Explore the Archive

Aberystwyth University, Dyfed-Powys Police, and PEGS launched a new guide to combat technology-enabled abuse of people over 60, which includes monitoring via smart devices, mobile tracking, and unauthorized access to accounts. The guide, based on police data and case studies, reveals that 14% of older parents supported by PEGS experienced digital abuse from family members, with one case involving £20,000 stolen through unauthorized smartphone access and another involving stalking via fake social media profiles and Ring doorbell cameras. Between May 2024 and April 2025, over 950 domestic abuse cases involving older victims were reported in Dyfed-Powys

A scammer attempted to defraud an elderly Ohio homeowner by convincing him to take out a reverse mortgage to steal his home equity, but the scheme was foiled when EquityProtect's Property Title Lock service detected the unauthorized loan application and notified the homeowner's daughter, who held Power of Attorney over the property. The incident highlights growing financial crimes against seniors, with the FBI reporting $4.88 billion in losses from 147,127 elder fraud complaints in 2024, a 46% increase from the previous year.

A scammer's attempt to fraudulently obtain a reverse mortgage on an elderly Ohio homeowner's property was prevented by EquityProtect's SmartPolicy fraud prevention technology, which flagged the unauthorized loan request and alerted the homeowner's daughter who held Power of Attorney. The incident illustrates growing financial crime targeting seniors, with the FBI reporting $4.88 billion in losses from 147,127 elder fraud complaints in 2024, a 46% increase in complaints year-over-year.

Romance scams targeting older adults have surged 52% among people over 55, with victims aged 75-84 losing an average of £8,068 each compared to £5,219 across all age groups. Scammers use fake dating and social media profiles to build emotional connections, then request money for emergencies like medical bills or travel expenses, often avoiding video calls or in-person meetings with elaborate excuses. Key prevention strategies include staying on monitored messaging platforms, consulting trusted friends and family before sending money, and never transferring funds to someone met only online.

A Nashville caregiver, Eric Scott, was arrested in May following a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult under his care. Scott allegedly used the victim's bank card and personal information between May 26-27 to make fraudulent withdrawals and purchases. He was charged with theft over $1,000, fraudulent use of a credit card over $1,000, identity theft, and financial exploitation of a vulnerable person over $1,000, with bond set at $17,500.

Financial exploitation of older adults is rising at epidemic rates through scams, family manipulation, and digital illiteracy, with the FBI reporting over 100,000 victims age 60+ in 2023 and total losses exceeding $3 billion (averaging $35,000 per person). Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to trust, isolation from face-to-face interaction, and a digital divide, with those age 80+ suffering the highest median losses. Common schemes include tech support, grandparent scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and increasingly sophisticated AI-generated voice clones, while many cases go unreported due to shame or involvement of trusted family members