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democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting senior citizens nationwide has reached the Rochester area, with reported losses exceeding $55 million in the second half of 2023. Scammers pose as tech support, finance, or government officials to convince victims their accounts are at risk, then persuade them to liquidate assets into cash, gold, or other valuables before taking control of the converted assets, sometimes using couriers. The FBI advises seniors not to convert assets based on unsolicited calls, avoid meeting unknown couriers, prevent unauthorized computer access, and report suspicious contacts immediately to ic3.gov or the Elder Justice Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11.
bankinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
During a Senate hearing, Senator Richard Blumenthal revealed that Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo reimbursed only 38% of unauthorized Zelle transaction claims from 2021-2023, leaving consumers responsible for approximately $100 million in fraud losses, though the banks disputed these findings and claimed 100% reimbursement rates. The three largest banks collectively rejected scam disputes worth $560 million during this period and facilitate 73% of all Zelle transactions on the platform, which now handles $806 billion annually across 2,100 financial institutions. Bank representatives defended their fraud prevention efforts through technology and consumer education, while experts noted that
disb.dc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource from DISB (District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking) provides information on common scam types to help consumers protect themselves during financial transactions. The tracker includes detailed examples of advance fee scams, affinity scams by licensed professionals, and credit card phishing scams, with specific case narratives and protective strategies such as verifying information directly with legitimate agencies and being cautious of unsolicited financial offers.
irontontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare fraud costs the program an estimated $60 billion annually and can result in identity theft and financial loss for beneficiaries. Common scams include unsolicited contacts requesting personal information, fake websites, pressure to act quickly, and unauthorized billing for services never received. The article recommends protecting yourself by sharing Medicare and Social Security numbers only with trusted individuals, carrying your Medicare card selectively, reviewing statements carefully, and reporting suspected fraud to the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-488-6070 (extension 4 in Ohio).
live5news.com
· 2025-12-08
Two separate lawsuits have been filed by Lowcountry senior citizens who lost thousands of dollars in cryptocurrency scams involving Bitcoin ATMs. In one Berkeley County case, a victim lost over $11,000 after scammers impersonating bank officials instructed them to withdraw savings and deposit them into a Bitcoin ATM; in another Dorchester County case, a couple nearly lost their entire savings through similar tactics. The plaintiffs are suing financial institutions and Bitcoin ATM operators for alleged negligence in failing to prevent or warn about these suspicious transactions, with scammers exploiting elderly victims' unfamiliarity with cryptocurrency technology.
wlbt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 93-year-old Mississippi woman lost $1,600 after being called by a scammer impersonating a Publishers Clearing House representative who claimed she had won $2.5 million and demanded upfront fees, which the victim paid via gift cards. The scam depleted her bank account, put it in the negative, and the scammer continued harassing her via text messages; local law enforcement noted that most such scams originate overseas, making prosecution nearly impossible.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Idaho's Department of Finance and Commission on Aging have established a joint Senior Fraud and Financial Exploitation Prevention Working Group (SFFEP) comprising financial and senior protection experts to develop policies and solutions protecting seniors from financial crime. With seniors losing an estimated $36.5 billion annually to scams and cybercrime losses reaching $3.4 billion in 2023 alone, the working group aims to improve fraud prevention, identification, enforcement, public education, and reporting mechanisms for Idaho's senior community.
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
Two unlicensed contractors, John Francis McDonough (31) from Philadelphia and James Anthony Eugene Ward (25), were charged with operating a home improvement scam targeting elderly and vulnerable Long Island homeowners under the business name "Top Line Masonry." The men would deliberately damage properties and falsely report existing damage to solicit repair work, with Nassau County police reporting 31 home improvement scams this year—22 involving elderly victims—including one case where a homeowner was defrauded of $239,000. Both men face multiple felony charges including first-degree scheme to defraud, and investigators are still determining the total number of victims and amount defrauded by this pair.
latintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Dominican nationals, Rafael Ambiorix Rodríguez Guzmán and Félix Samuel Reynoso Ventura, were extradited to the United States and charged as part of an 11-person indictment involving a large-scale elder fraud scheme that defrauded hundreds of American seniors of millions of dollars. Operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic, the conspirators used spoofed U.S. phone numbers to impersonate grandchildren claiming to need emergency money, then posed as attorneys and officials to convince victims to wire or mail thousands in cash to couriers. Both defendants face up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines if convicted on fraud and money laundering
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian internet fraudster Marcel, a 26-year-old "Yahoo boy" based in Abuja, destroyed evidence by hiding his phone in a toilet pipe when Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials raided his apartment building in May following a tip-off about suspected cybercriminals in the area. Though officers searched his room and discovered his phone charger, they did not locate the hidden device, and Marcel was not arrested during the raid, though he admitted to using the phone for "bombing and grinding" (finding and defrauding online victims) for over two years.
