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saga.co.uk
Investment scams cost UK victims over £612 million in 2023, with people aged 55-64 being disproportionately targeted and losing more than £133 million collectively; the average loss per victim was £25,000, though some lost significantly more. Scammers exploit older adults by targeting those with disposable income and leveraging fears about retirement, inheritance tax, and social care, often attempting multiple frauds against the same victims. Red flags include unsolicited contact, promises of unrealistic returns, and pressure to make quick decisions, with experts advising victims to seek independent financial advice before investing.
cbsnews.com
A 53-year-old French interior decorator lost €850,000 ($850,000) to scammers who impersonated actor Brad Pitt using fake social media accounts, AI-generated images, and fabricated stories about kidney treatment and frozen bank accounts due to divorce proceedings. After the victim appeared on French television to share her story, she faced severe online harassment and mockery, prompting the network to remove the interview from its platforms to protect her wellbeing. The case illustrates how romance scams, increasingly sophisticated through AI technology, continue to target vulnerable individuals, with romance fraud losses in the U.S. exceeding $1 billion in 2023.
wrhi.com
**Summary:**
The IRS warns taxpayers to guard against evolving tax season scams including phishing emails, impersonation phone calls, identity theft, fake tax preparers, social media fraud, charity scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Protection strategies include verifying IRS communications through official channels, protecting personal information, using legitimate tax professionals, and reporting suspicious activity to the IRS.
pcmag.com
This educational article identifies major online scams targeting people in 2025, including romance baiting (formerly called "pig butchering"), immigration fraud, and AI-generated scams that exploit vulnerable populations. The author advises vigilance against scammers who use social engineering tactics, noting that law enforcement offers limited recourse for victims and recommending awareness of common warning signs to avoid becoming a target.
wcax.com
The Vermont Attorney General's office reported over 3,500 scams in the past year, with computer tech support scams being the most prevalent, followed by identity theft, law enforcement impersonation, and Medicare card phishing. Residents are encouraged to register for the Vermont Scam Alert System to stay informed about emerging fraud threats and to report any scam victimization to the Attorney General's office.
newsweek.com
Massachusetts drivers are receiving fraudulent text messages impersonating the state's E-ZPass toll system, claiming unpaid tolls of $6.99 and directing recipients to malicious links that steal personal and financial information. The real E-ZPass never sends text messages, so recipients should delete such messages immediately and verify toll balances through official E-ZPass accounts. Anyone who clicked the fraudulent links should contact their bank and credit card company to freeze accounts and change all passwords.
wrdw.com
Tax season scams are prevalent, with fraudsters impersonating the IRS through unsolicited calls, texts, emails, and social media to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest. The IRS only contacts taxpayers by mail, never by phone or electronic messages, and warns against fake tax advice on social media and demands for immediate payment. Filing taxes early, verifying tax preparers with the Better Business Bureau, and filing documents promptly can help prevent identity theft and refund fraud.
mitrade.com
A 53-year-old French interior designer was defrauded of $855,000 over 18 months in an AI-enabled romance scam where perpetrators impersonated actor Brad Pitt and his mother, using AI-generated photos and messages across multiple platforms before claiming he needed money for cancer treatment. The scammers exploited advances in artificial intelligence technology to create convincing fake profiles and communications, a tactic that has become increasingly common—with similar Brad Pitt impersonation schemes in Spain resulting in $350,000 in losses from two women in 2024. Romance scams globally caused over $652 million in losses in the US alone in 2023,
identityweek.net
This is not an article suitable for the Elderus fraud research database. The content is a conference announcement and promotional page for Identity Week Europe 2026, featuring keynote speakers and sponsor highlights rather than reporting on a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case. While the page includes links to various security and fraud-related topics, no detailed incident information is provided to summarize.
