to extract money from victims. In 2023 alone, Canadians lost over $50 million to these schemes, with older adults lacking the peer verification that younger dating app users typically employ. To stay safe, seniors should verify matches' identities online before sharing personal information, and anyone who suspects they've been scammed should report it to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre to help law enforcement prevent future incidents.
digitalinformationworld.com
· 2026-06-19
Hundreds of thousands of job seekers, particularly those with language skills or vulnerable circumstances, are being trafficked to Southeast Asian countries under false employment promises and forced to run online fraud schemes like "pig-butchering" scams. Scammers control victims through wage withholding, document confiscation, location tracking, and violence, while also extorting ransom from families. Research based on survivor testimonies identifies warning signs of trafficking recruitment, and experts recommend that job seekers verify employment offers through official channels, be cautious of unsolicited job opportunities abroad, and watch for red flags like requests for upfront payments or pressure to move quickly.
wave3.com
· 2026-06-19
Thousands of students and parents fall victim to scholarship scams each year, with scammers increasingly using AI to create convincing fake websites and apps to steal money and personal information from desperate college applicants. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like guarantees of winning, missing privacy policies, and websites that don't end in .org, .gov, or .edu—and always verify organizations through online searches for reviews and check for legitimate contact information before applying.
bankingdive.com
· 2026-06-19
Banks and credit unions are significantly strengthening their defenses against scams that increasingly target older adults, who reported $7.7 billion in losses in 2024—a 59% increase from the previous year. Major institutions like Fifth Third Bank are expanding their fraud prevention teams, implementing real-time detection systems to intervene during scams rather than after, and training staff to recognize signs of financial exploitation. Customers, particularly seniors, should remain vigilant about unsolicited calls or messages from supposed banks or government agencies, verify requests through official phone numbers, and alert their financial institution immediately if they suspect fraudulent activity.
natlawreview.com
· 2026-06-19
Imposter scams are hitting seniors particularly hard, with elderly people losing about $16 billion to scams in 2025—a significant jump from $12.8 billion the previous year. Scammers impersonate government agencies, banks, or family members through phone, text, or email to trick seniors into revealing personal information or making immediate payments, often using scare tactics like threats of legal consequences. To protect yourself, stay aware of these common tactics, never give out personal or financial information to unsolicited callers, and verify requests by contacting the organization directly through an official number.
napavalleyregister.com
· 2026-06-19
Napa County is hosting its third annual Seniors Against Financial Exploitation (SAFE) conference on June 23 to address the growing problem of scams targeting older adults, bringing together law enforcement, financial experts, and community organizations. Seniors are increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated fraud schemes, particularly those facing financial hardship despite living in a seemingly wealthy area. The conference has expanded its accessibility with later start times, multilingual options, and diverse presentations on fraud prevention—changes made directly based on senior feedback to ensure more people can attend and protect themselves from financial exploitation.
aol.com
· 2026-06-19
Older adults lost $7.748 billion to scammers in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year—according to an IRS warning, with common fraud schemes including investment fraud, government impersonation calls, identity theft, and romance scams. The IRS emphasized that nearly 97% of prosecuted elder fraud cases result in convictions and urged seniors to protect themselves by monitoring accounts, avoiding suspicious links, verifying callers' identities, and never sending money to unknown people. Those who suspect fraud can report it at IRS.gov or contact the Washington D.C. Field Office directly.
news.airbnb.com
· 2026-06-19
Online travel scams—including fake booking sites, phishing, and AI-generated fraudulent content—are costing Canadian travellers an average of $2,400 CAD, with about 38% of Canadians having fallen victim. As travellers book summer trips, including for FIFA World Cup 2026, experts partnered with Airbnb recommend booking through reputable platforms and being cautious of unfamiliar websites and payment methods, especially since younger adults often struggle to identify AI-generated scam content despite their confidence. To protect yourself, use established booking platforms that offer buyer protections rather than unfamiliar sites, and verify that travel deals and communications are legitimate before sharing personal or payment information.