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A 50-year-old contractor from Johor Bahru lost RM688,000 in an online investment scam that promised 410% returns over three months, after being lured through a Facebook advertisement and WhatsApp group where scammers posed as investment educators and sent a fake guarantee letter along with a fraudulent mobile app. The victim made 17 transfers between July and September, received an initial return of RM64,000 to build confidence, but had his account frozen when he refused to invest additional funds, ultimately discovering the supposed investment company did not exist. Police are investigating under cheating laws and probing whether money mule accounts were involved in the fraud.

Federal officials are warning Hurricane Helene victims of an anticipated surge in fraud schemes, including fake charities, identity theft, and fraudulent contractor scams targeting vulnerable disaster survivors. The National Center for Disaster Fraud has received over 220,000 complaints since 2005, and authorities say criminals exploit disaster victims before, during, and after storms by impersonating government officials, soliciting fake donations, and committing price gouging. Experts advise survivors to verify the identities of helpers, avoid sharing sensitive information, obtain multiple repair estimates, and report suspected scams to FEMA or local authorities.

Following Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, scammers have been targeting disaster victims through multiple schemes including door-to-door fake donation collections, insurance fraud, and contractor scams. Police reported several reports of fraudsters posing as relief workers collecting donations in areas like Patton Avenue in West Asheville, while insurance adjusters may underestimate wind damage to shift liability to federal flood insurance programs, and unqualified contractors overcharge desperate homeowners for substandard repairs. Authorities advise residents to verify the legitimacy of donation solicitors and repair contractors, avoid upfront payments, and check online reviews before hiring services.

Following hurricanes Helene and Milton in the Southeast, authorities including the FCC and state attorneys general warned residents about surge in fraud and price gouging, with scammers targeting disaster victims through home repair, tree service, water treatment, and charity donation schemes. Consumers should avoid unsolicited traders, never share personal information with unverified parties, verify credentials through the Better Business Bureau, and report suspected fraud to their state attorney general or the FTC. Price gouging laws vary by state but typically prohibit selling goods or services at "unconscionable" prices during declared states of emergency.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed partnered with AARP Rhode Island and the Rhode Island State Police to hold an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit addressing the rising threat of scams targeting older adults. According to the FBI, elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent in 2023 with losses exceeding $3.4 billion nationally, including $7.4 million lost by Rhode Islanders over age sixty. The summit emphasized public education, awareness of common scam tactics (tech support, romance, investment, and data breach scams), and the importance of reporting fraud to authorities rather than remaining silent out of embarrassment.

Over 100,000 elderly Americans fell victim to fraud last year, losing more than $3.4 billion, with Rhode Island seniors alone losing approximately $7.4 million. U.S. Senator Jack Reed and partners hosted an awareness event highlighting common elder scams—including tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, romance, and family scams—and recommended strategies to avoid them: never volunteer personal information, be skeptical of urgent claims, avoid payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and don't hesitate to hang up on suspicious callers. Victims should report scams to local police or the FTC, and seniors can access

Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida and surrounding states experienced a surge in price gouging and scams targeting disaster victims. Price gouging—excessive increases on essential goods like fuel, groceries, and lodging—resulted in over 100 complaints to North Carolina's Attorney General alone, while scammers posed as FEMA representatives, insurance adjusters, and contractors to exploit vulnerable residents. Consumers are advised to document suspicious pricing, report gouging to state attorneys general, and remain vigilant against fraudsters during disaster recovery.

Facebook scammers are impersonating car detailing businesses and other service providers to defraud consumers, typically luring victims with attractive offers before requesting upfront "refundable deposits" once contact is established. Red flags include newly created accounts with few photos or reviews, no official phone number, and no online presence beyond Facebook. Consumers should report suspicious accounts to Facebook, warn others in community groups, and contact their bank immediately if they've already made payments.

An 82-year-old Woodland Park resident lost $432,000 to a door-to-door home improvement scam perpetrated by Abba Cohen, 42, of Queens, who collected payment for services never rendered. Cohen was arrested on October 15 and faces second-degree charges including conspiracy to commit theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and money laundering. Authorities are seeking additional victims or information about similar incidents involving Cohen.