huffpost.com
During the Los Angeles wildfires, scammers exploited disaster victims and donors through fake relief fundraisers impersonating celebrities like Kim Kardashian, fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns using stolen photos, fake charity websites, phishing emails posing as FEMA and the Red Cross, fake contractor services, and animal rescue scams. Security experts note that disaster scams proliferate because they combine vulnerability, urgency, and the public's desire to help, with perpetrators ranging from local individuals to organized crime syndicates. Potential victims should verify charities through official channels, avoid clicking unsolicited donation links, and be wary of upfront payment requests or overly urgent appeals
bethesdamagazine.com
A 26-year-old Rockville man, Ravinklejeet Mathon, was sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a gold bar scam targeting a 94-year-old Silver Spring resident who nearly lost $230,000. Mathon posed as a federal agent, convincing the victim his identity had been stolen and directing him to purchase gold bars for safekeeping; detectives disrupted the scheme by substituting metal tools for the gold bars during a sting operation and arrested Mathon when he attempted to pick up the package. This was Montgomery County's first conviction in a local gold bar scam, and the case reflects a broader pattern of organized international fraud targeting elderly victims.
apnews.com
After natural disasters like wildfires and floods, scammers exploit vulnerable victims by impersonating government agencies (FEMA, utilities) and contractors to steal personal information or demand upfront payments for aid and repair services. People in heightened emotional states should verify callers directly with organizations, be skeptical of urgency tactics, and confirm contractor licenses and insurance before paying anything. The FTC advises that legitimate FEMA aid is always free, and recommends getting multiple estimates, reviewing online complaints, and monitoring credit reports for signs of identity theft or fraud.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned Detroit Lions fans in January 2025 to be cautious when purchasing playoff game tickets online, as scammers exploit excitement around the team's playoff run. Common ticket scams include payment app fraud (using P2P services like Venmo, Cash App, and Zelle) and fake check schemes where buyers send counterfeit checks for more than the ticket price and request refunds. Nessel recommends only purchasing tickets through official sources and remaining vigilant about sharing personal information or accepting suspicious payment methods.
citizensvoice.com
During natural disasters like wildfires and floods, scammers impersonate FEMA officials, utility companies, and contractors to prey on vulnerable victims by requesting personal information, charging fraudulent fees for disaster aid, or demanding upfront cash payments for repairs. The FTC warns disaster victims to verify contact through official channels, avoid anyone creating urgency or requesting immediate payment, and conduct background checks on contractors before hiring. In 2023 alone, the FTC received reports of approximately 1 million identity theft cases, 2.6 million fraud cases, and 1.9 million other scam reports.
yahoo.com
Tax scams resurface each season with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, and mail to pressure victims into paying taxes owed or stealing personal information via tax identity theft and phishing schemes. Key prevention strategies include filing taxes early, obtaining an Identity Protection PIN, verifying IRS communications through official channels, and using trusted tax professionals, as the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media requesting personal or financial information.
indeonline.com
Tax scams proliferate each season, with scammers impersonating the IRS through phone calls, emails, mail, and fake websites to steal money or personal information—tactics include demanding payment for back taxes with threats of arrest, filing fraudulent tax returns using victims' Social Security numbers, and phishing emails directing people to bogus IRS sites. To protect themselves, taxpayers should file early, use IRS Identity Protection PINs, verify caller identity independently with the IRS, watch for poor grammar in suspicious communications, use trusted tax preparers, and remember that the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or social media requesting personal or financial information.
theglobeandmail.com
AI-powered phishing emails are becoming increasingly effective and scalable threats, achieving 54% click-through rates while costing scammers as little as four cents per email and increasing profitability by up to 50 times. Canada reported $531 million in cybercrime losses in 2022, with phishing being a major vector that allows attackers to harvest personal information from social media and craft highly personalized fraudulent messages targeting login credentials, bank accounts, and identity theft. The article recommends protective measures including verifying sender authenticity, scrutinizing links, limiting social media exposure, enabling multifactor authentication, and consulting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for guidance.