openaccessgovernment.org
· 2025-12-08
During the COVID-19 pandemic, cybercriminals exploited vulnerable populations through phishing emails (up 220%), fake vaccine offers, and impersonation scams, with older adults particularly targeted due to limited digital literacy and social isolation. Impersonation scam cases doubled to 39,394 in 2020, romance scams increased 38%, and investment scams rose 32%, resulting in £479 million in Authorized Push Payment fraud losses in the UK with victims recovering only £206.9 million. Financial services firms are urged to implement continuous fraud awareness campaigns and change communication practices to avoid inadvertently training customers to fall victim to scams.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Gold bar scams have defrauded more than a dozen victims in Montgomery County, Maryland alone, with losses exceeding $1 million in individual cases, targeting primarily elderly individuals by convincing them to convert their savings into gold bars under false promises of safekeeping in government vaults. Scammers exploit economic anxiety and victims' unfamiliarity with gold purchasing by posing as financial advisors, directing victims to purchase gold through legitimate retailers before criminals take possession of the assets, which are then difficult to recover or trace once melted down. Montgomery County police have identified at least 17 victims of these schemes in the county, with the State's Attorney noting millions lost in total across the region.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
From May to December, the FBI received over $55 million in complaints related to gold scams in which fraudsters impersonated government officials, falsely claimed victims' accounts were hacked, and sent couriers to collect cash or validate transactions. The agency warns that individual losses often exceed $500,000 and recommends protecting personal information, avoiding unsolicited pop-ups and unknown callers, and never allowing strangers computer access, with scam reports available at IC3.gov.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
The article discusses concerns that rapid digitalization and the shift toward cashless transactions create vulnerability for senior citizens who lack digital literacy skills. Seniors forced to adopt online and digital payment methods before they are ready face increased stress and become easier targets for scammers and fraud.
glasgowtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in East Dunbartonshire impersonated police officers and defrauded multiple older residents of four and five-figure sums by calling them at home, claiming concerns about fraudulent bank card use, and convincing victims to withdraw cash or provide bank details. The criminals would then collect the money in person while posing as plain-clothed officers. Police Scotland issued an urgent warning that legitimate officers and banks will never phone to request money transfers, withdrawals, or personal financial information, and advised residents to hang up on such calls and contact police on 101 if unsure.
wxxinews.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning about a scam targeting seniors nationwide in which fraudsters impersonate bank or government officials and convince victims to withdraw cash or purchase gold bars to "protect" their accounts, then send a courier to collect the assets and disappear. From May to December 2023, the Internet Crime Complaint Center recorded losses exceeding $55 million from this scheme, with individual victims losing up to $1 million or more. The FBI advises that legitimate officials never request account liquidation and urges people to refuse requests to meet unknown individuals for cash or precious metal transfers.
picketfencemedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Assemblymember Laurie Davies hosted two senior scam awareness seminars in Oceanside and Vista that drew over 300 participants, highlighting that seniors in San Diego County lost $97.3 million to scams in 2023. The article outlines six common elder fraud schemes—including tech support, romance, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, and home repair scams—and advises seniors to verify suspicious calls directly with institutions, never share financial information over the phone, and report scams to local police to increase recovery chances and help law enforcement stop fraudsters.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Police in Nagpur arrested Raja Shariff, brother of an RTE admission scam mastermind, after discovering evidence linking him to wildlife poaching operations in Madhya Pradesh involving the illegal hunting of nilgai, spotted deer, and black bucks. Additional charges were filed against Raja under child protection laws after police found objectionable material involving a minor on his seized mobile phone, with the case forwarded to Seoni police for further investigation.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
Eight major digital tech companies (Google, Meta, Yahoo, X, Snap, TikTok, Discord, and Twitch) have voluntarily adopted an Australian Online Scams Code to combat fraud while the government develops mandatory legislation, committing to verify advertisers, screen for suspicious content, and increase intelligence sharing with regulators. The code addresses growing scam losses, particularly social media scams which reached $95 million in reported losses in 2023—a 250% increase since 2020—with most fraud originating from WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and online dating platforms.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers posing as artists on social media target victims by claiming they will pay thousands of dollars for permission to paint their photo. The scheme involves sending a fake check that initially appears legitimate and shows funds in the victim's account; the victim then withdraws money to send to the "artist" for supplies, but when the bank discovers the check is fraudulent, the victim loses both their own money and owes the bank for withdrawn funds. The FTC advises depositing checks only from known and trusted sources.