Scammers are sending threatening extortion emails claiming to have compromising videos or photos of recipients and demanding $2,000 or more in cryptocurrency, using photos of victims' houses obtained from Google Street View screenshots to appear credible. Victims can identify the scam by checking whether actual intimate images are included in the email, searching the email text online to see if others received similar messages, or comparing the house photos to current Google Street View imagery. The FTC recommends reporting fraudulent transactions to your bank for potential reversal (though cryptocurrency transfers are typically irreversible) and filing a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A Toronto senior lost $27,000 to a roofing scam but received assistance from a Good Samaritan company that provided a new roof to repair the damage caused by the fraudulent contractor. The incident highlights the vulnerability of seniors to home repair scams and the importance of community support in helping victims recover from financial exploitation.

A Toronto senior was defrauded by door-to-door roofers who charged her $27,000 for shoddy work, initially quoting $7,000 then demanding an additional $20,000 after removing shingles and leaving the roof in worse condition. After her story aired on CTV News Toronto, over 10 roofing companies offered assistance, and Roofing Repairs Dun-Rite Inc. donated labor, materials, and supplies to provide her with a complete new roof. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to obtain written contracts, get three quotes, verify licenses and insurance, avoid high-pressure tactics, and use accredited businesses to protect against home

The Palmyra Women's Institute is hosting a scam prevention education session featuring Chatham-Kent Police Special Constable Brenda Koldyk to address rising fraud losses in the community, including grandparent scams, romance scams (one victim lost $250,000), and various other schemes targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals. The November 7 session will cover warning signs, prevention strategies, and common scam types such as tax fraud, home renovation fraud, and impersonation scams, with Koldyk advising victims to verify requests with family members before sending money or gift cards.

Scammers are increasingly targeting System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registrations used by federal contractors through phishing emails impersonating the GSA and fraudulent access requests, aiming to compromise sensitive banking and tax information or divert government payments. Successful attacks can result in compromised accounts, modified certifications that jeopardize contract eligibility, or complete registration deletion, halting payments and requiring extensive recovery efforts. Companies can protect themselves by maintaining multiple SAM Administrators, carefully verifying all emails and access requests before clicking links, enabling multifactor authentication, and internally confirming any unexpected access requests before granting approval.

Elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent nationally in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, with Rhode Islanders over 60 losing $7.4 million to scams. U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, AARP Rhode Island, and the Rhode Island State Police held an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit to educate older adults on detecting and reporting fraud, emphasizing that tech support, romance, and investment scams are among the most common schemes targeting seniors. Experts stressed that victims should report incidents immediately and stay informed about evolving scams, noting that sophisticated criminals use artificial intelligence and psychological manipulation rather than targeting inherent vulnerabilities in older adults.

This article compiles 15 anecdotal examples of homebuyers who discovered serious defects and fraudulent concealment by previous owners after purchase, including missing fixtures, false flooring, dangerous electrical work, hidden water damage, mold, structural failures, pest infestations, and deferred maintenance—with one case requiring $24,000 in plumbing repairs. The examples illustrate how inadequate home inspections or seller misrepresentation can result in significant financial and safety liabilities for unsuspecting buyers. While focused on real estate rather than elder-specific fraud, the cases underscore the importance of thorough pre-purchase inspections and disclosure verification for all homebuyers, particularly vulnerable populations

Fifteen homebuyers discovered significant undisclosed defects in their homes after purchase, including missing fixtures (toilets, wiring), hidden damage (water damage, mold, structural issues), poor workmanship (faulty electrical systems, plumbing from the 1950s), and pest infestations (bats). One buyer faced $24,000 in plumbing repairs, while others discovered problems ranging from missing hardwood flooring to ceiling collapses shortly after moving in. These cases highlight common issues resulting from inadequate home inspections or seller non-disclosure of pre-existing conditions.

Research from USC found that thinning of the entorhinal cortex in the brain—an early sign of Alzheimer's disease—is associated with increased vulnerability to financial scams in older adults, particularly those aged 70 and older. The study of 97 participants used brain imaging and a standardized financial vulnerability assessment tool, suggesting that evaluating financial decision-making could help identify early cognitive decline, though the researchers note the study was limited to educated white women and further research on diverse populations is needed before this can be used as a clinical diagnostic tool.