voi.id
Hackers commonly exploit Telegram and other messaging apps to steal personal information and bank account details through various scams, including technical support fraud, phishing, fake investment schemes, counterfeit job postings, malicious links, lottery scams, and copycat accounts impersonating legitimate companies or individuals. Users are vulnerable even on secure platforms like Telegram if they fail to verify the authenticity of message sources. Key prevention measures include avoiding clicking suspicious links, not providing personal information to unverified contacts, and being skeptical of unsolicited offers promising easy money or employment.
themortgagepoint.com
Rental scams are increasingly affecting U.S. renters, with 93% believing such scams are common and 90% worried about becoming victims, according to Rently's Rental Scams and Fraud Report. Facebook hosts 88% of fraudulent listings, and victims reported significant financial losses, with 62% losing over $500, 48% losing over $1,000, and 8% losing more than $5,000 through fake deposits, application fees, and rent payments. The report calls for stronger fraud prevention measures including identity verification, secure payment systems, and public education to combat the emotional and financial harm these scams inflict on renters.
peakofohio.com
**Brushing Scams Overview:**
Brushing scams involve international sellers sending unsolicited packages to consumers without their knowledge, using the recipient's name and address to create fake positive reviews and inflate product ratings on e-commerce platforms. While recipients are not obligated to pay for or return these items, the scam poses risks including potential compromise of personal information, exposure to future fraud, and possible misuse of the recipient's address for intercepting packages or other criminal activity. Consumers should monitor their accounts, change passwords, report fraudulent reviews to retailers, and contact authorities if packages contain suspicious items like seeds, food, or liquids.
newslj.com
This article compiles multiple elder fraud alerts and prevention tips: A Wyoming resident received an extortion email falsely claiming malware access (a common scare tactic), while another fell victim to a phishing email impersonating Microsoft to steal account credentials. The Identity Theft Resource Center predicts cybercrime will surge in 2025 due to reduced government resources and increased AI exploitation, while identity fraud cost Americans $43 billion in 2023—with veterans particularly vulnerable, losing $477 million that year to service-focused scams. Key prevention measures include verifying sender identities, avoiding suspicious attachments and links, using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and monitoring credit reports regularly.
dailyexcelsior.com
**Article:** Rahul Dogra - 2025 Cyber Scams in India
This article outlines emerging sophisticated scams in India driven by AI and deepfake technology, including KYC/bank scams where fraudsters impersonate officials to steal sensitive information, job fraud schemes demanding upfront fees for non-existent positions, and digital arrest scams using intimidation tactics to extort settlement payments. Additional scams target elderly individuals through medical emergencies and fake insurance, electricity bill scams threatening service disconnection, and romance scams, with prevention advice emphasizing direct verification with official sources, avoidance of unsolicited links, and independent research before sharing personal
witf.org
The Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers and credit union representatives are advocating for new legislation to protect seniors from elder financial abuse, citing tech support scams, romance scams, and investment frauds as prevalent threats. They are urging updates to Pennsylvania's Older Adults Protective Services Act to mandate reporting of suspected elder financial abuse and allow banks to place temporary holds on suspicious transactions while notifying law enforcement and aging agencies. The groups emphasize that trained bank employees can serve as critical safeguards against financial exploitation of older adults.
newportdispatch.com
Between December 30 and January 5, Needham Police responded to multiple fraud incidents including check fraud, identity fraud on Elder Road, credit card fraud on Hunnewell Street, bank fraud, and a gift card scam, along with reports of suspicious communications and a stolen mailbox. While specific dollar amounts were not disclosed, the department advised victims on how to proceed and continues investigating the cases. The police encourage residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.
wbur.org
Judith Boivin, an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, lost $600,000 of her life savings in an elaborate government impersonation scam in September 2023. Scammers posing as FBI and local police officers convinced her that her Social Security number was being used for drug trafficking and money laundering, then persuaded her to withdraw her retirement funds in cash under the guise of assisting a federal investigation. This case exemplifies a broader trend of sophisticated scams targeting well-meaning Americans, particularly those with caregiving backgrounds and strong civic values.
