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American Senior Communities and the Indiana Attorney General's Office are hosting free educational sessions to help seniors recognize and avoid scams, with a session scheduled for May 9 in Indianapolis. The presentation will cover common fraud tactics (such as grandparent scams, romance fraud, and fake investment schemes) that cost seniors over $5.9 billion annually, and will provide guidance on identifying scams, recovery steps, and how to report fraud.

Indiana seniors over 60 reported $26.5 million in financial losses across approximately 1,170 fraud cases in 2023, driven primarily by investment schemes ($12 million), tech support fraud ($8.9 million), and romance scams. Nationally, seniors suffered over $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud being the most commonly reported crime type and investment scams proving the costliest. The FBI released this data to educate the public and prevent further victimization, noting that some victims have taken extreme measures such as remortgaging homes and depleting retirement accounts to cover losses.

An FBI report found that scammers stole $3.4 billion from people over 60 in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with tech scams, data breach scams, and romance/confidence scams being the most common. Key prevention strategies include ignoring suspicious fraud alerts and calling card numbers directly, verifying data breach notifications through official mail channels, freezing credit with major bureaus, and being alert to scams that create urgency or demand immediate action. Educating older adults about these tactics is critical to preventing them from losing retirement savings or Social Security benefits.

Christopher Markham, a 40-year-old SSA employee in Indiana, was charged with wire fraud for defrauding the Social Security Administration of approximately $49,256 between February 2019 and June 2022. While claiming to telework full-time for SSA, Markham actually performed home inspections for his personal business during work hours, enlisting his wife and mother to send emails making him appear online, and submitted 53 fraudulent time reports and falsified work logs to collect his full federal salary. He also fraudulently claimed Emergency Paid Leave and Family and Medical Leave Act benefits while conducting approximately 70 home inspections for his personal business.

Michael Jerome Wright and Cortney Lashea Young, both of Princeton, Indiana, were charged with mail theft and check forgery after law enforcement discovered they had stolen checks totaling over $1 million from USPS collection boxes using an unauthorized arrow key between October 2023 and April 2024. During a vehicle stop and subsequent apartment search, investigators recovered the arrow key, stolen mail including forged checks, and illegal firearms including a "ghost gun" equipped with a machinegun conversion device. Both defendants, who have prior felony convictions, face federal charges including identity theft, weapons violations, and mail theft.

American Senior Communities partnered with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana to present free educational sessions on avoiding elder fraud, which costs seniors over $5.9 billion annually through scams involving impersonation, romance schemes, and fake investment opportunities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman will teach seniors how to identify common scams, recover from them, and report fraud to appropriate authorities. The series begins April 22 at The Commons on Meridian assisted living community in Indianapolis.

This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers Indiana state political appointments, utility rate decisions, and reproductive health policy matters. It does not contain content relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.

The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are warning of a surge in sophisticated phone scams where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials, using real badge numbers, officer names, and spoofed government phone numbers to appear credible. Victims in the Northern District of Indiana and across the nation have been deceived into withdrawing cash, purchasing gift cards, and transferring funds under false claims that their identities were stolen or bank accounts compromised, with losses reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Authorities urge victims to report incidents to the FBI and FTC, and remind the public never to share financial information with unsolicited callers or send money to anyone claiming to be law enforcement.

Scammers impersonating U.S. Marshals Service officials and law enforcement are making phone calls claiming victims' identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then instructing them to withdraw money and purchase gift cards under the false promise of opening new bank accounts and providing new social security numbers. The FBI and USMS warn that these fraudulent calls have been reported nationally and in northern Indiana, often targeting elderly victims who lose thousands of dollars; authorities urge recipients to hang up, report the calls to the FTC, and contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 if victimized.

Yolanda Brooks, a 52-year-old Medicaid Supervisor in Indianapolis, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for stealing approximately $920,148.51 in checks intended for healthcare reimbursements. Between March 2018 and July 2021, Brooks deposited roughly 486 checks into two personal bank accounts opened under her maiden name, falsely representing herself as authorized to negotiate them, and spent the stolen funds on personal expenses including shopping, gambling, and vacations. The court ordered Brooks to pay full restitution of $920,148.51 and serve three years of supervised release following her prison term.

Seniors on Medicare are being targeted by "phantom billing" scams in which fraudulent health care providers and medical equipment companies submit unauthorized charges—such as urinary catheters—to Medicare accounts. Cases documented include Ann Midkiff of Indianapolis who was billed over $3,000 for catheters she never requested, and the scam has grown dramatically, with catheter charges jumping from affecting 40,000 patients in 2021 to over 450,000 by 2023. Experts recommend seniors regularly review their Medicare statements and immediately report suspicious charges by calling 1-800-MEDICARE, as such fraud costs the Medicare system approximately $60 billion annually.