BBC Scam Safe Week is a multi-platform educational initiative launching programs across television, radio, and online to help the public recognize and avoid scams, which have become increasingly prevalent during the cost-of-living crisis. Expert contributors highlight that "pig butchering" romance-to-investment scams are currently the most profitable fraud scheme, with victims losing tens of thousands of pounds or more, and emphasize that people of all ages—particularly 16-34 year-olds—are vulnerable targets. The campaign stresses that self-education is essential since authorities can only convict 0.1% of fraud cases, and that scamming has become a sophisticated criminal enterprise rather than isolated incidents.

Residents in the Gard department of France and surrounding areas received fraudulent magnets disguised as official "Useful Numbers" guides that actually contained contact information for unscrupulous home repair services. These scammers use high-pressure sales tactics and overpriced services targeting vulnerable individuals, including the elderly—one couple in their 80s was charged 1,463 euros for a simple circuit breaker replacement. To protect themselves, residents should discard suspicious magnets, verify service providers through trusted sources, and report suspicious activity to consumer protection agencies.

Cybercriminals increasingly use phishing emails, text messages, and spoofed delivery notifications to steal personal and financial information from victims of all ages during the holiday season and year-round. The Federal Trade Commission advises avoiding urgency-driven scams by verifying sender identities, researching suspicious messages, not clicking unexpected links, never paying for prizes, and hanging up on callers requesting sensitive information like Social Security numbers or banking details. Taking time to verify legitimacy rather than acting on panic is the most effective protection against financial fraud.

This article provides educational guidance on avoiding romance scams, particularly around Valentine's Day when people are more vulnerable to online dating fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost $1.3 billion to romance scams in 2022, with scammers typically cultivating relationships for months before requesting money under false pretenses such as emergencies. Experts recommend moving online relationships slowly, being wary of requests to communicate off dating apps, and recognizing red flags such as requests for money or overly fast relationship progression.

An 82-year-old Florida woman lost over $40,000 in a lottery scam where a caller claiming to represent Mega Millions told her she had won $8 million and instructed her to send cash to an Indianapolis address to cover taxes. The scammer used fake check deposits and promises of prize money to convince the victim to wire multiple shipments of cash via UPS, though authorities have not recovered the funds or identified the actual perpetrator. This case exemplifies the rising tide of elder fraud, with the FBI reporting $3.4 billion in losses to people age 60 and older in 2023—an 11 percent increase from the previous year.

Investment scams remain the highest risk for adults over 55, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams, according to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides consumer protection guidance including: avoiding unsolicited calls (especially from spoofed numbers), recognizing red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, hiring only licensed contractors after thorough vetting, being alert to emergency scams targeting grandchildren, and avoiding Medicare fraud schemes involving "free" medical equipment.

Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee launched the "Scam Free HC" initiative to combat a surge in holiday-season fraud, warning that thousands of Houston residents fall victim annually to scams including gift card schemes, spam calls, and contractor fraud. A notable case involved former police officer Julia Marino, who lost $16,200 in a deposit to A & L Sheds, a company accused of defrauding over 100 victims totaling $1.1 million; the company postponed her shed project 27 times without delivering services or refunds. The initiative provides educational resources and a reporting platform as Texas ranks as the 4th most scammed state in the country with $

Financial scams affect millions of Americans annually, with one in five adults losing money to online fraud, including romance scams, investment schemes, and identity theft. Beyond financial losses, scam victims often experience significant emotional trauma including feelings of betrayal, powerlessness, and reduced self-esteem, with effects extending to mental health, physical health, and personal relationships. Mental health organizations and fraud protection technologies are increasingly working to support victims and detect fraudulent activity, though scams continue to evolve with tools like AI-generated videos making deception more convincing.

From 2018 to 2021, Charlotte-based repairmen David Angelo Quick and Tony Joshua Christo earned over $1.5 million providing home and car repair services to elderly customers but failed to report any of this income on their federal tax returns. The defendants also defrauded some elderly clients by overcharging them for repairs, and Quick operated without a contractor's license. Both pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns, facing up to three years in prison and $250,000 in fines each at sentencing.

A fraud awareness forum in Youngstown hosted by Jewish Family and Community Services attracted 126 seniors to learn prevention strategies from Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova. The program covered major scam tactics including phishing text links, romance and catfishing schemes, AI voice impersonation, home improvement fraud, and warned against sharing personal information on social media that could endanger children or be used to answer security questions.

