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todayswillsandprobate.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 2023 survey by Re-engage of over 1,177 older people (predominantly age 75+) found that two-thirds experienced attempted scams and 8.3% were actual victims, with one-fifth facing weekly or more scam attempts. Telephone scams were the most common attack vector, and victims reported significant quality-of-life impacts, with over one-quarter experiencing high negative effects. Key recommendations include targeted support for isolated older people, increased fraud awareness education, and use of protective measures like call blockers and scam alert registration.
lawrencecountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned Mississippi seniors about rising impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) via phone calls, emails, and texts to steal personal information and money. Scammers pressure victims into immediate payments using unconventional methods like gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency by creating false urgency through threats of arrest, deportation, or claims of unpaid taxes. The IRS advises recipients of unsolicited calls to hang up immediately, verify communications through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
fox26houston.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI, scams targeting seniors aged 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in the past year, with no indication that fraudster activity is decreasing. A Harris County Sheriff's Office elderly abuse unit investigator was interviewed to discuss protective measures for families vulnerable to elder fraud.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans reported losing $10 billion to fraud, with imposter scams, phishing, investment scams, and romance scams being particularly prevalent. The FTC partnered with Houston Ethnic Media to educate community leaders about these threats, emphasizing that underserved and immigrant communities face heightened vulnerability due to language barriers and economic desperation. Experts stress that verification of recipients and sources is crucial to protecting oneself and one's family from fraud.
westorlandonews.com
· 2025-12-08
Six fraudsters were arrested in Florida for stealing nearly $250,000 from seniors through grandparent scams, in which they posed as lawyers and claimed victims' grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. The perpetrators used courier services and ride-share drivers to collect cash from victims, some of whom were manipulated into making multiple payments totaling up to $54,000 each through elaborate false stories about escalating legal fees and additional charges. The defendants targeted seniors across seven counties and face multiple first-degree felonies including organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.
foxcarolina.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. The text appears to be a list of news headlines and updates from FOX Carolina covering various local topics (personnel changes, health information, sports, and a police inquiry), but it does not contain any article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
Please provide an article related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse for summarization.
havredailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Psychologists have identified that older adults, who hold significant financial assets and make important decisions, are increasingly vulnerable to financial exploitation, with over 90,000 victims losing $1.7 billion to fraud in 2021 alone. Research shows that susceptibility to deception in aging depends on both individual factors—such as cognitive decline, memory problems, emotional state, and loneliness—and contextual factors related to how victims are targeted across various platforms including emails, social media, and deepfakes. The study emphasizes that understanding these psychological vulnerabilities is critical for developing interventions to protect older adults, whose losses from fraud are typically larger and more devastating than younger victims' losses.
wsiltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults are frequently targeted by scammers who impersonate government officials, bank employees, Medicare representatives, or tech company workers to steal personal information. The Better Business Bureau recommends protecting seniors by establishing open communication with loved ones and including their caregivers in conversations about fraud awareness.
newstalkkzrg.com
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams, also known as emergency scams, target older adults by impersonating grandchildren or loved ones over the phone or text, claiming they need money urgently for an emergency. Modern versions of these scams increasingly use AI-generated messages and voice cloning technology to sound authentic, making them harder to detect. To protect yourself, pause before reacting to urgent requests, verify the caller's identity by calling them directly, limit personal information on social media, and never send money through untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency if you have any doubts.
alaskapublic.org
· 2025-12-08
Samantha Norman, a nurse in Palmer, Alaska, lost $3,000 in a "Jury Duty Scam" after a caller impersonating a police officer convinced her she had missed jury duty and had a warrant for her arrest. The scammer used social engineering tactics—claiming to be sympathetic, citing COVID protocols, and instructing her to pay bail via a Coinstar machine—to manipulate her into sending money. This nationwide scheme has been targeting Alaskans for years, with Palmer Police reporting multiple victims on the same day Norman was scammed.
rd.com
· 2025-12-08
Work-from-home job scams are fraudulent job postings designed to steal personal information or trick applicants into paying upfront fees for fake background checks, training, or equipment. According to the Better Business Bureau, approximately 14 million job seekers encounter these scams annually, resulting in over $2 billion in losses. To protect yourself, job applicants should verify company legitimacy through official websites, watch for red flags like requests for payment before employment or overly quick hiring processes, and be cautious of positions advertised on social media or through direct messages rather than official job boards.
