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mashable.com
**Scams Expected to Surge in 2025 with Advanced Technology**
Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using stolen personal data, AI-powered deepfakes, and auto-dialing software with AI chatbots to target victims with highly personalized schemes. Cryptocurrency scams—including "pig butchering" (romance baiting) and investment fraud—are expected to proliferate in 2025, with victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars on average. Security experts advise approaching unsolicited requests with skepticism and distrust rather than assuming legitimacy, as scammers now have access to information from data breaches and social media to make their schemes appear cre
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 67-year-old Malaysian woman lost RM2.2 million (approximately Rs 4.3 crore) over nearly a decade in an online dating scam that began in October 2017 when she connected with a scammer posing as an American businessman on Facebook. After he claimed to need travel expenses to relocate to Malaysia, she made 306 bank transfers to 50 different accounts, never meeting or video calling the person despite his repeated requests for money citing various emergencies. The victim only discovered the fraud in November 2024 after discussing the situation with a friend, making this potentially the longest single case of a love scam victim in Malaysia.
azfamily.com
Robert Giuliano, a multi-state romance scammer operating under the alias "Rob Scotto," defrauded an Arizona woman of $30,000 over several months by posing as a romantic interest on a dating site and requesting money for trips he claimed he couldn't afford. Giuliano, who was wanted by New York authorities for forgery, grand larceny, and identity theft, was arrested by Scottsdale Police in December after investigators received a tip from New York and discovered he was living in the area. He remains in custody awaiting extradition to New York.
uppermichiganssource.com
Banking experts and law enforcement officials offer holiday fraud prevention advice, noting that U.S. consumers lost $10 billion to scams in 2023. Key recommendations include guarding personal information and never sharing it via phone or email, verifying website legitimacy before online purchases, avoiding responding to text message scams, using credit cards instead of debit cards for added protection, and setting up bank account notifications to monitor transactions closely.
vietnamnet.vn
Online scams caused Vietnamese citizens an estimated VND 18.9 trillion in losses during 2024, affecting approximately 0.45% of smartphone users (one in 220 people), according to the National Cybersecurity Association's survey of 60,000 participants. The three most common scam types were fake investment schemes promising high returns (70.72% of respondents), impersonation of organizations or government agencies (62.08%), and deceptive prize-winning or promotional messages (60.01%), with fraudsters increasingly using deepfake technology and automated tools. The report emphasizes that only 45.69% of victims reported scams to authorities, and recommends users
aarp.org
Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated emotional manipulation tactics—such as texts about sick puppies—to engage potential victims, with experts predicting this trend will accelerate in 2025 due to improved AI and deepfake technology. The article highlights that older Americans are frequent targets, losing over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 with an 11% year-over-year increase in reported losses among those over 60. Key scams to watch include employment fraud, cryptocurrency schemes, and impersonation scams that exploit emotional triggers and misuse of company names and hiring manager identities.
cbsnews.com
AI-enabled voice cloning tools are increasingly used in "grandparent scams" to impersonate loved ones and pressure victims, particularly seniors, into sending money quickly; in 2023 alone, senior citizens lost approximately $3.4 billion to financial crimes according to FBI data. Cybersecurity experts recommend families establish a unique "safe word" or phrase (at least four words, not easily researched online) and require callers requesting money to verify their identity using this phrase before any funds are transferred. The strategy exploits fear-based emotional responses that impair judgment, but can be effectively countered through proper family communication about the safe word protocol.
foxnews.com
During the holiday season, scammers exploit shoppers' stress and excitement through various schemes, including package delivery scams that use fake links mimicking legitimate carriers (like "uspsts.top" instead of "usps.com") to steal personal information or payment, and charity scams where fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations to solicit donations. The article advises consumers to verify packages through original shipping confirmations, independently research charities before donating, maintain antivirus software, and watch for red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links.