Scammers stole over $1.6 billion from victims in the first five months of 2024—a 20% increase from 2023—though actual numbers are higher due to underreporting. Researcher Nichole Lighthall at UCF's Adult Development and Decision Lab found that while most older adults recognize scams as a problem, they feel disempowered to prevent them, and scams range from minor losses of $50 to financially catastrophic amounts. Lighthall's research aims to empower seniors with knowledge and solutions, noting that modern scammers use increasingly relentless tactics like impersonation texts, robo-calls, and social engineering because

A 35-year-old Oakland man, Zhongqiang Chen, was arrested on November 14 after scamming an elderly Stanislaus County woman out of $30,000 through a fake McAfee antivirus email that gave him remote access to her computer. Chen transferred $60,000 from her money market account, convinced her she owed him that amount, and collected an initial $30,000 payment before being arrested in an undercover operation when he arrived to collect the remaining $30,000. The case remains under investigation to determine if there are additional victims.

Andy LaPointe, a retired registered investment advisor, held a book signing event on November 27, 2024, for *Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams*, a resource designed to help seniors recognize and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes. The book covers common scams targeting seniors—including phishing, cryptocurrency schemes, and door-to-door fraud—and provides practical guidance on internet safety, password creation, and recovery steps if victimized. Organizations can purchase bulk editions with customized branding to strengthen fraud prevention efforts in their communities.

Federal, state, and local authorities warn that scams targeting seniors are rising, particularly during the holiday season, with common schemes including charity fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and government impersonation scams. Authorities advise seniors to avoid phishing emails, use secure networks for online purchases, verify websites and charities before donating, and be cautious of unsolicited offers. Victims can report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov), their state attorney general, or local law enforcement.

Door-to-door contractor Adam Waldrop, 23, was arrested and charged with eight felony counts and one misdemeanor for allegedly scamming at least two Los Altos elderly women out of a combined $4,750 for roofing and garage-door repairs he never performed in February and March 2024. Waldrop, who used at least 13 aliases including Billy Thomas Wilson, also faces additional warrants in Merced and Oregon, and police suspect he is connected to scams in other states.

New Hampshire's Assistant Attorney General Alexandra Sosnowski warns consumers about holiday shopping scams, particularly those occurring online during the Christmas season. Key recommendations include verifying retailer URLs and checking reviews on trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau before purchasing, monitoring package deliveries to prevent porch theft, avoiding clicking links in unsolicited text messages claiming delivery issues, and purchasing gift cards directly from retailers to avoid tampered cards. The alert emphasizes taking extra time to verify sources and using tracking information directly from retailers rather than through suspicious links.

Cleveland County Court Clerk's Office warned residents of a jury duty scam involving fraudsters using fake arrest warrants and demanding payment via phone, email, or in-person visits, with at least one reported case where scammers appeared at someone's door with a fake warrant demanding payment in gift cards. The court clarified that legitimate jury duty communications are only sent by U.S. mail and never request payment, and that no Cleveland County resident has been fined or jailed for missing jury duty under the current clerk. Residents are advised to call 911 if approached in person by suspected scammers and to alert vulnerable loved ones, especially during the holiday season.

Louigi Frank, 35, was arrested on December 12 for operating a driveway repair scam targeting elderly residents through his company Seal Coat Pro. Frank and his wife approached an 89-year-old Bedminster Township resident claiming they had extra sealcoat material, then charged her $7,000 for unnecessary driveway work. Police report this is a common scam targeting seniors using the "extra material" sales pitch, and are asking other potential victims to contact Officer Jim Browne at 215-795-2972 ext. 108.

"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams" is an educational resource released by financial expert Andy LaPointe that teaches seniors to recognize and prevent fraud across multiple platforms, including phishing emails, social media scams, cryptocurrency schemes, romance scams, and door-to-door deception. The guide provides step-by-step explanations, real-world examples, and actionable strategies for responding to scams, with particular emphasis on protecting seniors during high-risk periods like the holiday season when scammer activity increases.

Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, two brothers from Co Fermanagh, were sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud against elderly homeowners across the United States. The brothers defrauded victims nationwide by falsely claiming homes needed urgent repairs (roof holes, foundation cracks, driveway work), extracting over $1 million total—including $435,000 from a single Shoreline homeowner through aggressive, daily demands for checks and wire transfers. They have agreed to pay restitution exceeding $1 million to victims in Washington, Oregon, Illinois, and other states.

