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Texas ranks third in the nation for elder fraud, with 7,035 complaints from seniors over 60 resulting in losses exceeding $278 million in 2023, according to the FBI report. Scams include phishing, romance schemes, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency theft, with one couple in their 80s losing nearly $200,000 through a pop-up computer scam. Experts note that quick reporting is critical for potential fund recovery, though victims like the Shockeys have had limited success retrieving losses.

Following a deadly storm in the Houston area, the Better Business Bureau warned residents to beware of scammers posing as home repair contractors who target disaster victims. The BBB recommended protecting oneself by checking contractors with the BBB, maintaining communication with insurance companies, obtaining multiple written estimates, avoiding door-to-door solicitors, requiring detailed contracts, and never paying the full amount upfront. These precautions are particularly important as hurricane season approaches in June.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members reported increased phone scam attempts wherein callers falsely claimed their power would be disconnected unless they made immediate payments. The cooperative clarified that it never demands payment by phone and instead notifies delinquent accounts through mail and courtesy calls before disconnection. Members are advised not to pay or share personal information if they receive such calls without prior written or courtesy notice, and should report suspicious calls to local law enforcement and member services.

**Summary:** Residents of Bowie County, Texas have been targeted by telephone scams using caller ID spoofing to impersonate the Bowie County Sheriff's Office by displaying the department's actual main number (903-798-3149). The scams exploit local trust by making calls appear to originate from an official law enforcement source.

Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, were arrested on charges of operating an online romance scam that defrauded at least 13 elderly Americans of approximately $3.1 million between 2015 and 2022. The couple, who resided in Fulshear, Texas, targeted widowed victims on social media and dating platforms, building trust before coercing them to transfer money to accounts they controlled. Both face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, with Akporugo facing additional charges including aggravated identity theft and fraud related to access devices.

The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers posing as contractors frequently target disaster victims following severe weather events, such as Memorial Day weekend storms in Texas. The BBB provides guidance including contacting your insurance company, researching contractors through BBB.org and local licensing agencies, avoiding high-pressure sales tactics, refusing to sign over insurance checks directly to contractors, and being cautious of door-to-door solicitors and offers to illegally waive insurance deductibles. Key protective measures include getting references, requesting contractor identification, paying contractors directly with credit cards, and avoiding allowing unknown contractors unsupervised access to hard-to-inspect areas of the home.

Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, were arrested on charges of operating an online romance scam that defrauded at least 13 elderly Americans of approximately $3.1 million between 2015 and 2022. The couple, who were engaged to be married in Houston, targeted widowed victims on social media and dating platforms, building trust before convincing them to transfer money to accounts they controlled. Both face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, with Akporugo facing additional charges including aggravated identity theft.

Jeremy Wade Wilson, owner of Publishers Elite, pleaded guilty to operating a $4.8 million nationwide telemarketing fraud scheme from 2013-2019 that defrauded over 14,000 victims, including more than 200 in Minnesota, through fraudulent magazine subscription sales targeting elderly and vulnerable consumers. Wilson, the final of 64 defendants charged, faces sentencing in September 2024 after pleading guilty to six counts of wire fraud and SCAMS Act violations.

Bolanle Odeyale, a Nigerian citizen living in Texas, was ordered to remain in custody pending trial after being accused of helping Nigerian fraudsters launder millions of dollars obtained through romance scams. The Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals determined she posed a serious flight risk, particularly given an immigration detainer issued against her, and ruled that no release conditions could reasonably ensure her appearance at trial.

El Paso police reported a rise in identity theft scams targeting elderly residents over the past two years, with victims particularly vulnerable to text and phone scams due to high trust levels and limited awareness of technology capabilities. Sgt. Cristina Mendoza of the Financial Crime Unit identified key warning signs including unsolicited contact, pressure to pay in specific ways, and inability to verify the other party's identity.

