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in General Elder Fraud
▶ VIDEO
NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted an educational presentation titled "Unmasking Fraud" featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to address senior fraud targeting older adults in Louisiana. The event emphasized that fraud against seniors impacts not only financial security but also causes lasting emotional and psychological harm, and provided practical strategies for protection. AARP directs people to its Fraud Watch Network resource for current scam information and personal data protection guidance.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted a fraud awareness townhall event featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to educate seniors about scams targeting older adults. The event aimed to provide practical protection strategies and highlight how fraud impacts seniors beyond financial loss, including emotional and trust-related consequences. AARP encourages seniors to utilize resources like their FraudWatch Network to stay informed about emerging scams and safeguard personal information.
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wgaltv
· 2024-10-22
An FTC report on elder fraud reveals that while older adults reported losing $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023, the actual total may be as high as $61.5 billion due to significant underreporting—primarily because seniors fear embarrassment, family judgment, and loss of independence. Seniors who do report fraud lose an average of $918 per case compared to $432 for younger victims, with the most common scams being tech support fraud, lottery/sweepstakes schemes, and romance scams, typically executed through bitcoin or gift card payments.
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Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV
· 2024-10-31
**Summary:**
Three men operating a home repair scam targeted seniors in the Taylor, Michigan area, specifically around Mason and Bailey streets, by posing as workers and entering homes without permission to solicit repair services. When an 81-year-old homeowner discovered one of the men inside his home offering driveway crack-sealing services, he confronted the intruder, leading to a physical altercation in which the homeowner was thrown to the ground. Police are seeking the three suspects who drive a dark blue Chevy Equinox.
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Brut India
· 2024-11-05
Seven Indian men were lured to Cambodia under the pretense of IT jobs in Thailand, paying 540 dollars (approximately 45,000 rupees) to a fraudulent employment agency that promised monthly salaries of 1 lakh rupees. Upon arrival, they discovered the operation was a cyber-scam center in Poipet, Cambodia, where they were forced to participate in extortion and online banking fraud targeting elderly Indian citizens by impersonating SBI bank employees to steal money. The Indian Embassy in Cambodia rescued the men, and authorities identified a network of fraudsters operating across Southeast Asian countries orchestrating similar schemes.
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WIRED
· 2024-11-05
This WIRED article features "Scammer Payback," a YouTube scam-baiting channel, answering audience questions about common fraud tactics and red flags. The content identifies three major warning signs of scams: scammers pressuring victims to make quick decisions (especially involving gift cards or Cash App transfers), requests for remote access to computers or phones, and demands for untraceable payment methods like Bitcoin or wire transfers. The educational piece emphasizes that time pressure is a deliberate tactic scammers use to prevent victims from consulting family members or others who might intervene.
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KGUN9
· 2024-11-08
Elderly fraud cases in Arizona increased 36% from 2022 to 2023, prompting the Pima County Sheriff's Department to host "Fight Fraud Day" in Green Valley, a retirement community frequently targeted by scammers. The presentation educated residents about common scams including lottery prizes, telemarketing schemes, and attempts to access bank accounts and credit cards, with law enforcement emphasizing that education and awareness are key to preventing victimization.
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WREG News Channel 3
· 2024-11-13
Three Nigerian men in their 40s were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating romance and investment scams that targeted victims across America from 2017 to 2021, including a Western Tennessee resident who lost $400,000. The perpetrators used fake identities on social media and dating sites, posing as romantic partners and repeatedly requesting emergency financial assistance from victims. Law enforcement urges scam victims to report incidents to police, as victims of romance scams often face additional risks including identity theft when they unknowingly share personal information with fraudsters.
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WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7
· 2024-11-16
An 85-year-old Lapeer County man received a deceptive email about a Bitcoin purchase he never made and was pressured by a scammer via phone to withdraw $24,500 in cash to cancel the transaction. Through intervention by bank staff and law enforcement, the victim was able to recover all of his money, though the scammer's typical success rate suggests most victims do not recover their losses.
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First Alert 6
· 2024-11-21
This educational segment highlights that older adults face increased financial scam risks during the holiday season because they typically have savings, home equity, and good credit—making them attractive targets—while also experiencing social isolation and loneliness that scammers exploit. Three common holiday scams targeting seniors include charity fraud, where scammers impersonate legitimate organizations soliciting donations via calls, emails, or texts.