wvpublic.org
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld addressed the prevalence of elder fraud in West Virginia and nationwide, noting that seniors are commonly victimized by both strangers and trusted individuals such as loved ones and caretakers. The segment aimed to raise public awareness about these crimes and provide information on how to prevent them.
decanter.com
· 2025-12-08
UK national Casey Alexander, 27, was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $202,195.58 in restitution for his role in a wine and whiskey investment scam that defrauded over 150 elderly victims across the US of more than $13 million. Alexander and co-conspirators used cold-calling and aggressive tactics to convince victims to invest in fine wines and whiskeys purportedly held in European warehouses, then pressured them to make additional investments for higher returns. The scheme was uncovered after a victim's family member reported losses exceeding $300,000 over 18 months to police in 2020.
wvpublic.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial fraud is trending upward in West Virginia and nationally, with Americans aged 60 and older losing $3 billion annually to scammers. U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld advises seniors and their families to resist pressure to act quickly, avoid clicking unexpected links in texts and emails, and to contact law enforcement immediately if money is sent fraudulently, as funds can sometimes be recovered or frozen. The fraud targets vulnerable populations and often involves schemes using artificial urgency, such as lottery processing fees or fake emergencies from loved ones.
secureworks.com
· 2025-12-08
The film "Thelma" depicts a 93-year-old woman who loses $10,000 to a grandson impersonation scam, reflecting a real crisis: the FBI reported over 101,000 elder fraud victims aged 60+ in 2023, with tech support, romance, confidence, and investment scams being the most common types. Social engineering attacks exploit human psychology and create artificial urgency to manipulate victims into divulging sensitive information or making payments, and victims often experience lasting emotional harm including shame and loss of confidence. Key prevention strategies include educating oneself about scams, trusting instincts when requests seem unusual, verifying the identity of callers, an
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to scams—a 10.6% increase from 2022—with 101,068 reports filed, according to FBI IC3 data. Criminals obtained victims' personal information through data brokers and used it to perpetrate tech support scams (18,000 victims, $589.8 million lost), investment fraud (6,400 victims, $1.2 billion lost), and romance scams (6,700 victims, $356.9 million lost). The article advises seniors to use data removal services, place fraud alerts with credit agencies, and remain cautious of phishing
marbleheadcurrent.org
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Marblehead woman fell victim to a tech support scam where fraudsters posed as federal investigators and convinced her that hackers had compromised her computer and identity, ultimately persuading her to withdraw $7,500 and mail it to California wrapped in foil and bubble wrap. Thanks to quick action by Marblehead Police, the package was intercepted and returned before delivery, allowing the victim to recover her money. The scam illustrates how perpetrators manipulate victims through urgency and fear, targeting their emotions rather than logic, and police emphasize that residents should never call numbers on suspicious pop-ups or provide personal information over the phone.
ajc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2021, elderly couple Dorothy and George Williams of Southwest Atlanta hired contractor Steven Chastain for home repairs, paying him $147,000 (including a $60,000 upfront payment) after he promised quality work and claimed to be a man of God. Chastain, a known scam artist with a history of targeting homeowners, never obtained permits and abandoned the project after stripping the house down to its frame, leaving the couple unable to recoup their losses despite his later conviction for felony theft by deception and theft by conversion. The Williams family has spent three years displaced from their home, living without plumbing, running water, or proper walls, and Dorothy suffered health
santacruzsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an opinion piece, not a report on elder fraud or scams. While the author (a retired professor) mentions being targeted by typical scams directed at seniors—fake lottery winnings, prescription drug discounts, and product offers—the article's primary focus is a political commentary comparing former President Trump's debate statements to scamming tactics and arguing his rhetoric resembles abusive behavior patterns. The piece does not document any actual elder fraud cases or provide data about scams affecting older adults.