Bethany Olmsted, a 43-year-old controller in Kokomo, Indiana, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for stealing $413,531 from her employer and five investment companies between November 2018 and September 2021. Olmsted wrote approximately 520 fraudulent checks to herself and falsely categorized them as payments to legitimate vendors while transferring funds between accounts to conceal the thefts; she used the stolen money for personal expenses including spa treatments, jewelry, and high-end dining. The court ordered her to pay full restitution of $413,531.98 and serve 2 years of supervised release

Following devastating storms in Delaware and Randolph County, the Better Business Bureau warned donors to verify charities before contributing, as scammers frequently exploit natural disasters through door-to-door solicitation, social media fundraisers, and pressure tactics. Red flags include vague descriptions of how funds will be used, demands for immediate donations, and charity names designed to confuse donors. The BBB recommends researching organizations through their websites, verifying nonprofit status (501c3), checking state attorney general registries, and using Give.org to confirm BBB accreditation before donating.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita warns residents to watch for storm repair scams where fraudsters pose as contractors, promise immediate repairs, collect down payments, and disappear with the money. The alert advises Hoosiers to verify contractor credentials and insurance, obtain multiple written estimates, avoid upfront full payment, and never use wire transfers or cash, while warning that legitimate FEMA assistance never requires application fees. Those who suspect scams can contact the AG's office at 800-382-5516.

**Summary:** On July 30, 2023, a casino supervisor at Four Winds Casino in Hartford, Michigan fell for an impersonation scam when someone posing as the tribal chairperson requested urgent funds, resulting in the supervisor delivering $700,000 in cash to unknown individuals at an Indiana gas station. Jesus Gaytan-Garcia was arrested months later after investigators matched him to one of the recipients, with physical evidence including a cash bundle bearing the casino's name found at his residence. This case reflects a rising trend of telephone scams targeting tribal and commercial gaming operations nationwide.

Kidnapping scams are increasingly targeting families across the U.S., with scammers using photos from social media of children traveling overseas to fabricate abduction scenarios and demand ransom payments via wire transfer. The Indiana Attorney General's Office advises recipients to stay calm, verify the child's safety through alternative contact methods or social media, and request direct communication with the alleged victim to buy time while contacting local police.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita issued a warning to local families about cyber kidnapping scams that exploit relatives' social media accounts to defraud victims. The alert provided guidance on what to do if targeted by such scams. The article includes a quick tip resource for residents on how to respond to this type of fraud.

Scammers in the Michiana region are impersonating court officials, claiming targets have missed jury duty and are in contempt of court, using personal information like names, phone numbers, and addresses to appear credible. The fraudsters use urgency-based language and request payment via gift cards or prepaid cards, which makes the money irretrievable once compromised. Indiana State Police advise that legitimate law enforcement will not call about warrants and recommend contacting the actual police agency if you receive such calls to verify their authenticity.

The Better Business Bureau of Greater Kentucky and South Central Indiana identified 10 prevalent scams in February, including romance scams, wage garnishment schemes, fake business listings, impersonation of law enforcement, fraudulent surveys, reshipping employment schemes, fake government benefits calls, Facebook account deactivation phishing, solar panel fraud, and government grant scams. The BBB advised consumers to verify companies before transactions, never pay with gift cards or wire transfers, avoid clicking unsolicited links, and refrain from providing personal information to unverified callers or unsolicited online contacts. Consumers are encouraged to check bbb.org before making purchases and to recognize that legitimate agencies never demand payment by phone.

Dekoda Scott Clark, a 32-year-old bank employee in Evansville, Indiana, was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison for stealing approximately $158,208.53 from customer accounts between January 2023 and March 2024. Clark exploited his position as a Relationship Banker to make unauthorized cash withdrawals totaling $142,500 from three individuals and create fraudulent debit cards linked to seven victims' accounts, using them to purchase high-value technology items and other goods. He must pay full restitution of $158,208.53 to the bank.

Eight defendants, all Indian nationals except one Ohio resident, were prosecuted for operating a transnational money laundering conspiracy that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of their life savings between May and November 2023. The scheme involved "phantom hacker" scams where fraudsters falsely claimed victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonated law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring funds for supposed "protection," resulting in nearly $4 million in restitution ordered and prison sentences ranging from 2 to 6 years. The last defendant, Kishan Vinayak Patel, 26, received a 46-month sentence after conviction on money

Eight individuals were sentenced to federal prison for operating an international "phantom hacker" scam that defrauded victims across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana of tens of millions of dollars between May and November 2023. The conspirators posed as company officials and law enforcement agents to convince victims their financial accounts were compromised, then persuaded them to withdraw cash or gold bars for alleged safekeeping, which was then distributed among the scammers. The defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution, with sentences ranging from 24 to 72 months in prison.

