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atlanticsun.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Camps Bay police have reported an increase in fraud cases targeting residents, particularly seniors, including impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as bank employees or government officials to steal money, fake payment schemes on social media marketplaces, and fraudulent holiday rental listings. The police station commander provided guidance on protective measures including verifying bank communications directly with financial institutions, never sharing personal details with callers, ensuring payment clears before releasing items in sales, and researching holiday accommodations through reputable platforms before booking.
montgomeryadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security imposter scams remain widespread, with fraudsters using calls, texts, emails, and letters to trick victims into providing personal information or payments through gift cards, wire transfers, or cash. The Social Security Administration clarifies that it never threatens arrest, suspends Social Security numbers, demands immediate payment, or sends unsolicited communications containing personal information—and encourages reporting suspected scams to oig.ssa.gov/report. Legitimate Social Security contact typically occurs only by mail regarding payment issues or by phone for those who recently applied for benefits or requested a call.
heraldtribune.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a community recognition column highlighting local philanthropists and public servants in Manatee County, Florida, not an article about fraud or elder abuse. However, it does mention that Detective Jim Curulla and Officer Deana McNeal from the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit received the Tiger Bay Club's Pat Glass First Responders Leadership Award, acknowledging their work in combating elder fraud.
hyannisnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reports on federal law enforcement arrests of undocumented immigrants with criminal records in Massachusetts during early 2025, including individuals charged with sexual assault, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. The cases involved coordination between DEA, ICE, and local police, with one suspect remaining in ICE custody pending removal proceedings and another wanted for felony drug trafficking in Brazil. The article does not contain information related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse and is therefore outside the scope of the Elderus database.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams cost consumers $2.7 billion in 2023, with scammers typically posing as government agencies or trusted companies to demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. The FBI is warning of an unusual variant where scammers are mailing letters to business executives claiming to be the Russian ransomware gang BianLian, demanding $250,000-$500,000 in Bitcoin while threatening to release stolen data, though cybersecurity experts confirm no actual data breaches have occurred and the letters lack hallmarks of legitimate ransomware communications.
gothamist.com
· 2025-12-08
New York reported a 44% increase in internet fraud complaints in 2024, with over 3,700 cases, driven by rising account takeover schemes and AI-enabled phishing techniques including synthesized voice calls. Cybersecurity experts attribute the surge to attackers exploiting human vulnerabilities, and recommend consumers use strong multi-factor authentication, separate passwords, and account change notifications to protect themselves.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Denver Field Office warns of a rising cybercrime trend where criminals use free online file converter websites to install malware that steals personal information like Social Security numbers, banking details, and passwords; victims are advised to use built-in tools like "Print to PDF" instead. Colorado authorities also report ongoing "smishing" scams impersonating toll and parking agencies via text message, with Coloradans filing 44,945 fraud reports in 2024 totaling $210.7 million in losses, and experts emphasize that fraud targets people of all backgrounds and education levels.
agrinews-pubs.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare fraud exceeded $100 billion in fraudulent claims during one calendar year, with additional losses from identity theft and stolen financial information. Scammers employ multiple tactics to obtain Medicare card numbers and personal information, including impersonating Medicare employees, falsely claiming cards have expired (they don't), offering cheaper coverage, threatening benefit cancellation, and promising refunds or free services. Seniors should never share their Medicare card number or personal information via phone, email, or text, and should report suspected scams immediately to 1-800-MEDICARE.