ottawa.citynews.ca
Ontario Provincial Police reported that scammers in the east region are using multiple fraud schemes, including a recent case where a business employee was manipulated into withdrawing cash and depositing it into a Bitcoin machine in Peterborough. The top scams targeting the region include cryptocurrency investment fraud ("get rich quick" schemes), bank investigator fraud, romance scams, and identity theft/phishing attacks, with Canadians losing an estimated $638 million to fraud in 2024, though actual losses are likely much higher due to significant underreporting.
cgsentinel.com
This educational article warns that scams occur year-round through emails, texts, and phone calls, often impersonating legitimate agencies and using threats of penalties or emotional manipulation to extract personal information and payments via gift cards, bitcoin, or money orders. The article advises verifying agency legitimacy by independently looking up contact information, bookmarking official websites, and never sharing passwords or clicking links from suspicious communications. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office specifically clarifies it will not contact residents about jury duty, request phone payments, or accept non-traditional payment methods.
americanbanker.com
**Scam Type:** Account takeover and wire fraud following inheritance receipt
**What Happened:** An 86-year-old widow received a life insurance check after her husband's death in July. Within days, a fraudster opened two bank accounts using her name and stole the funds by transferring them between the accounts. The theft was discovered on August 11, and the money was eventually recovered with help from the U.S. Secret Service and Palm Beach County Police—a rare outcome, as most victims do not recover stolen funds.
**Key Issue:** The article highlights systemic banking vulnerabilities including inconsistent anti-fraud regulations, lack of document authentication tools to detect forgeries, an
weau.com
This article provides tax season fraud prevention advice from the Better Business Bureau. Scammers impersonate the IRS and tax preparers to steal sensitive documents and refunds through unsolicited calls, emails, and texts demanding immediate payment—tactics the IRS never uses. Key protective measures include filing taxes early to prevent identity theft, researching tax preparers' credentials through the BBB, and reporting suspected fraud to the IRS or FTC.
states.aarp.org
AARP is hosting two virtual webinars on February 12, 2025 (at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. EST) led by an AARP NJ Speakers Bureau volunteer focused on identity protection and online romance scam prevention. Participants will learn an ID protection checklist, actionable security tips, and how to recognize red flags and warning signs of fraud to help secure their personal information online.
wafb.com
**Summary:**
During tax season, scammers pose as the IRS and tax preparers to steal sensitive documents and money through unsolicited phone calls, emails, and texts demanding immediate payment—a tactic the IRS never uses. Taxpayers can protect themselves by filing taxes early, verifying tax preparer credentials through the Better Business Bureau, and recognizing red flags such as poor grammar, urgent language, and generic greetings. Those who suspect tax identity theft should report the issue to the IRS and FTC and use the FTC's identity theft recovery plan.
azfamily.com
Robert Giuliano, an alleged multi-state romance scammer with a New York felony warrant for forgery, grand larceny, and identity theft, was arrested in Scottsdale but released from jail on parole in January after extradition to New York. Victims of his romance scams expressed frustration over his release, while a judge determined that his non-violent charges and limited criminal history warranted bail; Giuliano is scheduled for a parole revocation hearing in April and has reportedly contacted some victims promising repayment.
vpnranks.com
Elder fraud losses reached $3.4 billion in 2023 with over 101,000 victims aged 60 and older reporting fraud, representing an 11% increase in losses and 14% increase in complaints compared to 2022. Tech support scams are the most commonly reported fraud type affecting seniors, while investment scams cause the highest financial damages at over $1.2 billion. Projections estimate elder fraud losses could rise to $4.47 billion by 2025 with approximately 121,229 victims, underscoring the need for stronger awareness and protective measures.