The City of Sunset Valley lost $12,000 in a phishing scam in March 2023 when someone impersonated a festival event planner and requested payment via a spoofed email. The fraudster, later identified as 66-year-old Cynthia Louis Dickinson, had compromised the vendor's email account and used prior communication history to make the request appear legitimate; Dickinson then transferred the funds from a coaching service account to her personal account.

According to a 2023 AARP report, approximately $28.3 billion is lost annually to scams in the United States, with senior citizens being frequently targeted by scammers. Investment advisor Brian Mirau notes that retirees are particularly vulnerable and emphasizes the importance of understanding these financial threats.

A 2023 Better Business Bureau report shows phishing scam reports nearly doubled compared to 2022, with first quarter 2024 numbers on track to exceed last year's totals. U.S. consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with a couple billion attributed to imposter and phishing scams, including losses exceeding $1 million in Corpus Christi alone (though only 3-5% of victims report scams). Experts advise verifying unsolicited contacts by calling official business numbers independently and avoiding urgent pressure tactics and threats commonly used by scammers to extract personal information.

A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud in late 2022 when over $3,000 in unauthorized charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement after a Florida vacation, though her family's dispute with Citibank was closed due to insufficient information. The case highlights a broader problem: Massachusetts residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults. Experts recommend families monitor elderly parents' financial accounts closely and discuss common scam tactics, including requests for unusual payment methods and pressure to act quickly.

A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud when over $3,000 in fraudulent charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement in late 2022, shortly after she vacationed in Florida. Her daughter spent more than a year attempting to dispute the charges with Citibank, but the case was closed due to insufficient information, highlighting challenges elderly fraud victims face in resolving disputes. The incident reflects a broader trend in Massachusetts, where residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors being significantly more vulnerable to online scams, investment fraud, and imposter schemes.

The FBI reported a significant rise in elder fraud cases, with financial losses totaling $1.6 billion from January to May 2024—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023. The bureau recommends elders verify caller identities by hanging up and calling back directly, searching company names, and avoiding sharing personal information with unsolicited contacts. Victims or those with information about elder fraud can contact the FBI or file a complaint through IC3.gov.

An elderly woman in White Settlement, Texas was targeted by a scammer posing as a Chase Bank security employee who instructed her to withdraw and deposit $40,000 in Bitcoin at an ATM while on a video call. A bystander, Myndi Jordan, noticed the victim depositing money at a Chevron gas station and called police; Sergeant James Stewart arrived and intervened before the full amount could be transferred, stopping the transaction after $23,900 had already been deposited. Police were able to coordinate with Bitcoin to recover the deposited funds, and authorities are warning the public that scammers can spoof bank phone numbers and use coercion and threats to manipulate victims into

The FBI reports a significant increase in elder fraud cases, with $1.6 billion in losses from January to May 2024—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023—and notes that Texas alone lost over $278 million in 2023. The most common schemes targeting older adults include tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and government impersonation scams, with investment fraud showing the sharpest growth (up 419% in losses from 2021-2023, largely due to cryptocurrency). The FBI emphasizes that seniors should verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and monitor their

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI Dallas released findings from the 2023 Elder Fraud Report showing that elder fraud complaints increased 14% with reported losses totaling over $3.4 billion, averaging $33,915 per victim, with Texas accounting for over 7,000 complaints and $278.3 million in losses. Tech support scams were the most commonly reported elder fraud type in 2023, followed by personal data breaches, romance scams, non-payment/non-delivery scams, and investment scams. The FBI identified a formulaic tech support scam pattern where victims' computers are frozen with pop-ups claiming illegal activity, then

A White Settlement, Texas police officer stopped a scam targeting an elderly woman who had been tricked by a Chase Bank impersonator into withdrawing $40,000 and depositing $23,900 into a Bitcoin ATM machine. The scammer used spoofed caller ID and threats of arrest—tactics common in pig butchering scams—before arranging transportation to a bank and convenience store. Authorities intervened before further losses occurred and are working to recover the deposited funds.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It discusses Netflix's plan to open immersive entertainment venues at shopping malls, including one at the Galleria in Dallas, as a strategy to revitalize declining mall traffic. There is no content related to elder fraud, scams, elder abuse, or senior citizen safety concerns.

