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The "brushing" scam has reached Ohio, involving unsolicited packages delivered to residents that contain inexpensive items like face masks or speakers and feature QR codes that, when scanned, expose personal and financial information to scammers. Scammers use this technique either to steal data or to create fake positive reviews for third-party sellers, and authorities warn residents never to scan QR codes on unexpected packages and instead report suspicious deliveries to Amazon or local law enforcement. Protection measures include avoiding randomly found QR codes, being wary of sites requesting passwords after scanning, and confirming the legitimacy of QR codes in emails or texts by calling the sender directly.

Job scammers are posting fake positions on platforms like Indeed and LinkedIn that appear legitimate, offering attractive salaries and remote work to lure victims into providing personal information and money. A Green Bay man fell victim to a fake job posting impersonating Ohio nonprofit Battelle, receiving a fraudulent employment contract and a $4,500 check request before verifying the scam directly with the company. The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau reports that job scams cost consumers over $800 million in 2023, with victims primarily ages 18-44, and advises job seekers to verify postings directly on company websites, use company email addresses, and never share personal information with unknown contacts.

Following Hurricane Helene, Ohio's Governor DeWine and the Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions warned residents to research charitable organizations before donating to avoid storm-relief scams. The advisory recommends donating only to established charities like the American Red Cross and United Way, verifying organizations through resources like BBB's Wise Giving Alliance, and using secure payment methods such as credit cards rather than cash, gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Ohio's newly established Electronic Fraud Investigations unit recovered $130,000 of the $280,000 lost by a 75-year-old Worthington woman who fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam after being tricked into using a Bitcoin ATM via a fake computer alert. While the recovery marked the unit's first success, the perpetrators remain unidentified, illustrating the challenges of prosecuting crypto fraud cases due to rapid fund transfers and the anonymity of cryptocurrency schemes.

A senior citizen from Berea, Ohio lost nearly $20,000 to a tech support scam after clicking on a fake Microsoft popup warning. The scammer gained remote access to her computer, then convinced her to withdraw cash from two PNC Bank locations and convert it to Bitcoin at a gas station ATM while staying on the phone with her throughout the process. The Federal Trade Commission advises never calling numbers on popups, shutting down your computer immediately, and reporting such scams to help investigate these widespread criminal networks.

Leroy Artemus Tolbert, III, a 35-year-old from Michigan, pleaded guilty to wire fraud after fraudulently applying for Lowe's credit cards using another person's identity and purchasing approximately $100,000 in merchandise across multiple states including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Tolbert has agreed to pay $100,000 in restitution and faces up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge.

This article does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a standard crime report about a residential burglary in Toledo, Ohio, where suspect Keith Goucher, 49, was arrested after breaking into a home on Dexter Street on October 22. Goucher was charged with criminal trespassing and a warrant violation, with no indication that the homeowners were elderly or that this involved fraudulent activity.

Senior citizens in Ashland are invited to attend a free SALT (Senior and Law Enforcement Together) meeting on Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Sheriff's Annex Building, where Monica Walker from the Ohio Attorney General's Office will discuss fraud scams. The monthly meetings provide seniors with opportunities to socialize with peers and law enforcement while learning about important safety topics.

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Scam losses in Cuyahoga County, Ohio more than doubled in the first 10 months of 2024, with 890 reported scams totaling $2.9 million (averaging $25,610 per victim), up from 774 scams and $1.2 million the previous year. The majority of scams (53%) now involve criminals posing as trusted companies or government employees, with particularly sophisticated schemes including fake tech support pop-ups leading to remote computer access and unauthorized fund transfers, fake sheriff impersonations threatening arrest for missed jury duty, and targeted email/pop-up alerts that convince victims to move all their savings to bitcoin accounts—some victims lost

Congregation Beth Tikvah's Shishim group hosted an educational event on November 14 featuring consumer educator Ryan Lippe from the Ohio Attorney General's office, who provided information on current scams targeting seniors and protective measures. The event also included a catered lunch and a concert performance, with virtual attendance available.

