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in Scam Awareness
vpnmentor.com
· 2025-12-07
Tejasvi Manoj, a 17-year-old Indian American, was named TIME's "Kid of the Year 2025" for creating Shield Seniors, a website educating older adults about online scams after her grandfather nearly lost $2,000 to a fraud scheme in 2024. The FBI received 860,000 scam reports in 2024 with potential losses exceeding $16 billion, with seniors aged 60+ being heavily targeted by schemes like the "Phantom Hacker." Tejasvi's awareness campaign and educational platform aim to address the widespread lack of scam literacy in the senior community.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-07
On September 8, the District of Columbia's Attorney General filed a lawsuit against a bitcoin ATM operator for violations of consumer protection and elder abuse laws, alleging the operator charged excessive fees (up to 26 percent) and failed to protect vulnerable elderly customers from fraud. The complaint detailed how 93 percent of deposits during the operator's first five months were linked to fraud schemes targeting elderly residents with a median age of 71 and median losses of $8,000 per transaction, while the operator refused refunds despite awareness of the scams. The Attorney General sought injunctive relief, restitution, damages, civil penalties, and implementation of proper consumer protections and refund processes.
businessworld.in
· 2025-12-07
Cybercrimes against India's elderly surged 86% between 2020 and 2022, with criminals exploiting vulnerabilities including loneliness, cognitive decline, and digital illiteracy through impersonation scams, investment fraud, romance scams, and technical deception. Notable cases include a retired colonel losing Rs 3.4 crore after fraudsters impersonated law enforcement and a 75-year-old losing Rs 13 crore through a WhatsApp investment scam, with digital payment fraud projected to exceed Rs 1.2 lakh crore by 2025. Experts emphasize that protection requires a blend of technological safeguards (AI
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-07
Dorian Wilkerson, a former math instructor from Georgia, scammed his wife Shareza Jackson out of more than $2 million by falsely claiming to be a cosmetic surgeon at Emory Hospital and convincing her to take out loans to fund a fake clinic called The Best U Now. The scheme was featured in Netflix's docuseries *Love Con Revenge*, which premiered in 2024, and revealed how Wilkerson used romantic manipulation and false credentials to exploit his spouse. Despite Jackson filing a civil suit and the national exposure from the documentary, Wilkerson was never criminally charged, remains free in Atlanta, and has not repaid the stolen funds.
tribuneindia.com
· 2025-12-07
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime warned that East Timor, specifically the digital free trade zone of Oecusse Ambeno, has become a target for transnational scam centre operations linked to organized crime networks, including China's 14K Triad group and entities in Cambodia. An August law enforcement raid uncovered SIM cards and satellite communication devices used in scam operations generating billions through offshore gambling, romance scams, and investment fraud, while also exposing human trafficking risks and the use of shell companies and multiple passports to evade detection.
gov.mo
· 2025-12-07
Macao Polytechnic University partnered with the Judiciary Police to conduct anti-fraud education for approximately 3,000 new students through seminars and an interactive "Anti-Scam Promotion Vehicle." The activities educated students about common fraud schemes including police impersonation, romance scams, brushing scams, and phishing, using real-world case simulations and engaging games to strengthen fraud awareness and prevention capabilities. The university plans to continue these anti-fraud initiatives as part of the Macao government's "On-campus Anti-scam 'Vaccination' Programme."
uk.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Quishing—a scam combining QR codes with phishing techniques—is rapidly increasing, with 784 reported incidents between April 2024 and April 2025 resulting in nearly £3.5 million in losses across the UK. Fraudsters replace phishing links with QR codes to trick victims into visiting malicious websites that steal banking credentials, personal data, or install malware, with cases ranging from small parking fees to major identity theft and loan fraud affecting victims of all ages.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-07
Eric Caldwell and David Hernandez have agreed to settle FTC charges for operating an illegal student loan debt-relief scam through Nevada-based Superior Servicing, where they impersonated Department of Education affiliates and collected upfront fees from borrowers under false pretenses. As part of the settlement, both defendants will be permanently banned from the debt relief and telemarketing industries, and must pay over $1.6 million and surrender approximately $560,000 in assets, with a total monetary judgment of $45.9 million (largely suspended pending compliance). Litigation against the third defendant, Dennise Merdjanian, and corporate defendants continues.