queensda.org
· 2025-12-08
Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for orchestrating a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded senior citizens of over $500,000. The scam involved co-conspirators impersonating government officials (FTC and Amazon representatives) who convinced victims to wire money to bank accounts in Queens and upstate New York that Rossopoulos controlled, with funds withdrawn immediately after each transfer. Two identified victims—a 92-year-old from Hawaii and an 83-year-old from Kentucky—lost $446,000 and $101,980 respectively between February and July
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Queens, New York, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for her role in a nationwide scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $500,000. Working with a co-conspirator posing as a government official, Rossopoulos received wire transfers into bank accounts in her name from victims who were falsely told their identities had been stolen, including a 92-year-old Hawaii woman who lost $446,000 and an 83-year-old Kentucky man who lost nearly $102,000. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
REGO Payment Architectures unveiled a senior financial management platform launching March 31, 2025, designed to help adult children and caretakers monitor elderly relatives' finances across multiple institutions and detect fraudulent activity. The product addresses a critical need, as Americans aged 60 and older lost over $38 billion to fraud in 2023, with the FBI reporting average losses of $33,915 per victim. The white-labeled solution includes features such as spending alerts, transaction monitoring, fraud detection via a proprietary Protection Score, and bill payment reminders, positioning it to capture an estimated $1 billion annual revenue opportunity for participating financial institutions.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A widespread "smishing scam" targeting Americans claims recipients owe unpaid tolls from E-ZPass or similar toll providers, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center logging over 60,000 reports; the fraudulent texts originate from Chinese-speaking scammers selling phishing kits on Telegram and aim to steal personal and financial information rather than toll payments. The scam texts typically come from suspicious numbers or +63 Philippine country codes, contain shortened URLs, threatening language about license suspension or fines, and request small payment amounts to appear legitimate. Victims should not click links, report messages as spam, and if they've already entered payment information, immediately contact their bank, credit car
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has issued warnings about rising "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages impersonating USPS that claim packages are undeliverable due to invalid ZIP codes and direct recipients to malicious links. These scams aim to steal personal information, financial credentials, and Social Security numbers, with Americans losing approximately $8.8 billion to fraud annually. The USPIS advises consumers not to click suspicious links, report messages to 7726 (SPAM), and verify tracking directly through the official USPS website rather than through unsolicited texts.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration warned beneficiaries in March 2024 about scammers impersonating SSA representatives through phone, email, text, and social media to steal benefits and personal information using tactics like spoofed caller IDs, fake letterheads, and threats. Between mid-2024, nearly 45% of reported scams involved false claims about suspended Social Security numbers, with victims aged 70-84 losing an average of $11,902 compared to $2,346 for those under 29. The SSA urged citizens to hang up on suspicious contacts and report attempts to its Office of the Inspector General.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
The Houston Police Department conducted an educational outreach session at the Alief Neighborhood Center to warn seniors about rising scam activities in their community, highlighting schemes where criminals impersonate toll road authorities, parking officials, and IRS agents. HPD emphasized that seniors are particularly vulnerable to fraud due to their trusting nature and often lack of support networks to help them recognize scams. The event included an informational presentation followed by a neighborhood safety walk as part of the department's "March on Crime" initiative.
carscoops.com
· 2025-12-08
Revolve CEO Michael Mente lost $5.4 million in 2021 after falling victim to a fake Mercedes-AMG One luxury car sale scam perpetrated by Texas resident Traveon Rogers, who posed as French dealer Jean-Pierre M.R. Clement. Mente discovered the fraud in 2022 when U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed him the payment had been stolen and the dealer didn't exist. Rogers has since faced multiple lawsuits for similar schemes, allegedly defrauding another buyer of $3.19 million in a separate nonexistent AMG One deal, and has been charged with forging contracts and impersonating car deal
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, New Yorkers over 60 lost more than $203 million to scams including sweepstakes, tech support fraud, and government impersonation schemes, with Long Islanders accounting for $38 million of those losses. Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed legislation that would train bank employees, brokers, and financial advisers to recognize elder exploitation and legally empower them to place temporary holds (up to 55 days) on suspicious transactions while law enforcement investigates. The bill, supported by 43 consumer protection groups including AARP, aims to prevent funds from being permanently lost to scammers before fraud can be detected and stopped.
stocktitan.net
· 2025-12-08
Rego Payment Architectures announced a new white-label senior financial management product launching March 31, 2025, designed to help banks and credit unions protect elderly customers from financial fraud through monitoring tools for caretakers. The product addresses a critical need, as Americans over 60 lost over $38 billion to financial fraud in 2023, with victims averaging $33,915 in losses. The platform offers features including cross-account visibility, spending alerts, transaction monitoring, and fraud detection to help families oversee seniors' finances across multiple institutions.
globenewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not a news report about elder fraud, but rather a press release announcing a new financial management product by Rego Payment Architectures designed to help banks and credit unions protect seniors from fraud. The product, launching March 31, 2025, enables adult children and caretakers to monitor aging relatives' accounts across multiple institutions through features like spending alerts, transaction monitoring, and fraud detection. The announcement notes that Americans over 60 lost over $38 billion to financial fraud in 2023, with elderly victims averaging $33,915 in losses according to FBI data.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting tax season with sophisticated phishing emails, deepfake calls, and fake tax preparation websites to steal money and personal information from Americans. According to McAfee research, nearly one in four Americans lost money to tax scams, with over half of victims losing more than $1,000, while 48% received fraudulent tax-related messages and scammers targeted sensitive data like Social Security numbers and banking information. Experts recommend ignoring unsolicited IRS communications, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and using two-factor authentication and unique passwords to protect against these evolving threats.
