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therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-08
Online shopping scams were the FBI's second most reported fraud among seniors in 2021, with over 13,000 complaints involving fraudulent products and non-delivery. The article provides practical security guidance for seniors shopping online, including using reputable retailers with secure websites (https://), creating strong passwords, verifying communications independently, using secure payment methods, and regularly monitoring financial statements for unauthorized charges.
therogersvillereview.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams target seniors through deceptive emails posing as trustworthy entities to steal sensitive information like passwords, credit card details, and personal data. Key warning signs include suspicious sender addresses, spelling errors, unexpected attachments, and artificial urgency or threats. Seniors can protect themselves by enabling two-factor authentication, avoiding clicking links, verifying requests with known contacts, never sharing personal information via email or unsolicited calls, and keeping devices updated with security software.
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to financial scams (averaging $33,915 per victim), with tech support scams, data breaches, and romance scams being most prevalent due to older adults' assets, trusting nature, and lower likelihood of reporting fraud. Experts recommend protecting against scams through basic data hygiene practices (secure websites, strong passwords, two-factor authentication), using credit cards for online purchases, verifying suspicious communications directly with sources, establishing multiple trusted contacts to monitor accounts, and fostering open conversations about fraud to reduce shame and encourage reporting.
asiaone.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned Singaporeans about deepfake scam videos falsely depicting him promoting investment products with guaranteed returns. Scammers used AI technology to synchronize his voice and mouth movements with footage of his 2023 National Day message, creating convincing fake videos designed to deceive viewers into signing up for fraudulent schemes. He urged the public to remain vigilant, report such scams via the Government's ScamShield Bot, and remember that investment offers sounding too good to be true warrant caution.
inyourarea.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Janet Smith, 62, fell victim to a Facebook romance scam involving an imposter posing as Take That singer Gary Barlow who flattered her and requested money over a week-long interaction. After confronting the scammer—a 24-year-old man from Nigeria—and exposing the deception, the real Gary Barlow learned of her story and invited her to a Take That concert in Norwich, where he met with her and thanked her for her grace in handling the situation. Janet now uses her experience to raise awareness about catfishing and scams, and the article provides tips for spotting and avoiding similar deceptions online.
irishcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Irish nationals, John McNamara and Dean Morgan, were arrested in New York City and charged with four counts of theft and one count of racketeering for operating a roofing scam targeting elderly Denver residents between April and May 2024. The men allegedly defrauded homeowners by falsely claiming their roofs were infested with pests and required urgent repairs, leaving some properties damaged; both men are also under investigation for similar offenses in California.
news.blueshieldca.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** Blue Shield of California Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Alert
Blue Shield of California warned Medicare beneficiaries during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 3-9, 2024) about scams targeting seniors seeking personal, financial, and health plan information. Healthcare fraud costs the U.S. up to $300 billion annually, with older adults accounting for 40% of call center fraud complaints and 58% of losses—nearly $770 million in 2023, more than all other age groups combined. The organization recommends seniors protect themselves by never sharing personal information, verifying callers through official numbers like 1-800-MEDICARE, reviewing Explanation of Benefits statements
cbs58.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau provided tips to help consumers avoid hotel reservation scams during peak spring and summer travel booking season. Jim Temmer, president of the Wisconsin BBB, shared guidance on how to prevent falling victim to online hotel booking fraud.
which.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This Which? article provides consumer awareness about common scams rather than reporting a specific fraud incident. The piece highlights three prevalent scam types: hotel booking fraud where hackers gain access to hotel systems to send phishing messages requesting card details (with 40 reported Booking.com scams in early 2024); phone/broadband provider impersonation calls offering refunds or upgrades while tricking victims into sharing remote access or making unauthorized payments; and hidden subscription scams where victims are charged recurring fees (up to £50/month) through misleading ads and fake QR codes. The article emphasizes that all consumers are vulnerable to sophisticated fraud and recommends awareness and protective measures.
m.cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Port St. Lucie Police reported a surge in text and phone scams in which perpetrators demanded money from residents while making violent threats, using personal information gleaned from social media or government websites and sending intimidating photos to coerce payment, with some falsely claiming cartel affiliations. Fortunately, recent victims recognized these scams as fraudulent and did not pay, and police advised residents to remain vigilant and resist fear-based pressure tactics.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Harvard Business School study found that AI-generated phishing emails were as effective as human-created ones, deceiving 60% of participants, while large language models can automate the entire phishing process and reduce scam costs by 95%. Researchers warn that phishing attacks will likely increase drastically in both quality and quantity, though they note that AI tools like Claude can also help detect phishing attempts and recommend defensive strategies such as verifying offers through official company websites.