**Summary:** This educational piece presents financial fraud prevention advice from Jeff Sandy, a former West Virginia law enforcement official, highlighting common scams targeting the Mid-Ohio Valley including impersonation of loved ones (such as the "grandparent scam") and too-good-to-be-true offers. Sandy recommends critical thinking (asking "who, what, when, where, why"), maintaining open communication with elderly family members, limiting personal information shared online and in obituaries, and reporting fraud immediately to law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) without shame.

A 76-year-old South Euclid woman lost $23,000 in an elaborate scam that began with a fraudulent email claiming to be from Discover and involved impersonators posing as a LifeLock customer service representative, bank fraud expert, and FBI agent. Within 90 minutes, the scammers convinced the victim to withdraw the entire amount from her checking account across three bank locations and hand over the cash to a man in a Starbucks parking lot. Police emphasize that legitimate federal agents never ask victims to provide their own money during investigations, and recommend contacting authorities, family, or an attorney before responding to unsolicited requests for funds.

The Washington County Sheriff's office warned senior citizens about a sweepstakes scam in which fraudsters contact victims claiming they won the "American Senior Citizen Association Sweepstakes" and demand payment via cashier's check to claim their prize. The sheriff's office urged seniors not to provide money or personal information to the scammers and provided resources for reporting the fraud to the Ohio Attorney General's Fraud Division or the sheriff's office directly.

During the holiday shopping season, scammers are sending text messages impersonating delivery services with urgent-sounding claims about package issues (invalid zip codes, delivery problems) to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that install spyware or malware. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to avoid clicking links in suspicious texts and instead verify package status directly with the retailer or carrier, noting that legitimate services like USPS do not send unsolicited texts with links.

A 24-year-old Bengali student in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam that defrauded elderly victims of significant sums. Islam posed as a Best Buy employee, sending phishing emails to trick victims into believing they needed to renew service contracts, then directed them to fake refund links and convinced them they had overpaid, coercing them to withdraw cash; he personally served as the courier in at least two cases, collecting $35,000 from a 73-year-old Warwick man and $20,000 from an Ohio victim before being caught by police. Islam pleade

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A 24-year-old Bengali national living in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with conspiracy and wire fraud for operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam targeting elderly victims in Orange County and Ohio. In the first case, Islam posed as a courier and collected $35,000 in cash from a 73-year-old Warwick man who was tricked into believing he had accidentally authorized a $41,999 charge; police arrested Islam during a subsequent sting operation involving a decoy $22,000 payment. Islam admitted to working as a courier for an operation based in India, earning $2,000 per

A Las Vegas woman was targeted by scammers impersonating a debt collector who claimed she owed $960.10 for lab tests from National Diagnostic Imaging, threatening legal action to pressure payment. The victim initially resisted but paid $100 out of fear before discovering red flags: the company operates only via teleradiology with no physical offices, the check address was in Florida (not Ohio where the company is based), and the phone number didn't match. The article advises verifying debts directly with medical providers, demanding written confirmation from collectors, and placing fraud alerts with credit reporting agencies to protect against similar scams.

An Ohio man lost his entire life savings of $425,000 in a cryptocurrency fraud scam that began in October 2023 when he was contacted via a pop-up claiming a tech issue and told his retirement account had been compromised. The scammer convinced the victim to grant remote computer access and wire money to stop fraudulent transactions, then stole and converted the funds to Tether (USDT) cryptocurrency. Federal authorities seized approximately $947,883 in USDT tokens in July 2024 and filed a forfeiture complaint in November 2024, seeking to return recovered funds to the victim as compensation.

This appears to be informational content from the Ohio Attorney General's office about website security and charitable organization resources, rather than an article about a specific scam or fraud incident. The text emphasizes the importance of using secure .gov websites for sensitive information and introduces Charitable Ohio, a program providing resources for charitable leaders and donors to ensure responsible fund management.

