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State Rep. Mike Cabell hosted a free educational seminar on October 7 for seniors to learn about financial fraud schemes and protection strategies, led by Pennsylvania's Office of Attorney General director David Shallcross. The event covered safety tips and current scam tactics, emphasizing that seniors are frequent targets of evolving fraud schemes designed to steal their money.

In 2023, the FBI reported $5.6 billion in losses from cryptocurrency fraud involving over 69,000 complaints, representing 50 percent of all financial fraud losses despite being only 10 percent of complaints. The FBI warns that legitimate agencies never request cryptocurrency payments, scammers impersonate financial institutions, and investments that seem too good to be true typically are fraudulent. Pennsylvania experienced $120 million in losses from cryptocurrency fraud, ranking 8th nationally in complaints and 9th in losses.

Prasad Margabandhu, 48, of Pittsburgh pleaded guilty to bankruptcy fraud and mail fraud for filing multiple fraudulent bankruptcy petitions between March 2019 and June 2022 to delay creditors' collection efforts on an East Carson Street property, and for submitting false statements to an insurance company regarding a June 2022 fire that destroyed the property. He faces up to 25 years in prison and $500,000 in fines at his January 14, 2025 sentencing.

**Summary:** Antranette Echols, a 57-year-old Indianapolis resident, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for wire fraud involving fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications. Echols prepared and submitted falsified loan applications on behalf of business borrowers in exchange for fees, resulting in losses of $373,690 to financial institutions and the Small Business Administration, which she was ordered to repay.

Two "Senior Scam Jam" educational events are being held in DuBois and Ridgway, Pennsylvania on September 17-18, hosted by State Rep. Mike Armanini in partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. The interactive seminars aim to teach older adults how to identify common scams, recognize fraud red flags, and report suspected fraud, with participation from local district attorneys' offices.

AARP Pennsylvania hosted a Telephone Town Hall featuring experts from the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI to educate residents about scams targeting older adults, including impostor, romance, lottery, and tech support fraud. The session provided warning signs, protective strategies, and resources for reporting fraudulent activities, emphasizing that individuals should question unsolicited contacts and never share money or personal information with unknown parties. Listeners can report scams to local law enforcement or contact AARP at 1-877-908-3360 for assistance.

AARP Pennsylvania hosted a Telephone Town Hall featuring law enforcement and volunteer experts who discussed sophisticated scams targeting older adults, including impostor, romance, lottery, and tech support fraud. The session provided guidance on recognizing warning signs, protecting personal information, and reporting fraudulent activities to local authorities. Listeners learned the importance of questioning unexpected contact and never sending money or personal details to unknown sources.

State Rep. Mike Cabell hosted a free educational seminar on October 7 at Meadows Manor Community Room in Dallas to teach older residents about current financial fraud schemes and protective measures. The event, led by David Shallcross from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, covered safety tips and holiday scams targeting seniors, who are frequently exploited by scammers using evolving tactics.

A phishing scam text message circulated in York, Pennsylvania, claiming recipients owed parking violation fees (ranging from $4.15 to $35) and directing them to click a malicious link. York City officials warned residents via Facebook that the text was fraudulent and advised anyone receiving suspicious parking-related communications to contact the York City Parking Bureau directly at 717-849-2230 rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.

A Bedford County resident received multiple calls claiming he had won a $2.5 million Publisher's Clearing House sweepstakes and was asked to pay $4,850 upfront in taxes before receiving the prize. The victim's contact with the actual Publisher's Clearing House company confirmed he was not a winner, as the legitimate company never calls winners and instead delivers prizes in person. This scam is part of a broader fraud epidemic in Pennsylvania, where the FTC reported over 14,800 fraud complaints in the first half of 2024, with sweepstakes and lottery scams accounting for 618 of those reports.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing for stricter banking regulations to combat wire fraud targeting seniors, in which scammers trick victims into transferring money from their accounts to overseas criminals. The investigation highlights a growing trend of elder fraud that presents challenges for banks whose customers are being victimized by these scams.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering legislation that would require banks to flag suspicious transactions—such as overseas wire transfers—and freeze them for several days while alerting law enforcement and potentially trusted family members, targeting protection for residents age 60 and older. The bill addresses a growing wire fraud problem where scammers trick elderly victims into transferring hundreds of thousands of dollars through elaborate schemes like romance scams and fake investment offers, with nearly 60% of stolen money in financial fraud cases originating from wire transfers and most never being recovered. The measure passed the Pennsylvania House in July with bipartisan support and is currently under Senate consideration.

