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justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Christopher Parks, Christopher Noah Parks, and Stephen Miller operated a fraudulent medical debt collection scheme through companies Assured Collections LLC and Assured Financial LLC, sending thousands of false debt collection notices nationwide to veterans and older Americans demanding payment for medical devices they either did not owe or had never received. The scheme, which Parks directed while incarcerated for prior healthcare fraud charges, caused consumers to pay debts that were largely illusory, leading a federal court in Oklahoma to issue permanent injunctions on August 2 barring the defendants from engaging in any future billing or debt collection activities.
abc3340.com
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Bessemer man, Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, was indicted on two counts of wire fraud for stealing over $500,000 from an elderly family member between September and December 2023. Pruitt obtained a Power of Attorney without the victim's knowledge, became a joint account holder, manipulated beneficiary designations, and transferred the funds to his personal accounts. He faces up to 20 years in prison.
abc3340.com
· 2025-12-08
**Elder Financial Abuse Surge in Alabama**
Alabama has experienced a dramatic increase in elder financial abuse cases since 2016, with reports growing from 23 cases that year to 243 cases nine months into the current fiscal year, according to the Alabama Securities Commission. Recent convictions include Gina Cook Gilbert ($2.5 million stolen from her elderly mother), Nicholas Houston Allen ($370,000 in ordered restitution), and James Langford III (accused of taking $200,000-$600,000 from an elderly woman's account as trustee). The exploitation typically exploits relationships of trust, often involving family members or caregivers targeting victims between
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, 47, of Bessemer, Alabama, was indicted on two counts of wire fraud for defrauding an elderly family member between September and December 2023. Pruitt fraudulently obtained Power of Attorney over the victim without consent, became a joint account holder on the victim's bank accounts, altered payable-on-death beneficiaries, and transferred over $500,000 from the victim's accounts to his own personal accounts. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
verifythis.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. The provided text is a corporate website for TEGNA, a media and broadcasting company that operates 64 local news stations across 51 markets in the United States. It contains only information about the company's advertising services, brands, and station locations.
thestatesman.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials by using the agency's logo as display pictures on social media and making calls to extort money from victims. The scammers use fake warrants, summons, and forged documents attributed to CBI officers to convince people they are under investigation and must pay money to resolve the matter. The CBI has advised the public to remain cautious, verify any official communications directly with local authorities, and report suspicious attempts to police immediately.
kxeo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The Mexico Chamber of Commerce warns that during Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7, 2024), seniors will receive increased unsolicited calls from illegal call centers attempting to obtain Medicare Beneficiary Identification (MBI) numbers through deceptive tactics. Scammers target low-income and elderly individuals by claiming superior plans or new benefits exist, then use stolen MBI numbers to commit fraud or fraudulently change insurance coverage. The Chamber advises seniors to protect their MBI like a credit card number, hang up on suspicious callers, report door-knockers to police, and contact the Chamber for vetted licensed insurance agents.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania warns of a surge in AI-powered scams targeting older adults that use deepfake videos and voice cloning to impersonate trusted individuals and extract money and personal information. A notable case involved a Hong Kong finance worker who was tricked into wiring $25.6 million after a video call with what appeared to be his company's CFO, which was entirely AI-generated. AARP recommends verification tactics such as calling back using known numbers, establishing family code words, and avoiding unsolicited links to protect against these increasingly sophisticated scams.