An Ohio man lost his $425,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam that began with a fake pop-up warning about a "technical issue" in October 2023; after granting remote access to his computer, scammers transferred the funds into crypto wallets and converted them to approximately 947,883 Tether tokens. Federal authorities used blockchain analysis to trace and recover the stolen cryptocurrency on July 31, 2024, with the US Attorney's Office filing a civil forfeiture complaint to return the funds to the victim. This case illustrates how malicious actors exploit inexperienced investors in the cryptocurrency market through social engineering and remote access tactics.

An Ohio man lost his entire $425,000 life savings to a cryptocurrency scam that began in October 2023 after clicking on a pop-up claiming a technical issue and granting remote computer access to a scammer posing as a bank representative. Law enforcement successfully recovered the stolen funds (947,883 USDT tokens valued at approximately $947,883) through blockchain analysis and executed a seizure warrant in July 2024, with the U.S. Attorney's Office filing for civil forfeiture in November 2024 to compensate the victim. The article provides FTC guidance on avoiding similar schemes, including being skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups, verifying claims directly

An Ohio man lost his entire life savings of $425,000 in a cryptocurrency fraud scam that began in October 2023 when scammers posing as tech support convinced him to grant remote access to his computer after falsely claiming his retirement account was compromised. Federal investigators used blockchain analysis to track and recover 947,883 USDT cryptocurrency tokens (valued at approximately $947,883) in July 2024, and filed a civil forfeiture complaint in November 2024 seeking to return the funds to the victim.

Since 2021, consumers have reported losing $2.7 billion to social media scams, with online shopping scams being the most commonly reported type. The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio warns consumers to watch for red flags including misspelled website URLs, suspicious social media ads offering deals that seem too good to be true, and tampered gift cards with altered barcodes or scratched PINs. Experts recommend researching purchases and verifying website legitimacy before making online transactions, especially during the holiday season.

The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Financial Institutions issued a December 2024 alert warning Ohioans about the rising prevalence of gift card scams during the holiday season, noting that Americans lost nearly $217 million to such scams in the previous year. Common scam tactics include government impostors demanding payment for taxes, tech support fraudsters, romance scams, and fake prize claims, with scammers pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and insisting on immediate payment. The DFI recommends purchasing gift cards only from reputable sources, inspecting cards before purchase, avoiding third-party sellers, and remembering that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand payment via gift cards.

Two organized fraud rings—one suspected to be operating from Gambia and another from the Dominican Republic—defrauded three local Ohio building supply companies of approximately $79,000 combined by using stolen identities and credit cards to order materials. The Gambia-based group used fraudulent business identities to establish trade accounts and fraudulent shipping accounts, while the Dominican group purchased materials with stolen credit cards; the Geauga County Sheriff's Office is investigating, though no federal agencies have formally adopted the case despite DHS involvement.

This article reviews WalletHub's rankings of elder-abuse protections, finding that Ohio ranks 4th nationally and West Virginia ranks 9th, with both states performing well on legal safeguards and resources despite some areas needing improvement. As Ohio's elderly population is projected to reach 25.1% by 2030 and West Virginia's to reach approximately 30%, the article emphasizes that lawmakers, officials, and families must prioritize continued efforts to prevent elder abuse through accessible quality care facilities, volunteer ombudsmen programs, and public education.

Ohio and West Virginia rank 4th and 9th respectively on WalletHub's list of states with the best elder-abuse protections, with Ohio particularly strong in legal protections and low fraud prevalence. However, both states face opportunities for improvement, including West Virginia's need for more certified volunteer ombudsmen and better nursing home quality standards, especially as their elderly populations are projected to grow significantly by 2030. Experts emphasize that continued legislative efforts, public awareness, and family vigilance are essential to safeguard these vulnerable populations from physical, financial, and mental abuse.

The Ohio Department of Financial Institutions warns consumers about gift card scams, which cost Americans nearly $217 million last year according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate legitimate businesses and government agencies to pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, particularly during the holiday season when gift card purchases are popular. The advisory provides protective measures including purchasing cards only from reputable sources, inspecting cards before purchase, and remembering that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand gift card payments.