ibsintelligence.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered fraud is escalating rapidly, with deepfake fraud attempts jumping 3,000% year-over-year in 2023 as malicious actors exploit accessible generative AI tools to conduct sophisticated scams at scale. Key emerging threats include deepfakes targeting high-profile figures and biometric systems, increasingly convincing phishing and smishing attacks that exploit AI-generated authentic-appearing content, and social engineering schemes leveraging AI—all of which require businesses and individuals to remain vigilant and deploy AI-based defensive systems to keep pace with evolving fraud tactics.
lovellchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, which are rising in prevalence. The advisory, released in connection with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, emphasizes that the IRS will never demand immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers, threaten to involve law enforcement, or request payment without allowing dispute opportunities. Seniors are urged to recognize these red flags to protect themselves from fraudsters impersonating tax authorities.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
rogersbank.com
· 2025-12-08
Grandparent scams involve fraudsters calling seniors while impersonating a grandchild and claiming an emergency (accident, arrest) to create urgency and pressure victims into wiring money. Scammers may employ accomplices posing as police officers, lawyers, or bail bondsmen to increase credibility, and increasingly use fake dating profiles and social media to build trust before requesting funds. To protect against these scams, seniors should verify claims through independent contact with family members, stay alert to new acquaintances seeking financial involvement, and contact their bank if they suspect fraudulent activity.
times-herald.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating the Coweta County Sheriff's Department in phone calls, claiming victims failed to appear for jury duty and threatening legal consequences to pressure them into paying money. The scam uses personal information and legal terminology to appear credible, creating a false sense of urgency that makes vulnerable populations, particularly elderly individuals, more likely to comply before verifying the caller's legitimacy. Law enforcement advises that courts and police never request personal information, Social Security numbers, or payment over the phone, and recommends hanging up and independently verifying caller identity if such a call is received.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial exploitation is trending upward in West Virginia and nationally, with seniors aged 60+ losing $3 billion to scammers last year and $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity reported by the U.S. Treasury Department. U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld emphasizes that while some cases can be reversed if reported immediately, prevention is critical—he advises seniors and their families to resist pressure to act quickly, avoid clicking unexpected links in texts or emails, and consult trusted loved ones before sending money.
newsregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% year-over-year, though actual losses are likely far higher due to underreporting and unreported crimes. Older adults are disproportionately targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, and may be less comfortable with technology, with tech-support scams, romance scams, and investment frauds being the most common schemes. Prevention through education—such as being cautious of unsolicited contacts, verifying businesses online, and never sharing personal information with unverified sources—can help mitigate the psychological and financial
collider.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes Angela Deem's relationship with Nigerian man Michael Ilesanmi from the TLC show "90 Day Fiancé," in which Angela, a 22-year-older woman, pursued a romantic relationship despite warnings from family and friends about potential romance scams involving Nigerian suitors. The couple eventually divorced after facing ongoing conflicts, with the relationship characterized by physical attraction on Angela's part but cultural and personal incompatibilities between the partners.
**Note:** While this article mentions romance scam warnings, it does not describe an actual elder fraud case but rather documents a reality television relationship.
lancasteronline.com
· 2025-12-08
**70-year-old Mark Heath lost his entire $161,000 retirement savings to a "pig butchering" romance scam** in which a woman named Libby Collins contacted him on Facebook, built an emotional relationship with him, and convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency and NFT schemes through multiple transfers. After his son identified the scam during the holidays, Heath contacted the FBI, but the money and the scammer had already disappeared, leaving him dependent on Social Security and his son's financial support.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Ernakulam rural police in Kochi issued a warning against cyber fraud after scammers defrauded residents of at least Rs 3 crore over four months, with victims losing approximately Rs 2 crore through fake online trading schemes and another Rs 1.15 crore in an impersonation scam where fraudsters posed as investigative officers. Notable cases include a senior citizen from Aluva who lost Rs 1.15 crore after scammers falsely claimed a Supreme Court warrant was issued and demanded money for a "security check," while other residents lost between Rs 22 lakh and Rs 50 lakh in trading fraud schemes; police
bernama.com
· 2025-12-08
Malaysia's elderly population faces significant digital literacy gaps, with only 3.4% of those aged 60+ using the internet in 2020, making them vulnerable to scams and unable to access essential services. Senior citizens lost RM552.5 million to internet fraud between 2021-2023, highlighting the urgent need for targeted digital literacy programs that teach password security, phishing identification, and safe online practices. Improving digital skills among older adults would reduce fraud victimization while enabling them to access healthcare, maintain social connections, and participate in modern society.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Robert Louis Sanchez, a 57-year-old from New Mexico, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his role in a grandparent scam that targeted hundreds of elderly victims across the United States, resulting in over $3 million in losses. The scheme involved scammers calling seniors posing as grandchildren in distress (claiming car accidents or legal trouble) and then sending couriers to collect cash from victims' homes, with the money subsequently deposited in banks or laundered through cryptocurrency exchanges. Four other conspirators have also been convicted and sentenced, with charges pending against additional participants in the operation.
crozetgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Patsy Froehlich fell victim to a remote access scam when a fake PayPal representative tricked her into allowing screen-sharing access to her computer, manipulating her into attempting a $20,000 bank transfer she believed was a refund correction; her bank caught the suspicious transfer and prevented the loss. The article also describes a separate Publisher's Clearinghouse prize scam targeting Andrew Taylor, who was asked to purchase gift cards as a supposed legal requirement to claim a $5.1 million prize, and notes that scammers increasingly use urgency, emotional manipulation, and emerging technologies like AI to defraud victims.
wsiu.org
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns of "grandparent scams" where fraudsters impersonate family members using phone calls, texts, or AI-generated voices to create false emergencies and extract money from vulnerable people. In a Hazelwood, Missouri case, a scammer posing as a grandson requesting bail money was stopped when a caretaker verified the grandson's safety; the BBB documented nearly 200 instances of this scam in 2023 with a median loss of $850 per victim. To protect yourself, verify caller identity through independent contact, question callers on personal details, avoid untraceable payment methods, and contact police if someone demands in-person money collection.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 93-year-old grandmother (the real-life inspiration for the movie "Thelma") nearly fell victim to a grandparent scam in which a caller impersonating her grandson claimed he was in jail and needed $10,000, though her family stopped her before she sent money. Imposter fraud caused $2.7 billion in losses in the prior year, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated voice deepfakes to exploit victims through fear and urgency tactics, affecting an estimated 25% of adults according to a 2023 survey.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy were charged with running romance scams that defrauded at least 16 elderly men out of more than $7 million between 2009 and 2024. The women built trust with victims through personal relationships and online dating platforms, then manipulated them into sending money under false pretenses such as fake business ventures, medical procedures, and financial schemes, with one victim losing approximately $1 million. Both face charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy were charged with operating romance scams that defrauded at least 16 elderly men out of more than $7 million between 2009 and 2024. The women built trust through romantic relationships and then convinced victims to send money under false pretenses, such as fake medical procedures, businesses, and financial schemes, while using the proceeds for luxury purchases and personal expenses. Both face charges of money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy, each carrying up to 20 years in prison.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old man in India lost Rs 30.80 lakh after being contacted via WhatsApp by two suspects who promised high returns on cryptocurrency investments. After the victim invested approximately Rs 31 lakh, the fraudsters ignored his attempts to withdraw returns and ceased communication. Police have registered a case against the two suspects, though no arrests have been made yet.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania has warned of an increase in utility scams targeting older adults during summer months when energy usage and bills peak, with fraudsters posing as utility company representatives and using threats of service disconnection or offers of discounts to obtain personal information or payments. A recent AARP poll found that 62% of Pennsylvania voters aged 50 and older expressed concern about fraud and scams including robo-calls and phishing emails. AARP advises residents to verify any unsolicited utility claims by contacting their utility company directly using the number on their bill, noting that legitimate companies send multiple notices before disconnection and never demand immediate payment over the phone.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 67-year-old former school clerk in Ipoh lost approximately RM242,000 to an investment scam after being lured by a Facebook advertisement promising an unrealistic 8,000% profit return. Between April and June, the victim made 25 transactions to 16 different bank accounts before realizing the scheme was fraudulent when promised profits never materialized. Police advise the public to exercise caution on social media and stay informed about current scamming tactics.