news.usps.com
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Postal Service is warning employees and contractors about smishing scams—text message-based cyberattacks where criminals impersonate USPS leadership to steal personal data by requesting credential verification through suspicious links. The advisory recommends employees avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, be wary of messages from unknown numbers, and report suspicious communications to the Postal Inspection Service.
klcc.org
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are targeting college students through fake job and internship listings to obtain their personal digital information and credentials. The article provides guidance from cybersecurity experts on warning signs and protective measures students should recognize to avoid falling victim to these employment-based scams.
adanews.ada.org
· 2025-12-07
The American Dental Association warned members of a phishing scam using fraudulent emails claiming membership suspension unless recipients clicked links to update payment information within 24 hours. At least one member received the deceptive email, which the ADA reported to the hosting company, resulting in the scammer's account being shut down. The ADA recommends member dentists implement cybersecurity measures including staff training, data backups, email vigilance, and anti-virus software, and to report suspicious emails to their email provider or the ADA Member Service Center.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
Homebuyers, particularly older adults who comprise over 75 percent of U.S. homeowners, are targeted by deceptive offers and scams following mortgage applications when credit reporting agencies sell their information to third parties. These scams include unnecessary document charges, fake warranty offers, and misleading postcards disguised as official communications that trick victims into paying for services they believe are required. The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, signed into law in September 2024, prohibits credit agencies from selling consumer financing information to third parties without explicit consumer consent or an existing relationship.
denver7.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost $4.9 billion to fraud in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year, with older adults filing 142,000 internet crime complaints—more than any other age group. AARP's Senior Planet in Denver offers free digital literacy classes that teach older adults cybersecurity skills including password management and online safety practices to combat fraud and build confidence using technology. Participants report gaining independence and empowerment, moving from fear and intimidation to actively protecting themselves online.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
When homebuyers apply for mortgages, their information is sold to third parties who target them with deceptive offers for unnecessary documents, warranties, and services—scams that disproportionately affect older adults who represent over 75 percent of U.S. homeowners. The Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act, signed into law in September, prohibits credit reporting agencies from selling this information without consumer consent, aiming to reduce the fraudulent postcards and calls that homebuyers receive after applying for financing.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational article warns seniors about Medicare scams that surge during fall open enrollment periods. Scammers impersonate Medicare or medical providers via phone calls to trick beneficiaries into revealing Social Security numbers, Medicare card numbers, and other personal information—which criminals use to submit fraudulent claims worth tens of thousands of dollars. The article advises that Medicare will never call unsolicited, recommends hanging up on suspicious callers, and directs victims to call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance.
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Idaho's Attorney General warned of a surge in cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting seniors, with reported losses jumping from $19 million in 2023 to over $35 million in 2024. Scammers use fake tech support calls and government imposter schemes to trick victims into depositing cash at cryptocurrency ATMs located in gas stations and convenience stores, where transactions are untraceable and recovery is nearly impossible. One alert convenience store employee prevented two seniors from losing over $30,000 in a single week by unplugging the machine and calling police.