More than 50 seniors attended a Scam Jam educational seminar in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, presented by state and local officials to teach fraud prevention and recognition of common scams targeting elders. Presenters highlighted increasingly sophisticated scams including voice cloning via AI, fake tech support calls requesting gift card payments, and impersonation schemes, emphasizing that victims should contact police immediately when suspicious and never provide personal information or payment via non-traditional means like gift cards. A recent local case was cited where timely police contact prevented a $30,000 loss to a potential victim.

At least six U.S. states (Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Connecticut, Maine, and Delaware) are enacting legislation to give banks new tools to identify and block suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as cyber fraud against older adults rises and the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau remains inactive. In 2023, impersonation scams alone caused $1.3 billion in losses with nearly half of victims over 60, and seniors filed over 101,000 complaints totaling $3.4 billion in losses. The state bills vary in their approach and liability provisions for financial institutions, though all aim to empower banks to halt or delay transactions suspected of elder financial exploitation.

At least six U.S. states—Pennsylvania, Florida, California, Connecticut, Maine, and Delaware—are enacting legislation to empower banks to identify and block suspicious transactions targeting seniors, as cyber fraud against older adults rises with seniors losing $3.4 billion in 2023 alone, largely through impersonation scams. These state-level efforts aim to fill federal protection gaps, though they create varying liability standards for financial institutions and may complicate compliance across different jurisdictions. Florida has already signed nine bills into law effective January 2024, while Pennsylvania's House Bill 2064 and similar measures in other states would allow banks to delay or refuse fraudulent transactions and face reimbursement liability

An elderly woman in Henderson Township, Jefferson County, lost $5,000 in a phone scam on September 23. Pennsylvania State Police are seeking information about the incident, which occurred at a residence along Route 410 around 3:56 p.m.

Rep. Ryan Mackenzie partnered with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General to host a free educational seminar on identity theft targeting older residents in the 187th Legislative District. The October 10 event, led by senior protection director Dave Shallcross, covered how to recognize scams, protect personal information, and respond to identity theft.

A Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania man fell victim to check washing when two checks he mailed were stolen, chemically altered, and fraudulently cashed for over $1,600 instead of their original amount under $10. After nine months of being denied reimbursement by his bank, First National Bank in Chippewa, the man filed complaints with federal consumer protection agencies, prompting the bank to finally agree to refund him. Experts recommend using gel pens, mailing checks inside post offices rather than curbside mailboxes, signing up for bank alerts, and reviewing account statements to prevent check washing fraud, which uses chemical solvents to erase check information and rewrite payee names and amounts

A scam text message circulating in Pennsylvania falsely claims to be from the Pennsylvania Turnpike and asks recipients to click a link to pay tolls or avoid late fees, with the actual intent of stealing financial information. Officials warn drivers not to click these links and instead verify toll balances directly through their E-ZPass account online, and recommend reporting suspicious messages to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Two Pennsylvania state legislators partnered with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Senior Protection Division to host a free educational seminar on October 25 at Fairlane Village Mall in Pottsville, designed to inform seniors about current scams and prevention strategies. The event, requiring advance reservations, was organized by Senator David G. Argall and Representative Tim Twardzik to help protect vulnerable seniors in their districts.

Carlton Rembert, 70, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for his role in a guardianship fraud scheme that stole over $1 million from at least 120 incapacitated elderly people in Pennsylvania between 2012 and 2018. Working with his sister Gloria Byars, a court-appointed guardian, and co-conspirator Alesha Mitchell, Rembert deposited over $695,000 in fraudulent checks into shell company accounts and spent the stolen funds on personal expenses including vacations and vehicles. Rembert was ordered to pay $534,335 in restitution to victims.