continentalenews.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an announcement for educational events rather than a news article about a scam. The post promotes two "Golden Gatherings" sessions on senior scams and banking safety scheduled for July 23rd in Continental and July 30th in Ottawa, with RSVPs required by July 15th. The article also includes information about signing up for local news updates via email.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Two women, Rosanna Lisa Stanley (48) and Gina Guy (37), were charged with running a romance scam from 2009 to 2024 that defrauded at least 16 elderly men of over $7 million through fake romantic relationships, false medical emergencies, and bogus investment schemes. Stanley allegedly scammed victims out of at least $555,000 by posing as a fortune teller and astrologer, while Guy targeted at least four men claiming to need money for kidney transplants; both women used the proceeds to fund luxury purchases including a boat and car. Both were arrested in June 2024 and charged with money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy
noozhawk.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational awareness piece, not a news report of a specific scam or fraud incident. Here's the summary:
State Senator Monique Limón is hosting a Senior Scam Prevention Seminar on July 9 at the Goleta Community Center, featuring expert panelists from multiple California state departments who will discuss detecting scams and protecting against fraud tactics. The free event aims to educate seniors and their families on the latest scam methods and prevention strategies.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
hellorayo.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Following the collapse of Flybe airline into administration, Citizens Advice warned stranded passengers seeking refunds to be alert for scams, as fraudsters typically exploit such situations to offer fake recovery services. The article advises affected customers to check their ticket purchase method (direct vs. travel agent), payment type (credit card may offer protections), and accommodation terms, while several rail and coach operators offered free alternative travel to help passengers reach their destinations.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosanna Lisa Stanley and Gina Guy were charged with money laundering, wire fraud, and conspiracy for operating a romance scam that defrauded at least 16 elderly men out of more than $7 million between 2009 and June 2024. The women built romantic relationships with their victims through in-person meetings and online platforms, then convinced them to send money under false pretenses such as business needs, medical emergencies, and spiritual protection, with one victim losing $555,000 and another $1 million. Both defendants face maximum sentences of 20 years for using the stolen funds to purchase luxury goods and vehicles.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with the vast majority of perpetrators escaping prosecution as law enforcement agencies become overwhelmed by the exponential growth in cases. Victims, particularly older adults targeted by romance, grandparent, and technical support scams, rarely recover their losses, and some cases result in tragic secondary consequences when victims become desperate or violent. The combination of low investigation priority at local police departments, difficulty tracking funds moved to cryptocurrency or foreign accounts, and federal prosecution thresholds means that scammers operate with minimal risk of being caught or held accountable.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with projections worsening as the population ages and AI technology advances fraud capabilities. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and underfunded to investigate these crimes, resulting in few convictions and minimal recovery of stolen funds, while victims—particularly older adults—lose life savings to romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud. A tragic Ohio case illustrates the crisis: an 81-year-old man fatally shot an Uber driver after a scammer manipulated him into believing she was involved in a $12,000 bond extraction scheme, while the actual perpetrator remains
mb.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with sophisticated overseas criminals exploiting an aging population and increasingly using AI to evade detection and prosecution. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed by the exponential growth in scams, with most perpetrators escaping capture and victims rarely recovering their money, while some police departments treat financial fraud as lower priority than other crimes. The article illustrates the crisis through cases including an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a bond scam, and highlights how stolen funds are quickly converted to cryptocurrency or moved to foreign accounts, making recovery and investigation nearly impossible.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from elderly Americans through internet and telephone fraud schemes including romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud, with perpetrators rarely caught or convicted due to law enforcement resource limitations and overseas origins making investigations difficult. The crime wave is projected to worsen as the population ages and AI technology advances, while victims—who rarely recover lost funds—are often discouraged from reporting due to police skepticism about voluntarily-sent money and the vast majority of cases going unreported.
apnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated international scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans, with law enforcement catching and convicting relatively few perpetrators due to resource limitations and investigation challenges, particularly for overseas crimes involving cryptocurrency and foreign accounts. Older Americans are especially vulnerable to romance scams, grandparent scams, and technical support fraud, rarely recovering lost funds including life savings, while some police departments deprioritize financial fraud cases and victims often remain unreported. As the U.S. population ages and AI technology advances, experts warn the crime wave is projected to worsen, with scammers facing minimal consequences for crimes that are increasingly easy to commit and difficult to prosecute.