foxnews.com
The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using generative AI and deepfakes to exploit victims through 17 common techniques, including voice cloning, fake video calls impersonating authority figures, and phishing emails designed to manipulate people into revealing personal information or transferring funds. These tactics exploit emotional manipulation during crises and use AI-generated content that mimics trusted individuals and public figures. Individuals should remain vigilant by verifying identities through independent contact methods and remaining skeptical of unsolicited urgent requests for money or sensitive information.
abc7chicago.com
The Better Business Bureau released its 2024 annual Scam Tracker report showing that online shopping scams remained the top fraud scheme for the fifth consecutive year, followed by phishing and employment scams. Scammers increasingly exploit new technologies like AI and deepfake video to impersonate legitimate organizations, conduct fake interviews, and use emotional manipulation and urgency tactics to target victims across all age groups. The BBB emphasizes that vigilance and refusing to engage with fraudsters is essential to combating these schemes.
justice.gov
**Summary:**
A 71-year-old Cleveland woman, Toni Laverne Smith, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for conspiring to transport and sell stolen U.S. Treasury bonds across state lines from 2011-2012. Smith and a co-conspirator used forged identification and the victim's social security number to negotiate the sale of over 350 counterfeit Treasury bonds with a face value of $268,500, netting approximately $299,364 in proceeds and opening fraudulent bank accounts in multiple states. Smith evaded capture for more than a decade before federal authorities arrested her in June 2024.
newsbytesapp.com
Social media influencer Ankush Bahuguna fell victim to a sophisticated digital scam involving phishing, identity theft, and extortion that lasted 40 hours, during which scammers posing as law enforcement kept him isolated via continuous video calls while threatening arrest and harm to his family to coerce financial transactions. The scam began with a spoofed customer service call about a canceled package and escalated with threats of criminal charges and demands for bank details and personal information. Bahuguna broke free from the scam after a friend warned him about the fraud trend, and he subsequently used his platform to raise awareness about the psychological manipulation tactics these scammers employ.
news.abplive.com
This educational article from Kaspersky outlines nine major types of online scams targeting internet users: fake job offers with counterfeit checks, lottery scams, inheritance scams, romance scams, charity fraud, tech support scams, social media scams, robocall fraud, messaging scams, and online shopping scams. For each scam type, the article provides warning signs and protective measures, such as verifying charity status through trusted databases, avoiding remote access to unknown individuals, and checking website security features before making purchases. The overarching advice emphasizes vigilance, scrutinizing suspicious offers, and remembering that offers that sound too good to be true typically are.
commbank.com.au
This educational article encourages readers to make cybersecurity a New Year's resolution by conducting a security audit on their accounts. The piece provides practical advice on preventing scams, including using strong passwords with multifactor authentication, verifying suspicious contacts before responding, improving banking security settings, staying connected with friends and family, and reporting incidents to the National Anti-Scam Centre—noting that Australian scam losses decreased 52.8% in the first half of 2024 due to increased public education about fraud.
newportnewstimes.com
This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a weather forecast combined with general consumer fraud prevention guidance from the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. While it contains useful scam awareness information (recognizing common scam tactics, verification methods, and what legitimate agencies will not do), it does not describe a specific fraud incident, victim demographics, financial losses, or outcomes relevant to an elder fraud research database.
**Note:** If you have an article specifically about elder fraud or scams targeting older adults, please submit that for summarization.
govinfosecurity.com
Trace Fooshee of Datos Insights predicts that scams and fraud reimbursement will persist through 2025, with governments implementing minimum care standards and requiring collaboration between financial institutions, tech platforms, and telecom companies to address the issue effectively. He warns that focusing solely on reimbursement without addressing root causes—such as mobilizing telecom providers and law enforcement—risks enabling criminal activity rather than preventing it. Emerging regulatory frameworks in markets like Australia, Canada, and the U.K. are shaping how the financial services sector approaches fraud prevention as a multi-sector challenge.