oklahoman.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration sent a legitimate email notifying beneficiaries that they must update their online accounts by transitioning from the old "my Social Security" account to a new Login.gov account if created before September 18, 2021. The article advises users to verify they are visiting the legitimate SSA website (www.ssa.gov/myaccount) and warns of scammers who create fraudulent websites mimicking SSA links to steal personal information, recommending users report suspicious emails to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at 800-269-0271.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sherlyn Sims was convicted of money laundering and conspiracy related to romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded dozens of victims of over $1.2 million between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims registered sham businesses, including Grace Trading LLC, to open bank accounts where she deposited stolen funds, then quickly transferred the money to foreign countries, withdrew cash, or spent it; victims included elderly individuals and others who lost significant sums, with one romance fraud victim depleting her life savings of nearly $100,000 after being tricked by an online scammer posing as her boyfriend. Sims was sentenced to be determined at a November 2024
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Sherlyn Sims, a Zimbabwe national, was found guilty of laundering over $1.2 million obtained through romance fraud and business email compromise schemes, using fake Georgia-registered businesses to collect victim funds before transferring money internationally and to personal accounts. Multiple elderly victims were defrauded through fake online romantic relationships, with one victim sending nearly $100,000 after being deceived, and another losing money intended for a home purchase. Sims faces sentencing in November, while her co-conspirators received prison sentences ranging from five years to later sentencing dates.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Johnston County resident lost $1,000 in gift cards after being contacted on social media by someone impersonating "General Douglas" with the United Nations Peace Corps who claimed to be interested in a romantic relationship. The scammer is part of a broader pattern of fraud schemes that falsely claim UN affiliation to obtain money or personal information through romance, employment, and confidence scams via multiple channels including social media, email, and phone calls.
spotonalabama.com
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Bessemer man, Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, was indicted on two counts of wire fraud for allegedly stealing over $500,000 from elderly victims. The indictment targets his fraudulent scheme that exploited elder individuals through wire fraud methods.
wkok.com
· 2025-12-08
A 49-year-old home health aide in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania was charged with stealing over $1,600 from an elderly woman she was caring for Monday through Friday. Helen Reaser was identified through ATM surveillance footage showing her withdrawing cash from the victim's account without authorization and faces 12 misdemeanor counts including access device fraud, theft, and financial exploitation of an older adult.
stripes.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Oklahoma men—Christopher Parks, his son Christopher Noah Parks, and nephew Stephen Miller—who operated Assured Collections (later renamed Assured Financial) defrauded military personnel, veterans, and seniors by sending thousands of fraudulent debt collection letters demanding payments for medical debts that often did not exist, with demands sometimes reaching thousands of dollars per victim. The elder Parks, while serving time for a health care kickback scheme, directed the scam from prison using misappropriated medical billing data. A federal court in Tulsa issued a permanent injunction permanently banning all three men and their company from further billing operations.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Terrance Pruitt, 47, of Bessemer, Alabama, was charged with wire fraud for executing a Power of Attorney over an elderly family member without their knowledge or consent in late 2023. Pruitt allegedly became a joint account holder on the victim's bank accounts by manipulating payable-on-death beneficiaries and transferred over $500,000 from the victim's accounts to his own personal accounts. He faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
lawfaremedia.org
· 2025-12-08
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Arun Rao discusses the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Branch work, which addresses the growing scale and sophistication of consumer fraud schemes, including elder fraud, that have been enabled by technological advances such as robocalls, texts, emails, and social media. The Consumer Protection Branch brings together criminal and civil cases across federal courts nationwide with nearly 250 staff members and over 100 trial attorneys, partnering with agencies like the FTC, FDA, and CPSC to protect consumer health, safety, economic security, and privacy.
mymcmedia.org
· 2025-12-08
A 23-year-old man was arrested at Chicago O'Hare International Airport in July and extradited to Maryland for his role in a gold bar scam targeting an elderly Montgomery County resident in March. The scheme involved perpetrators falsely claiming the victim was involved in identity theft and a federal drug investigation, then instructing them to convert assets into gold bars worth $779,000, which were to be picked up by couriers posing as FBI agents. Patel has been charged with felony theft of more than $100,000 and a misdemeanor, with a trial scheduled for September 23; a second suspect was also arrested.
campaignbrief.com
· 2025-12-08
Age Concern New Zealand and ANZ bank launched an innovative scam prevention campaign featuring a reimagined version of the 1980s TV show "CHiPs" to educate older New Zealanders about fraud risks. The campaign, created by TBWA\NZ, uses nostalgic humor and messaging to empower seniors to recognize and reject common scams, with survey data showing 80% of Kiwis over 65 believe older people are too trusting; the effort includes digital literacy programs, training guides, and educational materials distributed nationwide through community centers and rest homes.
nst.com.my
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate your request, but the content provided appears to be only a website navigation menu and header structure from the New Straits Times (NST) rather than an actual article about fraud or elder abuse.
