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in Scam Awareness
aol.com
The Lenawee Department on Aging and Lenawee County TRIAD are hosting a scam prevention workshop on March 14 at the Morenci Senior Center to educate older adults on protecting themselves from fraud in digital and real-world contexts. Led by Erica Lamley, the workshop will cover topics relevant to seniors' unique vulnerabilities, provide practical tools, and allow participants to share experiences and ask questions. Light refreshments will be served, and interested residents can contact the department at 517-264-5280 for more information.
cknxnewstoday.ca
Grey Bruce OPP highlighted romance scams as an increasingly reported fraud during Fraud Prevention Month in March, noting that criminals target single or recently unattached individuals through dating websites, social media, and email before requesting money. Some victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars in prolonged online "relationships" that never result in in-person meetings. Police advise against sharing personal information online, verifying a person's identity, and crucially, never sending money to someone you've never met in person.
irishtimes.com
Romance scams involve criminals who slowly build trust with victims through online dating platforms before requesting money, with initial amounts increasing as the fraudulent relationship deepens; while law enforcement and banking authorities sympathize with victims, they have limited ability to intervene once money is sent, though community gardaí sometimes succeed where family members fail. The article identifies red flags including rapid movement off dating apps to personal messaging, avoidance of video calls despite months of communication, one-sided conversations, and urgent requests for money due to emergencies or travel costs, and recommends protecting personal information, using reputable dating sites, and never sending money to people you have not met in person.
khaleejtimes.com
Multiple women in Dubai fell victim to romantic financial abuse and romance scams involving partners who systematically extracted money through various deceptive tactics. A Russian real estate agent lost approximately Dh150,000 over two years to an Arab boyfriend who imposed punitive "fines" for minor infractions; a British restaurateur lost Dh500,000 in a down payment to an Irish boyfriend who evicted her from an apartment; and a marketing director was defrauded of Dh30,000 by a man using a false identity. Financial abuse occurs in 99 percent of domestic violence cases globally, and the cases highlight how romance scams and economic coercion disproportionately
southeastiowaunion.com
Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen conducted a statewide "Stop the Scammers" educational tour in Mt. Pleasant to inform older residents about common fraud schemes including romance scams, grandparent scams, investment scams, and pig butchering scams. Ommen emphasized that scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities and target older Iowans by conducting personal research and creating deceptive relationships to extract thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The campaign aimed to educate residents so they could share protective information with family and friends to help prevent fraud victimization.
chandlernews.com
Joyce Petrowski, president of Resources/Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly (R.O.S.E.), will present fraud awareness and prevention strategies at the Sun Lakes Jewish War Veterans post meeting on March 17, focusing on scams targeting seniors including internet imposters, phone/robo calls, IRS fraud, and romance scams. R.O.S.E., a nonprofit founded after Petrowski's personal experience with elder fraud, delivers face-to-face education programs across Arizona to help older adults and families recognize and prevent victimization. The presentation aims to reduce both financial losses and the number of elderly fraud victims in the community.
mustangnews.net
A college student's parents nearly fell victim to a voice cloning scam in which scammers used AI technology to imitate their son's voice, claiming he had been in a car accident and needed $15,000 for bail. The scam involved fake audio of the student, followed by impersonators posing as a police officer and public defender who instructed the parents to withdraw cash for a courier pickup. While voice cloning technology is becoming increasingly common in scams, experts note that scammers cannot replicate a person's unique speaking style and vocabulary, and recommend verifying callers' identities by asking personal questions or calling back at known phone numbers.
fox23.com
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern Oklahoma provides financial safety advice for spring break travelers, recommending they use credit cards instead of debit cards for purchases, obtain receipts for all transactions, and research vendors before booking activities to avoid scams and fraud. The BBB also advises travelers to avoid posting vacation photos on social media until after returning home to prevent burglaries, and suggests purchasing travel insurance if plans are uncertain.
lohud.com
In 2023, the Hudson Valley region experienced over $2 million in losses from online purchase scams alone, where fraudsters used fake checks and refund requests, with over 1,000 cases reported. The region also faced nine other major scam types including employment scams ($692,389 lost), investment scams ($1.2 million lost), advance fee loan scams ($281,474 lost), and various imposter schemes targeting government agencies and healthcare programs, collectively affecting thousands of residents across the Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island.