An 84-year-old Texas woman was targeted by a scammer impersonating a Chase Bank security employee who convinced her to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM to "correct a banking mistake." A Good Samaritan named Myndi Jordan discovered the woman at a gas station after she had already deposited $23,900, and alerted police; Sergeant James Stewart arrived and intervened, preventing the victim from losing the additional $16,100 she had prepared to deposit, for a total potential loss of $40,000.

An 84-year-old woman in White Settlement, Texas was targeted by a scammer who impersonated her bank's security team and threatened her into depositing $40,000 via Bitcoin ATM. Police intervened when a Good Samaritan called authorities, recovering $23,900 that the victim had already deposited, which was returned to her by officers. The case underscores that legitimate banks and law enforcement never call to demand money or payment.

Adedayo John, a 35-year-old from Texas, was sentenced to seven years in prison for leading a money laundering and bank fraud ring that stole over $19 million from more than 50 victims through business email compromise and romance fraud schemes targeting elderly individuals. John directed conspirators to open fraudulent bank accounts, approximately $4.5 million in proceeds passed through accounts he controlled, and he was ordered to forfeit over $4.5 million and pay nearly $1.6 million in restitution. In total, 11 defendants pleaded guilty in the scheme, which collectively resulted in over $25 million in forfeitures and $8

I cannot summarize this content as it does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database. The provided text is a list of unrelated news headlines covering topics such as train incidents, political campaigns, municipal finance, film nominations, and house fires—none of which pertain to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. Please provide an article or transcript related to senior fraud or elder abuse for summarization.

Arlington, Texas police are investigating at least 20 suspicious deaths at nursing homes operated by Regla Becker, 49, owner of unlicensed Love and Caring for People LLC, who faces charges including abuse, negligence, theft, and fraud. One death has been ruled a homicide after the medical examiner found undescribed drugs (trazodone, tramadol, and mirtazapine) in client Steven Pankratz's body; police are also investigating whether Becker coerced client Karen Walker into signing a will leaving her house to Becker shortly before Walker's death in October 2022. The investigation is complicated by the

A Denver man lost over $600 in a phone scam where scammers impersonated his bank (Wells Fargo), claiming fraud had been detected on his account, and then tricked him into providing his Apple ID credentials and changing his password, resulting in the theft of his phone data and funds. Aurora Police reported 25 similar cases in the year and emphasized that once scammers gain access to a victim's device and accounts, there is little law enforcement can do to recover the lost money. Police advise people to hang up on suspicious calls and instead contact their bank directly using a trusted phone number.

On May 28th, a Pearland, Texas resident named Missy Edwards lost $17,633 to scammers who spoofed a Wells Fargo phone number and falsely convinced her there was fraudulent activity on her account, then tricked her into initiating a wire transfer herself. Because Edwards voluntarily sent the money under false pretenses rather than having it stolen outright, the bank may not reimburse her, and recovery is extremely difficult since the funds are typically converted to cryptocurrency, which law enforcement agencies struggle to track.

The FBI is warning Texas residents about an increasing number of scams operating in the state, noting that criminals are becoming more sophisticated by using AI tools to improve their fraud techniques. The agency advises people to never share banking information or purchase gift cards in response to unsolicited requests via text, email, or messaging apps, and to verify requests for money directly with family members before sending funds. Victims are urged to contact law enforcement immediately if they are scammed.

A Georgia couple lost $49,000 in lifetime savings after receiving fraudulent text messages posing as Chase Bank fraud alerts; though the couple did not authorize the transaction and provided no passwords, Chase Bank initially denied reimbursement and closed their case four times. Following the couple's persistence in seeking a subpoena through the court system, Gwinnett County police investigated and issued an arrest warrant in May for 25-year-old Audrey Michelle Townsend from Texas, who confessed to receiving and distributing the stolen funds as part of a larger scam operation, though Chase Bank has still not reopened the case for reimbursement.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database. It is a promotional piece for a food and entertainment television show called "Texas Eats" that features restaurant recommendations in San Antonio, Texas. It contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related safety concerns.