Carlton Rembert, 70, was sentenced to 5½ years in prison for conspiring with his sister Gloria Byars to defraud at least 120 incapacitated elderly wards in eastern Pennsylvania of over $1 million between 2012 and 2018. Byars, exploiting her position as court-appointed guardian, wrote unauthorized checks to shell companies controlled by the conspirators, which Rembert then deposited and withdrew in cash for personal spending on vacations, vehicles, and luxury items. Rembert was ordered to pay $534,335 in restitution to victims and will serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.

Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages claiming recipients are not registered to vote, directing them to fake websites like all-vote.com and votewin.org to harvest personal information including names, addresses, emails, dates of birth, and phone numbers. Election officials in Michigan and Pennsylvania warned voters to be cautious of these messages, which can be identified as scams by their unsolicited nature, suspicious domains, requests for unnecessary personal data, and grammatical errors. To verify voter registration safely, Americans should use the official government website vote.gov rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey Jr. highlighted recent legislative victories for older Americans, including a $35 monthly insulin copay cap that is saving retirees like Dave Bender $170 per month, and upcoming measures to cap out-of-pocket prescription costs at $2,000 annually for Medicare recipients. Casey also championed the bipartisan Stop Senior Scams Act to prevent fraud targeting older Pennsylvanians and emphasized ongoing efforts to increase nursing home oversight and accountability.

Leroy Artemus Tolbert, III, a 35-year-old from Michigan, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after fraudulently applying for Lowe's credit cards using another person's identity and purchasing approximately $100,000 in merchandise across multiple states including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Tolbert has agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution and faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge.

A 70-year-old man in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania was targeted through a romance scam on LinkedIn beginning in August 2022, where a criminal posed as a woman to build trust and extract his personal information. The scammers used his identity to purchase iPhones and iPads connected to his AT&T account, then convinced him to facilitate cryptocurrency purchases and transfers as part of a money laundering scheme, resulting in approximately $10,000 in fraudulent charges before the bank detected the activity. The FBI warns that romance scams have become a billion-dollar-a-year enterprise increasingly used to turn victims into "money mules," with AI technology making such schemes more convincing,

Russian actors created and spread a fake video on social media falsely depicting mail-in ballots for Donald Trump being destroyed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which U.S. officials confirmed was part of Moscow's effort to undermine confidence in U.S. election integrity. Local election officials and law enforcement debunked the video within three hours of it circulating on Thursday, demonstrating improved response capabilities to election disinformation. The incident highlights how foreign actors continue to use sophisticated deepfakes and divisive imagery to exploit American political divisions ahead of elections.

A criminal investigation was launched in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania after election officials flagged approximately 2,500 voter registration forms submitted before the state's deadline, with about 60% found to contain fraudulent elements such as false names, forged signatures, incorrect addresses, or stolen personal information. Two additional Pennsylvania counties received similar suspicious applications, and authorities described the scheme as an organized effort, though the source and scope of the fraud remain under investigation. The fraudulent applications have been segregated and prevented from resulting in ballot issuance while the investigation continues.

A man who obtained legal power of attorney for an elderly Pennsylvania woman stole more than $60,000 from her and remains at large, prompting fraud analyst Lauren Greenaway to testify before state lawmakers about the case during legislative discussions on financial exploitation of seniors. The testimony highlighted the need for stronger protections, including proposals to require financial institutions to report suspected elder financial exploitation and to clarify laws around power of attorney oversight to prevent similar abuses.

Pennsylvania authorities charged nine individuals, including three alleged leaders Davon Whitfield, Naima Scott, and Zonay Griffin, with participating in an organized retail theft scheme targeting TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, and Marshalls stores since 2022. The operation involved stealing merchandise, altering receipts, and exploiting return policies across more than 1,000 store locations in nine states, generating over $850,000 in fraudulent payouts, with the three leaders alone responsible for approximately $700,000 across roughly 1,500 transactions.

