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ketv.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** Publishers Clearing House Scam / Elder Fraud
**Victim:** Monty Thompson, Iowa resident
**Outcome:** Monty lost over $8,000 in two months and died by suicide on July 24th after being scammed.
Monty Thompson was targeted by offshore scammers claiming he had won millions of dollars and a Ford F-150 from Publishers Clearing House, but was required to pay taxes and fees upfront before receiving his prize. After losing over $8,000 and facing continued contact from the scammers (who called over 20 times), Monty took his own life. The Iowa Attorney
flaglerlive.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked on a fake Safari warning, which led scammers to manipulate her into purchasing gift cards worth thousands of dollars over 10 hours. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards becoming an increasingly common payment method for criminals because they lack consumer protections similar to credit and debit cards. The article reveals systemic failures in federal regulation, inadequate retailer safeguards, and the profitable role that technology companies and retailers play in the gift card fraud ecosystem, where "everybody but the victim makes money."
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
Baystate Health fell victim to an email scam in November 2022, wiring $700,000 to a fraudulent account at JPMorgan Chase. After Bank of America alerted Chase that the account was controlled by a criminal actor, the bank allegedly allowed at least $205,542 to be withdrawn by the scammer, with approximately $420,000 remaining unaccounted for. Baystate is suing JPMorgan Chase for $420,000 plus interest, claiming the bank failed in its duty to prevent or delay withdrawals from a flagged fraudulent account.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts police across five towns (Needham, Foxboro, Marion, Sandwich, and Sharon) are warning about an extortion scam in which criminals email victims pictures of their homes along with personal information and threatening messages demanding payment of thousands of dollars via cryptocurrency, claiming to possess compromising videos. The scammers use publicly available information such as Google Street View images and breached passwords to create a false sense of threat, and experts recommend victims ignore the emails, avoid responding or paying, and report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
Most people falsely believe they are not targets for cybercriminals, with over 75% of surveyed individuals uncertain or dismissive of the threat, creating widespread vulnerability to attacks. Scams target everyone through various methods including phishing, malware, and social engineering—affecting not just major corporations but individuals losing anywhere from $5 to $5,000, plus personal identifying information. Even cybersecurity experts can fall victim to sophisticated fraud schemes, demonstrating that vigilance and awareness are essential for all people regardless of their expertise or perceived value as a target.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Stephen, a retired former solicitor, lost £70,000 to fraudsters posing as bank representatives who convinced him to invest in a fake high-interest savings bond offering 11% returns; Andrew White lost £240,000 in a similar scam when criminals intercepted his house purchase email communications and redirected his deposit to a fraudulent account. Both victims experienced significant emotional trauma, though they were eventually refunded—raising concerns after the UK regulator announced it would cut maximum fraud victim compensation by 80% (from £415,000 to approximately £85,000), potentially leaving high-value fraud victims without adequate protection. These cases highlight the sophistication of authorised push payment (APP) sc
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies seven grammatical red flags commonly found in scam communications, including poor grammar, use of the word "kindly" (suggesting overseas origin), misplaced punctuation and capitalization, and generic salutations like "dear" instead of actual names. The piece notes that 15% of Americans report household members falling for scams and 8% admit personal victimization, emphasizing that scammers often replicate official communications but frequently reveal themselves through language patterns and writing errors.
missioncityrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. This appears to be a website homepage/navigation menu from a British Columbia news publication, not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. To create a proper Elderus summary, please provide the actual text of an article related to fraud, scams, or elder abuse.
decripto.org
· 2025-12-08
Thailand reported 78.8 million phone scam and phishing cases since 2023, with international criminal gangs—often Chinese-coordinated—operating call centres primarily targeting people over 30, young adults aged 20-25, and online shoppers through romance scams and fake e-commerce schemes. Thai and Cambodian authorities have launched operations to dismantle these networks, with 165 arrest warrants issued, though gangs are relocating to neighboring countries; notably, a 60-year-old Thai woman lost over $160,000 in a year-long scam involving a fake Malaysian pipeline investment. U.S. authorities indicted four people in 2023 for
nj.com
· 2025-12-08
New Jersey's ANCHOR property tax benefit program, which distributed over $2.2 billion to homeowners and renters last year, has become a target for scammers impersonating tax officials and collection agencies. Fraudsters are using text messages, spoofed phone calls, and identity theft tactics to steal personal information from residents, with scammers falsely claiming to represent the program or posing as police officers demanding payment. The state Treasury Department advises residents to never share personal information via unsolicited contact and to independently verify any calls by hanging up and calling official agency numbers directly.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A new extortion email scam has been circulating in Westchester County and Connecticut, wherein scammers send threatening messages containing victims' home addresses, names, and Google Maps images of their residences, claiming to have hacked their devices and possess embarrassing information, then demanding payment via Bitcoin. Police advise recipients to delete such emails without scanning the Bitcoin QR code or sending money, and to file complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov.
bankinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, cryptocurrency scams surged dramatically in the United States, with victims reporting $5.6 billion in losses—a 45% increase from 2022—across more than 69,000 complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. While seniors over 60 were most frequently targeted, people aged 30-39 also experienced significant losses, with investment scams involving bitcoin and other virtual currencies accounting for nearly 71% of total losses; fraudsters typically built rapport with victims through social media and email before moving conversations to encrypted platforms. Cryptocurrency kiosks were increasingly exploited in fraud schemes, with over 5,500 complaints involving $189 million in losses
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
Between September 2-7, 2024, 14 victims in Singapore were scammed out of at least SGD 100,000 through a phishing scam impersonating Singtel (Singapore Telecommunications Limited) via SMS messages. The victims received texts claiming their Singtel reward points were expiring and were directed to fake Singtel websites where they entered credit card details and one-time passwords, only discovering the fraud when their banks notified them of unauthorized transactions. This scam variant had been warned against by Singapore Police since June 2023, when at least 12 prior victims lost SGD 20,000 combined.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Lethbridge, Alberta used AI voice-changing software to impersonate grandchildren in fraud calls, convincing victims to send money for emergencies; two men were arrested after allegedly collecting funds as local couriers for the scheme. The technology requires only a three-second audio clip from social media to recreate a victim's loved one's voice, making the scam more convincing and harder to detect than traditional grandparent schemes. Police note that organized criminals quickly adopt new technologies, and law enforcement struggles to keep pace with rapidly evolving cyber tools, though tracking financial transfers remains an effective investigative approach.
wokv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers target students and parents during back-to-school season through fake websites selling discounted textbooks, fraudulent scholarship and job offers requiring upfront fees or check deposits, and fake apartment rental listings copied from legitimate sites. Young adults aged 18-24 are particularly vulnerable to text and internet messaging scams, and consumers should verify websites directly, confirm job offers by calling employers, and avoid wire transfers or upfront payments for rentals or scholarships.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article advises readers on identifying fraudulent political text messages, which often impersonate legitimate voter registration campaigns or solicit donations. To verify authenticity, individuals should visit official state websites (.gov or .us domains) directly rather than clicking unsolicited links, as third-party groups may use outdated data or send bogus messages designed to scam recipients.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Despite increasing sophistication in online fraud, phone scams remain the most common type of financial scam, affecting nearly 49% of scam victims across all age groups according to a GOBankingRates survey of over 1,100 U.S. adults. Common phone scam tactics include business/investment schemes, impersonation of trusted entities, debt relief offers, charity fraud, and prize scams, all designed to extract money or personal information from victims. The article advises consumers to verify callers' identities, use official channels for donations and payments, and be suspicious of unsolicited offers promising quick profits or threatening legal action.
vice.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost more than $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, representing 45 percent increase from 2022 and nearly half of all financial fraud losses that year, according to an FBI report. Investment scams accounted for nearly 71 percent of crypto losses ($4 billion), with fraudsters also using call centers, government impersonation, and dating sites to target victims; notably, people over 60 filed nearly 17,000 complaints and lost $1.6 billion, making them the most victimized age group despite crypto's popularity with younger generations. The FBI attributes crypto scams' prevalence to the technology's decentralized nature, irrevers
weisradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Back-to-school season scammers target students and parents through fake websites selling discounted textbooks and supplies, fraudulent scholarship and job offers requiring upfront fees or check deposits, and fake apartment rental listings copied from legitimate sites. Young people aged 18-24 are particularly vulnerable to text and internet messaging scams, and victims lose money through phishing emails, fake social media ads, and wire transfer requests. Consumers should verify website URLs directly, ignore unsolicited offers, research companies and job postings for complaints, and avoid sending money upfront or depositing checks for employment.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Google Voice verification scam targets online sellers on platforms like eBay and Facebook Marketplace by posing as potential buyers and requesting Google Voice verification codes, which scammers then use to create a virtual number linked to the seller's phone number. Once obtained, scammers can intercept bank verification codes, commit identity theft, open fraudulent accounts in the victim's name, and conduct additional scams while appearing to use a legitimate U.S. number. Sellers should be wary of buyers requesting codes before discussing items and verify unusual requests, as one New York seller, Allen C., avoided falling victim by recognizing suspicious behavior such as spelling errors and pressure tactics.