wafb.com
Fake job scams are increasingly common, with approximately 14 million people exposed annually, according to the Better Business Bureau. Scammers impersonate legitimate companies and recruiters through emails and texts, often targeting job seekers with work-from-home opportunities, fake check schemes, and requests for upfront fees or personal banking information. To protect themselves, job seekers should verify company websites, conduct video interviews with recruiters, use separate bank accounts, and report suspicious postings to the BBB.
yahoo.com
Scams in Colorado increased 34% year-over-year leading up to the April 15 tax deadline, with the FTC reporting that Coloradans lost $164 million to fraudsters in the previous year. Experts advise consumers not to respond to urgent money requests via messages and recommend freezing credit with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to protect against identity theft, which can take years to recover from.
knoe.com
Scammers target small business owners by impersonating legitimate government entities like the (non-existent) United States Business Regulation Department to exploit confusion around real requirements such as the Corporate Transparency Act's beneficial owner filing. The Better Business Bureau recommends small business owners protect themselves by verifying websites, authenticating domains, securing connections, confirming web banners, and reporting suspicious communications to prevent fraud.
wvlt.tv
In 2023, Tennesseans lost $161 million to scammers, with tech support fraud, investment fraud, and business email compromise being the most prevalent schemes. The FBI reported this represented a significant increase from previous years, part of a nationwide trend where Americans lost $12 billion to fraud in 2023. Experts advise heightened vigilance, recommending that people verify company information independently and report suspected scams to the Better Business Bureau, FTC, or FBI.
fox7austin.com
The Round Rock Police Department warned residents about scammers impersonating law enforcement officers and IRS representatives who contact victims via phone, email, or text to create urgency and extract personal or financial information using tactics like caller ID spoofing and threats of arrest. Police advised verifying caller identity through official agency numbers, never sharing personal information unsolicited, resisting intimidation tactics, and reporting suspected incidents to the Federal Trade Commission, while noting that legitimate government agencies never demand payment over the phone or via gift cards.
redhotcyber.com
Elena, a 35-year-old housewife, was targeted by a romance/advance-fee scam in which a fraudster posing as "Jean-Pierre," a terminally ill Italian-French man, promised her a $2.5 million inheritance donation. After she provided personal and banking information, a fake lawyer demanded a €5,000 upfront tax payment to release the funds, at which point Elena recognized the scam and reported it to police. The incident exposed her to potential identity theft and financial fraud, and authorities indicated she was one of many victims of this widespread international scheme.
keyt.com
A North Texas family lost approximately $20,000 after falling victim to a gift card scam involving fake dog breeders on Facebook. The scammers requested payment via gift cards for deposits and various fees (shots, transportation, crates, sedation drugs), then continuously requested additional funds with excuses before claiming the dog was dead and demanding fees for a replacement. According to the FTC, Americans lost $690 million in gift card payment scams in less than three years, with this fraud type increasing 50% year-over-year in 2023, representing a growing threat affecting victims across all education and income levels.
thestar.com.my
A 24-year-old man in Kuala Terengganu lost RM30,700 in a job offer scam on Instagram, where he was promised commissions for buying and selling goods but only received payment for the first two of six completed tasks before the scammer disappeared. Terengganu police reported 100 scam cases in a one-week period and warned the public about this prevalent scheme in which victims are offered part-time work as "online purchasing agents" with promised commissions of up to 10%, receive initial payments to build trust, then lose money on subsequent transactions when the scammer vanishes.
siasat.com
A 43-year-old man in Hyderabad lost Rs 89.35 lakh in an investment scam after receiving a WhatsApp link promising high returns through online stock trading and IPOs. The fraudsters created fake trading accounts showing substantial profits, which motivated the victim to continue investing, but he was unable to withdraw any funds and was pressured for additional payments under various pretexts. The victim released a public video warning others to avoid suspicious investment offers on messaging platforms.
localnewsmatters.org
An elderly woman in El Granada, California fell victim to a phishing scam in which she received a fraudulent email impersonating a money exchange company and was instructed to withdraw cash and meet a courier in person. She handed over an undisclosed amount of money to the courier, who then fled the area; the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking the suspect and urging residents to avoid sharing banking information or sending money in response to unsolicited online or phone requests.
clickondetroit.com
**AI Voice Cloning Scams**
Scammers are using advanced artificial intelligence to clone voices from small audio clips and impersonate loved ones or authority figures (family members, bosses, or candidates) in urgent situations to trick targets into sending money immediately via digital payment apps or wire transfers. The article outlines common scenarios—such as a "daughter in an accident" requesting funds or a "boss" requesting urgent vendor payments—and provides prevention tips including resisting immediate action, verifying requests through known contact numbers, avoiding digital wallet transfers when uncertain, and implementing multifactor authentication and workplace verification protocols.