wfiwradio.com
An elderly couple in Williamson County, Illinois lost $121,000 to an imposter scam in which criminals posing as PayPal and federal agents convinced them their accounts were compromised and directed them to withdraw cash for "secure" deposit. Three Chinese nationals were arrested in October and now face federal wire fraud charges after attempting to collect the cash from the victims' home using code words provided by the scammers. The U.S. Attorney's Office reports a rising trend of such imposter scams targeting seniors in southern Illinois, where fraudsters use scare tactics and pressure victims to keep withdrawals secret from their banks.
theriver953.com
The Frederick County Sheriff's Department issued a public awareness alert about the $10 billion in fraudulent losses nationwide in 2023, highlighting common scams including employment schemes, gift card fraud, pop-up messages, text/phone impersonations, and sweepstakes cons. The department advises residents to remain skeptical of unsolicited communications, hang up on suspicious calls, verify information through official sources, and contact local law enforcement with concerns.
english.factcrescendo.com
Cybercriminals exploit unsecured public Wi-Fi networks to conduct banking scams using techniques like rogue hotspots and Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks to intercept user credentials and sensitive data. In a documented case, a professional named Rohit connected to a fake airport Wi-Fi network and had his banking credentials stolen, resulting in ₹1.2 lakh (approximately $14,400 USD) in unauthorized transactions before a follow-up phishing email further compromised his account. The article explains that public Wi-Fi networks lack encryption, making them vulnerable to credential theft, session hijacking, and identity fraud, and advises users to avoi
cbc.ca
Between January and September 2024, merchandise scams on platforms like Facebook Marketplace cost Canadians $7.1 million, with Ontario accounting for $2.6 million of losses. A Ontario woman lost $50 after a seller on Facebook Marketplace took her e-transfer payment for cast iron planters that were never delivered, and police note common red flags include sellers being overly eager, offering full price without negotiation, or requesting payment through third-party links. Authorities advise online buyers and sellers to question suspicious offers, verify addresses, and report fraud to help combat these scams that often involve money laundering schemes.
cbs7.com
During the 2023-2024 holiday season, scammers exploited increased online shopping and gift-giving through phishing emails impersonating trusted companies (like Amazon and PayPal), fake social media advertisements using urgency tactics, and fraudulent charities requesting gift card donations. From November 2023 to January 2024, Texas alone reported over 1,400 scams resulting in $1.12 million in losses, while the U.S. reported over 21,000 scams totaling $94 million in losses. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to use only trusted websites, be skeptical of time-limited offers and gift card donation requests, and report
dailyexcelsior.com
Digital arrest scams are a sophisticated cyber fraud where perpetrators impersonate law enforcement officials to extort money or personal information from victims through false accusations of crimes like money laundering or identity theft. Multiple victims in India lost significant sums—ranging from 46 lakhs to 5.9 crore—after being intimidated by scammers using phone spoofing, deepfake technology, and legal jargon to create urgency and fear. These scams leverage psychological manipulation, phishing portals, and demands for untraceable payments via cryptocurrency or gift cards to exploit victims who are prevented from verifying the legitimacy of communications.
recordnet.com
This educational article warns consumers about holiday-season scams, noting that fraudsters exploit busy shoppers and high transaction volumes to commit fraud. Key concerns include fake advertisements offering deep discounts, porch theft (with $76 billion in packages vulnerable), fake package notifications, gift card scams, and social media schemes, with the Better Business Bureau reporting a 125% rise in scam reports. The article provides protective tips including verifying legitimate retailers, researching charities, avoiding unsolicited emails and texts, and using package tracking and home security measures.
indiatoday.in
The "digital arrest" scam, which has cost Indians ₹120 crore in the first four months of 2024, involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials via phone calls to falsely accuse victims of crimes like money laundering and extort money by threatening immediate "digital arrest"—a term that does not exist in Indian law. The scam targets individuals across all sectors, including professionals, by creating psychological pressure through urgency, threats of isolation, and demands for confidentiality, and can be identified by suspicious unofficial contact numbers, pressure tactics, and threats against disclosure to family members.
