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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
gript.ie
· 2025-12-08
Irish police (An Garda Síochána) warn the public about romance scams, in which fraudsters build fake online relationships to extract money from victims over extended periods. Reported cases include a Dutch woman whose account was used to launder stolen money after a three-year fake relationship, and an Irish woman who lost €48,000 to a romance scammer over 13 months; scammers typically request money for travel costs, medical emergencies, or business investments, with amounts escalating as trust builds. Gardaí emphasize that many victims delay reporting due to embarrassment and are working with Europol to disrupt organized romance scam operations.
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are calling hotel front desks requesting specific room numbers, then impersonating front desk staff to pressure guests into providing financial information by claiming payment errors. Norton cybersecurity researchers noted a surge in social media reports of this scam in April 2025, targeting travelers who are outside their normal environment and more vulnerable to manipulation. Experts advise never providing sensitive financial information over the phone and recommend setting up credit card security alerts before traveling, as legitimate hotels never request payment details by phone.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using AI voice-cloning software to impersonate grandchildren in phone calls to elderly victims on Long Island, claiming emergencies that require immediate money transfers or bail payments. Suffolk County Police report a growing number of cases where victims have lost thousands of dollars, with over 3,000 scams reported in 2023 resulting in $126 million stolen from seniors across Nassau and Suffolk counties. Police recommend establishing family "safe words," verifying caller identity through direct contact, and remaining cautious about emotional money requests involving secrecy.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Suffolk County police warn of a new banking fraud scheme targeting Long Island seniors using AI-generated voice calls and spoofed bank numbers to trick victims into revealing PIN numbers and allowing criminals to steal their cards and money from ATMs. Multiple banks are alerting customers about these fraudulent hotlines, with surveillance identifying alleged ringleaders in Bohemia and Garden City who specifically target elderly and vulnerable individuals. Authorities advise people to hang up when prompted for personal information and to contact their banks directly if they suspect fraud.
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 80 seniors attended an educational seminar in West Hempstead to learn scam prevention strategies, as the FBI reported that people aged 60 and older suffered the largest losses in 2024's $16 billion in online scams and cybercrimes. Nassau County Police Officer Eugene Messmer presented the SCAM framework (Stop, Check, Alert, Mention) and detailed common scams including phone/email fraud, IRS imposters, sweepstakes schemes, and identity theft, emphasizing that scammers use professional tactics and recommending verification steps like calling back through official numbers. Key prevention advice includes never clicking suspicious links, refusing to pay via wire transfer or gift cards, protecting personal
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
"Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" is a documentary series examining how AI and deepfake technology have made romance scams more sophisticated and harder to detect, following three women who were victimized by a scammer using fake personas and stolen photos. The victims suffered significant financial losses (including one woman who wired over $30,000) and psychological harm, while scammers exploit these technologies to create realistic video calls, voice messages, and convincing personas that build trust quickly. The series highlights that romance scams comprised an increasing portion of the $16.6 billion in online fraud losses reported in 2024, and demonstrates how these technologies enable criminals to evade law enforcement identification.
gbcghanaonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Hajia4Reall (Mona Faiz Montrage) was released from a U.S. federal prison on May 22, 2025, after serving a one-year sentence for her role in a West Africa-based romance scam network that defrauded elderly Americans between 2013 and 2019. Montrage pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money and was ordered to forfeit and pay restitution of over $2.1 million; she personally controlled accounts that received more than $2 million in fraud proceeds from victims who were deceived into believing they were in romantic relationships with fictitious personas.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Mail fraud through the USPS takes several forms—imposter scams (posing as government agencies or banks), sweepstakes/lottery schemes (claiming unearned prizes), unsolicited offers (unusually low prices or phony inheritances), and mail theft—all using sophisticated tactics to extract money or personal information. Red flags include unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for payment before receiving benefits, and offers that seem too good to be true. To protect yourself, verify communications directly with official sources, never send cash through mail, use tracking services like Informed Delivery, and report suspected mail fraud to the United States Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a public service announcement warning of an ongoing scam campaign that began in April 2025, in which malicious actors impersonate senior U.S. government officials through text messages (smishing) and AI-generated voice calls (vishing) to target current and former federal and state officials and their contacts. The scammers attempt to establish rapport and trick victims into clicking malicious links to gain access to personal or official accounts, which can then be used to compromise other government officials or their associates. The FBI recommends verifying sender identity independently, scrutinizing messages for subtle imperfections and spelling errors, listening for signs of AI voice cloning, and never sharing sensitive information or clicking links from
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly target older adults through technology-based fraud schemes, exploiting their perceived financial stability, trusting nature, and potential unfamiliarity with digital threats. Common scams include phishing/smishing/vishing (deceptive emails, texts, and calls), skimming and shimming (card data theft at terminals), tech support scams (fake computer virus alerts), and grandparent scams (impersonation of family members). Protection strategies include ignoring unsolicited contacts, enabling spam filters, inspecting payment terminals for tampering, using contactless payments, and never granting remote computer access to unknown parties.
