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Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday issued a consumer alert warning residents to be cautious of scammers exploiting storm and flood damage by targeting those seeking vehicle purchases and home improvement contractors. The advisory recommends verifying contractor registration, obtaining written estimates, avoiding large upfront payments, using bank certificates of completion, and reporting suspected scams to the Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Pennsylvania officials warned of an email scam targeting older residents, in which fraudsters impersonate state employees and claim recipients have inherited large sums from distant foreign relatives, then request hundreds of thousands of dollars in upfront fees to release the funds. The scammers use spoofed email addresses resembling official state accounts and create false urgency to pressure victims into quick payments. Officials advise recipients to verify sender email addresses (legitimate PA state emails end in @pa.gov), avoid responding to unsolicited money offers, and contact trusted family members or local Area Agencies on Aging before engaging with unknown individuals making financial offers.

Pennsylvania state agencies warned residents about a fake inheritance scam targeting older adults, in which scammers impersonated Commonwealth employees via spoofed emails claiming a distant relative had left money and demanding hundreds of thousands of dollars in upfront fees to release the funds. Officials stressed that legitimate Pennsylvania agencies use @pa.gov email addresses, will not demand quick action or secrecy, and urged residents to verify requests with trusted contacts before responding.

On World Elder Abuse Day, the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office highlighted that Pennsylvania seniors lost over $151 million to fraud last year, ranking the state 8th nationally. The FBI investigates multiple fraud schemes targeting seniors including investment scams, technical support schemes, money mule operations, and romance scams. Seniors are advised to verify business legitimacy through resources like the Better Business Bureau, avoid rushing into decisions, and never share personal information with unverified sources; victims can report fraud through 1-800-CALL-FBI or ic3.gov.

The FBI Philadelphia marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) to highlight the growing crisis of elder fraud, reporting that Americans over 60 filed over 147,000 complaints in 2024 with losses totaling approximately $4.8 billion nationally, while Pennsylvanians over 60 alone reported 6,300 complaints resulting in $151 million in losses. The FBI emphasizes that elder abuse takes multiple forms and urges the public to recognize scam attempts, resist pressure to act quickly, protect personal information, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement. Education, community outreach, and victim support services are identified as critical tools in protecting vulnerable seniors from exploitation.

Centre County reported over 350 cases of elder abuse in 2024, a five-fold increase over the past decade, with financial exploitation now surpassing self-neglect as the most commonly reported abuse type. Sophisticated scams using AI-generated deepfakes, voice spoofing, and impersonation have stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars from local seniors, with statewide estimates between $260 million and $2.1 billion stolen from Pennsylvania residents over 60 in 2022. The Centre County Office of Aging is hosting educational initiatives and encouraging victims to report scams to local law enforcement to prevent further exploitation.

State Departments of Transportation in Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin issued warnings about phishing text scams impersonating state agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, with threats of legal action. The scams have already targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, and are becoming more sophisticated by using fear tactics to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. State agencies advise recipients to ignore urgency demands, avoid clicking links or sharing information, block senders, and report scams to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.

DMV text message scams, known as "smishing," are expanding across multiple states including Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Michigan, and North Carolina, with earlier warnings issued in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. These fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets or outstanding bills and threaten consequences like vehicle registration loss, driving privilege suspension, or credit score damage unless they click a link and pay. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients not to click links or respond, instead contacting their state DMV directly through official channels and reporting the messages to their wireless provider, the FTC, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Police are warning the public about a widespread DMV text message scam that threatens to suspend vehicle registration unless victims click malicious links and pay fake fines, with reports across multiple states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey. The scam is part of a broader wave of "smishing" (SMS phishing) attacks designed to steal personal and financial information by creating panic and prompting immediate action. To protect yourself, do not click links in unsolicited DMV texts, report suspicious messages to the FTC and your wireless provider, and verify any requests directly through your state's official DMV website or phone number.

Scammers in Wisconsin are impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation DMV by sending text messages claiming unpaid traffic violations or final notices, attempting to trick recipients into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. The Wisconsin DMV received a large volume of complaints on June 2 and noted similar scams had recently targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. The DMV advises residents not to respond to unsolicited texts, avoid clicking links, and warns to be suspicious of communications requesting money or creating urgency.