wfmynews2.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending increasingly convincing text messages impersonating USPS, claiming packages cannot be delivered and requesting action within 12 hours, often including fake links and polite language like "We wish you a wonderful day" to appear legitimate. Red flags include the sender being a .com address or regular phone number rather than an official source, and requests for payment to complete delivery. The actual USPS does not send text messages about packages, so recipients should verify delivery status by logging directly into their carrier's account rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
newschannel5.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating Geek Squad have defrauded consumers of $15 million, with the FTC receiving over 52,000 complaints about this scheme. In one case, Barbara Kraus received a fraudulent bill for antivirus protection and lost $4,000 when she called the number on the fake invoice; the scammer then pressured her to purchase gift cards and provide personal banking information. Authorities advise consumers to hang up if pressured for personal information and to verify requests directly with companies rather than using contact information from unsolicited messages.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Best Buy/Geek Squad, Amazon, and PayPal were the most frequently impersonated companies in scams, with 52,000, 34,000, and 10,000 reported instances respectively, though Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams caused the highest losses at $60 million and $49 million. Scammers commonly demanded payment through cryptocurrency, bank transfers, PayPal, CashApp, Zelle, and gift cards. The FTC has finalized new rules to strengthen enforcement against scammers impersonating businesses and government agencies, and urges consumers to report suspicious activity.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Timothy Bartlett, 69, of Deltona, Florida, was arrested for defrauding a Tampa-area nonprofit organization of $5,000 by falsely posing as a cancer patient named "Sally Holmes" seeking living expense assistance. Investigators discovered Bartlett had perpetrated the same scam against at least four other nonprofits in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin that provide financial aid to cancer patients.
nebraska.tv
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this, but the content you've provided appears to be a weather forecast and website navigation elements rather than an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
Could you please share the actual article text or content you'd like me to summarize? Once you provide the full article or transcript about fraud, scams, or elder abuse, I'll be happy to create a 2-3 sentence summary following the Elderus database guidelines.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in the Susquehanna Valley have affected multiple victims, including a 53-year-old Lebanon County man who lost over $10,000, Mark Heath who lost $165,000, and a woman who lost $40,000, with scammers posing as romantic interests to extract money from vulnerable individuals, particularly widows and widowers. The FBI recommends victims be cautious about online information sharing, verify profiles through reverse image searches, avoid sending money to online-only contacts, and watch for red flags such as requests to move off dating platforms, promises to meet that never materialize, and requests for financial or personal information.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Blue Shield of California issued a Medicare Fraud Prevention Week alert warning seniors about scammers targeting personal and financial information, noting that healthcare fraud costs up to $300 billion annually in the U.S. and that older adults lost nearly $770 million to call center schemes in 2023—more than all other age groups combined. The health plan recommends Medicare beneficiaries protect themselves by never sharing personal information unsolicited, refusing free offers for medical care, and contacting Medicare directly at 1-800-633-4227 if they suspect fraudulent activity.
ag.state.mn.us
· 2025-12-08
Upright Cane, an online retailer, defrauded seniors and disabled Minnesotans by advertising and accepting payment for walkers and scooters but failing to deliver any products, while also submitting falsified shipment evidence to block credit card chargebacks. The company owner Caelan Nwokeuku agreed to a 10-year ban from selling in Minnesota and will pay $50,000 in fines and restitution to victims, with the Attorney General's Office facilitating refunds to harmed consumers.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare fraud costs an estimated $60 billion annually and affects beneficiaries through loss of medical identity, time, stress, and potential health consequences. The Ohio Senior Medicare Patrol launched Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 5-6) to educate beneficiaries, caregivers, families, and healthcare providers on protective measures such as monitoring insurance statements, verifying medical equipment orders, safeguarding Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity.
ncnewsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare fraud costs the government billions annually and affects beneficiaries through fraudulent billing schemes ranging from unnecessary medical tests to identity theft using stolen Medicare numbers. Senior Medicare Patrols (SMPs) work to help beneficiaries and caregivers prevent and detect fraud, with Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (held annually in June) providing education on common scams including unwanted COVID-19 test kits, genetic testing, and durable medical equipment schemes. Beneficiaries can protect themselves by monitoring Medicare statements, refusing unsolicited offers for free services or equipment, and immediately reporting suspicious charges to Medicare.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old professional lost over $700,000 in less than two months after being approached on LinkedIn in May 2023 by a woman claiming to be a 37-year-old named Violaine Chen who lived in San Francisco. Through thousands of WhatsApp messages combining romance and investment advice, the scammer convinced him to download a fraudulent investment app called Fuex and deposit money into accounts in Hong Kong, initially requesting $1,500 and escalating from there. The "pig butchering" romance scam damaged his 40-year marriage and nearly cost him his life before he became aware of the fraud.