masslive.com
· 2025-12-08
Since April, scammers using AI-generated voice messages have impersonated senior U.S. government officials to target individuals through smishing and vishing schemes, attempting to steal personal account information and money by sending malicious links and directing victims to credential-harvesting websites. The FBI warns that compromised accounts could be used to target other officials and associates, and advises victims to verify caller identity independently, examine communications carefully for subtle imperfections, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never share sensitive information or send money to unfamiliar online contacts.
idcare.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Number porting scams, where fraudsters hijack phone numbers to gain access to victims' accounts and steal money, are increasing at an alarming rate. IDCARE advises that victims can protect themselves by implementing security measures, though specific protective steps are not detailed in this excerpt. The organization emphasizes awareness of this fraud method as a critical defense against financial loss.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Georgia residents lost over $20,000 to phone scams in April 2024: a 50-year-old man paid $2,000 in cryptocurrency after a caller impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed he had an arrest warrant, while a 62-year-old man lost $12,000 (later reimbursed) plus an additional $7,550 in unauthorized charges after providing debit card information to someone posing as a bank official. The Oconee County Sheriff's Office warned the public that law enforcement never demands payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or money transfer services to avoid arrest.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam expert discusses the rising threat of elder fraud, noting that nearly 4 million people have reported scams with average losses of $19,000, with criminals increasingly using AI and voice spoofing technology to impersonate grandchildren and celebrities. Key protective measures recommended include securing mailboxes, installing video doorbells, regularly monitoring financial statements, enabling two-factor verification on accounts, using biometric identification on smartphones, and establishing secret passcodes with family members to verify identities during unexpected calls.
wgmd.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Flushing, New York man pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scam that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. The scheme involved fraudsters posing as federal agents who convinced victims their identities had been compromised, then instructed them to liquidate life savings and convert funds to cash or gold bars, which couriers like the defendant collected from victims' homes. The defendant faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.
easyreadernews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Type:** Grandparent scam using AI voice mimicry and emergency impersonation
**What Happened:** Kayla Smith's grandmother lost $4,000 after receiving a call claiming her son was held hostage and demanding Target gift cards; the caller used AI or similar technology to mimic her son's voice, exploiting her maternal concern. Inspired by this incident and her grandparents' subsequent experiences with other scams, high school student Kayla Smith created SeniorSafe, an educational awareness program to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting their population.
**Key Findings:** Seniors lost $4.9 billion to sc
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old retired urban planner named Brian Ketcham lost significant money to romance scammers on the dating website Dream Singles, communicating with profiles of women (primarily one named "Vasilisa") who likely did not exist in real life. After his death in 2024, his children discovered hundreds of printed chat transcripts and documented evidence of the scheme, which required him to purchase credits for each message sent to the fake profiles. The article explores how his initial skepticism gradually eroded as the scammers built emotional connections with him, ultimately resulting in financial loss before his death.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Tom Grauburger of Lakin, Kansas lost $30,000 to a sophisticated tech support scam that used fear tactics and constant phone monitoring to manipulate him over three weeks. The scammers posed as Microsoft Defender and the FTC, falsely claiming illegal activity was occurring on his computer and demanding cash sent to Boston as "proof of assets," while threatening him with a fake non-disclosure agreement to prevent him from telling family members. His bank ultimately prevented a larger loss by flagging a $100,000+ wire transfer attempt to his retirement fund, but Grauburger and his family are still fighting to recover the initial $30,000.
wellingtonadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Between February and April 2025, a Guelph-Eramosa resident lost more than $80,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with an unidentified individual who repeatedly requested money via e-transfers and cryptocurrency under false pretenses. The scammer used a fake profile with stolen photos and fabricated backstory to build trust, then exploited the victim's emotions to extract funds. Police warn residents to be alert to common romance scam indicators, including reluctance to meet in person and claims of fictitious emergencies requiring financial assistance.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a sophisticated scam involving AI-generated text and voice messages impersonating senior U.S. government officials, targeting current and former federal and state officials and their contacts. Scammers use realistic voice cloning and malicious links designed to steal login credentials and personal information, which could then be used to impersonate victims and target other officials or their associates. The FBI advises verifying sender identity through independent contact, scrutinizing details for subtle alterations, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive information with unverified contacts.
media.srpnet.com
· 2025-12-08
SRP (Salt River Project) and AARP issued a joint warning about utility scams targeting older adults, particularly around the Memorial Day weekend, noting that Arizona has the highest fraud rate against seniors in the country at 289 cases per 100,000. Common scams include fake payment websites, phishing texts/emails impersonating utility companies, and fraudsters posing as utility workers, all designed to create urgency and pressure immediate payment. Customers should protect themselves by calling SRP directly to verify account status, avoiding suspicious links and unusual payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency), and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360
wkyc.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers reported losing $470 million last year to text message scams, according to FTC data. A viewer received fraudulent texts impersonating Facebook, claiming account suspension and requesting personal information to verify ownership—a common phishing tactic that uses urgency and threats to family members to manipulate victims. The Better Business Bureau advises ignoring unsolicited texts from unknown numbers and using reverse image searches to verify suspicious content before responding.
thenews-gazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Between May 1 and May 15, Lexington Police received reports of multiple scams including someone impersonating the Planning Commission chair, a fake lost cat emergency surgery scheme, a deputy sheriff impersonation demanding $400 in gift cards for jury duty non-appearance, an EBT card fraud, and a Publisher's Clearinghouse scam that defrauded a Rockbridge County resident of over $4,200. Police Chief Angela Greene advised residents not to provide personal or financial information to unsolicited contacts, never to purchase gift cards for fines or legal matters, and to independently verify emergency claims involving loved ones or pets.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns of a scam involving robocalls claiming recipients have been pre-approved for an unspecified offer and requesting they press a number to verify personal details. Victims report receiving 5-20 calls daily from different numbers using identical messaging, with callers attempting to extract sensitive information if called back. The FTC advises hanging up without engaging, avoiding pressing numbers to unsubscribe, and using call-blocking features rather than providing personal information to unknown callers.
turnto10.com
· 2025-12-08
Artificial intelligence-powered voice-cloning technology is making grandparent scams increasingly convincing, allowing scammers to impersonate family members using just one minute of audio from social media. A Canadian call center operation arrested in 2024 stole $21 million from Americans over three years by using AI-cloned voices combined with phone spoofing and money mules to collect cash, claiming victims' relatives needed bail money. Experts recommend asking security questions only family members could answer and establishing family code words to protect against these evolving scams.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Rakeshkumar Patel, a 36-year-old Indian national living illegally in the U.S., pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. Patel and co-conspirators posed as federal agents over the phone, convincing victims their identities were compromised and their accounts under investigation, then instructed them to withdraw life savings and convert them to cash or gold bars, which Patel and other couriers collected in person. Patel faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
Tony Lupo, an Oak Creek senior, fell victim to multiple scams including fake prize notifications and fraudulent calls claiming to involve his Social Security and Medicare benefits. Milwaukee County authorities report three prevalent phone scam tactics targeting residents: fake arrest warrants, missed jury duty claims, and Social Security impersonation scams. AARP hosted a community Scam Jam event featuring expert speakers and resources to educate residents on recognizing and reporting scams, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of verifying suspicious calls through official agency contact numbers before providing any personal information.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A Northeast Ohio senior named Jack Hines nearly fell victim to a phishing email scam but used the experience to become an advocate for elder fraud prevention in his community. The Mentor Police Department has launched anti-scam workshops at senior centers across the city, responding to a 22% increase in fraud complaints from older adults in Ohio and the FBI's report that seniors lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024. Hines now works as an awareness ambassador at his local senior center, helping peers recognize and avoid common scams targeting vulnerable seniors.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Bedford resident fell victim to a computer fraud scam on May 9 after receiving a fake virus alert threatening legal consequences for alleged child pornography on their device, prompting them to mail $17,500 in cash to Pennsylvania. Quick action by Bedford police officers, who tracked the UPS package and coordinated with a Pennsylvania police department, allowed investigators to intercept the payment before delivery and return the full amount to the victim.