Following Hurricane Beryl, scammers known as "storm chasers" targeted Texas residents with fraudulent home repair services, typically arriving from out of state to exploit storm damage. Red flags include pressure tactics like same-day-only deals, unmarked vehicles, upfront payment demands, and offers to waive insurance deductibles—a practice that is illegal. Experts recommend obtaining multiple written estimates on company letterhead, verifying contractor credentials and references, and requesting documentation like warranties and bills of sale before hiring any repair service.

Following Hurricane Beryl's power outages in the Pasadena, Texas area, scammers targeted senior citizens in assisted living by directing them to a fraudulent 800-number posing as a hotel booking service. One victim was charged $207 for a fake hotel reservation with an incorrect phone number and was unable to verify the booking when she arrived at the hotel; she successfully disputed the charge with her credit card company. The incident highlights how scammers exploit seniors during disasters when they are vulnerable and seeking emergency shelter.

Following the CrowdStrike service outage, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned residents to be vigilant against scams exploiting the cybersecurity incident, particularly unsolicited contacts claiming to be from CrowdStrike requesting login credentials or personal information. Consumers are advised to immediately change any compromised passwords, avoid reusing them across accounts, and report suspected data breaches to their organization's customer support or IT department.

A healthcare administrator in Texas highlights that seniors born before 1950 are particularly vulnerable to scams due to their trusting nature, with the most common frauds involving Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, home repairs, and grandparent impersonation schemes. The FBI reported that scams targeting people over 60 caused over $3.4 billion in losses last year, and experts recommend seniors avoid sharing personal information over the phone, resist pressure to act immediately, and consult trusted contacts before transferring money.

I'm unable to access the full content of this Law360 article, as it appears to be behind a subscription paywall. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the complete article text. If you could provide the full article content, I'd be happy to create a concise 2-3 sentence summary focused on the key details: the defendant's identity, the money laundering scheme, the amount involved ($8.5M), and any relevant outcomes or charges.

An 80-year-old Clinton woman named "Sylvia" lost $7,500 in a fake lottery scam that began in late 2023 when scammers called claiming she won a $7.5 million prize and required payment to claim it. The scammers convinced Sylvia to make ten monthly $500 payments via Apple gift cards, then exploited her further by demanding additional fees and recruiting her to cash checks from strangers in Texas and Florida and wire the money to the fraudsters. The scheme eventually unraveled when Sylvia's bank became suspicious of the checks, though by then the scammers had extracted thousands in stolen funds through her account.

Scammers are impersonating USPS through text messages claiming packages cannot be delivered due to invalid zip codes and requesting recipients click links to provide personal information within 24 hours. USPS warned that it never contacts consumers directly to request money or personal information, and clicking these fraudulent links can install malware allowing scammers to steal passwords, banking details, and identity information. Recipients should avoid clicking suspicious links, verify package status through official websites, and report scam messages to [email protected] or the Better Business Bureau.

Four individuals pleaded guilty to federal charges for operating a Nigeria-based international mail and wire fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims through fake online identities posing as romantic interests, buyers/sellers, and loan officers. The defendants used social media, text messages, and phone calls to convince victims to send money, with some victims losing retirement savings or taking out home loans as a result. All four defendants face sentencing on January 14, 2025, with potential prison time and restitution orders.

The Temple Police Department reported a surge in phone and online scams targeting Central Texas residents, including Microsoft, IRS tax, Social Security/Medicare, and law enforcement impersonation schemes. One victim received a call from someone posing as a Bell County Sheriff's deputy demanding several thousand dollars for a fake failure-to-appear warrant, using real names of county officials to appear credible. Police advise residents to verify caller identities independently, never share personal or financial information unsolicited, and report suspected scams immediately.

