Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
10,158 results
in Scam Awareness
jcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Jeremy Cook, a security officer with Exchange Bank, presented information on financial fraud prevention to seniors at the Jones County Senior Center on April 17, covering common scams including government imposter, grandparent, charity, romance, and technical support scams. Cook advised attendees to ignore unknown callers, never share personal information or send wire transfers, verify charities before donating, and conduct transactions in person when possible, while noting that romance scams alone generated $2.1 billion nationally in 2022. The presentation materials were designed for distribution at churches and other community venues to raise awareness among seniors about financial security threats.
event-newsenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
A Los Alamitos senior citizen was targeted by an internet and phone-based scam where a fraudster posing as PayPal convinced her to withdraw $20,000 in cash and leave it on her porch. Alert Cypress police detected the scheme at a local bank and coordinated with Los Alamitos detectives, who replaced the cash with newspapers and arrested a suspected money mule when he attempted to pick up the bag. The same scam had previously defrauded a Cypress senior citizen of $30,000.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
According to a new AARP survey, 42 percent of American adults have experienced fraud, a dramatic increase from 15 percent a decade ago, with Americans reporting $10 billion stolen in 2023 to the FTC. Adults 50 and older express higher concern about fraud (63 percent worry significantly), and older adults lose more money on average to scams than younger people, with Black Americans experiencing the highest victimization rate at 56 percent. On a positive note, fraud awareness is improving, with 91 percent of Americans now understanding that fraud can happen to anyone and 96 percent recognizing gift card payment requests as scams.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated property fraud scheme involving Jose Manuel Santiago, Rosson Dwayne Hamilton, and Vernon Lavoie resulted in multiple homes being stolen and sold without owners' knowledge across Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. The trio created fraudulent bank accounts in homeowners' names, with Lavoie using fake IDs to impersonate owners; one home in Tampa, Florida sold for $65,000 and a U.S. Army veteran lost his house along with military memorabilia and his Jeep. Santiago received three years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, Hamilton received one day, and Lavoie received two years and seven months; experts recommend homeowners obtain
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Facebook users had their accounts hacked and exploited to post fake Taylor Swift ticket scams, defrauding friends of hundreds of pounds each; Lloyds Bank estimated British fans lost £1 million in ticket scams, with 90% originating on Facebook. Users reported that Facebook failed to respond to numerous reports of the hacks and scam posts, leaving victims feeling powerless, though the platform eventually removed accounts after BBC contact. The scammers used sophisticated tactics including AI-generated posts and blocked warning comments from legitimate account holders.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A New York City corporate attorney lost over $2,500 in a Venmo scam after two teenagers asked for a donation, took her phone, and transferred funds without her authorization. After sharing her story on TikTok (viewed nearly 40,000 times), she identified at least 10 other victims in the Financial District and surrounding areas who fell for the same scheme. Venmo refunded the victim and recommends enabling Face ID and PIN protection to prevent similar incidents.
thecyberwire.com
· 2025-12-08
This podcast episode discusses job board scams and social engineering tactics targeting job seekers. The hosts highlight techniques scammers use to impersonate legitimate companies and government agencies, including spoofed phone numbers and vague claims about background investigations, and emphasize the importance of verifying caller information independently rather than calling back suspicious numbers directly.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Dan Michalski from Hawaii lost over $30,000 from his bank account after receiving a spoofed call appearing to be from his bank; the scammer used knowledge of his recent transactions to establish credibility, then tricked him into providing a verification code that allowed unauthorized transfers to Zelle. Though Michalski recovered $10,000, he remains uncompensated for the remaining loss, highlighting how sophisticated caller-spoofing fraud can bypass even verification attempts like checking the phone number online.
aspentimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers stole $188 million from over 11,000 victims across Colorado, with Summit County experiencing 80 fraud reports so far this year totaling tens of thousands in losses. Common scams include phone and email schemes where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement, the IRS, tech support, or claim urgent family emergencies or warrant arrests. Victims are advised to be suspicious of unsolicited messages offering unrealistic rewards, report suspicious activity to law enforcement, and file complaints with StopFraudColorado.gov or IC3.gov, though most stolen funds are unrecoverable once scammers operate from overseas jurisdictions.