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
In February 2024, 16-year-old Tejasvi Manoj from Texas was inspired to act after her 85-year-old grandfather nearly fell victim to a $2,000 impersonation scam. She launched Shield Seniors, a web platform with AI-powered tools that help seniors recognize, analyze, and report online scams through educational resources, a chatbot, email/text analysis (95% accuracy), and direct reporting options. The initiative addresses a critical need, as seniors lost nearly $5 billion to online scams in 2024—a 32% increase from the previous year.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-07
An elderly woman from Hokkaido, Japan lost approximately 1 million yen (US$6,700) in a romance scam after a fraudster posing as a distressed astronaut contacted her on social media in July, gradually building trust before requesting money for "life-saving oxygen" through convenience store transfers. Police in Sapporo classified the case as a romance scam and warned residents of similar schemes. The article provides guidance on protecting oneself from romance scams, including avoiding money transfers to strangers, verifying profile pictures, recognizing red flags like platform-switching requests, and consulting trusted individuals before sharing personal information or funds.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-07
A 70-year-old Virginia man lost thousands of dollars in a year-long romance scam in which he believed he was communicating with Canadian actress Amber Marshall on Facebook and messaging app Zangi, ultimately losing money meant for rent. According to Virginia Tech elder mistreatment expert Pam Teaster, seniors are disproportionately targeted by romance scams that exploit loneliness; the FBI reported 17,910 romance scam complaints in 2024 resulting in over $672 million in total losses. The victim is sharing his story to educate others, emphasizing that combating these scams requires both education and addressing societal loneliness among elderly individuals.
wccbcharlotte.com
· 2025-12-07
Privacy Journal's 2025 study comparing 100 U.S. cities across six safety metrics found Vermont to be the safest state for online dating, while Nevada ranks as the most dangerous due to high rates of identity theft, romance scams, and violent crime. Arizona reports the highest number of romance scam cases, while South Carolina and North Carolina rank among the riskiest states overall, driven by elevated rates across multiple risk factors including STD incidence, violent crime, and fraud reports.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-07
I appreciate you sharing this, but the content you provided appears to be a website navigation menu and header structure from WDBJ7 news rather than the actual article text. While there is a headline "Beware of Jury Duty Scams" published September 10, 2025, the actual article content is not included in what you've shared.
To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the full article text describing the jury duty scam details, including:
- What the scam involves
- Who was targeted/affected
- Any victim losses or outcomes
- Specific warning details
Could you please share the complete article content?
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-07
A 95-year-old North Carolina woman lost $18,000 to a door-to-door driveway repair scam in May, where a man falsely claimed to represent the city government and promised subsidized repairs; the work cracked immediately after completion. Brian Alexander Taulton, 57, was arrested in September after defrauding multiple elderly victims of over $100,000 combined through similar home repair schemes across multiple states, and is facing 22 felony charges including exploiting disabled/elderly persons and obtaining property by false pretense.
wislawjournal.com
· 2025-12-07
Ankurkumar Patel, a Brookfield man, was indicted on money laundering charges for his role in a "phantom hacker scheme" that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states by posing as customer service and law enforcement agents to trick victims into transferring funds. Patel allegedly personally retrieved over $1 million from victims and conspired to launder the money through anonymous transactions, with one victim from Sheboygan identified in the case. He faces up to 20 years imprisonment and fines up to $500,000 if convicted on the money laundering conspiracy charge.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
In February 2024, 16-year-old Tejasvi Manoj from Frisco, Texas, was inspired to create Shield Seniors—a comprehensive cybersecurity platform—after her 85-year-old grandfather nearly fell victim to an email scam requesting $2,000 from a fake relative. According to FBI data, seniors face escalating threats, with fraud targeting individuals over 60 reaching $5 billion in losses in 2024, a 32% increase year-over-year. Shield Seniors offers educational resources, an AI-powered scam analyzer with 95% accuracy, a chatbot for cybersecurity questions, and reporting tools to help older adults
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-07
Federal authorities indicted Brookfield resident Ankurkumar Patel, 41, for participating in "phantom hacker scams" that defrauded elderly victims across multiple states of over $1 million. Patel allegedly served as a money launderer in the scheme, physically collecting gold bars and cash from victims who were tricked by scammers posing as government agents and company representatives claiming their identities had been compromised. Specific victims included a Vietnam veteran in Illinois who lost over $1 million in gold bars and a Sheboygan elderly woman who lost $27,500, with additional fraud occurring in Minnesota and Missouri.