sungazette.com
Lycoming County District Attorney Tom Marino warns that identity theft and financial scams—which disproportionately target senior citizens—operate worldwide and persist year-round, with common schemes including impersonation of government agencies (IRS, tax bureau) requesting payments or offering false refunds, inheritance/lottery scams, and blackmail attempts. He recommends vigilance in public settings, limiting phone use visibility, and immediately disconnecting from suspicious callers claiming government authority or threatening to reveal personal information, as victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars to these operations.
noozhawk.com
92-year-old Dionisia Galarza of Santa Maria lost her home of four decades to foreclosure after being defrauded by real estate agent Blanca Mendez, who instructed her to send $39,734 in mortgage payments to Alliance Services instead of her lender between August 2020 and July 2024 under the guise of a loan modification. The home was sold at auction in July 2024 despite Galarza's continued payments, and she is now fighting to remain in the house with her disabled son and other family members through a civil lawsuit alleging fraud and financial elder abuse. Mendez has denied the allegations, claiming
tampafp.com
Florida's Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit dismantled six major cybercrime schemes in three months, seizing nearly $2.4 million in stolen cryptocurrency with over $100,000 returned to victims and $2.2 million pending restitution. Three schemes specifically targeted seniors, including a bank employee stealing from 13 elderly victims, a grandparent scam, and a fraudulent cryptocurrency trading website. Additional cases involved identity theft operations and mail interception schemes, with perpetrators prosecuted for stealing from individuals and businesses across the state.
sanjosespotlight.com
Rental listing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office reporting nine cases in 2024 compared to four in 2023, featuring tactics such as requests for advance payment, below-market rent, and demands for sensitive personal information before property viewings. Authorities warn residents to verify listings in person, watch for red flags like requests for deposits before viewings, and consider freezing their credit if personal information is compromised, as scammers may use stolen Social Security numbers to open fraudulent accounts.
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio highlighted its 2024 elder fraud prosecutions as part of the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiatives, noting that senior citizens lose billions annually to schemes exploiting their trust. Notable cases included a caregiver who forged power of attorney documents and stole $46,064 from a nursing home resident, a Ponzi scheme that defrauded 72 investors of $8.5 million, and various impersonation and money-mule schemes targeting elderly victims, with sentences ranging from 16 months to 37 months in prison and restitution orders totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.
m.economictimes.com
The Indian government launched a new "Report and Check Suspect" feature on its National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) that allows citizens to search a database of known cybercriminals using identifiers like phone numbers, email addresses, UPI IDs, and social media handles. This tool is designed to help prevent digital arrest scams and other cybercrimes by enabling the public to verify the legitimacy of unknown callers or entities before sharing personal information or conducting financial transactions. The I4C (Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre) database proactively identifies and blocks fake IDs used by fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials.
fox13memphis.com
An 88-year-old Memphis woman received multiple fraudulent calls impersonating CVS Pharmacy, Medicare, and her doctor's office, using personal health information likely obtained from data breaches to target her with unsolicited medical device offers. After recognizing the calls as scams, she contacted Medicare and her actual doctor's office, confirming the calls were fraudulent. Experts recommend monitoring data breach notices and freezing credit to prevent identity theft, as over 353 million people were victims of data breaches last year, with criminals purchasing stolen information on the dark web.
justice.gov
Rebecca C. Lutzko announced her resignation as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, effective January 3, 2025, with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik assuming the role. During her tenure leading approximately 175 prosecutors and staff, Lutzko's office oversaw prosecutions involving violent crime, organized gang activity, financial crime, public corruption, drug trafficking, child exploitation, and cybercrime, while also recovering tens of millions of dollars in healthcare fraud and civil cases across Ohio's 40 northern counties.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts on travel club and health club memberships as part of her 2024 holiday scam campaign, warning consumers to carefully review contracts before signing, understand cancellation and refund policies, and avoid long-term prepaid agreements that may result in financial loss. The guidance recommends consumers budget carefully, inquire about additional fees, request month-to-month payment options when possible, and review all contract terms including fine print before committing to memberships.