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More than 60 real estate agents nationwide have lost a combined $15 million in "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, where fraudsters build trust with agents through social media or text, pose as clients or financial advisors, and gradually coax them into investing on fraudulent crypto platforms before disappearing with the funds. The scams often exploit agents' access to MLS databases and their familiarity with large financial transactions, with victims like Tennessee agent Teri Radcliff losing over $200,000 and a North Carolina agent's family losing $815,000. The perpetrators frequently use deepfakes or video impersonation and withdraw victims' money through fake platforms before requesting additional security

North Carolina's Attorney General, Secretary of State, and AARP released an educational video called "Summer Scam Jam" to help residents identify and avoid seasonal scams including toll road cons, travel fraud, ticket schemes, and disaster relief scams. The initiative addresses the $12.5 billion in documented fraud losses reported in 2024, noting that for every reported senior scam case, 44 go unreported, and encourages victims to report fraud through the state's hotline and website.

North Carolina officials launched a statewide initiative to combat Bitcoin ATM scams, which have caused victims millions of dollars in losses with cryptocurrency-related crime jumping nearly 1,300% from 2017 to 2023. The typical scam involves fraudsters impersonating trusted individuals via phone calls and directing victims to Bitcoin kiosks for urgent withdrawals, with seniors over 65 being the primary targets. Officials are encouraging businesses to post warning signs at crypto machines and urging the public to avoid unexpected cash withdrawals, delete suspicious messages, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the NC Secretary of State.

North Carolina's Attorney General Jeff Jackson launched a statewide initiative to combat cryptocurrency ATM scams that primarily target seniors, in which scammers direct victims to deposit cash into crypto accounts the scammers control. The awareness campaign encourages ATM operators to watch for warning signs such as older adults using machines while on the phone, indicating potential fraud in progress.

Scammers are exploiting JOANN Fabric's legitimate store closures by creating fake websites advertising bankruptcy sales with discounts up to 90% off, targeting North Carolina shoppers through Facebook, Pinterest, and Nextdoor ads. Victims who purchase from these fraudulent sites receive confirmation emails from unrelated businesses and never receive their items, with unauthorized charges appearing on their bank statements. The article advises consumers to verify sales directly through JOANN's official website, be wary of unrealistic discounts, use credit cards for better fraud protection, and report scams to the FTC, noting that legitimate JOANN clearance sales only occur in physical stores.

North Carolina officials including Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall launched a statewide initiative with AARP and local partners to prevent cryptocurrency ATM scams, after reports of victims losing their life savings. The scams typically target older adults by establishing emotional connections and directing victims to transfer money from their bank accounts to cryptocurrency ATMs, which scammers then convert to cash and steal. The campaign aims to educate the public on warning signs, such as pressure to withdraw cash immediately or claims that government officials require crypto payments, and provides resources through 211 for residents to report suspicious activity and connect with law enforcement.

A North Carolina woman lost over $17,000 in a sophisticated scam that began when she was redirected from her bank's website to fraudsters who gained remote access to her computer. The scammers manipulated her into believing her account was compromised by a PayPal charge and an IRS tax issue, then used her printer to forge official-looking bank and PayPal letters instructing her to withdraw cash; a man later arrived at her home to collect the money in person. The incident is part of a larger scam operation affecting multiple victims across several North Carolina counties.

Five people in Craven County, North Carolina were formally charged with a total of 139 felonies in connection with a financial exploitation scheme targeting an elderly couple that began in November 2023, with two of the suspects serving as in-home caregivers to the victims. The charges include identity theft, forgery, larceny, fraud, and elder exploitation, with lead suspect Ashley Berry facing 90 felony counts. Police urge family members and caregivers to monitor for financial exploitation involving in-home caregivers and contact Adult Protective Services with any suspicious activity.

Two men, Theodore Anthony Brooks (21) and Real Samuel Wells (19), were arrested in Asheville, North Carolina on August 14 in connection with an armed robbery and carjacking that occurred when a victim met a female contact from an online romance scam at her residence. The victim was robbed at gunpoint, driven several miles away, and his iPhone was later recovered at a residence on Reed Street where police also seized drugs and firearms. Brooks and Wells face multiple felony charges including robbery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, conspiracy, and larceny of a motor vehicle, with bonds set at $20,000 and $80,000 respectively, while charges are pending against the female suspect involved in the

The Asheville Police Department arrested two men—Theodore Anthony Brooks, 21, and Real Samuel Wells, 19—for an armed robbery and carjacking in Arden, North Carolina on August 14, where they robbed a victim at gunpoint after he entered a woman's residence he had contacted online, then drove off in his vehicle before dropping him off unharmed miles away. The investigation recovered the stolen iPhone and located the suspects at a Reed Street residence, where a search warrant yielded drugs (fentanyl, crack cocaine, marijuana) and firearms; a female suspect remains under investigation. The Asheville Police Department used this incident to highlight romance scams, in which criminals create fake online

An Orange County, North Carolina woman lost over $17,000 in a sophisticated scam involving fake bank and PayPal fraud alerts, remote computer access, fraudulent letters printed from her own printer, and an in-person cash collection at her home. The scammers manipulated her through a four-hour phone call, convincing her to withdraw cash from her bank after transferring funds from her savings to checking and creating the false appearance of an $18,000 deposit. Investigators indicate this was part of a larger operation targeting multiple victims across several counties in the Triangle area.