To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please share the full article text or content that discusses a specific scam, fraud case, or elder abuse incident. Once you provide the actual article content, I'll be happy to create a concise 2-3 sentence summary following the guidelines you've outlined.
thespec.com
· 2025-12-08
Hamilton police reported 465 crimes against seniors in 2023, a 127% increase from 2022, with fraud victims losing over $1 million since 2020. Grandparent scams remain a significant problem, accounting for 117 of 127 reported scams between 2022-2023, where fraudsters pose as distressed grandchildren claiming to need bail money. The rise in reported incidents is attributed both to an aging population and mandatory reporting requirements from long-term care facilities introduced in mid-2022, though police estimate only 5-10% of fraud victims report crimes to authorities.
northernvirginiamag.com
· 2025-12-08
Advik Atyam created the nonprofit platform ScamCops in 2021 after losing his birthday money to a payment scam as an eighth grader, partnering with classmates David Nam and Yousif Al Atbi to build an AI-powered scam prevention tool. The platform features an AI chatbot, scam awareness guides, quizzes, and educational courses, with active users across 36 countries and direct outreach to senior citizens at retirement homes in Fairfax County. The three high school students won the 2024 Fairfax Area Student Shark Tank Technology Challenge and stress that education and staying informed about current scams is the most effective way to prevent vict
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
Alabama experienced a dramatic increase in reported financial elder abuse cases, rising from 23 in 2016 to approximately 250 cases reported since January, largely due to a 2016 law requiring financial institutions to report suspicious account activity. Scammers employ two primary methods: online schemes and personal manipulation targeting vulnerable elderly individuals, often widowed, with perpetrators frequently coming from out of state across various professional backgrounds. While most victims do not recover their stolen funds, Alabama authorities actively prosecute these cases and pursue restitution.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
**Event Type:** Scam Awareness Educational Initiative
The Palos Park Police Department held a National Night Out event to educate residents about elder fraud, highlighting that seniors in their predominantly elderly, affluent community are particularly vulnerable targets. Key scams discussed included door-to-door service schemes and "grandparent scams," with the FBI reporting that elder fraud caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (up 11% from 2022), averaging $33,915 per victim, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Police advised residents to verify caller identities, trust their instincts when something feels off, and be
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, an increase of $1 billion from 2022, with elderly people frequently targeted due to their presumed savings. Financial professionals recommend three protective strategies: slow down and verify requests before acting, be selective about who accesses sensitive financial information and documents, and seek assistance from certified financial planners who can monitor accounts and help recover from fraud.
thedrum.com
· 2025-12-08
Age Concern New Zealand and ANZ Bank launched a scam prevention awareness campaign featuring the iconic 1980s TV show CHiPs to educate seniors about fraud protection. The campaign addresses findings that 80% of New Zealanders over 65 believe older people are too trusting and vulnerable to scams, using nostalgia and humor to encourage older adults to reject unsolicited calls, texts, and emails. The initiative includes TV spots, an ANZ Scam Academy website, and educational toolkits distributed through community centers and rest homes across New Zealand.
okcfox.com
· 2025-12-08
Deputy Tara Harding conducts financial safety classes throughout the metro area to help residents protect their accounts from fraud and abuse. The classes provide education on safeguarding financial information, with contact information available through the deputy's office or the National Elder Fraud Hotline for those seeking more information or to report incidents.
statista.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, U.S. individuals aged 60 and older filed numerous complaints about phishing and personal data breaches, with cryptocurrency crimes showing a significant increase compared to 2023. The data reflects a growing cybercrime threat targeting seniors, tracked by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Beaver County woman in her 70s lost $87,000 in a phishing scam after clicking on a fake Apple security alert that froze her computer and prompted her to call a number where scammers posed as Apple support staff. The fraudsters convinced her that her banking information was compromised and instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it through a Bitcoin machine, falsely claiming it was a federal government-funded recovery program. Detective James Degori notes that elder fraud cases are rising in the area, with phishing, romance, and grandparent scams being most common, and advises seniors to avoid clicking emails, answering unsolicited calls, and sharing personal information.