Between May 27-29, Newtown Township and Wrightstown Township police reported multiple scams targeting residents. Two gift card scams resulted in losses totaling $7,000—one involving a fake YouTube TV account cancellation threat and another using a fraudulent Netflix billing increase email. Additionally, residents received text messages impersonating the Pennsylvania Court system demanding payment for alleged traffic violations through a scam URL. Police emphasized that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment via gift cards or unsolicited electronic transfers, and advised residents to verify contact through official channels before providing any payment information.

Williamsport Police warned residents of a text message scam impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming enforcement penalties would begin on May 31 and directing victims to click a link to pay outstanding traffic tickets. The PA DMV does not contact individuals via text to request payment, and clicking such links can compromise personal and financial information. Residents are advised to independently verify the legitimacy of suspicious communications before providing information or clicking links.

Police across multiple states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey are warning of a DMV text scam impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles and threatening to suspend vehicle registration unless victims click malicious links to pay alleged fines immediately. The scam is designed to steal personal and financial information by creating panic and urgency. Authorities recommend not clicking links or responding to such messages, instead reporting them to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, contacting your state DMV directly through official channels, and forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to help wireless providers block similar messages.

A Pennsylvania family received dozens of unwanted Amazon packages worth at least $1,000 totaling electronics and accessories addressed to an unknown person named Therese starting in May in a suspected brushing scam. In brushing scams, perpetrators send products to addresses and post fake positive reviews to boost sales, though no fraudulent reviews were found under the family's name in this case. Amazon confirmed the family could legally keep the items but they declined to do so out of concern for potential unauthorized charges appearing later.

A Delaware woman lost $701,529 in gold bars between August 2023 and February 2024 after scammers posing as federal agents claimed her identity had been stolen and she was under investigation; they told her the Treasury would safeguard gold bars she purchased to resolve the matter. When authorities caught the scheme, they arrested Rakeshkumar Patel, an Indian national illegally residing in New York, who pleaded guilty after attempting to collect an additional $300,000 in gold in May 2024. The scam was part of a larger fraud operation targeting older affluent adults across Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, with a combined loss of $2.1

Newtown Township residents were scammed out of approximately $7,000 over a three-day period in late May through two separate gift card fraud schemes: one victim lost $3,500 after receiving a fraudulent call claiming their YouTube TV account would be canceled, and another victim lost $3,500 after receiving a phishing email about a Netflix billing increase. Police also warned residents of a circulating text message scam impersonating the Pennsylvania Court system demanding payment for alleged traffic violations, and reminded the public that legitimate businesses and government agencies never request payment via gift cards or electronic transfers.

Scammers sent fraudulent text messages to Pennsylvania drivers impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), claiming recipients had outstanding traffic tickets and threatening vehicle registration suspension and driving privilege revocation for 30 days, with an added threat of a 35% service fee if charges were transferred to toll booths. The messages contained a malicious link (since disabled and flagged) designed to collect payment for fines that do not exist, and multiple recipients reported the scam to local news outlets.

Pennsylvania residents are receiving scam text messages impersonating state agencies including the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, claiming outstanding traffic tickets or toll fees require immediate payment via links or gift cards. The scammers threaten fictitious penalties such as license suspension, criminal prosecution, and credit damage to pressure victims into sending money through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. State authorities advise recipients to ignore suspicious links, never provide personal information, and report such messages to local police or the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, emphasizing that legitimate state agencies never solicit payment via text message.

Officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are warning about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threatening license suspension or prosecution to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Both PennDOT and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission clarified they do not send unsolicited texts about driver status. Victims should report suspected scam messages to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Scammers are sending text messages falsely claiming to be from PennDOT, threatening license suspension and vehicle registration revocation unless recipients pay outstanding fines immediately. PennDOT officials clarified that the agency does not send text messages about traffic violations or fines, and advised recipients to delete the messages, avoid clicking links, and report them as spam. A key indicator of the scam is that the message falsely references the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles," a non-existent department in Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple free educational events throughout June 2024 aimed at seniors, service providers, and the general public to help them avoid scams, detect fraud, and prevent identity theft. Events include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO" and "$camJam" held at senior centers and community locations across Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvanians encouraged to report scams via 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is conducting educational outreach events throughout June 2024 to help seniors, service providers, and the general public recognize and avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. The programs include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO," "$camJam" (featuring law enforcement and state agency experts), senior expos, and sessions on common scam tactics, offered at various locations across Pennsylvania at no cost to attendees.