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
Chatham County's Department of Social Services hosted a senior resource fair to address the growing problem of financial exploitation targeting vulnerable adults. In 2022, $3 billion was lost to financial exploitation nationwide, with sweetheart scams and exploitation by trusted individuals (such as those with power of attorney) being the most common types reported in Chatham County, where cases have increased from 25% to approximately 33% of all reports. Officials recommend people "see it, stop it, and report it" by recognizing warning signs like unusual money transfers and gift card purchases, immediately contacting banks and law enforcement, and reporting suspected exploitation to adult protective services or the Federal Trade Commission.
en.cryptonomist.ch
· 2025-12-08
"Crypto Boy," a Netflix film released in October 2023, dramatizes the true-to-life story of Amir, a boy who lost his life savings and recruited friends and relatives into a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme after being promised easy returns by a fraudulent investment platform. The film illustrates a widespread problem in the crypto sector, where analysis of 1,450 Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in 2018 identified 271 as suspicious with approximately $1 billion in fraudulent investments. The scam exemplifies how cryptocurrency schemes use promises of quick earnings and pyramid structures to lure vulnerable victims before operators disappear and funds become inaccessible.
ftadviser.com
· 2025-12-08
Geoff Harris lost £3,042.34 to a text scam impersonating his daughter and initially received only £40 reimbursement from HSBC, which he challenged as inadequate. After Harris contacted FT Adviser, HSBC conducted a new review and, considering mitigating circumstances including his diagnosed OCD and anxiety disorder that were triggered by the emotional situation, offered a full refund. The case highlights how banks may initially overlook mental health factors and vulnerable circumstances when assessing scam victim claims.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Fredericton resident was scammed out of $1,700 after responding to a fake apartment listing on Facebook Marketplace for a unit on Simpson Court; the scammer posed as a nurse claiming to own the property and requested a deposit sight unseen, later attempting to extract an additional $700 for package "insurance" before the victim discovered the fraud through online searches. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that rental scams remain common, with experts recommending prospective tenants view properties in person and research listings thoroughly before sending money, as scammers exploit the competitive rental market and pressure victims to pay quickly.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Midwestern professional lost $716,212 in a "pig butchering" romance scam that began with a LinkedIn message from a scammer posing as a wealthy Chinese woman named Violaine Chen. The scammer built trust over months of intimate conversations before convincing him to invest in a fake trading platform (Fuex), where his account was frozen when he attempted withdrawal, leading him to take out loans to pay fraudulent fees. The man, who reported the crime to the FBI, was left with no recovered funds and hopes his experience will warn others about this sophisticated fraud scheme.
uppermichiganssource.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center hosted a free scam awareness presentation featuring Michigan's Assistant Attorney General Kristen Stinedurf, who addressed phishing, AI scams, and fraud warning signs across calls, texts, mail, and email. The presentation, held in partnership with the Tri-County Office on Aging, targeted seniors new to Medicare and technology who receive frequent scam-related communications, aiming to help attendees recognize and avoid fraud.
mysuncoast.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bradenton senior citizen lost nearly $50,000 after clicking on a phishing message on Facebook that falsely claimed her account was hacked and directed her to call a number for assistance. The Bradenton Police Department warned against similar Facebook messenger scams designed to steal money, advising residents not to click suspicious links or attachments and to report such messages to Facebook immediately.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte held its second annual walk at Freedom Park to raise awareness about elder abuse, organized by AARP, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and Mecklenburg County services ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. Participants highlighted that seniors lose approximately $23.8 billion annually to fraud and scams, while also emphasizing that abuse can occur within families and nursing homes, often exacerbated by isolation and lack of community support.
nny360.com
· 2025-12-08
During World Elder Abuse Month, New York's Department of State highlighted the growing crisis of elder fraud, noting that adults over 60 lost over $3.4 billion in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915. State officials urged New Yorkers to educate themselves and older family members about common scam tactics, warning that scammers use increasingly sophisticated methods to steal money and personal information, and emphasized the importance of reporting suspected abuse to adult protective services.