dunyanews.tv
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns that scammers increasingly use AI chatbots to automate fraud schemes, including romance scams and phishing attacks, making them difficult to distinguish from real people. Readers should watch for three warning signs: impeccable spelling but wooden phrasing, consistently fast response times, and unusually quick detailed replies that suggest no thinking time. The article also advises establishing a "safe word" with loved ones and asking for shared personal memories to detect AI voice clones used in phone scams, particularly when callers request money via cryptocurrency or gift cards.
ftadviser.com
· 2025-12-08
UK banks have invested heavily in fraud prevention systems that successfully reduced traditional unauthorized account fraud, but criminals have adapted by shifting to authorised push payment (APP) fraud, where they use social engineering and deepfakes to convince victims to voluntarily transfer funds. Since 2020, Britons have lost over £2.6 billion to investment fraud alone, with APP scams occurring across eight types including investment scams, romance scams, impersonation, and CEO fraud, making detection extremely difficult for financial institutions since these appear as legitimate customer-authorized transactions.
chronicleonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams on dating apps have escalated into human trafficking schemes, exemplified by the case of 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who was coerced into laundering money for a trafficker and was later found dead. The FBI warned in 2020 that dating apps are being exploited by sex traffickers to recruit victims, including minors, with an estimated 27.3 million people globally trafficked annually generating $150 billion in illegal income. Dating app companies like Match Group have resisted implementing basic safety measures such as background checks and age verification despite documented cases of traffickers using their platforms, prompting calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups for Congressional regulation.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Following recent flooding in the Houston area, scammers are targeting vulnerable disaster victims through impersonation schemes and fraudulent relief solicitations. The Federal Communications Commission warns homeowners to avoid providing money or personal information to callers claiming to represent government disaster assistance, verify insurance communications independently, and donate only to well-known charities with verified contact information.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody warned residents about fraudulent SunPass toll scams after over 2,000 residents reported falling victim to the scheme, which uses fake text messages (smishing) with links to fraudulent websites mimicking the legitimate SunPass.com site. Authorities shut down approximately 10 fake SunPass websites and advised residents to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead visit the official SunPass website directly, particularly since Florida's extensive toll road system makes residents vulnerable targets for this type of fraud.
wispolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau Serving Wisconsin launched a new online resource on May 9th in recognition of the first "National Scam Survivor Day," designed to support individuals impacted by scams. The initiative encourages scam survivors to report their experiences and share their stories to help educate and protect others from similar fraud.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting college students and recent graduates through fake job postings on social media and job platforms, using personalized details from LinkedIn profiles and impersonating alumni or recruiters from well-known companies to appear legitimate. After gaining the student's trust through interviews and fake job offers, scammers collect sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and bank account details, then request upfront fees for equipment or certifications they claim to provide. Students should verify job offers by calling official company numbers from verified websites, report impersonators to their college's career services office, and report suspected scams to the FTC.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a BuzzFeed Community call for submissions from people who have experienced various types of scams, including Facebook ticket fraud, romance scams, sextortion, and impersonation schemes where scammers pose as friends or use fake identities to extract money or personal information. The article aims to collect real-life scam stories to raise awareness and help others avoid similar situations.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Authorized fraud—where scammers manipulate customers into making payments—accounts for 43% of fraudulent transactions reported by financial institutions, with scams representing one-third of these incidents and causing particular harm to customer finances and satisfaction. Common scam tactics include impersonating tech support (63% of FIs reported), utility companies (65%), and the IRS (64%), often targeting vulnerable customers with false promises or trusted-provider deception. Financial institutions employing artificial intelligence or machine learning fraud prevention tools report significantly lower incidence rates of these scams—17-18% less likely to report tech support and IRS imposter scams as major threats compared to institutions without such technology.
cutimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a promotional interview piece rather than a news story about fraud. It features Brian Melter, chief experience officer at Landmark Credit Union, discussing the institution's approach to member experience and fraud prevention, including recognition of National Senior Fraud Awareness Day and National Financial Literacy Month. The piece covers Melter's insights on senior fraud prevention, technology's role in fraud schemes, and financial wellness advice, but does not report on specific fraud cases or incidents.
ketv.com
· 2025-12-08
An Omaha eighth-grader created an educational flyer on elder scams that originated as a school essay and has expanded into a statewide initiative, with the Better Business Bureau working to distribute it to all senior living homes across Nebraska. Inspired by his grandmother's experience being scammed, Parker Cosimano's flyer has already reached five metro-area senior living facilities, and agencies on aging covering 30 Nebraska counties have committed to broader distribution. The BBB also invited Cosimano to collaborate on awareness efforts targeting young adults aged 18-24, a demographic shown to be highly vulnerable to scams but unlikely to report them.