The Cambria County Area Agency on Aging held an educational luncheon where seniors learned to identify financial scams from local police and Pennsylvania Attorney General's office officials. Attendees received information about common fraud tactics including online relationship scams, tax filing schemes, and fake toll fee requests, which have resulted in some elderly victims losing thousands of dollars or even their homes. The agency reports receiving calls almost weekly about financial exploitation in the county, emphasizing that financial crimes against seniors are among the fastest growing in the United States.

An 82-year-old Bedford resident fell victim to a computer fraud scam on May 9 after receiving a fake virus alert threatening legal consequences for alleged child pornography on their device, prompting them to mail $17,500 in cash to Pennsylvania. Quick action by Bedford police officers, who tracked the UPS package and coordinated with a Pennsylvania police department, allowed investigators to intercept the payment before delivery and return the full amount to the victim.

Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are warning residents about six prevalent scams: Facebook marketplace scams offering cheap duct cleaning or car detailing that harvest personal information; jury duty scams impersonating authorities and requesting driver's license or passport numbers; "brushing" scams involving unsolicited packages with malicious QR codes designed to access phone data; Medicaid/Medicare impersonation scams attempting to steal Social Security numbers and personal information; fake law enforcement scams threatening arrest and demanding bond payments; and additional schemes targeting victims through phone calls, emails, and in-person contact. The advisory emphasizes avoiding contact with suspicious offers, never scanning unknown QR codes, hanging up on callers imp

The FBI is warning the public about discount medical insurance scams that have emerged in Pennsylvania and beyond, which fraudulently promise reduced insurance rates while providing no actual coverage. These scams target people seeking affordable healthcare by impersonating legitimate providers, using high-pressure sales tactics, and promising hidden fees or refunds that never materialize, resulting in millions of dollars in annual losses. The FBI recommends verifying offers through the Better Business Bureau, checking with current providers, and reporting suspected fraud to the Internet Crimes Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

The FBI warned of growing discount medical insurance scams where fraudsters contact victims via phone, text, and email offering fake insurance plans at reduced rates with high-pressure tactics and upfront payment requirements. Victims have lost millions of dollars annually, including a Pennsylvania couple who discovered their policy didn't cover emergency care and a Maryland man who faced a $7,000 medical bill after his fake insurance was rejected by providers. To protect themselves, consumers should verify insurance offers through their state's insurance commissioner and Better Business Bureau, confirm provider acceptance, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

**Summary:** Windber Police Chief Andy Frear warned of increased phone scams targeting older adults in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, after two recent victims lost tens of thousands of dollars. Scammers use various pretexts—claiming loved ones have been arrested or accounts have been hacked—and request money or gift cards, with older people being the primary targets. Chief Frear urges family members to alert elderly relatives about these scams and recommends calling police immediately or contacting their bank if they suspect fraud.

The FBI issued a nationwide alert about fraudulent "discount" medical insurance schemes targeting seniors and other Americans, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. Scammers impersonate legitimate insurance companies through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails, using high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into enrolling in fake plans that provide no actual coverage when medical services are needed. Documented cases include victims in Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Maryland who were denied coverage claims, subjected to unauthorized charges, and refused refunds after discovering the plans were fraudulent.

Pennsylvania has established consumer protection resources under Governor Shapiro's Administration to help residents report and address financial, insurance, and consumer scams. Residents can report suspicious activities through multiple channels: calling 1-866-PACOMPLAINT, visiting pa.gov/consumer, or emailing [email protected], with serious crimes also reportable to local law enforcement.

The FBI warns of a rapidly spreading scam involving fake discount medical insurance plans that have cost victims millions of dollars. Fraudsters posing as insurance representatives use unsolicited contact and false urgency to convince people to pay for non-existent coverage, often promising full medical/dental benefits, preferred doctor access, and bonus benefits like grocery or gas aid. Documented cases include a Pennsylvania couple who received emergency room bills they thought were covered and a Texas senior who had to cancel his credit card to stop unauthorized charges after enrolling in a fraudulent dental plan.