news.slashdot.org
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency fraud schemes in 2023, with the FBI receiving nearly 70,000 complaints involving bitcoin, ether, and other digital currencies. Investment fraud was the most prevalent scheme, accounting for $3.96 billion of the total losses, and the decentralized nature of cryptocurrency combined with irreversible transactions makes recovery of stolen funds extremely challenging.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
This IRS educational article outlines common tax scam warning signs and how to protect yourself, including scams involving inflated refund promises, impersonators making threats, and dishonest tax preparers charging excessive fees. Key red flags include pressure tactics, demands for upfront payments, suspicious websites, and misleading social media advice about tax credits like the Employee Retention Credit and Fuel Tax Credit. The IRS advises taxpayers to know how the agency legitimately contacts them, verify tax preparer credentials, and be especially cautious if targeted for personal or financial information, particularly seniors over age 65.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam emails recipients claiming to have evidence of spousal infidelity and directing them to click a link for access to this alleged proof. The fraudulent emails spoof a legitimate healthcare company's address and use real names to appear credible, with links potentially leading to malware distribution or credential theft. Users are advised to delete such messages without clicking any links, as the claims are false and designed to compromise personal security.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing email scam is circulating that falsely claims to have evidence of a spouse's infidelity and directs recipients to click a link to view proof. The fraudulent emails impersonate a legitimate cybersecurity company, use real names to appear authentic, and may lead to malware distribution or credential theft when clicked. Recipients are advised to delete these messages immediately and avoid clicking any links, as no actual evidence exists.
dlnews.com
· 2025-12-08
During a congressional hearing, senior Democrat Maxine Waters highlighted DeFi's fraud vulnerabilities, citing the example of a counterfeit token scam related to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump's World Liberty Financial project, where approximately 2,000 people lost $1.8 million in fake tokens after hackers compromised related social media accounts. Democrats and consumer advocates expressed concern about security risks and scams in decentralized finance—noting that DeFi users lost nearly $2 billion to fraud in 2023—while Republicans resisted stronger regulations, fearing they would drive innovation overseas. The hearing revealed a partisan divide over whether DeFi should be subject to existing securities regulations to prevent frau
healthday.com
· 2025-12-08
A University of Southern California study of 97 seniors found a correlation between thinning of the entorhinal cortex (a brain region affected by early Alzheimer's disease) and higher vulnerability to financial scams, as measured by the Perceived Financial Exploitation Vulnerability Scale. The research suggests that financial vulnerability assessments could potentially help identify individuals in early stages of cognitive impairment or dementia before symptoms become apparent, though the study only established an association rather than proving causation.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Real estate scams are increasing in prevalence, including home-flipping investment schemes, fraudulent mortgage relief operations, fake property listings, and foreclosure bailout schemes that target both homebuyers and renters. The FTC has issued over $20 million in refunds to victims in 2024, including $222,000 to those harmed by the deceptive Lanier Law mortgage relief operation. Experts advise consumers to verify wiring instructions directly with title companies, be cautious of unsolicited communications from debt counselors, and avoid dealing with unfamiliar parties claiming to help with financial hardships.
propakistani.pk
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how older adults are increasingly vulnerable to online scams due to limited digital literacy, despite the importance of staying connected. Key threats include phishing emails (targeting 42% of victims aged 69+), social media scams (27% of Gen X victims affected), and fake tech support schemes where scammers gain device access. The article emphasizes that building digital confidence and understanding common online risks is essential to empower seniors to protect themselves in an increasingly digital world.
11alive.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2022 election cycle, scammers targeted voters with millions of dollars in fraudulent political donation solicitations through emails, texts, and robocalls, with Americans receiving a record 15 billion political texts that year. Scammers operating fake PACs (Political Action Committees) exploited emotional issues like cancer research to pressure people into donating quickly without verifying legitimacy, with little to no proceeds actually going to the candidates they claimed to support. To protect themselves, donors should verify PACs through FEC registration records, donate by mail or credit card directly through official campaign websites with "https" security, and avoid clicking links or providing information through unsolicited communications.