k99.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Colorado are targeting pet owners who post about lost animals by impersonating Humane Society representatives and demanding immediate payment over the phone for veterinary care before releasing the pet. The Northern Colorado Humane Society warns that legitimate animal shelters never request money by phone or electronic app to reunite owners with their pets; any fees are handled in person upon pickup.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received over 192,000 fraud reports from military consumers (active service members, veterans, retirees, and families), resulting in $477 million in total losses, with nearly one-third of reports involving actual financial loss. The most common scams targeting this population included imposter scams, online shopping fraud, investment schemes ($147 million from under 4,000 reports), identity theft (over 39,000 reports), housing scams, and fake government benefits schemes. Wisconsin officials emphasized that military consumers are disproportionately targeted by scammers and highlighted July as Military Consumer Protection Month to raise awareness.
morning-times.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Tina Pickett held a town hall meeting at the 23rd annual Bradford County Senior Expo in Athens, Pennsylvania, where seniors and their families gathered for information and discussion. A representative from the Department of Banking presented educational information to attendees about telephone and online scams targeting seniors.
gainesvilleregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration sent legitimate emails last month notifying recipients about updates to their online "My Social Security" accounts to align with federal authentication standards and improve security. The article warns seniors to verify any Social Security-related emails by checking the official SSA website (www.ssa.gov) rather than clicking links in emails, as scammers create fraudulent websites mimicking the agency's format to steal personal information.
wusa9.com
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old Maryland man, Vipul Thakkar, was arrested and charged with stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from at least a 74-year-old victim since March by impersonating a government official and convincing them to convert savings into gold bars for "safekeeping." At least 20 similar victims have been identified across Montgomery County, and authorities are investigating potential connections, noting that recovery of the gold is extremely difficult once transferred.
thevibes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 92-year-old retired Malaysian government employee named Tony lost over RM1 million to a con artist named "Arun" who befriended him in 2017 under the guise of being a pool contractor. Over three years, Arun exploited Tony's trust and declining memory by overcharging for construction work, double-billing, using shell companies to launder money, fraudulently obtaining his Mercedes Benz, and forging documents to transfer Tony's RM2.6 million house. Tony's family discovered the scheme in 2020 and successfully recovered the house through court action in 2021, though Arun was never located; Tony lost nearly
connexionfrance.com
· 2025-12-08
France is warning residents and tourists this summer about multiple scams targeting travelers and holidaymakers, including fake emergency pleas at service stations (€400-900 requests), roadside panic schemes where fraudsters flag down drivers to distract and rob them, staged tire-slashing in parking lots, inflated restaurant bills, and fraudulent vacation rental listings with AI-generated photos. To avoid these scams, authorities recommend being skeptical of urgent cash requests, never stopping for roadside emergencies, keeping vehicles locked, verifying bills before payment, and scrutinizing too-good-to-be-true accommodation offers.
ifamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Research from LV= found that young adults aged 18-34 reported more scam victimization than older adults, with 3.8 million UK victims losing money to purchase fraud last year; young adults experienced higher rates across all scam types (phishing, trusted organization impersonation, refund, befriending, and investment scams) compared to those 65 and over, possibly due to greater daily online time averaging 4 hours 35 minutes. The findings highlight that despite increased financial scams over three years, many consumers lack knowledge about reporting mechanisms and that those with financial advisers were more likely to take appropriate action and understand relevant regulatory bodies like the FCA
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance For A Safe Community, advocates for maintaining over-the-counter bank transactions for senior citizens to enhance financial security and prevent fraud, citing that many elderly individuals lack digital literacy and face age-related challenges with technology. His statement was prompted by recent incidents in which scammers posing as helpful strangers stole over RM100,000 from elderly people at ATM machines by switching their cards and stealing PIN numbers. Lee argues that banks should provide in-person assistance and alternative transaction methods for seniors to prevent social isolation and ensure equitable access to essential banking services.
gantnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, banks reported over $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity, with FBI reports indicating average losses exceeding $33,000 per case, driven partly by advanced AI technologies like voice cloning that enable realistic impersonation. Common scams targeting elders employ two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering attractive opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted confidants about unusual requests.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60+ lost more than $11 million to scams in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, making them attractive to scammers who use impersonation tactics (posing as bankers, government agents, IT experts, romantic partners, and relatives) and increasingly sophisticated online methods like phishing and email scams. Tech support scams were the most common type nationally, while romance and confidence scams caused the highest losses in New Hampshire
mcknightsseniorliving.com
· 2025-12-08
Current and former residents of three Brookdale Senior Living communities in California advanced a class action lawsuit (Stiner vs. Brookdale, filed 2017) after a judge certified three community-based subclasses in July, with trial scheduled for January. The residents alleged elder financial abuse, widespread ADA violations, understaffing that prevented adequate care including medication errors and basic hygiene needs, and violations of California's consumer protection laws. Brookdale denied the allegations and stated it was pleased with the court's partial denial of plaintiffs' motions, though the company faces multiple lawsuits regarding staffing levels and service quality claims.
ncnewsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors lost over $3.4 billion to scams last year, including romance scams, grandparent schemes, and technical support fraud, with criminals exploiting internet, phone calls, texting, and social media to target vulnerable populations. The Federal Trade Commission reported total U.S. fraud losses reached $10 billion in the previous year (a 14% increase), with email displacement and phone calls becoming the most common contact methods used by scammers. The article emphasizes that banks, law enforcement, and federal agencies must coordinate better efforts to combat fraud targeting seniors, and individuals should never share sensitive personal information or transfer money in response to unsolicited contact.
pilotonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Virginia's Attorney General Jason Miyares established a new investigatory task force within the attorney general's office dedicated to targeting elder abuse, recognizing the protection of seniors as a commonwealth priority. The editorial board supports this initiative as a meaningful step forward in combating elder fraud and abuse in the state.
foreignaffairs.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this text as it is not an article or transcript about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. This appears to be only website header/footer information with navigation links and copyright details from a news website. There is no substantive content to summarize for the Elderus database.
If you have an actual article or transcript about elder fraud or abuse, please provide that text and I'll be happy to summarize it.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for this content. The article appears to be a news headline listing from a local station (WSFA) covering general community interest stories such as charitable giving, Girl Scout cookies, education programs, and local government—none of which involve scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
For the Elderus database, please provide articles or transcripts specifically related to elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse incidents.
marinij.com
· 2025-12-08
Two suspects, Ronnie Curtis Baker and Kimberley Marie Mallory, were charged with defrauding an 80-year-old Greenbrae resident through a mortgage fraud scheme in 2022-2023, with Baker falsely posing as a licensed contractor to steal the victim's identity and obtain a $250,000 fraudulent loan against the victim's home. Baker laundered approximately $230,000 through business accounts for personal use and property purchases, while Mallory, a notary public, allegedly aided in the scheme; Baker faces up to 23 years in prison if convicted, while Mallory faces up to nine years.
du.edu
· 2025-12-08
The Paul Freeman Financial Security Program at the University of Denver expanded the Colorado Older Adults Financial Justice Coalition to combat elder financial fraud, which costs older Americans over $20 billion annually. The coalition brings together state agencies, advocacy organizations, and researchers to develop prevention tools and frameworks that address the complex relationship between cognitive health, financial decision-making, and vulnerability to exploitation. The team is creating a financial vulnerability scale and training programs for frontline workers to identify and protect at-risk individuals across the lifespan.