thesuburban.com
· 2025-12-08
A Côte-St-Luc senior had his Rolex watch valued at $20,000-$25,000 stolen on May 11 in a distraction theft scam involving strangers who asked for directions while an accomplice posed as a person seeking a blessing for her dying father's watch, then replaced his real watch with a fake one. Police confirmed this type of jewelry theft targeting elderly residents has occurred multiple times across the city, with limited success in catching perpetrators due to lack of evidence and the rapid nature of the crimes. Authorities recommend traveling in groups, concealing valuable jewelry, and refusing gifts from strangers as preventive measures.
wktn.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Bob Latta hosted a "Stopping Senior Scams Workshop" on May 30 in Perrysburg, Ohio, featuring speakers from the FTC and IRS Taxpayer Advocate to educate seniors about common scams and fraud prevention. The event highlighted the growing threat of robocalls, with Ohioans receiving 1.7 billion such calls in 2018 and Americans losing $9.5 billion to robocall scams in 2016, prompting discussion of legislation like the STOP Robocalls Act to give agencies and companies tools to block fraudulent calls.
yourharlow.com
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million across 21,976 reported cases, with Essex residents accounting for 549 reports and £5.5 million in losses at an average of £10,142 per victim. The scams showed a concerning 17% year-on-year increase in reports, with women and transgender victims suffering disproportionately higher average losses (£16,370 and £27,234 respectively) despite fewer reports than men, and some victims losing as much as £500,000 or more.
en.cibercuba.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cuban woman on TikTok exposed a common advance-fee scam where a fraudster posed as an art client offering to pay $1,000 for a portrait, with the victim expected to receive $300 and send back $700 for materials—a scheme designed to use bounced checks to defraud victims. The scammer operates multiple social media profiles and uses variations of this tactic for jobs, study materials, and vehicle sales; multiple other users reported falling victim or nearly falling victim to similar schemes, with losses ranging up to $8,000. The incident highlights the prevalence of social engineering fraud targeting Spanish-speaking communities across multiple platforms and countries.
vincennespbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Following weekend storms in Indiana, officials warn residents to watch for contractor scams targeting disaster recovery, where fraudsters pose as repair or cleanup services, collect down payments, and either disappear or deliver poor work. The Indiana Attorney General advises verifying contractor credentials, avoiding upfront full payments or payment via gift cards and cryptocurrency, and being cautious of FEMA impersonators requesting fees and donation fraud schemes. Suspected scams can be reported to the Indiana Consumer Protection Division at indianaconsumer.com or 800-382-5516.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
SuperCard X is an Android malware distributed via fake bank text messages that uses NFC relay technology to remotely copy card data and conduct unauthorized contactless payments or ATM withdrawals without requiring the physical card or PIN. Victims are tricked into installing a fraudulent security app through social engineering, where attackers impersonate bank representatives and instruct them to tap their card against the infected phone. The malware operates as a Malware-as-a-Service model, targets any cardholder regardless of bank, and remains difficult to detect due to minimal permissions and stealthy design.
consumerfed.org
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $16 billion to online scams in the past year, with seniors accounting for nearly $5 billion of that total, according to FBI statistics. Losses increased 33% from the previous year, driven by surges in tech support scams (58% increase), extortion (91% increase), phishing (273% increase), and identity theft (38% increase). The report found that generative AI tools—including text, image, voice, and video generation—are enabling scammers to create more convincing and personalized fraud schemes at scale, while underregulated data brokers, payment platforms, and communication tools continue to facilitate scams across multiple points in the fraud pipeline.
unionrayo.com
· 2025-12-08
bridgemi.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan residents, particularly in the west, have received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Michigan Department of Transportation and toll companies like E-Z Pass, pressuring them to pay fake outstanding toll balances through malicious links to steal personal and financial information. The scam has spread nationwide with 60,000 complaints reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2024, originating from various area codes including overseas servers, making prosecution difficult. Residents should ignore these texts, never click embedded links, and verify toll obligations directly through official websites or by contacting MDOT at 517-241-2400, as legitimate toll bills in Michigan are sent by mail only.