kitchener.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Fergus, Ontario lost $500 in a gift card scam on September 9, 2024, when a caller claimed they had won a lottery prize and instructed them to purchase gift cards, return home, and read the card numbers aloud while remaining on the line. The victim received a follow-up call the next day requesting $2,000 in additional gift cards but hung up and contacted police. Wellington OPP warns seniors to hang up on unsolicited calls requesting personal information or gift card payments and directs fraud victims to contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam emails recipients claiming to have evidence of spousal infidelity and urges them to click a link for access to proof. The fraudulent emails impersonate a cybersecurity company, use real names to appear legitimate, and spoof a legitimate healthcare company's email address. Clicking the links may expose users to malware or credential-stealing attacks, and recipients are advised to delete such messages without clicking any links.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam is circulating via email claiming to provide evidence of spousal infidelity, using spoofed addresses from legitimate companies and real names to appear credible. Clicking the malicious links may expose users to malware or credential theft rather than any actual evidence. Recipients are advised to delete these emails immediately and avoid clicking any links.
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Security experts warn of an evolving sextortion scam that uses victims' home addresses and photos sourced from Google Maps to increase psychological pressure and extract Bitcoin payments of $2,000-$2,200. The emails falsely claim the sender has compromised the victim's computer and recorded them via webcam, threatening to release fabricated videos to their contacts within 24 hours unless ransom is paid. The FBI recommends victims not comply with demands, avoid sending compromising images, cover webcams, and report incidents to law enforcement at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
"Sextortion" scams use fabricated claims of spyware and compromised webcams to extort victims, threatening to share alleged intimate videos or browsing history with contacts unless Bitcoin is paid. Scammers obtain victims' personal information—names, addresses, and photos—from public online sources and data breaches, then send targeted-seeming emails that are actually sent to numerous people in bulk. The FBI recommends reporting such extortion attempts to 1-800-CALL-FBI and advises victims to cover webcams and blur their homes on Google Maps, as these scams rely on easily accessible public information rather than actual spyware.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Office of Inspector General warned about "hybrid scams" that combine fake tech support impersonations (Amazon or PayPal) with fraudulent Social Security Administration impersonations to target seniors. Scammers build trust over time, often using detailed personal information, then direct victims to in-person meetings where they surrender cash, gold, or other valuables under the guise of protecting their accounts. The advisory recommends ignoring suspicious emails, avoiding clicking links, refusing remote computer access, and contacting trusted technicians for genuine tech issues.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
"Hustle kingdoms" are informal training academies operating in West Africa (particularly Ghana and Nigeria) that teach individuals digital fraud techniques, with graduates carrying out online romance scams, business email compromise, and sextortion targeting victims globally. The U.S. lost approximately $50 billion to online scams in 2023, many linked to West African fraudsters, as these operations have evolved from 1980s-90s "business centres" into a coordinated global threat with hierarchical structures and increasingly sophisticated tactics. The phenomenon reflects a complex socioeconomic dynamic where some perpetrators justify their crimes as retaliation for historical injustices, while law enforcement and researchers emphasize the
bankrate.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers employ multiple tactics to steal credit card information, particularly capitalizing on economic changes like potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. Common scams include interest rate reduction schemes, student loan forgiveness offers, grandparent emergencies, and fake charity websites—all designed to pressure victims into providing payment information. To protect yourself, contact your lender or issuer directly rather than responding to unsolicited offers, verify website URLs carefully, and be skeptical of guaranteed results and limited-time offers.
fox2detroit.com
· 2025-12-08
Metro Detroit residents received threatening extortion emails containing their names, lewd accusations of illicit behavior, and photos of their homes (likely sourced from Google) demanding small "donations" to prevent alleged compromising footage from being shared on social media. Birmingham police confirmed the scam and advised residents not to click any links in the emails, with victims like Elaine Bono and her daughter receiving multiple copies despite deleting them.
kolotv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Reno Police Department reports an increase in extortion email scams where fraudsters claim to have video footage of victims' online activity and threaten to share it with contacts unless payment is made via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money orders. These emails typically originate from the victim's own email address or similar variants and include recognizable details like passwords from data breaches or photos of the victim's home to appear credible. Police advise recipients not to rush into payment decisions, avoid opening suspicious attachments, and update passwords if exposed in the scam emails.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Virginians lost $265 million to scams, with the FBI's Norfolk office receiving approximately 2,700 elder fraud complaints that year alone. Common schemes include investment scams targeting seniors, jury duty scams impersonating law enforcement, romance scams (the top locally reported type with 17,000 national incidents in 2023), and business email compromise attacks. The FBI advises victims and the public to verify suspicious requests, avoid clicking suspicious links, maintain open communication with vulnerable relatives, and report incidents to IC3.gov or local FBI offices.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
More than $500,000 was stolen from North Carolina's Food and Nutrition Services program in late August and early September 2024 through phishing scams and credit card fraud targeting EBT cards, with over $2.7 million reported stolen through similar schemes since October 2022. The theft particularly impacts vulnerable families with children and seniors who depend on these benefits for grocery purchases. Authorities recommend FNS participants check balances frequently, use strong PINs, monitor accounts for suspicious activity, and contact their local county social services to request replacement benefits if compromised.