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud awareness, reporting that scams targeting adults over 60 caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with average victim losses of $33,915. The advisory outlined common scams affecting older adults including medical device scams, grandparent scams, identity theft targeting deceased persons, jury duty scams, and sweepstakes scams, while recommending protective measures such as avoiding unsolicited calls, not clicking unknown links, and verifying requests through trusted phone numbers.
wbiw.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud incidents rose 14% in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing over $724 million to scams in 2022—more than all other age groups combined. The article identifies five prevalent fraud types targeting seniors: impersonation scams (using AI voice technology), robocalls and phishing, the grandparent scam, sweepstakes scams (costing victims nearly $70 million in 2022), and investment/charity scams (causing $1.2 billion in losses in 2023). Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through alternative channels, hanging up on suspicious calls, confirming situations with family members, and researching
gobankingrates.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines 11 common scams expected in 2025 and protective measures for consumers. Key scams include AI-powered fraud (voice cloning, deepfakes, phishing, and fake job postings), check fraud through digital alteration, debt relief scams, and fake package delivery schemes, with seniors particularly targeted through "grandparent scams." The article advises consumers to verify identities before sharing information, use secure payment methods instead of checks, contact legitimate financial institutions directly, and remain vigilant as scammers use advancing technology to make frauds harder to detect.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with Age-Friendly Mecklenburg and AARP-Charlotte, hosted a Walk for Awareness event on June 15, 2024, to highlight World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and increase community recognition of elder exploitation, neglect, and abuse. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from online fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, and romance scams being particularly prevalent threats to older adults.
purplesneakers.tv
· 2025-12-08
This article documents scams targeting musicians by fraudulent PR representatives who take upfront fees ($800-$8,000) without delivering promised services, then disappear with no accountability or evidence of work performed. The scammers exploit artists' insecurities and lack of industry knowledge, often discouraging them from seeking legitimate representation and causing some to abandon music careers entirely. The article provides guidance on vetting PR representatives by asking specific questions about their client load, their genuine interest in the artist's work, their pitch strategy, and requesting references from recent clients.
scamwatch.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
Scams succeed by mimicking legitimate communications and targeting people when they're distracted or rushed, with criminals exploiting new technology and current events to build credible stories that trick victims into sharing money or personal information. The key to protection is pausing to verify requests before acting, as scammers depend on victims being too hurried or eager to spot warning signs or question seemingly trustworthy sources.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints are rising significantly, with the FBI reporting 101,000 victims who lost $3.4 billion in 2023, though AARP estimates actual losses exceed $28 billion annually due to underreporting driven by victim shame and embarrassment. Common scams targeting seniors include AI voice cloning, romance scams, tech support fraud, impersonations of banks and government agencies, and investment schemes. Key protective measures include establishing code words with family to verify identity, never sending money to unknown contacts, ignoring unsolicited pop-up and email messages, hanging up and calling back known numbers to verify callers, and remembering that legitimate government agencies contact by mail rather than
fscs.org.uk
· 2025-12-08
This article from the Financial Conduct Services (FSCS) outlines common financial scams targeting their customers as of September 2025, including fraudulent compensation claims for failed firms like MH Carbon Ltd, London Court Ltd, and various investment companies. Key warning signs include unsolicited calls from non-FSCS numbers, requests for upfront payments, screen-sharing requests, emails with suspicious domains (not @fscs.org.uk), and mentions of URNs or compensation entitlements. FSCS emphasizes that legitimate claims are completely free and advises customers to verify communications directly through official channels and check the FCA register before providing any personal financial information.
intouchweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams, which exploited approximately 70,000 Americans in 2022 resulting in $1.3 billion in losses (a 78% increase from 2020), typically begin on social media platforms (40% of cases) or dating apps where scammers build trust before requesting money for investments, emergencies, or travel. Older adults aged 65 and above are the most frequently targeted demographic and suffer the highest financial losses, with victims experiencing not only severe financial consequences but also profound emotional trauma including shame, betrayal, and lasting psychological harm.
thenevadaglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Las Vegas woman lost approximately $9,000 in a sophisticated phone scam where a caller impersonated her bank, reported fraudulent charges, and convinced her to surrender her debit card to a fake courier who arrived at her door. The scammer used urgent pressure tactics, spoofed caller ID, and already possessed personal details like her address, ultimately gaining access to her account information after the victim handed over her card. The victim has filed a police report and contacted her bank, though recovery of the stolen funds remains uncertain.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
During Melbourne's lockdown, Australian comedian Michelle Brasier transferred $500 AUD to a man named Jacob on Facebook Marketplace for a discounted Pilates Reformer that was never delivered; when Jacob blocked her after refusing a refund, she tracked down his contact information and confronted him, discovering he had scammed multiple people. Rather than pursue legal action, Brasier chose to befriend Jacob after suspecting he was in personal distress, eventually establishing an ongoing relationship based on empathy and radical forgiveness.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men were indicted for allegedly stealing over $8.5 million from thousands of people through a short-term rental scam on Airbnb and Vrbo, operating nearly 100 properties across 10 states by listing the same properties at different prices, overbooking, and canceling reservations with false excuses while using fake identities and addresses. Over two years, they completed more than 10,000 fraudulent reservations and allegedly discriminated against Black renters. To protect themselves, consumers should reverse image search property photos, verify consistent addresses and descriptions, avoid off-site payment requests, maintain host communication, be suspicious of last-minute cancellations, and use credit
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 140 million American adults have been victims of fraud according to AARP's Fraud Watch Network. Patricia Kaster lost approximately $1.7 million in a 2023 impersonation scam where fraudsters posed as her bank's fraud department and the FTC, convincing her to liquidate assets and sell her house by falsely accusing her of money laundering. The FTC reported that consumers lost $10 billion to fraud in 2023, and AARP recommends hanging up on unsolicited calls and avoiding providing money or information to unknown callers as key fraud prevention strategies.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Bradenton Police Department established a dedicated Elder and Vulnerable Adult Fraud Unit in response to a surge in elder fraud cases, investigating 36 incidents this year with victims averaging 75 years old and total losses of $2 million. Common scams targeting seniors include phishing messages (one victim lost nearly $50,000 after clicking a fraudulent Facebook link claiming account compromise), romance scams, and untraceable payment methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. The unit focuses on prevention through education at assisted living facilities and partnerships with banks to identify potential victims before scammers strike.
heraldnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Washington residents lost approximately $250 million to fraud in 2023, with 53,269 complaints filed to the Federal Trade Commission—roughly $3.2 million per 100,000 residents. Imposter scams (22% of cases) and identity theft (14% of cases) were the most common fraud types, followed by online shopping fraud, bank and lender scams, and prize/sweepstakes schemes. Victims are advised to report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and avoid providing personal information to unknown callers, even those claiming to be legitimate authorities.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Portland Division reported an increase in scammers impersonating federal agents and government officials to extort cash and gold from victims, with couriers collecting payments directly from homes. Seniors over 60 are the primary targets, and in 2023, government impersonation scams resulted in over 14,190 victim reports nationally with losses exceeding $394 million, including $1.7 million in Oregon alone. The FBI emphasized that legitimate federal agencies never call or email threatening arrest or demanding money, and encouraged victims to report suspicious contacts to local law enforcement and the IC3 at ic3.gov.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Summer months see an increase in fraud targeting popular activities, with young adults ages 18-24 particularly vulnerable to scams involving fake concert tickets, vacation rentals, and travel websites. Common schemes include fraudsters offering discounted tickets through fake sites, spoofed travel websites requesting payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and fake vacation rental listings on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. To protect themselves, consumers should verify website authenticity, book directly from official providers, use credit cards instead of peer-to-peer payment apps, and exercise caution with QR codes.
caswellmessenger.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey warned residents about door-to-door scammers impersonating N.C. Department of Insurance agents to sell fake insurance policies. At least two recent incidents were reported, marking the fourth occurrence since 2020, with fraudsters sometimes presenting fake business cards bearing the department's logo. The department clarified that it does not sell insurance and urged consumers to report such impersonation attempts to law enforcement.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A Norfolk, Virginia woman discovered her monthly energy bill had dramatically increased from approximately $80 to over $1,100 between February and March 2024, prompting her to suspect she was a scam victim. Dominion Energy advised customers concerned about billing irregularities to contact the company immediately, noting that while the utility will investigate potential fraud, customers remain responsible for paying bills but may receive flexible payment arrangements.