Explore the Archive

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.

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.

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 $

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

On September 20, 2024, New Windsor Police Sergeant Hannah Lake presented information to the New Windsor Senior Citizens Club about fraud schemes commonly targeting seniors, including government impersonation, grandparent, romance, home improvement, solicitor, and gift card scams. Sergeant Lake also educated local merchants on recognizing and reporting suspicious gift card purchases. The presentation emphasized prevention strategies such as never sharing sensitive information by phone, refusing gift card payments, recognizing law enforcement and tax scams, and being wary of requests for secrecy regarding money transfers.

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about driveway repair and paving scams targeting homeowners, where fraudsters pose as contractors claiming to already be working in the area and offering discounted services before disappearing with payment or providing substandard work. The alert recommends homeowners decline unsolicited offers, research contractors through the BBB website, use written contracts, avoid paying in full upfront, and pay by credit card rather than cash to enable fraud disputes if needed.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked on a fake Safari warning, which led scammers to manipulate her into purchasing gift cards worth thousands of dollars over 10 hours. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards becoming an increasingly common payment method for criminals because they lack consumer protections similar to credit and debit cards. The article reveals systemic failures in federal regulation, inadequate retailer safeguards, and the profitable role that technology companies and retailers play in the gift card fraud ecosystem, where "everybody but the victim makes money."

The Hopkins County Sheriff's Office identified two active scams targeting county residents: a driveway paving scam where unsolicited individuals claim to be in the area with extra materials and offer services, and a fake officer phone scam. Officials warn residents to be skeptical of unsolicited service offers and to verify caller identities before providing personal information or payment.

A 69-year-old widower from Suffolk, England, was defrauded of approximately £100,000+ (Sh14.35 million) in a romance scam involving a fake Kenyan woman named "Anita" introduced by a friend who orchestrated the scheme. After being convinced to send money for supposed home improvements and wedding preparations, Lodge discovered the deception upon traveling to Nairobi and subsequently became homeless, sleeping at Heathrow Airport and shelters. The case exemplifies a broader trend of online romance fraud with significant psychological impacts on victims, including shame and mental health issues, as reported by law enforcement agencies tracking rising cybercrime rates globally.

According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 report, Gen Z (ages 18-24) reported the highest median loss to scams for the second consecutive year, averaging $155 per person, primarily from employment, online purchase, and cryptocurrency scams. While younger people overall lost the most money, people over 65 suffered the largest individual losses to romance scams, which surged dramatically with median losses increasing from $1,411 in 2022 to $3,600 in 2023, with scammers increasingly using cryptocurrency to defraud victims. The report also found that scammers are increasingly targeting minors (ages 7-18), with 16% of

Actress Tamlyn Tomita and her husband Daniel Blinkoff lost approximately $500,000 to a business email compromise scam in which fraudsters impersonated their theater contractor through spoofed emails with subtle address variations, causing their bank to freeze their account and delay construction of their Outside In Theatre project. The FBI reported that similar scams generated over 21,000 complaints and nearly $3 billion in losses across the Los Angeles area last year, with attackers often operating internationally and using social media research to target victims. Despite the setback, the couple plans to proceed with opening the theater on schedule while working with their bank to recover funds.

National Public Data, a data broker, was hacked by a group calling itself "USDoD," resulting in the theft and public posting of 2.9 billion records containing names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, family member names, and phone numbers affecting hundreds of millions of people in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The breach highlights four critical lessons: data brokers are incentivized to collect ever-expanding datasets for profit, large-scale data aggregation creates compounded privacy and national security risks, the data brokerage industry remains largely unregulated despite recent legislative discussions, and regulatory enforcement alone cannot adequately address the systemic problem of privacy-invasive

A 48-year-old civil contractor from Pimpri lost Rs 21 lakh in an online share trading scam between July and August after responding to a stock market investment advertisement on social media. The scammer added the victim to a messenger group, promised high returns, and convinced him to transfer Rs 20.9 lakh to multiple bank accounts before becoming unresponsive and blocking contact. The Pimpri Chinchwad police registered a case after the victim filed a complaint with the cyber crime cell and are investigating using the contractor's bank transaction details.

Detective Kevin Landers of the Abilene Police Department outlines common scams targeting seniors, including romance, lottery, sweepstakes, and government impersonation schemes where callers demand payment via gift cards or bitcoin. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes, and maintain good credit, though scammers prey on people of all ages. Landers recommends protecting oneself by verifying unsolicited offers online, resisting pressure to act quickly, monitoring credit reports annually, and stopping communication with suspected scammers immediately.

Scammers are targeting consumers by posing as government officials and offering free solar panels door-to-door, though the federal government does not provide free solar installations. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to avoid "free" offers that pressure immediate payment, to never provide personal information to unverified sources, and to verify offers through legitimate government resources like the Department of Energy before signing any contracts.