Eight members of a transnational money laundering conspiracy, seven Indian nationals and one Ohio resident, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 to 6 years for laundering proceeds from "phantom hacker" fraud schemes that victimized residents across Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Indiana between May and November 2023. The scam involved fraudsters falsely claiming victims' accounts were compromised, then impersonating law enforcement to pressure victims into transferring their life savings under the guise of account protection. The eight defendants were ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution to victims who lost their life savings.

In 2024, the FBI recorded 147,127 scam reports involving Americans age 60 and over, resulting in nearly $5 billion in stolen funds. Arizona had the highest rate of fraud complaints among seniors (88.3 per 100,000 people age 60+), followed by Indiana and Nevada, with imposter scams and tech support scams being the most common types. Experts note that seniors should be alert to unsolicited contacts, unusual payment methods, and pressure to act urgently, as scam attempts and underreporting vary significantly by state.

Indiana State Police report a surge in fraud cases involving Facebook Marketplace and investment scams, warning the public against sending money via digital payment services or wire transfers to unseen sellers or remote contacts. Authorities recommend verifying sellers through in-person meetings, avoiding remote computer access requests, and refusing to share banking information, noting that spoofed phone numbers and unrealistically low prices are common red flags for scams.

Indiana ranks second nationally for senior fraud complaints at 76.9 per 100,000 residents, with seniors age 60+ losing $4.8 billion to fraud nationwide in 2023. The state experienced a sharp 240% increase in elderly fraud complaints over three years, driven partly by its growing senior population expected to exceed 20% by 2030. The most common scams involved tech support impersonation, while cryptocurrency fraud proved most costly, with victims averaging losses exceeding $108,000 per case.

According to a new report, Indiana ranks second in the nation for senior fraud rates, with fraudulent scams against seniors increasing 240% over the last three years—the highest increase in the country. The article highlights a recent case in Parke County where a woman and accomplice nearly defrauded an 80-year-old man out of over $100,000 through a hacking scam, but the victim became suspicious and reported it to authorities, leading to the suspect's arrest.

Indiana State Police are reporting a sharp increase in romance scams on dating websites where criminals use artificial intelligence to create more convincing fake profiles and messages, with victims losing up to $200,000 in some cases. The AI technology allows scammers to improve their English and create realistic photos, making it harder for people to detect fraudulent accounts, and perpetrators typically spend weeks or months building relationships before requesting money through untraceable payment methods like gift cards. Police advise potential dating app users to watch for red flags such as requests for money, unusual photo details (asymmetrical faces, incomplete glasses, odd fingers), and to verify profiles independently before engaging with matches.

Indiana State Police report a surge in AI-enhanced romance scams targeting Hoosiers, with victims losing up to $200,000 per case. Scammers use artificial intelligence to improve their language skills and create realistic profile photos, making them harder to detect as they build relationships over weeks or months before requesting money through untraceable payment methods. Police advise victims to watch for red flags such as requests for gift cards, scrutinize AI-generated photos for imperfections, and trust their instincts, as romance scams have become the third riskiest scam type according to the Better Business Bureau.

A Full Stack Academy survey ranks Indiana second nationally for phishing scam victims, with 40% of Hoosiers reporting they've been targeted and 69% lacking confidence in spotting phishing attempts. The most common scam tactic in the state involves impersonating major delivery services (Amazon, USPS, UPS) and payment platforms (PayPal, FedEx) to lure victims into clicking malicious links through fake delivery delay notifications, with email remaining the primary attack vector. Experts recommend independently verifying suspicious messages by navigating directly to company websites or looking up official phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited communications.

The Better Business Bureau's Northern Indiana chapter warned holiday shoppers about gift card scams, where fraudsters tamper with cards in stores, steal card information, and return them to shelves undetected. According to the Federal Trade Commission, gift card fraud accounted for $27 million of the $10 billion in scams reported nationwide in 2023. Consumers can protect themselves by inspecting cards for damage, checking for stickers over barcodes, alerting employees to suspicious packaging, and researching store-specific gift card terms and conditions.

A free elder fraud workshop is being held Monday, June 10th in Westfield, sponsored by the FBI Indianapolis Citizens Academy alumni association, with registration closing Friday. The workshop will educate seniors on evolving scams, with a particular focus on how artificial intelligence can be used against older adults, given that scams targeting people 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses last year alone.

This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a promotional news segment about DryveBox, a mobile golf simulator service, and the Indiana Golf Foundation's groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for June 5th. The segment features a demonstration of the golf simulator technology and discusses its use in educational and recreational settings.

Elder fraud scams targeting seniors in Indiana have increased in sophistication, with over 1,100 victims age 60 and older reporting approximately $26 million in losses last year. Scammers are leveraging evolving technology—including AI-generated voices and deepfakes—alongside traditional techniques to make frauds more convincing, with common red flags including artificial urgency and unsolicited requests for personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details. The FBI Indianapolis and Citizens Academy Alumni Association are hosting a free workshop on June 10th at Westfield High School to educate the public on recognizing and preventing these scams.