wndu.com
· 2025-12-08
Following severe storms in southwest Michigan, the Better Business Bureau warns residents to be vigilant against repair scammers who typically emerge after disasters offering fraudulent services. To protect yourself, contact your insurance company first, obtain written contracts from legitimate contractors, avoid unusually cheap deals or pressure tactics, and never pay cash upfront.
news4jax.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, moving scams affected consumers nationwide, with 5,918 complaints filed with the Better Business Bureau and victims reporting a median loss of $350. Common scams include no-shows, unexpected price hikes, weight-based upcharges, and movers holding belongings hostage for additional fees. The BBB recommends consumers verify company credentials, obtain written contracts with FMCSA/DOT numbers, keep detailed inventories with photos, avoid large upfront payments, and research companies thoroughly before hiring.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody announced a crackdown on smishing scams targeting SunPass customers, where scammers operating internationally impersonate toll agencies through text messages to steal personal and financial information or install malware on victims' phones. The Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit has shut down at least ten fraudulent websites mimicking SunPass, and authorities advise residents to avoid clicking suspicious links and instead visit official websites directly to handle toll-related transactions.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies twelve prevalent tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing/smishing emails, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls threatening arrest, social media misinformation, dishonest tax preparers, and schemes targeting non-English speakers and elderly populations. Key protective measures include verifying charity status through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, remembering that the IRS initiates contact by mail rather than phone, consulting only reputable tax professionals, and setting up IRS accounts directly through official websites. Taxpayers are advised to report suspicious activities to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS's 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies 12 major tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing emails/texts, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls, social media scams, dishonest tax preparers, and fraudulent tax credits. The scams particularly target non-English speakers and elderly individuals through threats and false claims. Taxpayers are advised to verify information directly through official IRS channels, use reputable tax professionals, and report suspicious activity to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance on safe online dating practices, identifying red flags (excessive eagerness to meet privately, financial requests, excessive monitoring) and green flags (consistent social profiles, willingness to video call) when evaluating potential matches. The piece highlights that dating scams are particularly prevalent among elderly users, who may be deceived into sending money to romance scammers posing as interested romantic partners, and recommends defensive dating strategies including independent transportation, location sharing with friends, and trusting one's instincts about safety.
bobsullivan.net
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent text messages to drivers claiming unpaid tolls (typically $12-$13) and threatening $50 late fees, directing victims to fake toll authority websites to steal personal and financial information. The FBI received 2,000 complaints from three states by April, expanding to 12 states by May, with Florida authorities issuing a crackdown due to the state's 700 miles of toll roads. Authorities advise recipients to independently verify toll claims through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 46-year-old Byron woman lost $1,200 in a fake law enforcement scam when a caller impersonating an Olmsted County Sheriff's Office captain claimed she missed a court date and demanded payment via Bitcoin to avoid arrest. Despite two suspects being arrested in connection with in-person collection schemes, Bitcoin-related scams targeting Olmsted County residents continue, and police emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never solicits payment by phone or accepts cryptocurrency.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate fraud schemes by transmitting stolen funds to international fraudsters. The operation resulted in approximately 2,970 warning letters to individuals (many unknowingly recruited through romance or lottery scams) and criminal charges against more than 20 individuals knowingly facilitating fraud. The initiative specifically targets schemes that harm vulnerable populations, including older Americans victimized by lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams.
krforadio.com
· 2025-12-08
A law enforcement impersonation scam has victimized at least five residents in the Rochester, Minnesota area, with losses totaling over $25,000. Scammers spoofed local police and sheriff's office phone numbers to convince victims they owed money for missed court dates or legal violations, demanding payment via bitcoin and instructing victims to meet at the Olmsted County Government Center; two out-of-state men have been charged in connection with one case. Rochester Police emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never calls to collect money and no government agency accepts bitcoin as payment.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency whale lost approximately $71 million worth of Wrapped Bitcoin on May 3, 2024, after falling victim to an address poisoning scam, where the fraudster created lookalike addresses to trick the victim into sending funds to wrong accounts. In an unusual turn of events, the scammer began returning the stolen funds, with approximately $34.7 million recovered within days through transfers from multiple addresses, though the motivation behind the return remains unclear. As of the article's writing, over $45 million had been returned, with recovery ongoing due to the funds being distributed across numerous addresses.