nbcmontana.com
Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance is hosting 16 educational events across western Montana in March 2024 to help residents recognize and prevent investment scams. The initiative comes as consumers reported losses exceeding $4.6 billion to investment scams nationwide in 2023, making them the most commonly reported scam type in the United States. The free "Protecting the Big Sky" presentations target adults and seniors with information on detecting financial exploitation.
the-sun.com
A 64-year-old Georgia man was targeted by scammers impersonating police officers who demanded $5,000 in gift cards, claiming he owed a court fine. After purchasing $2,000 in cards at one Walmart location, a vigilant self-checkout worker at a second store overheard the ongoing scam call, took the phone, and refused to complete the transaction, preventing the victim from losing an additional $3,000.
kiow.com
Gift card scams are increasing in prevalence, with scammers using phone calls to direct victims to purchase gift cards, scratch off the codes, and provide the numbers to them over the phone, resulting in immediate fund loss. Iowa's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and AARP are promoting education about these scams and supporting legislation that would require retailers to post warning signs at gift card kiosks directing consumers to report suspected scams. The proposed bill has passed its first legislative deadline.
golocalprov.com
Two men from Florida and New York—Jason Rhodes, 34, and Robert Munoz, 29—were arrested in Warwick, Rhode Island in connection with a "grandparent scam" targeting elderly residents in Warwick and Coventry after police executed a controlled money delivery on March 8, 2024. During a search of a hotel room, detectives seized evidence linking the suspects to multiple grandparent scams and a large sum of cash, with the investigation ongoing. Warwick Police are urging other potential victims throughout Rhode Island to report similar scams to their local police departments.
cryptodaily.co.uk
In 2023, the United States experienced a 53% increase in cryptocurrency investment fraud, with losses jumping from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.94 billion—accounting for 86% of all investment fraud losses. Scammers primarily used romance scams (causing $374 million in losses) and phishing attacks (causing $295 million in losses) to trick victims into transferring cryptocurrency by promising high returns or building fake relationships, with the problem affecting investors globally.
thestarphoenix.com
Saskatoon Police Service partnered with the Electronic Recycling Association to offer free secure destruction of electronics and confidential documents on March 14 as part of Fraud Prevention Month awareness efforts. The initiative comes as Canadian fraud losses reached $567 million in 2023, with investment scams, spear phishing, and romance scams causing the most financial damage, while fraud methods have evolved to include cryptocurrency schemes and sophisticated phishing techniques targeting both individuals and institutions.
cbsnews.com
Pennsylvania residents lost more than $158 million to scams in the first nine months of 2023, a 22% increase from the previous year, with over 126,000 fraud reports filed averaging $1,250 per incident. While people ages 30-39 reported the most fraud cases, those ages 60-69 lost the most money at $744 million, and one in seven fraud victims experienced losses exceeding $10,000. The FTC advises consumers to avoid unsolicited requests for personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, and be wary of scammers demanding cryptocurrency or gift card payments.
wtop.com
Fairfax County, Virginia police warned residents about ongoing scam calls impersonating bank fraud departments or police officers that pressure victims into purchasing gift cards or making Bitcoin ATM deposits, with reported losses ranging from $10,000 to $31,100 per victim. Police advise hanging up suspicious calls, independently contacting financial institutions through legitimate channels, and never sharing personal information with callers claiming to represent banks or authorities.
krocnews.com
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes to target real estate transactions in Minnesota, impersonating agents, lenders, and other professionals to trick buyers and sellers into revealing sensitive information that allows them to redirect funds. The National Association of Realtors is urging industry professionals to increase cybersecurity training and implement verification protocols, including confirming communications through known contact information, using encrypted channels, and adding watermarks to documents. A recent survey found that 60% of home buyers and sellers received little to no education about wire fraud threats from their real estate professionals.
abc27.com
According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker report, investment and cryptocurrency scams are the riskiest fraud type, with a median loss of $3,800, exploiting victims' lack of understanding about digital assets by promising unrealistic returns before demanding hidden fees to access nonexistent earnings. Employment scams and romance scams are also growing threats, targeting younger adults and those over 65 respectively, with victims losing not only money but also time and personal information. The BBB recommends avoiding quick financial decisions, being cautious with unknown contacts, and ignoring unsolicited links to protect against these increasingly sophisticated schemes.