Gift card scams are increasingly popular during the holiday season, with American consumers losing nearly $217 million to these scams last year, according to FTC data. Scammers pose as legitimate businesses or government agencies to pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, using tactics such as false tax claims, fake tech support, romance schemes, and prize scams. To protect themselves, consumers should only purchase gift cards from reputable sources, inspect cards before buying, avoid third-party sellers, keep receipts, and remember that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand payment via gift cards.

FBI Special Agent Edgar Koby highlighted the escalating threat of international scams targeting elderly Americans, particularly from West African and Indian call centers using law enforcement impersonation, romance, and tech fraud schemes. From January to October 2024, victims over 60 in Ohio lost more than $43 million, with some elderly victims losing homes, life savings, and taking their own lives due to shame. Koby urged victims to contact law enforcement immediately, as recovering funds becomes nearly impossible once money is transferred overseas.

Two former Cincinnati high school football players, Andrew Kerobo and Deonta Belser, both 25, were indicted on 40 counts including aggravated theft, money laundering, and tampering with records for fraudulently obtaining $6.8 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits. Kerobo, who worked for a state contractor processing unemployment claims in 2020, continued accessing the claims database for three months after his termination using undeactivated login credentials, while Belser recruited co-conspirators to file fraudulent claims; Kerobo personally received approximately $119,000 in fraudulent benefits on prepaid cards.

The FBI and Ohio Department of Commerce warn consumers about five prevalent holiday scams: fake charity schemes targeting the $550 billion in annual donations, tollway phishing texts, online shopping fraud via phishing emails and fake websites, employment scams targeting younger adults, and gift card scams requesting personal information. In 2023, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud nationally, with Ohio victims losing over $5 million to non-delivery and non-payment scams alone, plus over $6 million to credit card and check fraud.

Two former Cincinnati high school football players, Andrew Kerobo, 25, and Deonta Belser, 25, were indicted on 40 counts including aggravated theft, money laundering, and tampering with records for their roles in a $6.8 million COVID-19 pandemic unemployment fraud scheme. Kerobo, who worked for a state contractor processing unemployment claims, used his login credentials after being fired to fraudulently access and release benefits, while Belser recruited co-conspirators to file false claims; the pair received portions of the fraudulent funds, with Kerobo obtaining approximately $119,000 on prepaid cards. The investigation involved multiple state and federal

Two former Cincinnati high school football players, Andrew Kerobo and Deonta Belser, both 25, have been indicted on 40 counts including aggravated theft, money laundering, and tampering with records in a $6.8 million COVID-19 unemployment fraud scheme. Kerobo, who worked for a state contractor processing unemployment claims, used his credentials to fraudulently release benefits even after being fired, while Belser recruited co-conspirators to file false claims; the two men and 15 other co-conspirators received portions of the fraudulent funds, with Kerobo personally obtaining nearly $119,000 in fraudulent benefits.

This article describes a holiday meal event held by the Area Office on Aging of Northwestern Ohio at a senior center in Toledo that provided free hot meals and fellowship to over 20 seniors who might otherwise spend the holidays alone. The event, made possible by a recently passed levy, offered companionship, entertainment, and assistance with transportation to help combat isolation during the holiday season. The article highlights attendees' appreciation for the opportunity to gather with others and enjoy community rather than spending the holidays in isolation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio forfeited $7.7 million in criminal assets during fiscal year 2024, with over $50 million in additional assets pending forfeiture orders from 214 cases involving cash, cryptocurrency, vehicles, real estate, and jewelry. In FY24, $11.1 million of forfeited funds were returned to crime victims as restitution, and $10.5 million was shared with 83 local law enforcement agency partners who assisted federal investigations. Asset forfeiture serves as a tool to punish criminals, deter criminal activity, and compensate victims harmed by fraud and other crimes.