banking.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Sherrod Brown testified before the Senate Banking Committee on the escalating problem of scams and fraud targeting Americans, particularly seniors. In 2023, Americans lost at least $10 billion to reported fraud—an increase of over $1 billion from the previous year—with Ohio alone experiencing $126 million in losses; scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry, fake bank calls, and romance schemes to target retirees' savings. Brown emphasized that seniors, who represented more than half of fraud losses in Ohio, often hesitate to report crimes due to shame and self-blame, allowing criminals to continue victimizing others.
miningjournal.net
· 2025-12-08
This article describes three common scams targeting elderly people: grandparent scams (where callers pose as distressed relatives or law enforcement to solicit wire transfers), IRS scams (where fraudsters impersonate tax agents to steal money or personal information), and sweepstakes scams (where victims are promised prizes to encourage purchases or payments). The article emphasizes that geographic location offers no protection against these schemes and advises seniors and their families to recognize warning signs such as urgent requests for wire transfers, threats of arrest, and demands for sensitive personal information.
pictongazette.ca
· 2025-12-08
Sandra Goldie was scammed out of approximately $200 after posting her 1991 Mazda Miata for sale on Kijiji; a buyer directed her to a fraudulent VIN report website (vinfax.com) claiming to need a vehicle history check, but the "report" was worthless and the buyer then disappeared with a fabricated excuse. The scam is particularly concerning because scammers obtained Goldie's credit card information and personal data that could be used for identity fraud, and police later discovered similar incidents affecting other sellers across Canada.
baytownsun.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot summarize this content. This appears to be a list of countries and territories rather than an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
Please provide an actual news article, transcript, or educational piece about elder fraud, scams, or abuse, and I'll be happy to create a summary following the Elderus database format.
mynewstouse.com
· 2025-12-08
Hispanic communities are disproportionately targeted by phone scams and election-related misinformation, with Hispanics twice as likely to lose money to phone scams and three times more likely to be victimized by robocall scams compared to non-Hispanics, according to a 2024 Truecaller/Harris Poll report. Scammers use targeted misinformation tailored to specific Hispanic subgroups' political sensitivities, such as immigration policies for Mexican Americans and statehood debates for Puerto Ricans. The article recommends using spam-blocking apps with caller identification features to protect vulnerable voters from fraudulent calls and misleading information, particularly during election cycles.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message phishing scams (smishing) affect approximately one in three Americans, with about one-third of those falling victim without immediate awareness; the FBI reported 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 resulting in nearly $19 million in losses, with scams becoming more sophisticated through AI-generated messages. To protect yourself, verify that you've opted into bank text alerts through your account settings, and never respond to messages requesting personal information, urgent action, suspicious links, or money transfers—instead, contact your bank directly using the number on your card.
hrdive.com
· 2025-12-08
Online job scams are proliferating through fake listings, fraudulent recruiter profiles, and deceptive messages often powered by AI tools, with the FTC reporting $491 million in losses during 2023—a 25% increase from 2022, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim. Red flags include requests for personal information (Social Security numbers), upfront payment for training or equipment, unrealistically high pay offers, suspiciously quick hiring processes, and communication limited to email or chat rather than phone or video calls. Legitimate employers can distinguish themselves by using established job sites, protecting applicant privacy, offering transparent pay information, and conducting in-person or video interviews.
witl.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan residents are being warned about three Amazon Prime Day scams: fake text messages impersonating Amazon to steal personal information, phishing messages falsely claiming Prime membership cancellation requiring payment, and account suspension scams using fraudulent links to compromise account access. Experts advise verifying any Amazon communications directly through the official app or website and never sharing personal details via unsolicited texts or calls.
chronicleonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses to seniors in 2023, with an average loss of $34,000 per victim, and Florida had the second-highest number of complaints that year. The most common scams include tech support fraud, personal data breaches, romance scams, non-delivery scams, and investment scams (which cause the largest financial losses). To protect against fraud, seniors should never share personal information with unknown callers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, be skeptical of unsolicited offers, and report suspected fraud to authorities as soon as possible.