Pennsylvania House Democrats convened a hearing to discuss ways to strengthen state support for the commonwealth's 3.4 million older adults, the nation's fifth-oldest population. Testifiers identified key needs including affordable housing, transportation, community services, and protection from financial scams targeting seniors through phone calls, email, and social media, with recommendations to update the Older Adult Protection Services Act and implement stricter penalties for scammers.

**Summary:** Stephanie L. Bonincontro, a 43-year-old from Oakdale, Pennsylvania, was indicted on wire fraud and money laundering charges for misusing a $500,000 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) intended for her tree service business. She allegedly diverted approximately $250,000 into a personal investment account for money laundering and used $225,000 for personal expenses and credit card debt through a second company she owned. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and up to $750,000 in fines.

State Rep. Jeanne McNeill hosted a Senior Scam Prevention Event on November 18 featuring David Shallcross, director of Senior Protection for the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, who presented information on identifying and avoiding common scams targeting seniors. The event included a Q&A session and was held at Zentz Community Center in Whitehall.

Walter Holt III, a 35-year-old Washington, Pennsylvania resident, pleaded guilty to two counts of wire fraud for preparing and submitting falsified Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) COVID-19 relief loan applications for Charleroi borrowers in March and May 2021, collecting fees for the fraudulent applications. He faces up to 40 years in prison and $1 million in fines, with sentencing scheduled for January 31, 2025.

This educational piece outlines nine common scam tactics and warning signs, including unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from banks or government agencies, requests for untraceable payment methods (gift cards, prepaid debit cards), poor quality communications with misspellings, upfront payment demands, and pre-checked boxes for recurring donations. The author advises readers to verify caller identity independently, watch for threats or "too good to be true" offers, and report suspected scams to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office.

During Medicare's open enrollment period (October 15–December 7), scammers impersonate Medicare representatives to steal personal information and Medicare numbers from beneficiaries through unsolicited calls and high-pressure tactics, sometimes fraudulently claiming extra benefits for early enrollment or offering unnecessary services. AARP Pennsylvania advises beneficiaries to review Medicare statements carefully, reject unsolicited offers, and verify that legitimate contact comes only after they initiate calls to Medicare, with scams reportable to law enforcement or AARP's fraud hotline at 1-877-908-3360.

Tashina Thompson, 29, of Philadelphia, was issued an arrest warrant for allegedly exploiting an elderly resident of East Goshen Township, Pennsylvania, where she worked as a home health caretaker from January to June 2024. Thompson faces charges including financial exploitation of an older adult, identity theft (25 counts), forgery (5 counts), and related fraud offenses; her current whereabouts are unknown. Police are seeking information on Thompson's location and urge anyone with tips to contact the Westtown-East Goshen Regional Police Department.

Pennsylvania State Police warned of a sophisticated Bitcoin scam targeting older residents, wherein scammers impersonated financial institution representatives and federal agents (FBI, FTC) to convince victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin kiosks under the pretense of protecting their assets from fraudulent activity. Victims were tricked into providing receipts or scanning QR codes that granted scammers access to the transferred funds, which are typically irretrievable due to Bitcoin's anonymous nature. The scammers used phone number spoofing to appear legitimate, and victims are urged to report incidents to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.

Pennsylvania State Police warn of a Bitcoin scam targeting retirees in which fraudsters impersonate bank representatives and federal investigators, persuading victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin kiosks under the guise of protecting their money from fraudulent activity. Once victims provide confirmation receipts or QR codes linking their accounts, scammers access the Bitcoin deposits and transfer the funds, which are untraceable due to the nature of cryptocurrency. The scam typically involves phone number spoofing to appear legitimate, and victims are advised to contact authorities such as the Pennsylvania Attorney General (800-441-2555) or the Federal Trade Commission (877-382-4357) if targeted.

Pennsylvania experienced over 3,000 scam victims in the past year with losses exceeding $118 million, according to FBI data. Fraudsters employed various tactics including fake charities exploiting weather disasters, AI-generated voice cloning to impersonate trusted individuals, and impostor schemes where criminals pose as bank employees to trick victims into moving their money. Older Americans reported losses exceeding $1.9 billion to fraud, though actual losses may reach $62 billion when accounting for unreported cases, and the Federal Trade Commission has implemented new impersonation rules to combat these crimes.