foodtruckoperator.com
· 2025-12-07
Multiple Milwaukee food truck operators were targeted by scammers who posed as event organizers and demanded vendor fees ($500 per incident) via peer-to-peer payment apps to secure spots at festivals and events that often did not exist. Once victims sent money through these apps, the funds were generally unrecoverable, and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection advised vendors to verify events independently and avoid unsolicited communications before making payments.
bhaskarenglish.in
· 2025-12-07
A 69-year-old Mumbai senior citizen was defrauded of ₹65,000 by a scammer impersonating actor Keanu Reeves on social media platforms including Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp. The fraudster built trust by claiming to need Indian currency for flight tickets, convincing the victim to transfer money to a Dehradun account. The scam was discovered by the victim's daughter living in London when she noticed the unauthorized bank transaction, leading to a cybercrime FIR filed by Versova police on September 8.
observervoice.com
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned multiple scam organizations operating in Burma and Cambodia on September 8, targeting groups responsible for approximately $10 billion in fraud losses from Americans in 2024, including romance scams and fake investment schemes. The sanctions freeze assets and prohibit U.S. citizens and companies from conducting business with two dozen sanctioned entities and individuals, addressing both financial crime and human trafficking operations that have seen a 66% increase in funds stolen from Americans originating from Southeast Asia.
wsmv.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky reported an uptick in "emergency scams" targeting families, particularly as college students return to campus. Scammers impersonate loved ones claiming urgent situations (arrests, accidents, medical emergencies) and request money, using voice-altering technology and social media details to make their pleas convincing. The BBB advises verifying requests by contacting loved ones directly, asking verification questions, and never sending money to unverified sources through payment apps, gift cards, or wire transfers.
ag.ny.gov
· 2025-12-07
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned of the "Phantom Hacker" scam, a three-phase coordinated fraud targeting seniors that has stolen over $1 billion since 2024 by impersonating banks and government agencies to gain remote computer access and convince victims to transfer retirement savings via wire, cash, or cryptocurrency. The scam begins with a fake security alert prompting victims to download malware, followed by impersonators claiming to be from the victim's bank and a government agency, creating a false sense of legitimacy to steal funds. The AG advises New Yorkers to avoid clicking unsolicited links, calling provided numbers, granting remote computer access, or transferring
phillyvoice.com
· 2025-12-07
**Article Type:** Educational/Awareness
**Summary:**
Over 60% of businesses fell victim to scams in 2024, with common frauds including phony invoices, vendor impersonation, fake business consultants, and advertising schemes that target business owners and their employees' financial information. Scammers exploit business automation, credit card processing, and growth opportunities through tactics like spoofed websites, fake testimonials, and demands for immediate payment. Businesses can protect themselves by verifying all communications, checking fine print on agreements, avoiding signing blank documents, and staying alert to red flags such as urgency and promises that seem too good to be true.
kcci.com
· 2025-12-07
Iowa's Department of Insurance and Financial Services has stopped over $2.7 million from being sent to scammers through their "Stop the Scammers" tour across 22 communities, while recovering an additional $270,000 that had already been sent to fraudsters. The department has investigated over $10 million in fraud statewide in 2025 and identifies key warning signs including requests for money from online contacts, pressure to keep transactions secret, cryptocurrency transfers, and promises of guaranteed returns.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-07
Chinese national students in Philadelphia and across the United States have been targeted in an extortion scam in which fraudsters impersonate Chinese law enforcement officers, accuse victims of financial crimes, and demand payment ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars via wire transfer or cryptocurrency. The FBI's Philadelphia Field Office has identified more than 100 victims in the Philadelphia region alone, with hundreds more affected nationwide, and scammers often isolate victims by instructing them not to speak about the alleged investigation and telling them to purchase new phones or relocate. The FBI advises students to hang up on such calls, contact 911 if threatened, and report suspicious activity to the Philadelphia FBI office or the Internet Crime Complaint Center
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-07
Experts from AARP, the Roanoke City Sheriff's Office, and the Better Business Bureau discuss how to identify and protect against increasingly sophisticated scams, particularly those targeting seniors. They identify three common elements of scams—unexpected contact, emotional triggers, and urgency—and recommend pausing to reflect before responding, along with reporting suspected fraud without shame. Resources available include AARP's Fraud Watch Network (1-877-908-3360) and the Roanoke City TRIAD program, which offers community education and crime prevention services for seniors through monthly meetings and law enforcement collaboration.