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FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
· 2024-11-22
A 74-year-old woman from Frisco was scammed out of $600,000 by 56-year-old Jeffrey Monahan Jr., who impersonated Elon Musk and befriended her on Facebook in 2023, promising a $55 million return on investment in Musk's business ventures. Monahan has been charged with Grand Theft, and financial records showed the funds were directed to his painting business; he claimed his online girlfriend was the mastermind behind the scheme.
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NBC 7 San Diego
· 2024-11-26
Holiday fraud increases significantly in December, with scammers targeting busy shoppers through identity theft, credit card fraud, package theft, and fake social media ads selling counterfeit goods. Law enforcement and the Better Business Bureau warn that common holiday scams have become more sophisticated and high-tech, including fake toll collection texts and counterfeit items sold online, and advise consumers to remain vigilant during the busy shopping season.
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WBIR Channel 10
· 2024-11-26
Ghanaian national Wigbert Bandy was sentenced to more than five years in prison after pleading guilty to a $2 million romance scam targeting senior citizens on dating sites and social media. The scam defrauded 11 victims, with one East Tennessee resident losing over $280,000, and Bandy was ordered to repay approximately $2.2 million in restitution.
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This Morning
· 2024-11-27
Gift card scams are a major fraud threat during the holiday season, with Action Fraud reporting losses of £13.5 million to gift card scams in the previous year. Scammers target these popular gifts through various methods including impersonation fraud via WhatsApp, Facebook, email, and text messages, with elderly people being particularly vulnerable. Gift cards are attractive to fraudsters because of their high monetary value and ease of transfer, making it essential for consumers to be cautious when purchasing or gifting them.
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12NewsNow
· 2024-12-03
The FBI warned the public about an increase in holiday season scams, including cryptocurrency investment schemes, tech support fraud, social media scams with fake contests, and charity scams targeting older adults. According to FBI official Connor Hagen, seniors are particularly vulnerable during the holidays when they are more likely to give gifts and donate to charities, though scammers also target younger people through social media ads and fake contests. Victims are advised to contact local law enforcement if they believe they have been defrauded.
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Denver7
· 2024-12-04
A 92-year-old pastor in Highlands Ranch and his wife nearly fell victim to a sophisticated scam after a pop-up appeared on their computer warning of a problem; when the pastor called the number in the link, scammers falsely claimed his credit card was used to purchase child pornography in China and pressured him to transfer money to a new bank account. The incident illustrates the heightened fraud risk during the holiday shopping season, with the FBI reporting $39 million in consumer losses to scams in 2023 and an additional $173 million in credit card fraud losses.
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KVUE
· 2024-12-06
As holiday shopping moves online, fraud experts warn consumers—particularly older adults with significant assets—to be vigilant against scams, as approximately one-third of consumers fall victim to online fraud during this season. Key risks include fraudulent social media ads, fake package delivery texts with links to copycat websites, and tech support scam pop-ups; experts recommend shopping only at trusted retailers, avoiding suspicious links, and going directly to carrier websites to check package status rather than clicking links in messages.
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ABC11
· 2024-12-09
Fraud experts warn consumers that approximately one-third of online shoppers fall victim to scams during the holiday shopping season, with older adults at particular risk despite being statistically less likely to be defrauded than younger adults—a concern because seniors typically have more assets to lose. Key scam tactics include fraudulent social media ads, fake package delivery texts from carriers like UPS and FedEx that direct users to copycat websites, and tech support scam alerts that appear on computer screens. Experts recommend shopping directly from trusted retailers' websites, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and going directly to carrier websites to check package status rather than clicking notification links.
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News 5 Cleveland
· 2024-12-18
Monica Roose lost $4,000 to an online contractor scam while seeking help with a home improvement project in Northeast Ohio. FBI Special Agent Edgar Kobe reports that elder populations are especially vulnerable to scams perpetrated by organized crime groups operating from West Africa and India, and he is working to prevent victims from losing money to these international fraudsters who operate remotely.
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Scripps News
· 2024-12-22
In 2024, scammers are targeting all demographics with increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, as reported losses reached $10 billion—the highest annual total on record. The most common scams include impostor schemes, online shopping fraud, fake job opportunities, and investment scams, with 80% of investment scam victims losing money. The piece highlights how scammers exploit personal information and worst fears, noting that artificial intelligence is making these schemes even more difficult to detect and avoid.