wpxi.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases are increasing in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, with a woman in her 70s losing $87,000 to a tech support scam in which fraudsters posed as Apple security personnel, convinced her that her computer and banking information were compromised, and directed her to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin. Police Detective James Degori notes that scammers target elderly individuals because they typically have substantial savings, and the most common scams are phishing, romance, and grandparent schemes originating from outside the country. The Beaver Police Department is conducting community education seminars on fraud awareness at local venues to help prevent these crimes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Hector Claveria, 51, of Queens, New York, pleaded guilty to international money laundering after acting as a money mule for elder fraud and computer fraud schemes in 2020. He collected cash proceeds from these schemes and wired $20,000 to a foreign bank account in June 2020, knowing the funds originated from fraudulent activities that deceived elderly victims into sending payments based on false claims of debt to government agencies or computer service companies. Claveria faces up to 20 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, with sentencing scheduled for December 19, 2024.
commercialappeal.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers create fake passport renewal websites that mimic official government sites to trick consumers into paying fees for free services or stealing personal information. The Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission warn consumers to verify they're using the official government website (Travel.State.Gov ending in .gov), avoid paying fees for passport forms or appointments, and be suspicious of requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. One senior citizen lost $89 after unknowingly submitting personal information to a fraudulent site that provided no actual service.
sixthtone.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated antique fraud scheme targeting China's elderly through livestream shopping channels has cost victims hundreds of thousands of yuan by promising high returns on counterfeit collectibles like coins, stamps, and pottery. One victim in Shandong province lost nearly 300,000 yuan ($42,000) since March after being persuaded by livestream hosts who guaranteed buyback programs and claimed items could resell for millions. The scams have proliferated on platforms like Kuaishou, damaged family relationships as victims hide purchases and resist loved ones' warnings, and created legal challenges for authorities to recover funds, though victim support groups and legal experts are advocating for stronger platform regulations.
reviewjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration legitimately notified recipients that accounts created before September 18, 2021 must migrate to Login.gov for continued access to online services. However, scammers may send fraudulent emails mimicking this notification with fake websites designed to steal personal information, so seniors should verify they're on the official ssa.gov or ssa.gov/myaccount before updating their accounts, and report suspicious emails to the SSA's fraud hotline at 800-269-0271.
wtap.com
· 2025-12-08
A consumer advocate from the West Virginia Attorney General's office visited the Vienna Senior and Wellness Center to provide seniors with education on scam prevention, elder abuse awareness, and general consumer protection issues. The advocate offers monthly visits on the second Thursday of each month to answer questions and help seniors address fraud concerns and other consumer protection matters.
transylvaniatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Transylvania County Library will host two free educational programs in partnership with Pisgah Legal Services to help seniors protect themselves from fraud and plan their legal affairs. On August 14, attorney Casey Steen will present "The Elder Fraud Industry: Spotting and Reporting Scams," addressing how scammers defraud seniors of billions annually and why older adults are particularly vulnerable. A second session on August 21 will cover estate planning topics including wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, with no registration required for either event.
wnem.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for this content as it does not contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The article appears to be a news headlines page covering unrelated topics including a business break-in, vaccine guidance, a crematorium proposal, seasonal illness, and AI usage in business. None of these stories pertain to elder fraud or elder abuse.
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this content, but this appears to be a news website homepage or feed rather than an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The items listed cover weather forecasts, local events, a house fire, and education funding—none of which relate to elder fraud or scams.
To provide a proper summary for the Elderus database, please share an article or transcript that specifically addresses scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related financial crimes affecting seniors.
wnem.com
· 2025-12-08
A workshop held in Saginaw, Michigan brought together Huntington Bank employees and Community Action Center staff to educate senior citizens on recognizing and avoiding fraud and scams. The event aimed to empower seniors with knowledge to protect their finances and included information on Medicare savings, with attendees receiving care packages and access to a food giveaway. Local officials emphasized that seniors deserve resources to safeguard their funds and remain independent in their homes.