cointelegraph.com
In 2023, cryptocurrency-related investment fraud caused $3.94 billion in losses in the United States—a 53% increase from 2022 and representing 86% of all investment fraud losses—with victims lured by promises of high returns. Common crypto scams include romance scams (which resulted in $374 million in stolen crypto) and phishing attacks (affecting over 324,000 users and causing $295 million in losses), with similar fraud trends occurring globally.
cryptotvplus.com
Cryptocurrency scams generated at least $4.6 billion in 2023, a decrease from the previous year, though actual totals may be higher according to Chainalysis. Approval phishing and romance scams (also called "pig butchering" scams) are increasingly prevalent, with scammers using private communication channels to build fake relationships and extract money while remaining difficult to trace. Despite these challenges, progress has been made in combating crypto fraud, including a joint effort by Tether and OKX with the U.S. Department of Justice that froze $225 million linked to human trafficking, and an Interpol operation that apprehended 3,500 cyb
cryptodaily.co.uk
The FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Complaint Center report revealed a 53% increase in cryptocurrency-related fraud losses, which rose from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.94 billion in 2023, with scams targeting victims across all age groups (particularly ages 30-60) through increasingly sophisticated investment schemes promising high returns. Common tactics include romance scams (resulting in $370 million in losses), business email compromise schemes, and ransomware attacks, with criminals using cryptocurrency to quickly transfer stolen funds. The FBI recommends users employ two-factor authentication and verify payment requests to reduce fraud risk, though some analysts argue reported scam revenues have declined since 2
sanbenito.com
In 2023, scammers impersonating PG&E targeted nearly 43,000 customers, resulting in approximately $875,000 in fraudulent losses (averaging $785 per victim), with over 103 cases reported in Gilroy alone. The scams typically involved threats of immediate service disconnection and requests for payment via prepaid cards, gift cards, or digital payment apps—methods PG&E never uses. PG&E advises customers to hang up on suspicious calls, verify account details directly through PGE.com or official customer service, and never purchase prepaid cards to avoid service shutoff.
thechronicle.com
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz held a press conference at the Newington Senior & Disabled Center to alert residents about potential scams during National "Slam the Scam" Day. The awareness initiative, part of National Consumer Protection Week, is designated by Social Security's Office of the Inspector General to educate the public about government imposter scams prevalent across the United States.
news5cleveland.com
This article examines the psychological impact of scams on victims and the manipulation tactics used by scammers. A Cleveland woman who lost $4,000 to a home improvement scam shares her experience of emotional recovery, while clinical psychologists explain how scammers exploit fears and anxieties, and recommend self-awareness and questioning suspicious offers as key defenses. Scammers commonly use tactics including creating urgency, the "foot in door" technique, and reciprocity to manipulate victims.
wral.com
In 2023, the FBI reported record losses of $12.5 billion from online scams, a $2 billion increase from 2022, with investment fraud accounting for $4.5 billion of that total—much of it involving romance scams luring victims into fake cryptocurrency schemes. Ransomware attacks also surged, with reported losses jumping from $34 million in 2022 to $59 million in 2023, though the total financial impact is significantly higher when including ransom payments and recovery costs. The report underscores that these figures represent only a partial picture, as many victims do not report scams to authorities.
brunswicktimes-gazette.com
Government impostor scams cost victims nearly $509 million in 2022, with Social Security scams being a particularly common threat. The article advises recipients to be wary of unexpected communications claiming problems with Social Security numbers, remember that the Social Security Administration only calls existing account holders, and verify account status directly through ssa.gov/myaccount rather than responding to unsolicited contact.
columbian.com
This educational article outlines common travel scams and warning signs for consumers. Key advice includes avoiding last-minute deals, ultra-cheap flights, and suspicious vacation rental listings (like Airbnb's 59,000 removed fraudulent listings); refusing requests for personal documents or sensitive information; and being wary of unexpected fees. The article emphasizes that travelers should verify legitimacy, trust their instincts, and report suspected scams to authorities while documenting interactions.