Nassau County police arrested two Bronx men in July 2024 after they attempted to scam a 73-year-old East Meadow resident by falsely claiming his bank account was compromised; the investigation revealed they were responsible for numerous additional scams. The county is warning residents about prevalent scams including home improvement fraud, fake relative arrest schemes, Social Security and IRS impersonation scams, lottery fraud, and computer remote access scams, which collectively cost victims thousands of dollars. Officials urge residents, particularly seniors, to remain vigilant, verify caller identities, avoid unsolicited services, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently

An 83-year-old Maryland resident named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam that ultimately resulted in fraudsters convincing her to purchase gift cards as payment. The article documents how gift card fraud has become a leading payment method in elder fraud schemes, with an estimated $8 billion stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older, yet federal regulators have failed to implement consumer protections for gift cards comparable to those for credit and debit cards. The investigation reveals that while fraudsters, gift card companies, and retailers profit from these schemes, the privately-held technology companies managing the gift card infrastructure are best positioned to prevent fraud but lack legal requirements to do so.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud after clicking a malicious link on her frozen laptop, leading fraudsters to convince her to purchase gift cards worth thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for criminals due to minimal consumer protections and difficulty in tracing funds. Federal regulators have failed to provide gift cards with the same protections as credit and debit cards, while retailers, technology companies, and fraudsters all profit from the scheme at victims' expense.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam when a fake Apple alert prompted her to contact fraudsters posing as Apple and bank employees, who ultimately convinced her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the payment method of choice for criminals because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards. Federal regulators have failed to adequately protect consumers from gift card fraud despite it being a growing problem, while technology companies and retailers benefit financially from these crimes due to

Traverse Bay Farms partnered with financial expert Andy LaPointe to promote senior fraud prevention through his book "Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams." The guide educates seniors on recognizing and protecting themselves from various scams including door-to-door, telephone, phishing, social media, romance, and cryptocurrency schemes, while providing actionable strategies for internet safety, password management, and scam reporting.

This educational piece identifies six common scams targeting Iowa storm victims: FEMA impersonation scams, contractor fraud (storm chasers), fake charities, insurance claim scams, phishing communications, and identity theft. The article provides preventative measures for each scam type, including verifying credentials, obtaining multiple estimates, researching charities through watchdog organizations, contacting insurance companies directly, and freezing credit. Resources provided include the Iowa Attorney General's Office, Iowa Insurance Division, and FEMA fraud hotline for reporting suspected fraud.

This educational piece by law enforcement examines modern phone-based scams targeting Americans, highlighting how technology has enabled criminals to defraud victims without in-person contact. The article details six prevalent scams: impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment for fines, fake charity solicitations, fraudulent debt collectors, fake prize offers, and IRS impersonation schemes—emphasizing that government agencies never demand immediate payment via phone, gift cards, or wire transfers, and advising victims to hang up and verify claims directly with legitimate organizations.

A father-daughter duo from Ulster County, New York—Frank Whittaker and Christine Ellsworth—were arrested for stealing over $250,000 from a 92-year-old elderly woman between 2021 and the time of their arrest. After gaining the victim's trust through help with household tasks, Whittaker obtained Power of Attorney and used it to drain the woman's accounts through checks and illegal bank transfers, spending the stolen money on vehicles, jewelry, restaurants, and casinos. Both face charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, with potential sentences of up to 15 years if convicted.

In 2023, over 101,000 people age 60 and older lost nearly $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report, with common scams including tech support fraud ($590 million in losses), investment fraud ($4.57 billion, up 38% year-over-year), power of attorney abuse, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, and homeowner scams. AI-driven fraud is making scams increasingly sophisticated, with criminals creating convincing fake audio and video to deceive victims. Protection requires vigilance about warning signs such as unusual account activity and suspicious communications, along with education and open family dialogue about financial security.

A contractor used a bait-and-switch tactic to defraud homeowner John Orkney, initially identifying a legitimate roof leak but then claiming to discover termite infestation and inflating the repair estimate to $195,000 for extensive work including a virtual rebuild of the house and garage. This scheme exemplifies how unscrupulous contractors gain trust through legitimate initial observations before dramatically escalating costs through unverified claims of additional damage.

**Event Type:** Scam Awareness Educational Initiative The Palos Park Police Department held a National Night Out event to educate residents about elder fraud, highlighting that seniors in their predominantly elderly, affluent community are particularly vulnerable targets. Key scams discussed included door-to-door service schemes and "grandparent scams," with the FBI reporting that elder fraud caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (up 11% from 2022), averaging $33,915 per victim, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Police advised residents to verify caller identities, trust their instincts when something feels off, and be