moco360.media
A 26-year-old Rockville man was sentenced to five years in prison (10 years with suspension) for his role in a gold bar scam targeting a 94-year-old Silver Spring resident who nearly lost approximately $230,000. Mathon posed as a federal agent, convincing the elderly victim that his identity had been stolen and he needed to purchase gold bars for safekeeping, but law enforcement interrupted the scheme with a sting operation that caught Mathon attempting to collect the package. This marks Montgomery County's first conviction in a local gold bar scam case, which prosecutors note involves organized, international criminal networks that specifically target vulnerable elderly victims.
justice.gov
Alec Tahir Baker, 60, of Corona, California, was indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, bank fraud, and aggravated identity theft for his role in a scheme that defrauded businesses, individuals, and the Town of Bristol, Rhode Island, of approximately $8.9 million. The conspiracy employed business email compromise tactics, including phishing emails to gain network access and vendor impersonation emails to redirect payments to accounts Baker controlled across over 40 bank accounts he created. Baker subsequently concealed the fraudulent proceeds through cash withdrawals, cryptocurrency transfers, and transfers to other accounts and individuals, including a $310,500 theft from Bristol municipal funds
shu.edu
Smishing—a phishing scam conducted via SMS text messages—is surging among Android and iOS users, with cybercriminals impersonating banks, government agencies, and retailers to steal personal information, trigger identity theft, or install malware. The FBI urges users to avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown numbers and recommends enabling multi-factor authentication, accessing official websites directly, and reporting suspicious texts to carriers. Common smishing tactics include fake bank alerts, false tax refunds, account suspension warnings, fraudulent delivery notices, and unrealistic prize offers.
salinapost.com
This FTC educational article explains how to identify and avoid phishing scams, which use deceptive emails and text messages impersonating trusted companies or acquaintances to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading attachments. Phishing attempts aim to steal personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank account numbers, or to install malware on devices. The article advises verifying unexpected messages by contacting companies directly through known phone numbers or websites, and confirming surprising invitations with friends through separate communication channels.
geaugamapleleaf.com
Two organized fraud rings—one suspected to be operating from Gambia and another from the Dominican Republic—defrauded three local Ohio building supply companies of approximately $79,000 combined by using stolen identities and credit cards to order materials. The Gambia-based group used fraudulent business identities to establish trade accounts and fraudulent shipping accounts, while the Dominican group purchased materials with stolen credit cards; the Geauga County Sheriff's Office is investigating, though no federal agencies have formally adopted the case despite DHS involvement.
wmix94.com
An elderly couple in Williamson County, Illinois lost $121,000 in an imposter scam where criminals posing as PayPal representatives and federal agents convinced them their accounts were compromised and persuaded them to withdraw cash for "secure" federal custody. Three Chinese nationals were arrested in October and face federal wire fraud charges after attempting to pick up the withdrawn funds at the couple's residence. U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe warned southern Illinois residents about the prevalence of imposter scams targeting seniors, which typically involve fraudsters impersonating legitimate companies or government officials to manipulate victims into draining their accounts.
recordgazette.net
The Beaumont Senior Center hosted a Lunch and Learn educational session on November 2 covering consumer fraud, identity theft, and elder abuse, featuring C.A.R.E. coordinator Robin McMullen who discussed prevention strategies and available resources including Adult Protective Services. The free event provided attendees with information on recognizing these crimes, how they occur, and what steps to take if victimized.
signalscv.com
Multiple U.S. regulatory agencies reported in December that elder financial exploitation costs Americans over $28 billion annually, with over 155,000 cases reported between June 2022 and June 2023 linked to approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity. The FBI documented over 101,000 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with victims over 60 losing an average of $33,915—nearly 270% higher than 2020—primarily through investment scams, business email compromise, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes. Regulatory agencies urged financial institutions to strengthen protections by increasing account oversight, training employees to recognize exploitation, and coordinating with law enforcement and elder
businessjournalism.org
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans experienced scams in the past year, with consumers reporting over $10 billion in fraud losses to the FTC in 2023—a 14% increase from the previous year. While scammers target all age groups through different methods (younger adults face online shopping and cryptocurrency scams, while older adults are vulnerable to tech support and imposter scams), seniors are particularly lucrative targets due to their collective wealth of $84 trillion. As scammers become increasingly sophisticated using AI-powered techniques like voice cloning, deepfakes, and convincing phishing schemes, awareness and education remain the most effective defenses against fraud.