**Summary:** The FBI has issued a warning about fraudulent discount medical insurance schemes that cost victims millions annually, targeting people seeking affordable healthcare with misleading offers that promise coverage but provide none. Scammers use unsolicited contact and high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into quick sign-ups, with documented cases including a Pennsylvania couple and Maryland resident who discovered their policies provided no coverage after medical events, leaving them responsible for thousands in bills. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, reviewing policy documents carefully, and avoiding upfront payments to protect against these scams.

A Doylestown, Pennsylvania woman lost $45,000 in a dealership cloning scam after finding what appeared to be a legitimate Lexus listing on CARFAX that was attributed to a real Nebraska dealership owner, Jim Woods, but was actually perpetrated by scammers using a fake website and stolen listings. The criminals impersonated Woods, provided fabricated vehicle videos, and disappeared after receiving wire payment, with at least one other victim losing $18,000 in the same scheme. CARFAX declined to provide details on its vetting process for sellers but stated it investigates and removes fraudulent listings when identified, though experts recommend using escrow services for sight-unseen

The FBI warns of discount medical insurance scams that promise reduced rates but provide no actual coverage, resulting in millions in annual losses and primarily targeting people seeking affordable healthcare through unsolicited contact. Washington state issued a cease-and-desist order against one fraudulent company after over 100 complaints, with victims reporting misrepresented coverage, denied refunds, and unauthorized charges; specific cases included Pennsylvania residents pressured into plans with no actual coverage, a Texas senior deceived into unwanted dental insurance, and a Maryland man left responsible for $7,000 in surgery costs after his purchased plan was not accepted by his hospital. To protect themselves, consumers should verify that insurance companies are licensed in their state through the state

Three individuals—Todd, Ty, and Laura Reppert—were charged with financial exploitation of an elderly woman named Donna Reppert after misappropriating approximately $500,000 between January 2019 and January 2023. Todd Reppert, who held power of attorney over Donna's finances, along with the two other defendants, diverted funds for personal expenses including bills, vehicle purchases, real estate acquisitions, and online gambling despite having no legal authorization to do so. The Pennsylvania State Police filed charges including financial exploitation of an elder, corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and multiple felony theft counts.

State Rep. Tina Pickett and Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters hosted a free educational seminar on May 9 in Tunkhannock to help residents recognize and avoid scams, particularly targeting seniors. The event featured Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities coordinator George Dillman, who presented information on common scams and included an interactive "Fraud Bingo" game to teach fraud prevention strategies. The seminar was part of an ongoing effort to educate the public as scammers become increasingly aggressive and deceptive.

A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters impersonating Microsoft and her bank claimed she had been hacked and threatened arrest, attempting to manipulate her into withdrawing cash to purchase cryptocurrency. The scam exploited heightened emotions and urgency, tactics that have become more effective with AI advancement and access to personal data on the dark web. According to the FTC, Americans lost between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to financial scams in 2023-2024, with cryptocurrency transfers and digital payment methods making these crimes particularly difficult to trace and recover from.

Scammers impersonating State Troopers and court officials are calling Pennsylvania residents and threatening arrest for missed jury duty or contempt of court, demanding immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The imposters use spoofed caller IDs, fake case numbers, and victims' personal information to appear credible. Pennsylvania State Police warn that legitimate government agencies never request payment through untraceable methods or personal financial information over the phone, and urge residents to hang up immediately and contact local police if targeted.

A Pittsburgh-area senior couple lost $6,750 to Shiloh Landscaping after paying a $4,000 advance for a retaining wall that was never completed, receiving only materials and excuses over two years. After their story aired on local news, contractor Ray Benvenuti saw the report and donated labor to complete the wall at no cost, with help from a local hardware store. The article also includes Better Business Bureau guidance on selecting contractors, recommending getting multiple bids, verifying insurance, limiting advance payments to one-third of the total cost, and confirming contractor registration with Pennsylvania's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

State Rep. Leanne Krueger is hosting "Scam Jam," a free educational event on April 25, 2025, in Aston, Pennsylvania, where residents can learn fraud prevention from experts including the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, Delaware County District Attorney's Office, and AARP Pennsylvania. The two-hour seminar will cover recent elder abuse cases, common community scams, investment fraud, mail fraud, and check washing, with interactive games and resources to help attendees recognize and prevent scams targeting seniors and other residents.

Dr. Neil Anand, a 48-year-old Indian-origin physician, was convicted in federal court in Pennsylvania for his role in a $2.3 million healthcare fraud and illegal controlled substance distribution scheme, along with money laundering charges. The Justice Department prosecution targeted Anand's involvement in unlawfully distributing controlled medications and defrauding the healthcare system.