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News 4 Tucson KVOA-TV
· 2024-12-30
Two men, Ahmed Sayed (57) and Rupesh Chintakindi (27), were charged in Tucson Federal Court for operating a nationwide elder fraud scheme using fraudulent pop-up ads claiming victims had computer viruses, then instructing them to wire money. If convicted, both defendants face up to 20 years in prison on money laundering conspiracy charges.
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ABC11
· 2025-01-01
**Summary:**
Experts warn that scammers are increasingly using generative AI in 2025 to create more realistic fraudulent websites, deepfake videos and audio, and fake social media content, making scams harder to detect. According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance, consumers lost over $1 trillion to scams in 2024, and the FBI has issued alerts about criminals exploiting AI to commit fraud at larger scales and increase the believability of their schemes. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant in protecting their money and personal information as scam tactics continue to evolve.
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We Are Iowa Local 5 News
· 2025-01-04
Iowa Attorney General Brena Bird warned of a rising trend of "grandparent scams" targeting older adults, in which scammers impersonate grandchildren and claim to be in accidents, hospitalized, or jailed, then request money. Bird advised seniors to hang up and verify such claims directly with trusted family members and to report suspected scams to local law enforcement.
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WWLTV
· 2025-01-09
AI-enabled voice cloning tools are being used by scammers to impersonate loved ones and target senior citizens, who were defrauded of approximately $3.4 billion in 2023 according to FBI data. Criminals typically pose as family members claiming an emergency requiring immediate cash payment. To protect yourself, establish a family safe word or phrase (not easily found online) that can be used to verify callers' identities during unexpected requests for money.
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WPBF 25 News
· 2025-01-12
Authorities in Martin County, Florida are reporting a rising scam targeting elderly residents, in which scammers pose as tech support by displaying fake McAfee virus alerts and convincing victims to grant remote computer access. The scammers then manipulate victims into withdrawing cash from their banks under the false pretense of account security testing, with two known victims losing a combined $57,000 ($40,000 and $17,000 respectively) before couriers collected the cash. Law enforcement advises families to check with elderly loved ones about recent cash withdrawals or money transfers to help identify and investigate cases.
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NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-01-17
A victim lost over $137,000 in life savings after receiving an email falsely claiming her social security number was used for drug trafficking, demonstrating how sophisticated social engineering scams exploit fear and panic rather than relying solely on cyber tactics. According to the FTC, Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023—the highest amount ever recorded—with scammers increasingly using organized crime networks, technology, and social manipulation to target victims through emails, texts, and social media.
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WWLP-22News
· 2025-01-21
An elderly couple in Westfield was defrauded of $10,000 after receiving a call from someone posing as a lawyer who claimed a family member had been arrested and needed bail money. The victims withdrew cash and delivered it to a suspect at Worcester Fair shopping plaza. Westfield Police are seeking the public's help in identifying the suspect involved in this elder fraud scheme.
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FOX 13 Seattle
· 2025-01-25
A 74-year-old woman lost $620,000 in a sophisticated gold investment scam that began with a fake Charles Schwab pop-up on her computer, followed by scammers posing as federal agents convincing her to liquidate her stocks and investments. Suspect 42-year-old Zcha Wong was arrested after meeting the victim in person, impersonating a federal agent with a gun, and taking possession of eight gold bars representing her life savings; investigators found this scam matched similar recent schemes targeting senior citizens in the area involving phony alerts, failed cryptocurrency transfers, and in-person handoffs.
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KOMO News
· 2025-01-28
An elderly man from Shoreline lost $435,000 in a home repair scam perpetrated by brothers Patrick and Matthew McDonna, who used high-pressure tactics and false claims about roof and foundation damage to convince him to pay for materials they never purchased. The suspects, who targeted multiple victims across the Northwest, are now in federal prison, and the victim's family hopes sharing his story will warn others about this common construction scam.
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Lakeland PBS
· 2025-02-05
Law enforcement in Grand Rapids arrested an out-of-state suspect accused of running bail scams targeting three residents, including an elderly couple who lost $17,000 after being told their grandson was arrested and needed immediate bail payment. The suspect was found with over $42,000 in cash during the investigation.
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CTV News
· 2025-02-08
Two healthcare workers employed in Richmond Hill—a registered nurse and a personal support worker—were arrested and charged with fraud after allegedly stealing nearly $1 million from an elderly patient they were hired to care for by gaining unauthorized access to the victim's banking information. Police believe there may be additional victims and have charged both suspects with fraud, theft over $5,000, and money laundering.