A Pennsylvania man, Dipen Patel, was arrested after attempting to impersonate a federal agent to scam an elderly couple out of over $60,000 in cash in Galloway Township. The victim's daughter recognized the scam and contacted police, who coordinated surveillance and arrested Patel when he arrived to collect the cash. Patel was charged with third-degree theft by unlawful taking and released on a summons pending investigation.

Pennsylvania SNAP recipients received fraudulent text messages claiming their EBT cards were deactivated and requesting they call a provided number to reactivate them, according to a warning from the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. The scam aimed to steal personal and financial information through identity theft, as the DHS confirmed it never requests such information via text message. Residents who receive suspicious texts about benefits should report them to the DHS fraud tip line at 1-844-347-8477.

An elderly couple in Galloway Township, New Jersey, nearly lost $60,000 to an imposter posing as a federal agent who convinced them their bank accounts had been compromised and instructed them to withdraw cash for deposit into a "secure account." Police intervened after the couple's daughter alerted authorities, and arrested Dipen Patel, 51, of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, when he arrived at the home to collect the money. The case highlights the prevalence of elder fraud schemes targeting seniors through phone impersonation.

A Pennsylvania man, Dipen Patel, 51, was arrested after attempting to scam an elderly Galloway couple out of more than $60,000 by posing as a federal agent and claiming their Social Security numbers had been compromised. Police were alerted by the couple's daughter while the scam was in progress and apprehended Patel when he arrived at the home to collect the cash. The case highlights common elder fraud tactics, and police remind seniors that legitimate law enforcement will never demand cash payments over the phone.

A 51-year-old Pennsylvania man was arrested in Galloway Township, NJ after attempting to collect over $60,000 from an elderly couple in a phone scam where he impersonated a federal agent and falsely claimed fraudulent bank accounts had been opened using their Social Security number. Police apprehended the suspect at the victims' home after the couple's daughter alerted authorities, and officers set up surveillance to intercept the cash pickup. The case highlights the importance of recognizing red flags such as demands for cash withdrawals and verifying suspicious calls directly with financial institutions or law enforcement.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General Michelle Henry warned residents of phishing scams in which fraudsters contact people claiming fraudulent activity on their bank accounts, then request sensitive information such as login credentials, account numbers, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth via phone, email, or text. The advisory emphasizes that legitimate financial institutions never solicit account information through these channels and advises victims to contact their bank directly using the number on their card or visit their local branch to verify contact, and to report scams to the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Three New York residents—Rohan Lyttle (97 months), Caron Pitter (66 months), and Charlene Marshall (34 months)—were sentenced to prison for their roles in a Jamaican lottery scam targeting elderly Americans between 2017 and 2020. The defendants received and laundered funds from victims who were falsely told they had won Publisher's Clearing House prizes and needed to prepay taxes, with victims losing over $1.1 million collectively through cash packages, wire transfers, and fraudulent credit card and ATM withdrawals in Jamaica; each defendant was ordered to pay $245,147.98 in restitution.

The FBI warned New Jersey and Pennsylvania residents about two holiday scams: romance scams, where criminals use fake online identities to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money or gifts; and ransomware attacks, which lock computer files and demand payment for their return, often triggered by clicking suspicious emails or links about package deliveries. Both scams exploit holiday season vulnerabilities, and the FBI advises victims to verify identities, never send money to strangers online, and avoid clicking on unsolicited messages about packages or purchases.

A 66-year-old Punxsutawney woman pleaded guilty to federal fraud charges for embezzling approximately $91,300 in Social Security benefits between May 2016 and January 2022. Merlo knowingly received benefits to which she was not entitled and converted the funds for her own use. She faces sentencing on March 26, 2025, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Delaware County, Pennsylvania is hosting "Scam Jam," a free educational event on Friday at the Springfield YMCA designed to help seniors identify and avoid common fraud schemes. The event features representatives from the Delaware County District Attorney's Office, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office, and local police who will provide information and tips to help seniors protect themselves from becoming victims.