An Orange County, North Carolina woman lost over $17,000 in a sophisticated scam that began with a fake bank alert about suspicious PayPal charges. The scammers gained remote access to her computer, manipulated a display to show a fraudulent $18,000 deposit, and used a forged Bank of America letter threatening IRS account freezes to pressure her into withdrawing cash from her bank; a person later arrived at her home to collect the money. Investigators indicate this was part of a larger multi-county operation targeting victims across North Carolina.

A North Carolina elderly widow was scammed out of $17,500 in cash through a multi-step fraud involving fake banking and PayPal representatives who gained remote access to her computer, manipulated a funds transfer, and instructed her to withdraw cash that was later collected by a man captured on her doorbell camera. The suspect, Linghui Zheng, and an accomplice are charged with obtaining property under false pretenses and computer fraud in connection with approximately $400,000 in total scams across multiple North Carolina counties.

A Tennessee woman and multiple passengers were scammed at Knoxville airport when an American Airlines worker handed them a Post-it note with a fraudulent phone number claiming they needed to rebook their flights due to late bag check-in; when they called the number, scammers posing as airline representatives collected their credit card information. The incident affected at least several passengers, with victims advised to cancel their payment cards, and a similar scam was reported on Reddit involving a fake airline rebooking service charging $160.

A journalist conducting an undercover investigation nearly fell victim to a StubHub impersonation scam after clicking a "Call now" button on a fraudulent website listing. The scammer, posing as StubHub customer service, attempted to manipulate the victim into purchasing gift cards by requesting repeated password entries, app downloads, and account "verification"—tactics StubHub confirmed they never use. The victim avoided financial loss by deliberately stalling with intentional typing errors and refusing to complete the scammer's requests, while documenting the hour-long call from a number in the 910 North Carolina area code.

Christopher Gibbon, 54, was arrested in Connecticut in August 2025 after nearly six years as a fugitive for his role in a Jamaican lottery scam that operated from December 2016 to July 2018. Gibbon participated in the scheme by receiving payments from victims who were fraudulently told they had won the lottery and needed to pay taxes on their winnings; he collected money from at least four victims, including one North Carolina resident who sent $50,000, and forwarded portions to co-conspirators in Jamaica. He is charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud and bank fraud, along with additional counts of mail fraud and bank fraud, and will be detained until trial

Brian Taulton, a 56-year-old from West Virginia, was arrested on charges of defrauding North Carolina residents between February 2024 and June 2025 by posing as a Duke Energy employee and driveway repair contractor, stealing approximately $90,000 and attempting to steal an additional $38,600 from elderly and disabled victims. Taulton would knock on doors claiming to have leftover asphalt from nearby jobs, then either perform substandard work or not complete repairs at all, with individual victims losing amounts ranging from $7,000 to $20,000. He faces 22 felony charges related to exploitation and fraud, an

A 70-year-old Volusia County woman lost nearly $60,000 to a romance/charity scam in which suspect Cory Woodall falsely claimed funds were needed to help a wounded military dog and bring a retired Army general back to the United States. Woodall, extradited from North Carolina, used the money to purchase personal items including a 2023 Hyundai, trailer, and lawn mower, with half sent in cash. He faces charges of organized scheme to defraud and grand theft, was booked without bond, and the victim plans to pursue court restitution.

Brian Alexander Taulton, 57, was arrested in Wake County, North Carolina, and charged with exploiting elderly residents through a driveway repair scam that defrauded victims of approximately $100,000. Taulton allegedly posed as a city worker or offered unsolicited asphalt repair services, collecting upfront payments (including nearly $16,000 from one victim and $18,000 from a 95-year-old) before performing substandard or no work; he is also facing fugitive charges in Virginia for similar crimes. Authorities advise residents to verify credentials, request references, and avoid pressure tactics emphasizing urgency, as elder fraud costs an estimate

Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the previous year, with older adults facing particular vulnerability. North Carolina's "Fraud Free Fridays" program offers free monthly educational sessions (broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube) covering emerging scams including cryptocurrency, AI fraud, and holiday schemes, while AARP's Fraud Watch Network provides resources, alerts, and guidance to help people recognize and report fraud in their communities.