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KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
· 2025-02-15
**Summary:**
Romance scams increase around Valentine's Day, with scammers creating fake online identities on dating apps to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money via gift cards or cryptocurrency or stealing personal information. The Better Business Bureau warns that older adults and lonely individuals are particularly vulnerable targets, and advises people to be suspicious of quick relationship progression, requests for financial help, and unusual payment methods, while encouraging people to check on vulnerable loved ones.
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News 5 Cleveland
· 2025-02-18
Online romance scams caused $823 million in losses last year according to the Federal Trade Commission, with losses expected to grow due to increasing use of AI technology that makes fraudulent conversations sound authentic and personalized. Older adults are disproportionately targeted because scammers assume they are financially stable with steady retirement income. Red flags include rapid relationship progression, avoidance of in-person meetings, requests for secrecy, and requests for money; victims should report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
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WRTV Indianapolis
· 2025-02-20
Hamilton County Library is offering digital literacy workshops to help older adults and others gain confidence with technology, addressing a growing problem of internet scams targeting seniors. The FBI reported that elder fraud caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, making these educational programs—which teach skills like identifying trustworthy links and email safety—increasingly vital for the community.
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The Online Citizen
· 2025-02-27
Rachel Ong called for strengthened mental health support for seniors in Singapore's Budget 2025 debate, highlighting that seniors aged 60 and above account for nearly 30% of suicide cases despite being least likely to seek help. She emphasized that seniors face profound grief, loss, and life changes while lacking adequate access to healthcare professionals and informal support networks, requiring urgent targeted interventions. Ong also referenced the need to address scam distress as part of comprehensive senior mental health support.
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NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2025-02-27
Maine State Police report a rising trend of scams targeting senior citizens, particularly courier impersonation schemes where fraudsters pose as delivery drivers to collect money directly from victims' homes, and grandparent scams involving fake relatives requesting funds via wire transfer or mail. Law enforcement and organizations like the Eastern Area Agency on Aging are urging seniors to stay vigilant and analyze suspicious situations carefully, as these evolving scams exploit seniors' perceived lack of technological knowledge.
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Click On Detroit | Local 4 | WDIV
· 2025-03-03
An 86-year-old Detroit senior had her bank account hacked and emptied by scammers who obtained her PIN and personal information, cloned her debit card, and withdrew funds from local ATMs and made unauthorized purchases. The victim, who relies on a walker and rarely leaves her home, lost all her money needed to pay bills. The scam is affecting multiple victims across Metro Detroit, targeting both banks and credit unions through card cloning and fraudulent ATM withdrawals.
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CTV News
· 2025-03-04
According to 2024 data from the Better Business Bureau, Canadians aged 25-34 reported the highest median financial losses to scams, followed by those 18-24, contrary to common assumptions about senior vulnerability. Investment and cryptocurrency schemes were the leading scam type, with employment scams, home improvement fraud, online purchase scams, and advance fee loan scams also prevalent; notably, women are more frequently targeted but lose less money per incident, while men experience higher dollar losses when victimized.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2025-03-04
A cybersecurity survey reveals that many Americans are overconfident in their ability to avoid online scams, with over a third believing victimization only occurs from oversharing and nearly half thinking misspellings easily identify scams—misconceptions that no longer hold true as scammers increasingly sophisticate their tactics. Despite 75% of respondents agreeing scams should be reported, actual reporting rates are significantly lower, dropping to 14% for romance scams, while seniors remain the most targeted demographic though younger age groups are experiencing the fastest growth in scam victimization.
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Denver7
· 2025-03-10
According to FBI data, elder scams cost Americans $3.4 billion annually, with reports increasing yearly. Older adults are targeted due to cognitive decline, loneliness, trustfulness, and perceived savings, with scammers exploiting these vulnerabilities through text messages, emails, social media, and impersonation (including AI-generated voices). Families can help prevent fraud by maintaining open conversations about finances, encouraging early financial safeguards, and offering supportive monitoring of transactions.
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KIII 3 News
· 2025-03-15
A woman in Kingsville is impersonating a life insurance company employee and going door-to-door to defraud elderly residents. At least six victims have been scammed of $20 to over $200 each, with police investigating what they believe is a third-degree felony involving exploitation of the elderly and possible fraud against government assistance programs.