woodlandsonline.com
This educational article outlines six strategies for protecting seniors from online threats on social media platforms. According to the FBI, seniors over 60 lost approximately $3.4 billion to online scams in 2023, with average losses of $34,000 per victim, with common threats including phishing scams, romance scams, misinformation, and privacy violations. The recommended protective measures include understanding online risks, promoting digital literacy education, implementing strong security practices (passwords, two-factor authentication), monitoring suspicious activity, and encouraging healthy social media habits.
justice.gov
An elderly couple in Williamson County, Illinois lost $121,000 to an imposter scam in which fraudsters posing as PayPal representatives and federal agents convinced them their accounts were compromised and persuaded them to withdraw cash for "secure" federal custody. Three Chinese nationals have been arrested and charged with federal wire fraud for their roles in the conspiracy, which involved sending pictures of withdrawal slips and arranging cash pickups using code words. U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe warned southern Illinois residents about the prevalence of such scams, which typically begin with communications claiming suspicious account activity and escalate through threats about losing savings and retirement funds.
foxnews.com
Blockchain and cryptocurrency scams are increasingly common and exploit victims through deceptive schemes such as "Pump and Dump" price manipulation, fraudulent Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), phishing attacks, fake giveaways, and cloned platforms. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact promising easy returns, pressure to act quickly, requests for upfront payment, and suspicious links designed to steal credentials. Understanding these red flags and recognizing common scam tactics can help individuals protect themselves from losing money or digital assets to cryptocurrency fraud.
securitybrief.com.au
Australians are being warned of twelve categories of holiday season scams as cyber-security experts anticipate increased fraud risk during peak shopping periods, with previous festive seasons resulting in AUD $50 million in losses. Common scams include parcel delivery fraud, reward point exploitation, fake tax refund schemes, marketplace scams, romance scams, and AI-deepfakes, with New South Wales and Victoria reporting the highest state losses at AUD $13 million and AUD $15 million respectively. To protect themselves, consumers should verify URLs, enable two-factor authentication, keep detailed records of transactions, and stay informed through official scam alerts.
paymentsjournal.com
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed new rules to protect victims of domestic violence and elder abuse from coerced debt, where abusers manipulate victims into taking out loans or credit cards in their names or make unauthorized purchases on their accounts. Financial abuse significantly impacts survivors—nearly three-quarters of domestic violence victims stay in abusive relationships longer because of coerced debt, and clearing this debt can improve credit scores by over 20 points, enabling survivors to rebuild their financial lives. The CFPB is seeking public input on the effects of coerced debt and barriers to aid, with particular focus on vulnerable groups including older Americans, who are less likely to report abuse.
bankingjournal.aba.com
"Fraud as a service" is a growing criminal business model where perpetrators offer tools and infrastructure to commit fraud, recruiting unwitting "money mules" to transfer funds through their bank accounts. Financial losses from fraud targeting seniors over 60 have surged from $500 million in 2018 to $3.5 billion in 2023, with schemes also prevalent on social media platforms targeting younger demographics and even infants through synthetic identity fraud. Banks have a critical 72-hour window to recover fraudulent funds before money leaves accounts, and implementing name-matching verification and monitoring for suspicious transaction patterns like unusual velocity or peer-to-peer transfers can help prevent fraud.
wmur.com
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.
