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in General Elder Fraud
northernvirginiamag.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole more than $3 billion from older Americans last year, with fraud targeting seniors rising due to larger senior populations, artificial intelligence capabilities, and Medicare system complexity. Scams range from romance and investment schemes to "grandparent" scams using voice cloning technology and impersonators posing as Medicare specialists seeking personal information to order medical equipment fraudulently. Protection strategies include treating Medicare cards as securely as credit cards, being wary of pressure to act quickly, limiting social media sharing of personal information, and verifying the identity of callers and online contacts.
lexingtonchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government agency representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics such as caller ID spoofing, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The IRS advises that legitimate tax issues are initiated by mail, and anyone receiving unexpected calls from alleged IRS agents should hang up immediately and report the incident.
greybullstandard.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned of rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, emphasizing that the agency will never demand immediate payment via prepaid cards, gift cards, or wire transfers, threaten involvement of law enforcement, or request credit/debit card numbers over the phone. The warning was issued as part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day efforts to educate older adults about fraud threats and protect them from common IRS impersonation schemes.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging hosted a community awareness event featuring experts and a romance scam survivor who lost $39,000 to an online perpetrator named "Tony." The event highlighted the most common financial exploitation tactics targeting older adults, including gift card and cryptocurrency demands, and emphasized that isolation and emotional manipulation are key vulnerabilities that scammers exploit. Experts advised older adults to be cautious of unsolicited contacts, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected abuse to PCA's 24/7 helpline at 215-765-9040.
mainepublic.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, adults aged 50 and older lost at least $28 billion to fraud according to FTC data. AARP Maine hosted an educational event featuring expert panelists to discuss the prevalence of financial elder abuse, methods to identify it, and resources for seeking help. The free public program aired from Husson University and included speakers specializing in elder law, justice advocacy, and fraud prevention.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics including spoofed caller IDs, false claims of tax debts or prizes, pressure for immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and threats of arrest or deportation. The IRS advises that it does not initiate contact via phone, email, or text about tax issues, and victims should hang up immediately and verify communications by calling 800-829-1040.
gwcommonwealth.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary as the article content is not available. The page shown is a paywall notice that does not contain the actual article text about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. To create an Elderus database summary, please provide the full article content or text.
lexingtonchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens in South Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money. Scammers use tactics such as caller ID spoofing, fabricated urgent debts or prize claims, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The warning is part of broader World Elder Abuse Awareness Day efforts and the IRS's ongoing Security Summit partnership to educate seniors and protect them from these schemes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI in San Diego recovered over $3.3 million for elderly fraud victims through a data-driven operation launched in January 2024, obtaining more than 40 seizure warrants for $5.6 million in total. The effort targets sophisticated scams affecting seniors, particularly cryptocurrency investment schemes and tech support/government impersonation scams, with California leading the nation in both number of victims (77,000+) and losses ($2.1 billion) in 2023. Authorities emphasize that early reporting is critical to interrupting transactions and recovering victims' funds before scammers disappear with the money.
kqed.org
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Alhambra woman lost her life savings in a text-based romance scam after making seven bank withdrawals over three weeks, prompting her to sponsor Senate Bill 278 with California Sen. Bill Dodd. The bill would require financial institutions to delay transactions over $5,000 by at least three days if elder fraud is suspected, mandate employee training on fraud red flags, and require banks to notify designated emergency contacts or joint account holders of suspicious activity. With annual elder fraud losses exceeding $23 billion, the bill passed the California Senate with support from major senior advocacy groups, though initially faced opposition from banking and business lobbies over concerns about liability
presstelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old California woman lost her entire life savings of $720,000 to a cryptocurrency romance scam after a stranger convinced her to wire funds through her bank in seven transactions over three weeks. Her case sparked Senate Bill 278, which would require financial institutions to delay transactions over $5,000 by at least three days if elder fraud is suspected, train employees to recognize red flags, and notify designated emergency contacts or joint account holders of suspected fraudulent activity. The bill, addressing annual elder financial abuse losses exceeding $23 billion, passed the California Senate with support from senior advocacy groups, though banks initially opposed it over concerns about liability and control over customer finances.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases in the United States increased significantly in 2023, with over 100,000 scam complaints resulting in nearly $3.5 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the prior year. Kentucky residents reported over 900 instances of elderly scams in 2023 totaling $13 million, with 2024 tracking at $12.7 million already. The FBI advises seniors to review financial statements, shred personal documents, avoid clicking unknown links, and contact authorities or trusted family members if contacted by unfamiliar people, as scammers increasingly use tech support schemes, romance fraud, and data breaches.