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FOX59 News
· 2025-03-18
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from $10 billion in 2023, according to the FTC's annual report. While the number of fraud reports remained stable at 3.7 million, the percentage of reports resulting in actual financial loss increased from 27% to 38%, and median losses per victim rose significantly since 2020. The rise in fraud losses is attributed partly to AI-enabled scams, with government imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and email-based schemes being particularly prevalent, though notably young people are now losing more money than senior citizens.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-03-19
The Colbert County Sheriff's Office held a scam awareness presentation at the East Colbert Senior Center to educate seniors about fraud prevention. Sheriff Eric Valentine warned attendees to be cautious of suspicious calls, texts, and emails, and emphasized never sharing banking information over the phone, noting that scam victims in the area have lost between $4,000 and $10,000, with recovery being nearly impossible once funds are sent.
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WHNT News 19
· 2025-03-19
The Colbert County Sheriff's Office reported a recent surge in phone and text scams targeting senior citizens in the area, with reported losses reaching approximately $60,000. Common scams include impersonation of grandchildren claiming emergency money is needed and fraudsters posing as law enforcement demanding payment; the sheriff emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never call requesting money and advised seniors to use common sense and contact the sheriff's department if uncertain about a call's legitimacy. The office hosted scam prevention presentations at senior centers to educate residents on recognizing and avoiding these schemes.
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CBC News
· 2025-03-19
Police in Montreal arrested 23 people in June operating an elaborate grandparent scam network targeting American seniors, allegedly defrauding them of $21 million USD ($30 million CAD) through coordinated call centers. The scam typically involved one caller impersonating a grandchild in financial distress, followed by another impersonating a police officer directing victims to wire money (usually around $10,000). Montreal has emerged as a major hub for these large-scale grandparent scam operations, which cause significant financial loss to vulnerable elderly victims in the United States.
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CBC News
· 2025-03-21
Three prominent online fraud fighters—Jim Browning, Kitboga, and Pleasant Green—collaborated to infiltrate and disrupt scammer call centers targeting North American victims. Through real-time interception, they successfully prevented multiple fraud attempts including one targeting a woman threatened with legal trouble, coordinating with banks and law enforcement to protect victims from losing thousands of dollars. The operation demonstrated tactics used by scammers and highlighted how these vigilantes have collectively disrupted hundreds of scam centers and prevented hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses over nearly a decade.
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60 Minutes
· 2025-03-23
This 60 Minutes segment examines why investment fraud and Ponzi schemes continue to thrive despite public awareness of high-profile cases like Bernie Madoff's multi-billion dollar fraud. The piece features expert Ricky Jay discussing how con artists exploit human psychology—including greed and excessive trust—and identifies key warning signs such as dealings with well-established figures who rely on exclusive affiliations to build credibility. The segment highlights that despite financial disasters and skepticism, investors remain vulnerable to sophisticated scams, a phenomenon regulators refer to as "ponzi-monium."
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WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando
· 2025-03-24
**IRS Impersonation Scams Target Seniors**
Scammers impersonate IRS officials via phone calls, emails, and texts claiming seniors owe back taxes or have filing problems, using spoofed caller IDs to appear legitimate and demanding fast payment through gift cards or prepaid debit cards. Seniors over 60 lost a combined $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with IRS impersonation scams being the most common type. The actual IRS initiates contact only through mailed letters and never uses phone calls, text messages, pre-recorded messages, or requests for immediate payment via gift cards or other non-standard methods
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FOX 4 Now
· 2025-03-24
The IRS is warning Americans about tax scams increasing as the filing deadline approaches, with $5.5 billion lost to such scams in 2023 and one in four Americans targeted. Scammers are using text messages falsely claiming to be from the IRS and offering stimulus payments of up to $1,400, with older Americans being particularly vulnerable targets. Experts advise that the IRS typically communicates by mail and only contacts via phone or text if prior permission was given, so unsolicited messages should be distrusted.
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WFSU Public Media
· 2025-03-26
Florida residents, particularly seniors, are experiencing widespread scam calls and text messages, including toll balance fraud and unsolicited calls from unknown numbers. According to board-certified elder law attorney Jana McConna, vulnerable seniors—especially those who are isolated, lonely, recently widowed, or experiencing memory issues—are actively being targeted, with scammers exploiting emotional vulnerability and cognitive decline to financially manipulate victims. McConna emphasizes that isolation and loneliness are key risk factors that make seniors susceptible to fraud schemes.