koat.com
· 2025-12-07
Criminals impersonating Albuquerque Police Department officers conducted scams targeting residents by requesting payment via gift cards, including incidents where a woman was pressured to purchase $500 in gift cards and a teenager was manipulated into buying $200 worth. The APD clarified that legitimate officers never request payment in cash, gift cards, or prepaid cards over the phone or in person, and advises potential victims to avoid sharing personal information, refuse gift card purchases, and immediately report suspicious communications to police.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational article explains why credit monitoring remains important for retirees and provides protective strategies against identity theft. Seniors lost $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with scammers targeting retirees who neglect credit monitoring, as stolen identities can be used for loans, credit cards, or insurance applications. The article recommends four steps: monitor credit reports monthly (free weekly reports now available), place a fraud alert if suspicious activity occurs, freeze credit with all three bureaus for maximum protection, and secure personal data online.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
Affinity fraud and friendship scams represent an evolving variation of romance scams where criminals build false bonds with victims by claiming shared interests—such as hobbies, support groups, or online gaming—rather than romantic attraction, exploiting the trust that develops from perceived commonality. Recent victims reported to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline lost $10,000 and over $100,000 respectively after scammers posed as friends and requested loans via Cash App, Bitcoin, and gift cards with no intent to repay. The scams typically begin with unsolicited contact on social media, friendship apps, or through wrong-number texts, after which perpetrators quickly attempt to establish rapport an
aol.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with adults over 60 being frequent targets due to their savings, limited digital experience, and trust in official-sounding communications. The article provides 10 protective strategies for seniors, including not answering unknown numbers, rejecting unsolicited calls from government agencies, never sharing personal information over the phone, resisting pressure tactics and unusual payment requests (gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), verifying impersonators through independent sources, consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious requests, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts.
dailyrecord.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are spoofing caller ID to appear as Mount Olive Police Department, with callers impersonating Police Chief Michael Spitzer and requesting banking and personal information from residents. Police warn that legitimate officers never request personal information over the phone and advise residents to hang up immediately and verify any questionable calls by contacting the department directly at their official number.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-07
In February 2024, former U.S. Ambassador Cindy Dyer testified to the Senate about the connection between human trafficking abroad and romance scams targeting older Americans, noting that scam centers in Southeast Asia—particularly Cambodia—force trafficking victims to defraud Americans out of millions of dollars and life savings. The FTC estimated that Americans lost $158 billion to all fraud in 2023, with older Americans reporting $277 million in romance scam losses that year, though actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting. Experts stress that international cooperation is essential to combat these overseas-based scams, but such efforts have been hindered by reduced foreign aid and weakened international all
globalpolicywatch.com
· 2025-12-07
In August, the FTC announced a $14 million settlement with Match Group, the parent company of dating platforms including Match.com, OkCupid, and PlentyOfFish, for deceptive marketing and unfair billing practices. The settlement resolved a 2019 complaint alleging that Match sent misleading notifications from fraudulent accounts to non-subscribers to induce paid subscriptions, promoted unclear "free" guarantee offers with hidden eligibility conditions, and employed burdensome cancellation procedures—practices that resulted in nearly 500,000 subscriptions purchased through deception between 2016 and 2018. The settlement includes injunctive provisions requiring Match to address these consumer protection
sebastopoltimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A Sebastopol resident, Shai Plonski, fell victim to a romance scam in 2022 that began on Facebook and involved a fake cryptocurrency trading app, resulting in financial loss. The scam is part of a larger trafficking operation where workers from underdeveloped countries are smuggled across borders, imprisoned, and forced under threat of violence to perpetrate romance scams (known as "pig butchering") to repay their traffickers. Plonski is now publicly sharing his experience through a YouTube video to help prevent others from becoming victims of these operations, which are often linked to organized crime and generate millions by exploiting both the trafficked workers and their romance scam victims
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-07
Text message job scams have surged in recent years, with reported losses rising from $90 million in 2020 to $501 million by 2024. Contrary to expectations, younger Americans—particularly Gen Z (20%) and millennials (16%)—are more vulnerable to these scams than older generations, with young men being especially susceptible due to financial pressures, career inexperience, and the appeal of fast remote income. Among victims who engaged with scam texts, approximately 30% had money stolen from their accounts and 45% shared personal information with scammers.