marketplace.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational episode of "Marketplace Tech" examines how financial scams work and how to identify them, featuring the experience of Shannon from Minnesota who lost over $80,000 to an impersonation scam. A scammer posing as a sheriff's deputy falsely claimed Shannon missed a federal court appearance and threatened jail time, extracting multiple "bail bond" payments totaling $80,000 through threats and false legal information. The episode explains that scammers use phone number spoofing technology to impersonate legitimate officials and conduct research on targets to create convincing scripts that lend authenticity to their schemes.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Following devastating Oklahoma tornadoes, MoneyGram warned consumers about fraudulent charity scams where victims average losses of $824 by sending money transfers to fake organizations with names similar to legitimate charities. The company identified five red flags including high-pressure tactics, wire-transfer-only payment demands, and lack of organizational information, and advised consumers to recognize, react to, and report suspected scams to authorities.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece highlights common scams targeting elderly Americans during Older Americans Month. Key prevention advice includes: never sending money based on urgent requests, hanging up on suspicious callers, ignoring unsolicited service offers (such as fake contractors), and reporting all suspected scams to law enforcement. Authorities emphasize that legitimate law enforcement will never demand phone payment or refuse direct communication, and stress that reporting attempts helps protect other potential victims.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, an annual campaign that resulted in criminal charges against over 20 individuals and warning letters to approximately 2,970 money mules involved in facilitating fraud schemes. The initiative targeted networks that transmit stolen funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters, with cases including two men accused of laundering $4.5 million from romance scams and business email compromises targeting elderly victims, and five defendants who acted as couriers collecting cash from grandparent scam victims. The agencies emphasized the importance of public education to prevent unknowing individuals from becoming money mules, as many are initially victimized by romance or lottery scams before being manipulated into ass
atlantablackstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Peter Gray from West Yorkshire was sentenced to 56 months in prison after scamming four women he met on Tinder out of £80,000 by photographing their driver's licenses and bank cards without consent, then using their identities to take out loans in their names. The victims, whose loans ranged from £9,000 to over £20,000, reported that Gray's fraud prevented one woman from completing her home purchase and caused significant financial and emotional harm. The case highlights the dangers of romance scams, which according to the FTC result in $1.14 billion in annual losses globally with an average victim loss of $2,000.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice announced completion of the Money Mule Initiative, a campaign that disrupted transnational fraud networks by taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate scams targeting Americans, particularly elderly victims of lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. More than 20 individuals were criminally charged, including cases involving $4.5 million laundered from romance scams targeting elderly victims, a grandparent scam operation using couriers to collect cash from seniors, and a tech support fraud scheme that collected approximately $7 million from elderly victims. The initiative combined criminal prosecutions, warning letters to unknowing participants,
candysdirt.com
· 2025-12-08
Homeowners should beware of two types of property tax scams: companies charging fees to file free homestead exemptions (either as flat fees or percentage-of-savings arrangements) and fraudulent websites mimicking government property tax sites to mislead homeowners about deadlines and procedures. The article highlights a fake "Collincountyappraisaldistrict.org" site that ranks high in Google searches and displays incorrect deadline information, and advises Texas residents to report suspected fraud to the Texas Attorney General's office and verify information directly through official county appraisal district websites.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old Athens woman lost over $150,000 after responding to a fake Microsoft pop-up warning that her IP address was compromised. Over approximately one week, scammers convinced her that her account contained charges related to child pornography, instructed her to withdraw $50,000 in cash to give to a courier posing as a federal agent, and later directed her to send an additional $35,000 via Bitcoin; the scam also resulted in at least $35,000 being stolen from her 87-year-old mother's connected bank account. The woman reported the fraud to Athens-Clarke police after realizing she had been deceived.