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Fraud and Scam Summit in Huntsville, Alabama brought together experts from the Better Business Bureau and local police to educate seniors on protecting themselves from fraud and identity theft, following a 14 percent nationwide increase in elder fraud reports during 2023. Speakers emphasized that victims should immediately report scams to police and local authorities rather than remaining silent, as doing so helps prevent fraudsters from targeting additional seniors. The summit provided resources and practical tips designed to help older adults safeguard their finances and identities.
azpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 101,000 reports of elder financial abuse were filed with the FBI, with victims experiencing annual losses exceeding $36 billion. Americans over 60 are particularly vulnerable to various scams including investment fraud, tech scams, romance scams, and nonpayment schemes, with financial abuse often going undetected when perpetrated by family members or caregivers who exploit declining cognitive abilities and technological unfamiliarity. Caregivers should report suspicious financial activities to Adult Protective Services, as technology-enabled scams targeting vulnerable elders continue to increase.
hamlethub.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational event announcement rather than a news report about a specific scam or fraud case. Detective Victoria Ryan of the Ridgefield Police Department will present information to seniors on how to protect themselves from common scams including romance, grandparent, pop-up, phone, email, and text scams, as well as utility scams and local crimes such as mail theft and pickpocketing. The free hybrid event is scheduled for September 10, 2024, and will include information on reporting scams.
independent.com
· 2025-12-08
Kristina Perkins, Santa Barbara County's first female chief investigator, has taken over the Scam Squad podcast to combat rising internet fraud affecting the region's large elderly population. The podcast highlights common scams including pop-up fraud (which defrauded one victim of $200,000) and romance fraud, where scammers build fake relationships with older adults on social media before requesting money under false pretenses. Perkins emphasizes that anyone can be victimized and encourages reporting through the DA's scam hotline at (805) 568-2442.
journalrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Fake tax scams impersonating IRS and other government agencies increasingly target older adults by using caller ID manipulation and creating false urgency to pressure victims into providing personal information or making payments via gift cards or wire transfers. Legitimate tax authorities initiate contact by mail, not phone or email, and victims can verify claims by calling the IRS directly at (800) 829-1040 or reporting scams to the Treasury Inspector General at (800) 366-4484. Those who have fallen victim to elder fraud can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program educates Medicare beneficiaries on preventing health care fraud, with particular focus on medical identity theft schemes involving unauthorized use of names and Medicare numbers to bill for services or supplies. In 2023, the SMP program reached 1.2 million people through outreach events, assisted over 270,000 beneficiaries with fraud complaints, identified 26 emerging fraud schemes, and helped Medicare recoup over $111 million in fraudulent billings.
kpq.com
· 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old caregiver at Bonaventure assisted living facility in East Wenatchee was acquitted of indecent liberties charges after being accused of sexually abusing a 78-year-old dementia patient in his care in January. A jury found him not guilty after less than three hours of deliberation, despite testimony from a colleague who reported witnessing the alleged abuse.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) held an educational summit in Huntsville to raise awareness about rising scams targeting seniors, with elder fraud reports to the FBI increasing 14% in 2023. Attendee Teresa Hazzard shared her experience of losing $700 to a fake Netflix offer that requested her credit card information, though her bank recovered the funds. The summit covered cybersecurity, consumer fraud definitions, and legal implications, emphasizing that seniors should recognize and report scams—particularly those promising free offers or services.
grundycountyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder scams exploited advancing technology in 2023, with banks reporting over $27 billion in suspicious activity and FBI reports indicating average losses exceeding $33,000 per case. Common scams targeting seniors employ two main tactics: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). Experts recommend pausing when rushed, verifying identities through alternative contact channels, and consulting trusted contacts before making financial or romantic commitments to prevent fraud.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder real estate fraud is rising with 1,500 Americans ages 60+ reporting $65 million in losses last year, while seniors overall lost over $1.6 billion to all scams. The fraud takes multiple forms—including deed theft, forged signatures, and exploitation of Power of Attorney—often perpetrated by trusted relatives or advisors, leaving victims to lose their homes and life savings. To combat this trend, state and federal governments must implement stronger legislation, consumer education, and enforcement mechanisms in collaboration with industry groups and Adult Protective Services.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A financial planner identifies four prevalent scams targeting baby boomers: government impersonation scams (which increased 32% last year), voice impersonation scams using AI technology to impersonate family members, phantom hacker scams where fraudsters pose as tech support to gain computer access and steal funds, and email phishing scams that have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. The FBI reported a 14% increase in complaints and 11% increase in losses from those over 60 in 2023, with boomers particularly vulnerable due to less digital experience and reliance on retirement income that may be targeted by scammers.