dakotanewsnow.com
· 2025-12-07
A 66-year-old Sioux Falls resident lost nearly $60,000 over a nine-month romance scam after meeting a man on Facebook who repeatedly requested money for various emergencies. The victim sent the funds via gift card information to the scammer, who posed as someone in distress in Mexico City. Sioux Falls police advise residents to report suspected scams immediately.
twistedsifter.com
· 2025-12-07
A TikTok user named Samantha warned viewers about a "text buddy" scam after nearly falling for it herself. Someone contacted her via DM asking personal questions (where she lived, her age, occupation) before offering to pay her to be a "text buddy" and be "spoiled," which she recognized as a known scam. She blocked the person and posted the warning to alert others.
victoriabuzz.com
· 2025-12-07
An Oak Bay resident fell victim to a phone scam in September when a caller impersonating a Telus representative promised lower monthly bills and a free phone upgrade in exchange for sending their current device. The victim sent their phone but never received a replacement, with Telus later confirming the offer was fraudulent. Oak Bay police warn that this scam has been reported across Canada and advise residents to verify offers directly with their service provider before sending devices or personal information.
state.gov
· 2025-12-07
In September 2025, the U.S. Department of Treasury imposed sanctions on nine targets in Shwe Kokko, Burma and ten individuals/entities in Cambodia involved in operating online scam centers that targeted Americans. Americans lost at least $10 billion to scam operations in Southeast Asia in 2024, with the sanctioned operations involving forced labor compounds conducting virtual currency investment scams and exploiting workers under protection of the Karen National Army criminal organization.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Criminals are exploiting QR codes by mailing unsolicited packages containing malicious QR codes that, when scanned, direct victims to fraudulent websites to steal personal and financial information or install malware on their devices. This evolved form of the traditional "brushing scam" takes advantage of people's curiosity about mystery packages and the difficulty in identifying suspicious codes before scanning. The FBI warns the public to avoid scanning QR codes from unknown sources and to use strong antivirus protection on mobile devices.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
Most modern scams are operated by organized international criminal networks that fund human trafficking and other violent crimes, making fraud prevention a matter of both personal and global safety. Key protective measures include blocking unknown callers, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, freezing credit, and regularly monitoring credit reports. Victims should report fraud to local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center to help authorities combat these crimes and expose the true scale of the problem.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-07
The IRS warned of a rise in fraudulent tax schemes circulating on social media that encourage improper use of tax credits like the Fuel Tax Credit and Sick and Family Leave Credit. Thousands of taxpayers filed inaccurate returns following misleading posts and false "tax experts," resulting in over $162 million in penalties and 32,000 enforcement actions, with individuals risking denied refunds and up to $5,000 civil penalties for frivolous returns. The IRS recommends consulting legitimate tax professionals, following verified IRS accounts, and reporting suspected scams to avoid being misled.