This educational guide defines scams as illegal schemes designed to steal money or personal information, and describes current fraud methods including "quishing" (fake QR codes at parking meters), fraudulent text messages impersonating government energy credit schemes, and spoofed business emails requesting payment. The article provides protective measures such as avoiding QR code payments, using multi-factor authentication, verifying websites through cybersecurity tools, recognizing warning signs (unsolicited contacts, pressure to act quickly, grammatical errors), and safeguarding personal information by only sharing details in initiated communications and checking website security features.

Bank insiders, particularly lower-paid employees, are leaking sensitive customer account information to scammers, creating a significant vulnerability in financial institutions' security controls. This internal data breach has emerged as a critical risk factor enabling sophisticated scams that target Americans' life savings and poses substantial security gaps in the banking industry.

A woman in New Hope became the victim of a romance scam after sending her entire life savings ($20,000) via FedEx to an online boyfriend who did not actually exist. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins highlighted this case while warning the public about multiple prevalent scams, including phone spoofing schemes impersonating the sheriff's office, utility companies, and government agencies, as well as employment, cryptocurrency, lottery, and tech support scams. Hawkins emphasized that scammers are sophisticated professionals and advised victims to hang up and call official numbers directly rather than staying on suspicious calls.

Rural Americans face unique vulnerabilities to fraud due to geographic isolation, limited access to resources, and higher concentrations of older adults who report larger financial losses to scams. Rural residents are more reliant on online services for shopping, may turn to online dating platforms due to limited in-person social opportunities, and often encounter barriers to reporting scams including decreased government trust, lack of support services, and social stigma. Scammers exploit these vulnerabilities through various schemes including online shopping fraud, romance scams, and disaster relief impersonation, yet rural fraud trends remain largely undocumented because most consumer protection agencies do not differentiate data by population density.

Patrick Wall, a 24-year-old Irish man, was arrested in Nassau County, Long Island, and released on bail after allegedly defrauding elderly homeowners of approximately $100,000 through a home repair scam spanning from September 2023 to his arrest. Wall would pose as a masonry worker, identify repair needs at elderly victims' homes, then deliberately cause additional damage and inflate repair costs to extract inflated payments and cheques. He faces charges of larceny, conspiracy, fraud, and criminal mischief, with police seeking additional victims to come forward.

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.

Following wildfires in Los Angeles, California issued emergency protections against price gouging through January 2026, limiting price increases to 10% on housing, materials, and services. State Attorney General Rob Bonta warned of multiple scams targeting displaced residents, including fake charities, contractor fraud demanding deposits, and impersonation schemes targeting elderly individuals, immigrants, and non-English speakers; violators of price gouging laws face up to $10,000 in fines and jail time.

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.

Seniors, particularly homeowners age 62 and older who control approximately $14 trillion in housing wealth, lose around $28.3 billion annually to financial exploitation from various perpetrators including family members (who commit two-thirds of verified cases), contractors, loan brokers, and caregivers. Common scams involve fraudulent reverse mortgages, home equity loans, and home improvement schemes, with notable cases including a loan broker exploiting a widow with dementia and a hairstylist depleting three women's assets. Family members and friends should discuss major financial decisions with elderly relatives, ask critical questions about who benefits from transactions, and watch for red flags like isolation from family, missing statements

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

California's Insurance Commissioner and Los Angeles County District Attorney announced a joint initiative to combat insurance fraud targeting wildfire survivors, combining consumer education with enhanced prosecution efforts. The Department of Insurance has deployed teams to educate residents about their rights, verify contractor licenses, and enforce regulations including a mandatory seven-day waiting period before public adjusters can solicit business in disaster zones. Since 2019, the Department has distributed over $550 million statewide for fraud investigations and prosecutions, with free insurance support workshops being offered to help survivors understand claims processes and avoid common scams.

During natural disasters, scammers exploit vulnerable victims by impersonating utility companies, FEMA, and contractors to steal personal information or money through pressure tactics and upfront fees. Protection measures include verifying identities by contacting organizations directly, never paying upfront fees for disaster aid or repairs, researching contractors thoroughly, and getting multiple estimates before hiring. If identity theft occurs, victims should immediately report it to the FTC, credit bureaus, and financial institutions to prevent further damage.