wkyt.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP Kentucky hosted a "Scam Jam" educational event at the Lexington Senior Center that attracted over 200 attendees to learn about fraud prevention tactics. The event featured presentations from law enforcement agencies and emphasized that over 141 million adults have been affected by fraud, with seniors being particularly targeted due to their larger savings and retirement accounts. One documented case involved a woman who lost $1.7 million to a scam, highlighting the devastating financial impact these crimes can have.
gulfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Dubai resident fell victim to a phishing scam where a caller impersonating a bank employee obtained an OTP and accessed the victim's account, resulting in a loss of 100 AED (prevented from larger loss due to account structure). A 2023 Deloitte survey reveals that Gen Z is three times more likely to fall for online scams than other generations, with experts attributing this to lower caution during internet use and higher online activity creating greater susceptibility to fraud tactics like phishing links and account impersonation.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old Seattle college professor was defrauded of over $400,000 after scammers impersonating an FTC official convinced her that her accounts had been hacked and she needed to liquidate her assets into gold bars and cash to avoid arrest. The scam, which represents a growing trend of criminals requesting payment in precious metals or cash, resulted in collective losses exceeding $55 million from May to December 2023, according to FBI reports, with fraudsters increasingly using real government employees' names to establish credibility.
wmbfnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's annual Scam Tracker identifies investment scams, romance scams, and home improvement scams as the top threats to older adults, with those aged 55-64 most frequently paying scammers via credit cards, prepaid gift cards, and checks. Home improvement scams are particularly prevalent in the Grand Strand area, especially following natural disasters when fraudulent contractors pose as legitimate businesses. The report provides guidance on scam avoidance and victim resources.
lex18.com
· 2025-12-08
While seniors are not more frequently targeted by financial scams than younger age groups, they lose more money per incident because they typically have greater accumulated wealth. AARP held a "Scam Jam" educational seminar in Lexington, Kentucky featuring officials from the Attorney General's office, Secret Service, and Better Business Bureau who advised seniors on fraud prevention, including proper disposal of sensitive documents and recognizing common scams like fraudulent insurance offers.
wibw.com
· 2025-12-08
Kansas passed the Protect Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act, which requires financial advisors to report suspected fraud involving seniors or dependent adults to the Kansas Insurance Department, strengthening investigative tools to identify illegitimate actors. The law addresses a significant vulnerability, as scammers frequently target older adults for their liquid retirement assets, with only a 7% recovery rate once funds are stolen.
tryondailybulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting North Carolina seniors, where fraudsters pose as government officials or IRS representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. The warning was part of a broader awareness effort around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to educate older adults about these scams and encourage collaboration among federal agencies, state tax authorities, and tax professionals to protect vulnerable populations.
azbigmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with AARP estimates suggesting adults over 60 lose more than $28 billion annually to fraud. Older adults are targeted for their access to substantial savings, available time, and sometimes limited online safety knowledge, with common scams including gift card/refund schemes, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment frauds. Protective measures include verifying communications, guarding personal information, remaining skeptical of unsolicited money requests, and maintaining open communication with trusted networks and caretakers.