An organized crime network operating across Pennsylvania and Ohio perpetrated "grandparent scams" against at least five elderly Pittsburgh residents between October 2024 and January 2025, stealing approximately $50,000 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis and requesting urgent cash payments for bail or medical expenses. Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, 34, was indicted for coordinating the collection and interstate transport of stolen funds via couriers and ride-share services, depositing the money under false names into bank accounts; he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The FBI warns that seniors remain vulnerable targets due to their trustworthiness and financial resources, and urges anyone who received suspicious calls

A Georgia man was jailed for allegedly impersonating a police officer ("Sergeant Harding") to scam a registered sex offender in Pennsylvania out of $1,000 in August 2022, claiming he could make a fake warrant disappear if the victim purchased gift cards and paid cash. Law enforcement agencies nationwide report that scammers intermittently target people on sex offender registries with similar police impersonation schemes, though the scams are difficult to track and prevalence varies by jurisdiction. In 2023, American adults lost over $25.4 billion to telephone-based scams overall, with young adults aged 18-44 being three times more likely than older adults to

Five Western Pennsylvanians lost $50,000 total to the "Grandparents Scam," in which scammers impersonate family members or attorneys claiming a relative needs emergency help. Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a Dominican Republic national living in Cleveland, was arrested for orchestrating the scheme and using ride-share services like Uber to collect payments from victims. The FBI urges additional victims to come forward and advises the public to verify unexpected calls from relatives, resist pressure to act quickly, and never send cash or wire money to unknown callers.

The FBI warns that grandparent scams have cost Western Pennsylvania residents over $50,000, with criminals posing as family members in financial distress and using social media to gather personal information about elderly targets. Seniors are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be trusting and financially stable, yet often don't report fraud due to shame or lack of knowledge. The FBI recommends victims hang up and independently verify caller identity, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspected scams to ic3.gov.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced new transparency measures to improve oversight of elder abuse investigations, including publishing performance metrics tracking how quickly Area Agencies on Aging complete cases within a 20-day standard. Westmoreland County AAA improved its compliance rate from 29% in 2024 to 97% in 2025, with the state's 52 AAAs collectively handling nearly 40,000 suspected elder abuse cases annually. The initiative, which includes a new Comprehensive Agency Performance Evaluation tool, aims to increase accountability and ensure more timely protective services for older adults across Pennsylvania.

A 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen, Luis Alfonso Rodriguez, was arrested and federally charged with orchestrating a grandparent scam that targeted families across western Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Kentucky between December 2024 and March 2025. Rodriguez allegedly impersonated grandchildren in distress and convinced victims to withdraw thousands of dollars in cash, which they handed to rideshare drivers who unknowingly delivered the funds to him; victims lost tens of thousands of dollars total, with funds later wired to an unidentified person in the Dominican Republic. The FBI urges potential victims to report incidents to its Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents age 50 and older about rising IRS impersonation scams during tax season, in which fraudsters contact victims by phone, mail, email, or in person claiming they owe taxes, face investigation, or are due refunds. Scammers pressure victims to provide personal information or make rapid payments via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. AARP recommends ignoring unsolicited IRS contact, refusing to share sensitive information remotely, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and verifying all IRS communications through the official irs.gov website.

Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen living in Cleveland, was indicted in Pennsylvania for operating a grandparent fraud scheme that defrauded at least five elderly victims (ages up to 91) of approximately $50,000 between June 2024 and January 2025. The scammers posed as victims' relatives and authority figures, convincing seniors to withdraw cash and hand it to unsuspecting rideshare drivers, who transported the envelopes to Ohio where Rodriguez collected and wired the funds to the Dominican Republic. This case reflects a growing trend in which elderly Americans lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to grandparent sc

AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents aged 50 and older about rising IRS imposter scams during tax season, where criminals pose as IRS agents via phone, email, mail, or in-person contact to steal money and personal information. Government impersonation scams cost Americans over $394 million in 2023, a 63% increase from 2022, with scammers using threats, fake refund claims, and demands for untraceable payments like gift cards or cryptocurrency. To stay safe, residents should verify IRS contact through official channels (irs.gov), remember that the real IRS initiates contact by mail and rarely makes in-person visits, and report suspicious activity to