blog.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration and its Office of Inspector General launched the sixth annual "Slam the Scam" Day on March 6 to combat Social Security imposter scams, where fraudsters pressure victims into sharing personal information or making payments by claiming to fix alleged Social Security number problems. These scams affect all age groups and remain among the most commonly reported government imposter frauds to the FTC, with victims tricked through sophisticated tactics including caller ID spoofing, fake documents, and fraudulent letterhead. The agencies emphasized that Social Security will never suspend numbers, demand immediate payments, threaten arrest, or request gift cards or wire transfers, and urged citizens to report attempts to oig.ssa.gov
lethbridgepolice.ca
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are confidence schemes where criminals build fake online relationships through dating sites and social media to eventually solicit money from victims. Key warning signs include rapid declarations of love, reluctance to meet in person, requests for money or crypto investments, and discouragement of telling others about the relationship. Victims are advised to avoid sharing personal information, never send money to strangers, enable multi-factor authentication, and report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (if no loss occurred) or local police and financial institutions (if money was lost).
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadian nationals were charged in Vermont federal court for operating a multi-million dollar "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly victims across more than 40 U.S. states of over $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. Perpetrators operating from call centers near Montreal posed as grandchildren claiming to need bail money for fabricated arrests or as attorneys representing them, convincing victims to provide cash that was collected in person and laundered through Canada using cryptocurrency. Canadian law enforcement arrested 23 of the defendants on March 4, 2024, following search warrants executed at the call centers where they were actively making calls to elderly victims.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Charles Anthony Keemer, a 64-year-old Maryland resident, pleaded guilty to preparing and filing hundreds of false federal tax returns for clients between 2013 and 2016 without being a registered tax preparer. Keemer added fictitious business expenses and fake Schedule C businesses to client returns to fraudulently inflate tax refunds, resulting in approximately $128,691 in losses to the IRS. He faces a maximum sentence of three years in federal prison.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
An organized Georgian call center network scammed approximately 6,000 people across the UK, Europe, and Canada out of $35 million (£27 million) between May 2022 and 2023 using deepfake videos and fake celebrity endorsements featuring Martin Lewis, Zoe Ball, and Ben Fogle to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency and investment schemes. UK victims were disproportionately affected, accounting for about £9 million in losses, with some individuals defrauded of over £160,000 after spending hundreds of hours on calls with scammers. The fraud was exposed through a leaked dataset of over 1 million call recordings that revealed how the approximately
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week, where fraudsters pose as friends, relatives, or organization representatives to steal personal information and money using common phrases like "I'm in trouble" or "You've won!" The advisory provides six protective strategies including verifying identities through official channels, confirming distress messages with family members directly, being cautious of online romance scams, ignoring unsolicited USPS texts, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry. Victims can report suspected fraud to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online.
cbia.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of top tax scams on February 27, identifying 12 prevalent threats including email phishing, misleading social media tax advice, fake charities, and fraudulent tax credit claims such as the Fuel Tax Credit and pandemic-era sick leave credits. These scams target taxpayers, tax professionals, and businesses year-round, seeking to steal personal information, enable identity theft, and generate fraudulent refunds. The IRS advises taxpayers to verify communications directly with official agencies and only claim tax credits for which they are genuinely eligible.
shu.edu
· 2025-12-08
National Slam the Scam Day (March 6, 2025) is an awareness initiative by Social Security's Office of the Inspector General to combat government imposter scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials from trusted agencies like the SSA and IRS to steal money and personal information. The advisory highlights the "4 P's" of scams—pretend, problem, pressure, and payment demand—and emphasizes that legitimate government agencies never request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods. Individuals are urged to stay alert, hang up on suspicious contacts, guard personal information, and report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
business-standard.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old man named Priyesh Giri was arrested by Delhi Police for defrauding multiple senior citizens by posing as a health insurance agent and collecting renewal fees under false pretenses. A 74-year-old victim lost Rs 95,000 after receiving a fake insurance policy, prompting her complaint that led to Giri's arrest through online tracking; he confessed to cheating more than five seniors over the past year and reportedly had an accomplice still being sought. The case reflects India's broader surge in fraud, with cybercrime cases increasing by over 100% in early 2024, including investment and trading scams affecting thousands of victims.
arabtimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kuwaiti woman lost her entire bank balance of 1,710 dinars and 835 fils after a fraudster posing as a bank employee called claiming her card was blocked and obtained her card number, PIN, and one-time password. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior warned the public about rising phone scams perpetrated by individuals outside the country, emphasizing that citizens should never share banking credentials with unknown callers, and highlighted emerging WhatsApp scams where fraudsters request money transfers through malicious links.
vermontbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 20, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted 25 Canadian nationals for operating a "Grandparent Scam" from call centers in Montreal that defrauded elderly victims in Vermont and 40+ other states between summer 2021 and June 2024. Scammers posed as arrested grandchildren or their attorneys, convincing elderly victims to provide bail money (totaling over $21 million) that was then laundered to Canada through cash deliveries and cryptocurrency; 23 defendants were arrested in Canada on March 4, 2025, while two remain at large.
sjcda.org
· 2025-12-08
This article from the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office provides educational information on common scam tactics, including impersonation of government agencies and businesses, spoofed caller IDs, and pressure tactics demanding immediate payment via cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards. The piece emphasizes that scammers create false emergencies or threats to bypass victims' critical thinking and lists reporting resources including the FTC and the District Attorney Consumer Fraud Department at (209) 953-7730. It also highlights local support services through the Family Justice Center for victims of various crimes including elder abuse.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Postal Service issued warnings during Consumer Protection Week about imposter scams targeting older adults, where scammers pose as banks, government agencies, or family members to steal identities and money. Key prevention tips include verifying unexpected requests for money by contacting family directly, avoiding unsolicited USPS text messages about delivery problems, and confirming the legitimacy of bank communications before responding. Victims are urged to report suspected fraud to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Postal Service warned the public about impostor scams where fraudsters impersonate family members, friends, banks, or government agencies to steal money and sensitive information. The scammers typically use urgent messaging such as "I'm in trouble," "You've won," or "I have a great offer," and Inspector Eric Shen recommends avoiding rushed financial decisions, verifying caller identity independently, not clicking suspicious links, and being especially cautious about grandparent scams and online romance fraud.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, 53% of men and 47% of women experienced romance scams in online dating environments, with scammers impersonating military personnel or celebrities to build trust before requesting money or personal information from victims. The FBI reported that over 64,000 romance scams were reported in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, protect sensitive information, be cautious of financial requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities including the FTC or VA benefits hotline.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
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investmentnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 survey found that over one-third of Americans were targeted by financial scams, with Baby Boomers experiencing the highest rate of fraud attempts (39%) but being least likely to lose money (26% loss rate), while younger generations reported significantly higher financial losses despite lower targeting rates. The most common scams involved attempted or successful theft of personal information like credit cards, bank accounts, or social security numbers, though 57% of these attempts were unsuccessful. Most respondents (89%) have implemented protective measures such as avoiding suspicious links, monitoring accounts, and enabling two-factor authentication, yet experts caution that fraud can still occur even with proper precautions.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Virgin Islands reports that 65% of residents aged 45 and older have encountered fraudulent schemes, with 40% experiencing financial losses, prompting the organization to intensify anti-fraud efforts through its Fraud Watch Network and educational initiatives. The organization is conducting workshops, webinars, and community events to educate residents about scam prevention, and is advocating for legislative measures including a proposed elder abuse amendment that would establish an adult abuse registry, require law enforcement fraud prevention training, and create a multi-disciplinary adult protection team.
pasadenanow.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a National Consumer Protection Week warning about imposter scams where fraudsters pose as friends, relatives, or organizations using urgent messages ("I'm in trouble," "You've won!") to steal personal information and money. The advisory recommends verifying unexpected financial requests through direct contact, avoiding clicking suspicious links, ignoring unsolicited postal service communications, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, with victims able to report scams at (877) 876-2455.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines 11 common tax scams expected in 2025, including phishing emails, IRS impersonation phone calls, fake tax preparation services, social media fraud, and stimulus payment scams. Key protective measures include verifying sender authenticity before clicking links, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, confirming tax preparers are IRS-registered, and remembering that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or charge fees for assistance. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics targeting vulnerable taxpayers, making awareness and verification critical during tax-filing season.
foxsanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
A USAA customer was targeted by scammers who spoofed the bank's caller ID and posed as the fraud department to warn her about unauthorized charges. The scammers manipulated her into transferring $3,400 through Apple Cash by claiming to help secure her compromised account, ultimately stealing the funds before disappearing when she discovered the deception. The case highlights a growing imposter scam trend affecting bank customers nationwide, with such scams resulting in $2.7 billion in annual losses, and demonstrates how criminals exploit familiar bank names and personal information to build false trust.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Kerala men fell victim to a visa agency scam that promised Israeli work visas but provided Jordanian tourist visas instead, directing them to illegally cross the Jordan-Israel border; during the February 10 crossing, 47-year-old Thomas Gabriel Pereira was shot dead by Jordanian soldiers, one man (Edison, 43) was deported to India with leg injuries, and two others remain jailed in Jordan. The unauthorized agency's fraudulent scheme resulted in one death, severe injuries, deportation, and imprisonment, highlighting the dangers of unlicensed visa recruitment operations that prey on vulnerable workers from coastal communities in Kerala.
wxow.com
· 2025-12-08
The La Crescent Police Department reported five scam calls in one day targeting residents with a "grandchild in jail" premise, where callers falsely claimed relatives were arrested after vehicle accidents and demanded money for bail. Two families nearly lost $9,000 and $18,000 respectively before recognizing the fraud; scammers instructed victims to lie to banks about withdrawal purposes and used spoofed local phone numbers and computer-generated voices to appear legitimate. Police advised community members to verify incidents directly with family, noting that scammers specifically target elders with landlines using fear tactics, and emphasized that government agencies like the IRS and Social Security do not initiate arrest-related calls.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a warning during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025) about imposter scams, where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts or legitimate organizations to steal personally identifiable information and drain financial accounts. The agency provided protective measures including: avoiding rushed financial decisions, verifying bank communications directly, confirming grandchild emergencies through known contacts, recognizing romance scams, ignoring fraudulent USPS texts, registering with the Do Not Call Registry, and reporting suspected fraud to the Inspection Service.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A Bankrate Financial Fraud Survey found that 34% of U.S. adults experienced financial fraud or scams in the past 12 months, with 37% of victims losing money to schemes ranging from fake prize claims to job recruitment and investment scams. Of Americans scammed in the past year, 90% had their personal financial information accessed or targeted, though 57% of those attempts were unsuccessful; baby boomers and Generation X experienced the highest lifetime fraud rates at 73% and 71% respectively, and experts warn that economic stress and the pending wealth transfer of baby boomers may embolden scammers.
edmontonjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
viconsortium.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned of rising imposter scams in which fraudsters pose as trusted entities like family members, banks, or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or sending money. The USPIS advises consumers to avoid responding to pressure tactics, verify contacts independently before sharing information, be cautious of grandparent and romance scams, ignore unsolicited USPS messages, and register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Suspected fraud can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about four types of imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2–8, 2025): investment scams using "get rich quick" schemes, grandparent scams requesting urgent bail or medical fees, romance scams exploiting isolated individuals, and other fraudulent schemes that manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. The agency recommends verifying information independently, being suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics and urgent requests, and contacting relatives directly before sending funds.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A man was sentenced to over eight years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme originating from India that targeted older Americans, including a Georgetown woman who lost $300,000, with 21 identified victims losing nearly $6 million total. The scheme involved impersonating U.S. government officials to convince victims to transfer money from retirement and savings accounts, part of a growing problem highlighted by FBI data showing an 11% increase in financial losses for people over 60 in 2023. AARP Texas is advocating for increased law enforcement funding and expansion of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat online fraud schemes that disproportionately impact older adults who have accumulated significant lifetime savings
ipsos.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 Ipsos poll found that younger Canadians are more likely than older adults to have experienced impersonation scams on social media and phone, contrary to common stereotypes about elder vulnerability. While 84% of Canadians are confident detecting email scams, confidence drops significantly to 57% for detecting smart device intrusions, with those 55+ showing the lowest confidence at 51%. Notably, most Canadians—including seniors—are aware of AI's rapid advancement and its use in creating realistic voice and video impersonations, though older adults show lower awareness (60%) than younger groups of how easily scammers can access AI tools like ChatGPT.