boothbayregister.com
This AARP alert warns consumers to watch for spring break travel scams, which use artificially low prices and spoofed websites to lure victims into fraudulent bookings. The advisory recommends verifying the legitimacy of online travel sites by examining web addresses carefully, avoiding deals significantly cheaper than competitors, and refusing payment methods like wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards that criminals prefer. The guidance applies broadly to anyone booking spring travel and directs victims or those with questions to contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
wtop.com
Fairfax County, Virginia police warned residents about seasonal driveway-paving scams that typically emerge in spring, where unlicensed contractors solicit door-to-door, collect deposits under false urgency, and either fail to complete work or abandon jobs, leaving homeowners out money and with damaged property. The department recommends verifying contractors have valid solicitor's licenses, obtaining multiple quotes, researching businesses online, and reporting unlicensed solicitors to police.
thecourier.com
This does not appear to be an article about fraud or elder abuse. The text is a standard system notification/error message regarding email verification and session renewal, along with a newsletter signup prompt. It contains no information about scams, fraud incidents, elder abuse cases, or relevant advice for the Elderus database.
lamag.com
In 2023, California residents lost $1.38 billion to scams across 226,791 reported incidents, making the state second most defrauded in the nation relative to population size. Identity theft was the most common fraud type with 119,929 incidents (25% of total), followed by imposter scams (73,298 incidents) and credit bureau fraud (70,483 incidents). Victims are advised to verify the identity of anyone requesting personal or financial information and to report incidents to local law enforcement and the Federal Trade Commission.
cbsnews.com
A North Texas family lost nearly $20,000 to gift card scams while attempting to purchase dogs online through Facebook, first sending deposits to a fraudulent breeder and then falling victim to a second scam involving a Bassett Hound that the scammer claimed died. Gift card payment scams have surged across the country, with Americans losing $690 million in less than three years and a 50% year-over-year increase in reported cases in 2023, exploiting emotional vulnerabilities and the difficulty of tracing digital payments.
scrolla.africa
Western Cape police arrested a 42-year-old Nigerian man in connection with a romance scam targeting a Canadian woman who was deceived into investing approximately R24 million in a fraudulent overseas project after meeting him on social media in 2022. Police identified key warning signs of dating scammers, including excessive charm, unsolicited business proposals, reluctance to meet publicly or share identification, and fabricated stories, while victims emphasized that vulnerability to scams stems from a desire to be loved and difficulty recognizing deception even when aware of such schemes.
cleveland19.com
A Portage County woman on a fixed income lost at least $12,000 to a romance scammer she met online and never met in person, sending thousands in gift cards in increments of $500. The victim shared her cautionary message emphasizing that romance scammers are professional liars who will never meet their victims, will continue extracting money until it's gone, and view victims as numbers on a list rather than people they care about. She urged others in similar situations to recognize the scam and seek help through the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad.
marketrealist.com
Romance scammers are systematically stealing images of U.S. military personnel to create fake profiles on social media and dating sites, deceiving victims into sending money. In 2023, the FTC received over 64,000 romance scam reports resulting in $1.14 billion in losses (median $2,000 per victim), with one Air Force flight chief's photos alone linked to $180,000 in victim losses. The article outlines red flags including requests for money, inability to video chat, and claims about bank access issues, and notes that a Texas man was sentenced to over three years in prison in 2023 for using stolen military identities to defraud victims of
aol.com
A TikTok user exposed an elaborate romantic scam in which she married a man who used multiple fake identities across dating apps and systematically deceived her with fabricated stories, fake documents, and simultaneous relationships with other victims over 18 months. The article discusses how online dating platforms enable sophisticated romantic fraud and betrayal, with victims experiencing serious psychological consequences including PTSD, shame, and stress that exceed the impact of traditional romantic deception.
longmontleader.com
In 2023, U.S. consumers lost $4.6 billion to investment scams—a 21% increase from 2022, with $1.4 billion lost on social media platforms alone. The most common schemes include cryptocurrency investment scams (featuring fake websites and fabricated profit statements), romance scams ("pig butchering" where scammers build relationships before soliciting money), and real estate scams (fraudulent property developments). The Colorado Division of Securities urges consumers of all ages to verify investment opportunities and report suspected fraud to protect themselves from these increasingly prevalent online schemes.
silive.com
On National Slam the Scam Day, Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahon highlighted that scams remain a significant crime driver in the borough, with senior citizens losing over $2.6 million to fraud in 2023 alone. Common scams include impersonation schemes (government officials, police, IRS, family members), marketplace fraud, and payment requests via gift cards and digital platforms, with scammers using threats and pressure tactics to manipulate victims. McMahon emphasized that prevention and immediate reporting to the District Attorney's Scams Hotline (718-556-7226) are critical to investigating incidents and securing restitution for victims.