A 95-year-old North Carolina woman lost $18,000 to a door-to-door driveway repair scam in May, where a man falsely claimed to represent the city government and promised subsidized repairs; the work cracked immediately after completion. Brian Alexander Taulton, 57, was arrested in September after defrauding multiple elderly victims of over $100,000 combined through similar home repair schemes across multiple states, and is facing 22 felony charges including exploiting disabled/elderly persons and obtaining property by false pretense.

Privacy Journal's 2025 study comparing 100 U.S. cities across six safety metrics found Vermont to be the safest state for online dating, while Nevada ranks as the most dangerous due to high rates of identity theft, romance scams, and violent crime. Arizona reports the highest number of romance scam cases, while South Carolina and North Carolina rank among the riskiest states overall, driven by elevated rates across multiple risk factors including STD incidence, violent crime, and fraud reports.

Shirbartis Jones-Alston, a 48-year-old motivational speaker and ordained minister from North Carolina, was arrested in August 2025 and charged with exploiting two elderly adults under her care through financial crimes and neglect. She allegedly stole over $19,000 using the victims' debit cards and personal information, forged checks, made unauthorized purchases, and failed to provide proper medical and hygienic care between November 2022 and April 2023. Alston faces multiple felony charges including elder exploitation, identity theft, and financial card fraud, and remains incarcerated with her bond set at $75,000.

A woman posing as a federal agent scammed a North Carolina resident out of $25,000 in a two-stage scheme that began with a phone call claiming the victim had committed a crime. When the scammers initially failed to convince the victim to transfer funds via cryptocurrency, they escalated by sending the woman to the victim's home to collect cash in person. The suspect was captured on camera and authorities released her image to the public seeking identification.

Guilford County, North Carolina is experiencing a surge in "court scams" where criminals impersonate deputies, spoof official numbers, and demand immediate payment claiming victims have missed court or owe fines; residents have lost at least $100,000 to these schemes over the past two years. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office emphasizes that legitimate deputies will never demand immediate phone payment or request personal information via call or email, and is launching community education initiatives including a free senior fraud prevention academy starting September 25th to help residents recognize and avoid these scams.

An elderly woman near Wake Forest, North Carolina was scammed out of $200 by a man claiming to represent the NC Department of Transportation who offered to pour leftover concrete on her driveway for $500 total. The scammer took the $200 cash she had available, roped off the driveway with caution tape, and promised to return the next morning with workers to complete the job, but never returned. The Wake County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident, and NCDOT confirmed no legitimate work was occurring in the area and advised residents to verify any such offers through official NCDOT offices.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a weather advisory notice followed by an educational event summary about Medicare fraud prevention. The relevant portion describes an educational workshop where 20 senior citizens in Hertford, North Carolina learned to protect themselves against Medicare fraud during a "Shred & Shield" event on September 16, ahead of Medicare's open enrollment period (October 15-December 7). Ashley Lamb, a family caregiver support specialist, warned attendees about common Medicare scams including unsolicited calls offering free medical equipment in exchange for Medicare numbers, and advised seniors to never provide their Medicare card number, Social Security number, or bank information to callers, since Medicare does not

Two Mississippi men, Robert Lewis Elliott III and Devin Alonzo Elliott, were charged with conspiracy to pass counterfeit currency after allegedly using sleight-of-hand techniques to swap genuine bills for counterfeit ones at a North Carolina jewelry store in June. The men obtained approximately $300,000 in luxury watches and jewelry, including a Patek Philippe diamond watch valued at $90,000, before fleeing the store. Both were released on bond and face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of passing counterfeit obligations.

A North Carolina insurance agent, Marshall Melton, was ordered to pay nearly $2 million in penalties and disgorgement after a federal judge found him a "serial violator of the securities laws" for defrauding elderly investors in a $1 million real estate scheme. Melton and his company, Integrated Consulting & Management Inc., retained the bulk of investors' funds for personal use rather than investing them as promised. The SEC enforcement action resulted in the court-ordered financial penalties in response to the fraudulent scheme.

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson warns that scammers are exploiting the federal government shutdown by impersonating agencies like Social Security Administration, Medicare, and SNAP to steal personal information and money through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails. Residents should never provide personal information, make payments, or wire money in response to these contacts, and should instead hang up and call agencies directly to verify legitimacy. Complaints can be filed with the North Carolina Department of Justice at ncdoj.gov/complaint or 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.

A Privacy Journal study ranks North Carolina 35th out of 50 states for online dating safety, citing high rates of romance scams, identity theft, fraud, violent crime, STDs, and registered sex offenders. Romance scammers typically use fake identities on dating platforms, requesting money for emergencies or travel while avoiding in-person meetings, and the North Carolina Department of Justice warns vulnerable individuals to never send money to online contacts they haven't met and to report suspected scams to 1-877-5-NO-SCAM.