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.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Ohio established the Supply Chain Oversight and Procurement Enforcement (SCOPE) Task Force in 2024 to investigate and prevent government contract fraud involving military, law enforcement, and public health supplies. The interagency task force will address schemes involving substandard medications supplied to veterans, counterfeit military equipment, faulty electronics for NASA, and other supply chain integrity breaches that pose national security risks. The task force held its inaugural meeting in February 2025 with participation from multiple federal agencies including the FBI, HSI, NCIS, and Veterans Affairs.

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.

This article announces Sheryl Harris, Director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs in Ohio, as the recipient of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection Partner Award for her long-standing work combating scams and elder fraud. Harris leads the Scam Squad initiative, which coordinates multiple agencies to alert residents about scams, encourage reporting, and share information with appropriate law enforcement, while also championing the Consumer Sentinel Network database and using innovative communication methods like text alerts to reach communities. Her contributions include creating plain-language scam alerts, collaborating on the Stop Senior Scams Act working committees, and establishing herself as a trusted voice on consumer protection through her journalism and community engagement efforts.

An Ohio woman lost over $600 in a rental car scam after finding a fake Hertz customer service number online and being convinced by a fraudster to purchase two Walmart gift cards to resolve a payment issue on her rental. The scammer claimed the first $320 gift card wasn't the exact amount needed, then requested a second $312 card before disconnecting the line and never reactivating her vehicle. The incident underscores that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards, and victims should always verify phone numbers through official websites rather than online searches.

Senior citizens in Northeast Ohio are increasingly targeted by imposter scams, with scammers using fear tactics like false emergency claims to pressure victims into immediate payment. Many victims avoid reporting due to shame or fear of losing independence, but authorities urge reporting to prevent future scams and access support services. Resources like the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and Cuyahoga County Scam Squad are available to help victims and educate seniors on recognizing and responding to fraud.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office provided guidance on recognizing common scams that disproportionately target seniors, who represent 15% of the population but account for more than 30% of reported fraud. Key red flags include requests for wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or immediate payment; unsolicited calls creating urgency or fear (such as impersonating the IRS or Social Security); phishing for personal information; and contractor scams requiring large upfront payments. The office recommends verifying caller identity independently, remembering that scammers can spoof phone numbers, and following the principle that if something sounds too good to be true, it likely is.

An Ohio woman lost nearly $5,000 in a "mule scam" after being hired by fraudulent company "Skyline Deliveries" to print shipping labels and return packages for promised monthly payments that were never deposited. The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio warns job seekers applying for remote work to watch for red flags such as upfront payment requests and vague job responsibilities, as scammers use these employment schemes to recruit people to unknowingly transport stolen merchandise.

Pamela Moore, a 66-year-old grandmother with no prior criminal record, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in August 2024 for money laundering related to online romance scams. Between 2020 and 2023, Moore's bank accounts received over $8 million in criminally derived funds from romance scammers nationwide, and she personally converted approximately $1.7 million to Bitcoin at the scammers' direction. Moore herself had initially lost six figures to the same scammers after becoming emotionally vulnerable following her husband's death in 2015, eventually being manipulated into laundering their illicit proceeds through a fraudulent shell company.

One in four North American households fall victim to scams annually, with Central Ohio consumers losing $6,218 to scams in June alone, including nine reports of Social Security Number fraud. The Better Business Bureau advises residents to never provide personal information to unsolicited callers and to remember that the Social Security Administration will never call requesting your SSN, requesting payment, or threatening benefits.

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A federal jury convicted two Indian nationals, Pranay Kumar Mamidi (27) and Kishan Vinayak Patel (26), of money laundering conspiracy tied to a "phantom hacker scam" that defrauded victims across four states of their life savings between May and November 2023. In this scam, perpetrators impersonated bank employees, FTC agents, and DEA special agents to trick victims—particularly elderly—into withdrawing savings and surrendering cash or gold bars at drop-off locations, with investigators estimating tens of millions of dollars laundered through the U.S.-based operation directed by co-conspirators in India. Six additional co-conspi