Josiah Anthony, lead pastor of Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, Texas, resigned after church elders discovered he engaged in sexual messaging and inappropriate communication with women members via text and social media. The elders initially stated his misconduct was non-sexual but later revealed a pattern of sexual and excessively personal communications with multiple women, which they characterized as non-consensual due to power imbalances, and indicated more allegations may emerge. Founding pastor Toby Slough will serve as interim lead pastor while the church searches for a replacement.

Lubbock Police Department reported a surge in scams targeting elderly residents over two to three months, with 20-30 victims reporting losses to authorities. Scammers falsely claim victims' accounts are compromised and pressure them to withdraw funds and deposit them into Bitcoin machines, with reported losses ranging from $25,000 to $70,000; police warn that money sent through these scams is rarely recovered since perpetrators are often located outside the country. Key warning signs include being asked to stay on the phone during financial transactions and unsolicited contact claiming money is owed; victims are advised to trust their instincts and verify claims by contacting organizations directly.

Scammers are exploiting missing persons posts on social media, with fraudsters messaging families of missing people offering to help locate them for payment, while also creating fake missing child posts designed to spread malicious links. Alexandra Ashcraft, whose sister Courtney Martin has been missing since last year, raised awareness about these scams by creating an educational Facebook group and highlighting red flags in fake posts, such as improper wording, lack of contact information, and suspicious sources.

Check fraud costs the U.S. banking system $10-50 billion annually, with independent bankers arguing that major banks' failure to enforce "know your customer" requirements and adequately police accounts allows fraudsters to deposit stolen checks that are quickly withdrawn before detection. Galveston County has been particularly hard hit, with criminal enterprises stealing over $1 million in postal checks in 2022, and 90% of independent bank association members reported difficulty obtaining reimbursement from larger banks that improperly accepted fraudulent checks.

The Leander Police Department warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonated police officers and requested banking information over the phone. The department emphasized that it never solicits financial details by phone and advised residents to verify caller identity by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, remain skeptical of urgent demands, and avoid trusting caller ID due to spoofing tactics.

Elder fraud targeting Americans over 60 increased 3% between 2022 and 2023, with victims losing an average of over $36,000 per incident. Arizona, Utah, and Rhode Island experienced the largest increases (36%, 23%, and 22% respectively), with research suggesting scammers are increasingly targeting high-income areas with large senior populations. Prevention measures include educating seniors and financial professionals about common scams, improving digital literacy among older adults, and implementing stronger security settings on financial accounts.

San Antonio's City Council approved a policy requiring municipal employees in high-contact departments—including police, fire, and health services—to receive training on identifying and reporting elder abuse, addressing what officials describe as an underreported crisis. In 2023, Bexar County documented 157 verified exploitation cases despite over 10,400 reports and nearly 7,000 investigations, with the county surpassing Harris County for the first time in verified cases as the elderly population grows. The initiative, developed with Texas Adult Protective Services, represents the first mandatory elder abuse training policy for city employees in Texas and is supported by a separate $800,000 federal grant to establish a Senior Justice Assessment Center for

I appreciate you sharing this, but this content appears to be a news homepage or feed listing with political and international news items rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need an actual article about fraud, scams, or elder abuse. Could you please share the specific article or transcript you'd like summarized?

This is an educational awareness piece, not a news report of a specific scam incident. Here's the summary: Romance scams are increasingly prevalent on social media, dating apps, and online platforms, with criminals evolving tactics to exploit lonely individuals into money laundering schemes, fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, and other fraud. AARP Texas hosted a Facebook Live educational event on September 4, 2024, featuring federal prosecutors and law enforcement to discuss warning signs of romance scams, protective measures, and resources for victims.

"Tip baiting" is a practice where customers on delivery apps like Uber Eats offer inflated tips to secure faster service, then reduce or eliminate the tip after delivery is complete. A Texas Uber Eats driver confronted a customer after her $21 tip was reduced to zero on a $143 order, and the issue has become widespread enough that even Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi experienced it while working undercover as a driver in California. In response to these findings, Uber has implemented changes including allowing drivers to view drop-off locations before pickup and distributing hundreds of millions in bonuses to address driver concerns.