wvlt.tv
· 2025-12-08
Card skimmers were discovered and removed from cash registers at three Food City locations in Kodak, Gatlinburg, and Mechanicsville/Knoxville, Tennessee, affecting approximately 146 magnetic stripe card transactions between April 9-17. The skimmers only captured card numbers and PINs; suspects were identified via surveillance, detained when attempting to retrieve the devices, and taken into custody on multiple charges. Customers who swiped magnetic stripe cards at these locations during the affected dates are advised to monitor their bank and credit accounts.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado homebuyer lost nearly $100,000 in down payment savings to a wire transfer scam after receiving a realistic-looking email that appeared to be from his bank requesting the transfer to complete his home purchase; the scammers had gained access to his emails and included accurate account information to make the request seem legitimate. The FBI received over 2,000 wire fraud complaints daily in 2023, with Americans losing $311 million total to wire transfer scams according to the FTC. To protect themselves, homebuyers should verify wire transfer requests by calling their bank directly using a number they find themselves, use secure portals through title companies, and never send funds without direct verbal confirmation from the intende
ktvq.com
· 2025-12-08
Montanans lost $21.1 million to fraud in 2023, a 24% increase from 2022, with impostor scams and identity theft being the primary culprits. A new jury duty scam variant is proliferating in Montana, where scammers impersonate sheriff's deputies demanding $3,000 for missed jury duty, then direct victims to Coinstar machines to transfer funds; victims range from their 20s to 80s, though younger people are increasingly targeted due to their responsiveness to phone-based communications and social media. Experts advise ignoring suspicious calls, texts, and emails, as scammers continuously evolve their
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns that college students are increasingly targeted by job scam fraudsters who use fake job postings or spoofed emails impersonating professors to lure victims. The typical scheme involves mailing a check to the student, requesting they wire a portion to another account; the check later bounces after the student has already sent their own money to the scammer. Students can protect themselves by refusing any job that sends payment before work begins, verifying company legitimacy online, contacting supposed senders directly through known channels, and requesting job details in writing.
thezebra.org
· 2025-12-08
Senior Services of Alexandria and the Alexandria Bar Association are hosting Senior Law Day 2024 on June 8 in Alexandria, VA, a free educational event featuring panels on protecting against financial scams, housing and end-of-life decisions, and essential legal documents like wills and powers of attorney. The event highlights that financial fraud affecting older adults totals approximately $3 billion annually, with fraud by known individuals averaging $120,000 in losses per incident, and will include presentations from AARP's fraud prevention director, local law enforcement, and elder-care attorneys.
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired engineer in Mangaluru, Karnataka lost Rs 1.6 crore between May 2-6 when scammers impersonating international courier service employees claimed his package contained incriminating documents and drugs, demanding "caution money" to avoid investigation. The article also highlights a separate case where a woman doctor in Noida lost Rs 45 lakh to fraudsters posing as Mumbai crime branch officers via video call, and notes that India experienced Rs 7,488.6 crore in cybercrime losses in the previous year.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old engineering consultant from Grant Road was defrauded of Rs 45,000 after receiving an unsolicited message claiming his gas connection would be disconnected for an unpaid bill. The scammer posed as a gas company employee, convinced the victim to download a malicious link under the pretext of updating bill details, and siphoned the funds from his bank account. Police registered a case under cheating and IT Act provisions as scammers expand from electricity bill fraud to gas connection schemes.
weareiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
A mother in Des Moines, Iowa discovered her adult son with intellectual and developmental disabilities had fallen victim to a romance scam after a woman he met on Facebook built rapport with him over a week and convinced him to cash a check, purchase $1,500 in Apple gift cards, and send her the card numbers before the scheme was discovered when the check bounced. Law enforcement officials emphasize that people with disabilities are frequent targets of online and phone scams, and recommend caregivers maintain open communication about their loved one's online contacts, utilize parental controls, and educate them about red flags such as requests for gift cards, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency.
ahwatukee.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau identified the top scams affecting Metro Phoenix residents in March: employment scams where fake employers send fraudulent checks (one victim lost $5,000), online shopping scams featuring artificially low prices and payment app requests (one person lost $1,770 attempting to buy designer bags), and romance scams involving cryptocurrency that have resulted in significant losses (one victim lost $20,000). The article provides warning signs for each scam type and recommends verifying information, using credit cards for online purchases, and consulting trusted contacts before sending money or making investments.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
The "grandparent scam" targets seniors by impersonating grandchildren in emergencies, typically claiming they need bail money after an arrest, with the FBI charging 16 defendants in 2024 for a scheme that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars. Scammers use personal information found online and increasingly employ AI voice cloning to make calls convincing, but experts recommend victims focus on what is being asked rather than voice recognition, verify bail payment procedures, and question requests to keep secrets from family members.
royalexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security scams caused approximately $3 billion in losses to beneficiaries in 2022, representing an 84% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI. Common schemes include impersonation calls from fake SSA employees, demands for immediate payment under false pretenses, and claims that Social Security numbers have been suspended. The SSA advises people to hang up on suspicious callers, verify claims through official channels, and report fraudulent activity to the SSA fraud hotline at 800-269-0271.