pasadenanow.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Alhambra woman lost her entire $720,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam after being befriended online and convinced to make wire transfers over three weeks, with her bank failing to intervene despite red flags. Senate Bill 278, authored by Senator Bill Dodd, would require California financial institutions to delay transactions over $5,000 for at least three days if elder fraud is suspected, train employees to identify warning signs, and notify designated emergency contacts or joint account holders of suspicious activity. The bill, which addresses the $23 billion in annual elder financial abuse losses, passed the Senate with support from major senior advocacy groups including AARP, though banking
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
A University of Virginia doctor warns that elder scams have reached epidemic levels. The article highlights growing concern about financial fraud targeting elderly populations, though specific case details or statistics are not provided in the available excerpt.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
A University of Virginia geriatric physician warns that elder fraud has reached epidemic levels, with Americans 60 and older losing over $3 billion to scams in the previous year and fraud increasing 23 percent year-over-year. The "grandparent scam," where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress requesting bail money, remains one of the most common schemes, exploiting victims' emotional responses and sense of urgency. Dr. Archbald-Pannone advises seniors to stay cautious of unsolicited contacts, take time before responding, consult trusted contacts, and report incidents without embarrassment to help combat the evolving tactics used by scammers.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI in San Diego recovered $3.3 million from elderly fraud victims through a coordinated task force launched in January, demonstrating that rapid reporting within 12 hours significantly increases recovery chances. Despite this success, the recovered funds represent only a fraction of California's estimated $2.1 billion in elder fraud losses in 2023, with San Diego County alone losing an estimated $3-6 million monthly to elder abuse. The article outlines common scam tactics (unsolicited calls, emails, texts requesting remote access, cash transfers, or cryptocurrency) and emphasizes that immediate reporting to IC3.gov and local authorities, combined with verification by contacting banks
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at a local American Legion, obtained power of attorney and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate, exploiting the victim's declining cognitive abilities; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article notes that West Virginia seniors are particularly vulnerable to both caretaker/family fraud and stranger scams (including tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes), and recommends protective measures such as resisting urgency, avoiding online money transfers, carefully granting power of attorney, using trusts with restrictions
theintelligencer.net
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when his caretaker, Sam Bunner, used a power of attorney to drain his bank and investment accounts and sell his real estate; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article highlights that seniors in West Virginia face significant vulnerability to both caregiver fraud and stranger scams (tech support, romance, and government impersonation schemes), with recent AI advances making these scams harder to detect. The U.S. Attorney's Office recommends resisting urgency, avoiding unsolicited money transfers, securing valuables, and carefully limiting power of attorney authority to protect vulnerable adults.
southfloridareporter.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece examines why older adults are vulnerable to financial fraud and exploitation. In 2021, over 90,000 seniors fell victim to fraud totaling $1.7 billion in losses (a 74% increase from 2020), with perpetrators often being family members, caregivers, or friends rather than strangers. Research shows that age-related cognitive decline, emotional factors (like loneliness and isolation), lower digital literacy, and reduced ability to detect deception through body signals all contribute to heightened susceptibility, with some evidence suggesting financial exploitability may be an early marker of cognitive diseases like Alzheimer's.
weirtondailytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at a local American Legion, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate. The article outlines common elder fraud threats in West Virginia—including caretaker theft, romance and tech support scams from strangers, and family member exploitation—and provides protective measures such as resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited online money transfers, and securing valuables and documents when in-home care is needed.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is a cookie consent notice from Yahoo explaining how the company uses cookies and personal data for site functionality, security, analytics, and advertising. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus database and does not require summarization.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
villages-news.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida's Attorney General's office hosted a Cryptocurrency Scams Symposium in The Villages to educate seniors about avoiding fraud while recognizing top Seniors vs. Crime volunteers. The Seniors vs. Crime program recovered over $2.6 million last year alone, assisting more than 9,100 seniors through volunteer efforts, with cumulative recoveries exceeding $10.5 million since 2019. The event honored five regional Super Senior Sleuths and volunteer John McLaughlin, a former law enforcement officer with over 10 years of service helping seniors and solving high-value fraud cases.
timesleaderonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when his caretaker, Sam Bunner, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank and investment accounts; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Senior citizens in West Virginia are frequently targeted by both strangers (tech support scams, romance scams, government impersonation) and trusted individuals (family members, caregivers) who exploit their longevity, savings, and trusting nature. To protect against such fraud, individuals should resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sending money to online contacts, carefully consider power of attorney arrangements, and secure valuables and financial documents from in-home caregi
themountaineer.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot summarize this content. This appears to be a list of countries and territories rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
To assist you properly, please provide an actual article or transcript about a fraud case, scam scheme, or elder abuse incident.
aging.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
This resource outlines legal services available to older adults and individuals with disabilities in California, covering issues including housing, consumer fraud, elder abuse, Social Security, Medicare, and estate planning. The California Bar Foundation provides a guide with answers to frequently asked questions on financial, housing, employment, healthcare, and related matters affecting seniors.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The film *Thelma* stars 94-year-old June Squibb in her first leading role as a grandmother who is scammed out of $10,000 by a con artist posing as someone claiming her grandson needs help—a common scheme known as the "grandparent scam." Inspired by writer-director Josh Margolin's grandmother's actual experience, the action comedy follows Thelma as she pursues the scammer across Los Angeles. The filmmakers note the scam is becoming increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, with audiences frequently reporting personal or family experiences with such schemes.
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
Retired social worker Nancy Wills spoke at the Johnson County Senior Center about elder abuse awareness, highlighting that financial exploitation is the fastest-growing form of elder abuse, with only one in 24 cases reported to police. Wills advised seniors to avoid answering unfamiliar phone numbers, ignore telemarketers, and verify unexpected requests for money by calling family members directly rather than complying immediately. The presentation emphasized that scams targeting seniors are nationwide, occurring in 90% of cases within victims' homes and frequently perpetrated by family members.
moneylife.in
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old senior citizen in Mumbai lost over Rs2 crore (approximately $240,000 USD) to an online investment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp with promises of high returns in share trading; the fraudster provided app download links and bank account details for transfers, using a Ponzi scheme disguised as legitimate investment. The article explains that such cyber fraud schemes targeting seniors operate by paying early investors to build trust before disappearing when victims attempt to withdraw profits, and recommends potential investors verify that entities are registered with India's Securities and Exchange Board (SEBI) and conduct proper due diligence before investing.
themirror.com
· 2025-12-08
Stephen Carr, a pensioner from Ontario, Canada, lost nearly $500,000 to a fake cryptocurrency trading platform he discovered through YouTube, investing progressively from October 2022 to January 2023 after seeing false account growth. When asked to pay $150,000 to withdraw his funds, he realized the platform was a simulation with no real connection to any actual trading system, forcing him to sell his house and reorganize his life. The article also notes that elder fraud losses increased 84% in 2022, with victims losing $3.2 billion nationally.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
sunlive.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
New Zealand Police are investigating an investment scam targeting members of the Chinese community, in which scammers have defrauded victims of millions of dollars. The scheme operates through social media platforms like WeChat and Telegram, where perpetrators pose as representatives of a fake Australian investment platform, initially collecting payments via international bank transfer and then requesting in-person cash payments. Police advise the public to verify any investment opportunity's legitimacy, avoid sending money to unverified schemes, and cease contact with suspected scammers, emphasizing that legitimate investments never require cash-only payments.
jamaicaobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
Online fraudsters in Bermuda stole an estimated US$1.5 million from senior citizens over an 18-month period, with the Financial Crime Unit investigating 18 cases including one instance where a single elder lost US$250,000. The Bermuda Police Service characterized these schemes as elder abuse, noting that fraudsters exploit seniors' vulnerabilities to obtain personal and banking information, and sometimes involve family members coercing elders into unauthorized transactions. Police have made five arrests and secured two convictions, and are urging the public to help protect seniors by verifying the legitimacy of organizations before sharing personal information.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
In June 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office and San Diego FBI recovered over $3.3 million in a coordinated operation targeting fraud schemes against seniors, obtaining more than 40 seizure warrants for $5.6 million since January 2024. The effort highlights California's disproportionate cyber fraud problem, with the state leading the nation in both victim count (over 77,000 in 2023) and losses ($2.1 billion), and emphasizes the need for early reporting of suspected fraud to interrupt transactions before funds are transferred. Common schemes targeting elderly victims include cryptocurrency investment scams (highest losses) and tech support/government impersonation scams
arabtimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old disabled Kuwaiti man lost his entire bank balance of 1,000 dinars in a video call scam where a fraudster impersonated a military captain claiming to offer disability assistance. The victim disclosed his banking information and OTP code to the impostor, resulting in the funds being stolen just before Eid. The elderly man reported the incident to police (Case No. 983/2024) and appealed to authorities for assistance in recovering the stolen funds.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town lost nearly $2 million to Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at the American Legion, obtained power of attorney, and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts while selling his real estate; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article highlights that West Virginia seniors face significant risks from both caretakers and strangers perpetrating scams including tech support schemes, romance scams, government impersonation, and family member theft, with artificial intelligence making these schemes increasingly difficult to detect. Protective measures include resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding sending money to online contacts, limiting power of attorney authority,
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Six individuals were arrested by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's office for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded Florida seniors of nearly $250,000 across multiple counties. The perpetrators impersonated lawyers and claimed grandchildren had been arrested, demanding bail money in cash from victims—in one case, a Palm Bay victim lost over $54,000 after being told of escalating legal fees and medical expenses. The coordinated arrest involved law enforcement agencies from Miami-Dade, Brevard, Lee, Broward, and Orange counties, with the defendants facing multiple felonies including organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.
yourdailyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Insurance reports a spike in insurance fraud cases affecting all consumers through increased premiums, with particular targeting of seniors through door-to-door fake insurance sales, deceptive annuity/investment schemes, prescription fraud, and staged accident claims. The department received over 10,000 Medicare fraud complaints in 2023 involving unauthorized billing for medical supplies and duplicate charges, and provides 14 protective tips including verifying agent credentials, obtaining written estimates, protecting personal information, and reviewing explanation of benefits statements.
gcmaz.com
· 2025-12-08
An educational seminar titled "Senior Scams and Fraud Protection" is being held in Flagstaff to help seniors recognize and prevent fraud targeting their age group. The seminar covers common scams, red flags such as requests to purchase prepaid cards or use Bitcoin ATMs, and protective resources, with free attendance available through registration with organizers.
heraldmailmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million after his caregaker, Sam Bunner, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank, investment, and real estate accounts; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. West Virginia experiences high rates of elder fraud involving both strangers (tech support scams, romance scams, government impersonation) and known individuals (caregivers, family members), targeting the state's large senior population. The U.S. Attorney's Office recommends resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited money transfers, limiting power of attorney authority, securing valuables during in-home care, and reporting suspected sc
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old woman lost over $3,000 to credit card fraud after her account information was compromised, possibly during a trip to Florida, highlighting a growing trend of seniors targeted by scammers seeking access to retirement accounts and financial credentials. Her daughter spent more than a year unsuccessfully disputing the charges and now advocates for families to monitor elderly relatives' credit card statements and have conversations about financial threats. Cybersecurity experts warn that seniors are deliberately targeted by fraudsters who can quickly max out compromised accounts before victims become aware of unauthorized charges.
wsoctv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old woman in Newton, North Carolina, lost over $3,000 to credit card fraud after her account information was compromised, possibly during a trip to Florida. Her daughter has spent more than a year unsuccessfully disputing the charges with the credit card company, highlighting a growing trend of scammers targeting seniors for their financial assets. Experts recommend that families monitor their elderly relatives' financial accounts closely and have conversations with older adults about protecting their bank accounts and credit cards.