governor.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
Governor Hochul issued a consumer alert warning NBA fans purchasing tickets to the New York Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals games at Madison Square Garden to avoid ticket scams, which surge during high-demand sporting events. The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection provided tips to prevent fraud, including purchasing only from official venues and trusted sources, avoiding online marketplaces and street scalpers, and verifying seller legitimacy before completing transactions.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers defrauded seniors of $4.8 billion, prompting the Mentor Police Department to increase anti-scam prevention workshops at senior centers and assisted living facilities across Ohio during Older Ohioans Month. Senior Jack Hines nearly fell victim to a phishing email but became an advocate after attending an awareness workshop, now helping educate peers about recognizing scams targeting vulnerable older adults, particularly those experiencing loneliness.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida hosted an elder fraud prevention forum on May 15, 2025, in partnership with AARP and multiple law enforcement agencies to educate seniors about common scams including investment fraud, lottery fraud, and inheritance schemes. The program featured local law enforcement examples and resources, with information available through the Justice Department's Elder Justice Initiative and multiple reporting channels including the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Crypto ATM Fraud Targeting Seniors**
Senator Dick Durbin proposed an amendment to the GENIUS Act (cryptocurrency regulation legislation) aimed at preventing crypto ATM scams that disproportionately target elderly Americans. According to FTC data, consumer losses from crypto ATM fraud increased nearly tenfold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023, with the FBI receiving nearly 2,700 complaints from individuals aged 60 and older in 2023 alone—more than all other age groups combined. Durbin's amendment seeks to add transaction protections and require greater transparency from crypto ATM operators, mirr
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering," a financial grooming scam where perpetrators build trust over months before soliciting investments (often in cryptocurrency), has resulted in victims losing thousands to millions of dollars, with investment scam losses increasing from $3.3 billion in 2022 to $4.5 billion in 2023. One Kentucky victim lost $1.7 million in assets after being manipulated into selling her home and liquidating retirement accounts. AARP recommends victims research investments, ignore unsolicited messages, use reverse image searches, and work with certified financial advisers to protect themselves from these schemes.
deeside.com
· 2025-12-08
North Wales Police reported a surge in romance scams, receiving 11 cases in a single week involving victims who were manipulated through fake social media profiles and dating websites into sending money or gift cards to fraudsters posing as romantic interests. The scammers build emotional trust before making financial requests, with gift cards being particularly attractive to criminals due to their untraceable and easily redeemable nature. Police advised the public to verify identities, avoid sending money to people they haven't met in person, and report suspicions to Action Fraud.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida woman lost $160,000 to a scammer who used AI technology to impersonate actor Keanu Reeves over a two-and-a-half-year period. The scammer gained her trust through video calls and phone conversations using deepfake technology, then convinced her he needed money for legal troubles and froze assets, leading her to take out a home equity loan and sell her car to send cryptocurrency. This case reflects a broader trend of AI-enabled celebrity imposter scams, with the FTC reporting over 64,000 romance scams in 2023 causing $1.14 billion in losses, and research showing 33% of people contacted by fake celebrities
cheshire-live.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, UK residents lost over £271 million to dating scams, with 21,976 reported cases, including 399 Cheshire victims who collectively lost £4.36 million (averaging £10,917 per person). Reports increased 17% in the latest financial year to 8,122 cases, with losses reaching £102.2 million, and women experiencing significantly higher average losses (£16,370) compared to men (£9,289), while some individual victims lost over £500,000.
theforester.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between 2022/23 and 2024/25, dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million, with 328 reports from Gloucestershire residents alone resulting in collective losses of £2.6 million (averaging £7,943 per victim). Men reported more incidents but women suffered higher average losses per case (£16,370 vs. lower male average), with victims' average age increasing from 47 to 49 over the period, and victims often experiencing significant psychological and emotional trauma beyond financial loss.
kingsbridge-today.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million between April 2022 and April 2025, with Devon & Cornwall among the hardest-hit regions, where victims lost over £7 million at an average of £9,060 per case. Men reported the most incidents (10,634) but women and transgender victims suffered significantly higher average losses at £16,370 and £27,234 respectively, with the average victim age increasing from 47 to 49 years old across the period. Fraudsters exploit victims' desire for companionship through manipulation and social engineering, causing not only financial but severe psychological and emotional harm.
wokingnewsandmail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, dating scams cost UK victims £271.4 million across 21,976 reports, with Surrey residents accounting for 481 cases and losses totaling £4.9 million (averaging £10,218 per victim). Reports increased 17% in 2024-25 to 8,122 cases, with women losing nearly twice as much per incident as men despite fewer reports, and some victims losing over £500,000 each.