courier-journal.com
· 2025-12-08
Juan Carlos Arcena Cabrera, a New York resident, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison for defrauding a Kentucky senior of $59,000 through a "grandparent scam" in which he posed as the victim's grandson claiming an emergency need for money. Cabrera, who pleaded guilty to targeting multiple victims over years, coordinated with others to fabricate scenarios such as car accidents or legal troubles, then repeatedly contacted victims impersonating attorneys and professionals to extract additional funds. The case is part of a national trend of grandparent scams that the U.S. Justice Department has prioritized, with some scammers using voice-cloning technology to increase authent
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old Maryland man was charged with operating a "Gold Bar Scam" that defrauded a 74-year-old Bethesda victim of over $1 million between May and June. The scam involved sending official-looking FTC lawsuit letters, then posing as an attorney who convinced the victim to convert his assets into gold eight separate times. Investigators believe this is part of a larger scheme affecting multiple elderly victims across Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60 and older lost more than $11 million to fraud in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own their homes, making them attractive victims for scammers who pose as bankers, government agents, IT experts, and romantic partners. Tech support scams are the most common form of elder fraud, while romance and confidence scams result in the largest financial losses, though experts note these crimes are vastly underreported due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
unionleader.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 400 New Hampshire residents age 60 and older lost over $11 million to scams in 2023, with tech support fraud being the most common type and romance scams causing the highest financial losses. Seniors are disproportionately targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, while scammers increasingly use online tactics like phishing and email scams targeting Baby Boomers with computer skills. Experts attribute the rise in elder fraud to increased online activity that exposes personal information, scammers' use of impersonation and research tactics, and significant underreporting due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
moodyonthemarket.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel will speak at a town hall in St. Joseph on August 4, 2024, to educate seniors about avoiding scams, following FBI data showing that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with an average victim loss of $33,915. The event, hosted by Region IV Area Agency on Aging, will address the most common scams targeting people aged 60 and older, including tech support scams (nearly 18,000 reported cases), romance scams, investment scams, and non-delivery scams. The free community event will provide consumer protection tips and scam prevention strategies.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
The Central Alabama Aging Consortium held its annual Elder Justice and Fraud Caregiver Conference in Prattville to educate the public about scams targeting elderly people. Conference organizers emphasized that scammers continuously evolve their tactics across online and phone fraud schemes, making it challenging to stay current on threats. The conference provided resources and recommended warning signs of fraud, such as elderly individuals being reluctant to discuss finances or having difficulty paying bills, with additional tips available on the CAAC website.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Elder Fraud Awareness Event**: The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library will host an FBI-led presentation on elder fraud at 6 p.m. Thursday, covering current fraud schemes, protection strategies, and victim support resources available to residents, families, and communities.
wqad.com
· 2025-12-08
The Rock Island Police Department has restarted its Elderly Service Officer program, appointing Officer Dion Brooks to investigate elder abuse and neglect and educate seniors ages 60 and over about common scams and fraud. The program, originally established in 1993 but paused due to staffing shortages, addresses a critical gap in services for vulnerable elderly residents, particularly targeting family financial exploitation, which Brooks identifies as one of the most common scams in the area.
siliconvalley.com
· 2025-12-08
Two suspects—Ronnie Curtis Baker, 58, and Kimberley Marie Mallory, 52—were charged with defrauding an 80-year-old Greenbrae resident of approximately $250,000 in a mortgage fraud scheme occurring in 2022 and 2023. Baker, posing as a licensed contractor, stole the victim's identity to obtain a fraudulent loan against the victim's home and laundered roughly $230,000 through business accounts for personal purchases and property acquisition, while Mallory, a notary public, allegedly aided in the crimes. Baker faces up to 23 years in prison on 12 counts including
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Medina County woman was scammed out of over $100,000 after being contacted by someone claiming she had won $8 million from Publisher's Clearing House and instructed to send money for taxes. Thanks to coordinated efforts by the Medina County Scam Squad, FBI, U.S. Postal Service, and local police, the package containing two cashier's checks was intercepted en route to New York City and the victim's money was recovered; defendant Raldane A. Cunningham was charged with two counts of telecommunication fraud and ordered to post a $50,000 bond. The Medina County Scam Squad adv
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three men from Maryland and Ohio were indicted for operating a $3.5 million technical support scam that defrauded over 1,000 victims, many of whom were older adults. The defendants used pop-up windows, unsolicited calls, and fake online listings to convince victims their computers had serious security issues requiring immediate payment for repair services. If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud conspiracy and related charges.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud is rapidly rising globally, with UK banks reporting 20% increases in cases, predominantly targeting women (43% more victims than men) through dating apps and social media platforms. Fraudsters build trust over time before manipulating victims into sending money via cryptocurrency, which they believed was irretrievable; however, recent legal developments have enabled courts to freeze and potentially recover stolen cryptocurrency through blockchain-based legal orders. Victims should recognize warning signs including reluctance to video call, fake profiles, sudden requests for money, and excuses preventing in-person meetings, and should report cases despite feelings of embarrassment.