forbes.com
This article by Brian Greenberg, CIO/CTO of RHR International, discusses the prevalence of fake profiles and online scams in the digital age, noting that in 2022 Americans lost $1.3 billion to romance scams alone and $8.8 billion to overall online fraud, with bots comprising over 47% of internet traffic. Greenberg advocates for online platforms to offer free verified accounts to combat these threats by increasing user trust, protecting vulnerable populations like teenagers and elderly adults, and reducing the spread of misinformation. The proposal emphasizes that free verification would enhance platform safety and reputation while ensuring all users can protect themselves regardless of financial status.
foxnews.com
Tech support scammers are targeting users with unsolicited calls and pop-up warnings claiming their computers have been hacked, exploiting fears by impersonating legitimate companies like Microsoft and demanding immediate payment via non-reversible methods. A Florida resident named Tammy contacted authorities after receiving a fraudulent Microsoft call warning her not to touch her computer. To protect yourself, immediately disengage from suspicious contacts, disconnect from the internet, avoid granting remote access, run antivirus scans, change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.
jcsentinel.com
Several Jackson County residents received threatening telephone scams impersonating the IRS, Attorney General's office, and courts, with callers demanding immediate payment via wire transfer or debit card under threats of arrest, liens, or garnishment. Common scams included IRS impersonation, fake arrest warrants for unpaid taxes or missed jury duty, and charity donation schemes, all designed to extract money or personal information for identity theft. Authorities advised hanging up on such calls and contacting the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 or reporting incidents to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484.
consumerfinance.gov
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) launched a rulemaking initiative to address how credit reporting harms survivors of domestic violence and elder abuse who were coerced into taking on debt by their abusers. Studies show that nearly three-quarters of domestic violence survivors remain in abusive relationships partly due to coerced debt, with women of color experiencing nearly double the average debt burden; when survivors successfully remove coerced debts from their reports, approximately one-third see credit score improvements of 20 points or more. The CFPB is seeking public input on potential amendments to fair credit reporting regulations to better protect abuse survivors and help them rebuild their financial lives.
levittownnow.com
This educational guide from the Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection outlines common holiday shopping scams and prevention strategies. Key scams include fake retailer websites using phishing tactics, gift card theft where criminals harvest card numbers before activation, and fraudulent charities impersonating legitimate organizations. Consumers should verify URLs directly, use secure payment methods, purchase gift cards in-store, and donate only to verified charities to protect themselves during the holiday season.
startsat60.com
This educational article outlines twelve common scams that surge during the Christmas season in Australia, including online shopping fraud, parcel delivery scams, fake charities, counterfeit gift cards, holiday travel scams, romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and phishing attacks. HSBC warns that festive season distractions and increased spending make consumers more vulnerable to fraud, with Australians expected to spend $11.8 billion on gifts in 2024. The article advises consumers to verify websites and retailers, donate through established charity channels, and remain cautious of unsolicited offers and suspicious links.
gisuser.com
Romance scams cost victims an average of $2,000, with total losses exceeding $1 billion in 2023 alone, and 50% of Americans using dating apps between 2018-2023 experienced catfishing. Scammers use stolen photos, love bombing tactics, and requests to move communication off-platform before eventually asking for money, cryptocurrency investments, or personal financial data. To protect yourself, avoid sending money to online contacts, decline investments in digital assets, request video chats to verify identity, and trust your instincts if communication seems inconsistent or suspicious.
technology.inquirer.net
Government agencies (CICC and DOJ) and online bank Maya discussed the eight most common online scams affecting Filipinos—including phishing, identity theft, ransomware, online shopping fraud, tech support scams, social media scams, investment/crypto scams, and romance scams—at the Protecta Pilipinas launch event. Panelists warned that scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using tower hijacking techniques to send spoofed messages from legitimate institutions and targeting online shoppers with losses ranging from ₱3,500 to ₱17,000. Authorities advised the public to avoid clicking suspicious links and carefully verify messages claiming to be from
ktar.com
**Article:** "Beware of 'quishing' emails! These scary scams can hurt your computer"
Phishing scams exploit human emotions through social engineering and malware-laden links or attachments, with cybercriminals increasingly using "quishing" (QR code phishing) to bypass email security filters. If you fall for a phishing scam, immediate steps include scanning for malware if you clicked a link, changing your password from a secure device using a 12+ character unique password, enabling two-factor authentication on all accounts, and monitoring for credential stuffing attacks where hackers use stolen login information across multiple websites.
losaltosonline.com
Los Altos crime prevention officer Rod Sayre visited a senior center to warn homeowners about spring-season scams targeting seniors, noting that scam artists become more active during this time of year alongside seasonal pest problems. The article emphasizes the need for senior homeowners to be vigilant and informed about fraud risks, though specific scam details are not provided in the available excerpt.
punchng.com
**Business Email Compromise and Romance Scam Operation**
Okechukwu Osuji, a 39-year-old Nigerian national, was sentenced to eight years in prison for orchestrating a $6 million fraud scheme involving business email compromise and romance scams that victimized organizations and individuals across the United States. Osuji and his co-conspirators impersonated legitimate businesses in electronic communications to trick victims into transferring funds, while also exploiting elderly individuals through romance scams to use them as unwitting "money mules"—including one woman who sent her entire savings and social security checks to someone she believed was her romantic partner. His accomplice
click2houston.com
A Houston woman named Kimberly Relford lost $100 in a rental scam after finding a fraudulent listing on Redfin for a 3-bedroom home listed at $1,500. She sent a non-refundable PayPal payment to a scammer posing as "Peter" and received a lease agreement, but discovered the fraud when she contacted the actual property owner. Redfin confirmed the listing was created using a stolen identity and has emphasized its multi-layered fraud detection system, while experts advise renters to verify properties in person and confirm that real estate agents are certified before making any payments.
telus.com
**Article:** "I know where you live!": the latest sextortion scam exposed
The "Hello Pervert" sextortion scam emails intimidate victims to pay in cryptocurrency by threatening to expose compromising content and now include a new tactic—photos of recipients' homes obtained from Google Maps Street View. To protect themselves, victims should never pay or respond to such emails, report them to law enforcement and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, and take preventive measures including blurring their homes on Google Maps, conducting dark web scans, maintaining strong passwords, and running regular security scans on all devices.
blog.knowbe4.com
The IRS issued an advisory warning taxpayers of holiday-themed shopping scams, including phishing emails impersonating delivery services and the IRS itself that trick victims into disclosing personal information such as Social Security numbers, bank accounts, and passwords. These scams are expected to intensify during the holiday season and tax season, potentially leading to identity theft and fraud. The IRS recommends avoiding unsecured Wi-Fi, maintaining updated security software, using strong passwords, and enabling multi-factor authentication to protect against these threats.
ftc.gov
This is an educational awareness piece, not a news report of a specific fraud incident. It does not fit the Elderus database focus on elder fraud cases.
**Summary (if needed for general reference):** The FTC and IRS warn small business owners that the busy holiday shopping season creates vulnerability to scams and tax-related identity theft, and recommend implementing strong data security (encryption, multifactor authentication, employee training), learning to recognize common scams, and reporting suspicious activity to the FTC or identity theft to IdentityTheft.gov.
foxnews.com
During the holiday season, scammers deploy sophisticated phishing emails impersonating trusted companies like Apple, Target, Temu, and delivery services to trick recipients into revealing personal and financial information. Common tactics include fake giveaway offers, free product promotions, package delivery alerts with artificial urgency, and deceptive survey requests that use official logos, capital letters, and urgent language to appear legitimate. Users are advised to verify tracking numbers and sender addresses before clicking links, and to be skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications and requests for personal information.
taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov
The IRS warns that scammers are using social media to mislead taxpayers into claiming ineligible tax credits—including the Fuel Tax Credit, sick and family leave credits, and overstated withholding—promising "free money" refunds. Thousands of false refund claims have resulted in significant delays, with the IRS freezing questionable returns and requiring taxpayers to provide documentation or face penalties; taxpayers must promptly amend their returns to remove fraudulent credits to resolve the issue.