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kfvs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scam reports doubled in 2023, reaching a record high of over 9,000 cases according to a BBB study, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence and chatbots to target victims through text messages and steal personal information. Both individuals and businesses were affected, with businesses alone losing $2.9 billion to these scams in 2023. The BBB warns that phishing links can install malware on devices and urges people to be cautious of unsolicited messages with suspicious links.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina authorities report that seniors lost approximately $7 million to scams in 2023, with over 500 elder fraud complaints resulting in an average loss of $50,000 per victim, though many cases go unreported due to shame or embarrassment. Tech support, investment, and romance scams are the most prevalent schemes, and a new helpline (2-1-1) has been launched to assist victims and provide fraud prevention resources. State officials emphasize that scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics and urge community members to support victims while maintaining healthy skepticism of unsolicited offers that sound too good or too urgent.
milfordlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Delaware Hospice reported that elder fraud is rising nationwide, with the "phantom hacker" tech support scam being particularly successful against seniors; between January and June 2023, $542 million was fraudulently transferred, with two-thirds of victims over age sixty-five. Common scams include fake tech support calls requesting remote access to computers, fraudulent bank/brokerage contacts directing victims to transfer funds to "protected" accounts, and impersonation of government agencies (IRS, Federal Reserve) urging fund transfers via wire, cash, or cryptocurrency. To protect elderly family members, avoid responding to unsolicited hacker alerts, never allow unknown parties remote computer access, verify company contact information independently
wuky.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder Kentuckians lost $12.8 million to scams in the previous year, with projections to double to $12.7 million by May of the current year, according to FBI officials who warn the problem is not declining. The three most common scams targeting Kentucky elders are investment fraud (including cryptocurrency and precious metals schemes), tech support fraud (phishing and fake security alerts), and romance fraud, with a detailed case study showing a 72-year-old woman losing nearly $200,000 to a military officer imposter who cultivated a romantic relationship with her over months before requesting money for military contract payouts and travel expenses. The investigation resulted in the indictment of three U
sf.gov
· 2025-12-08
San Francisco's Mayor London Breed joined city, state, and federal leaders on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to announce that over 1,200 seniors were reached through a multi-agency fraud prevention campaign, with presentations delivered in six languages across 37 locations. The coalition educated seniors on identifying red flags for scams including blessing scams, AI-based impersonation, grandparent schemes, and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency fraud, while highlighting that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, with the average victim losing $33,915. The effort aimed to help seniors and families recognize fraudulent schemes and report crimes to prevent victimization.
wgem.com
· 2025-12-08
Quincy Police arrested a suspect for residential burglary at a retirement home who allegedly stole credit and debit cards from elderly residents' apartments. Police and senior advocates warn that criminals target seniors due to their trust and desire for connection, though most crimes against the elderly involve scams conducted via phone, online, or mail. Authorities recommend family members help protect seniors by reviewing their mail and accounts for suspicious charges, discussing scam recognition, monitoring for unauthorized contact, and maintaining regular check-ins to catch fraud early.
bctv.org
· 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use high-pressure tactics and spoofed caller IDs to demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency for fictitious tax debts or false refunds. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency to hang up immediately and instead contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud cases are rising nationally, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake caller IDs and AI voice mimicry to target older adults through lottery scams, tech support fraud, IRS impersonation, and grandparent scams. Prosecution faces significant challenges including overseas perpetrators, underreporting (only 1 in 41 victims report), victim incapacity due to dementia or death, and lack of documentation, with conservative estimates placing annual losses at $3 billion nationally. Authorities recommend victims keep detailed records of financial arrangements, verify callers independently before providing information or money, and report fraud promptly rather than delaying due to embarrassment.
fincen.gov
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN released an analysis of elder financial exploitation (EFE) showing approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity reported by financial institutions between June 2022 and June 2023, based on 155,415 filings. The agency reminds financial institutions to remain vigilant in identifying and reporting EFE, which damages victims' savings, retirement accounts, and overall financial security, and directs victims and reporters to resources including the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-FRAUD-11), the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the FTC.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, major consumer protection organizations reported that elder real estate fraud losses increased 14 percent since 2022, with nearly 1,500 Americans ages 60 and older losing $65 million in real estate scams in 2023 alone. The fraud includes forged documents, Power of Attorney abuse, deed theft, and deceptive financial schemes targeting seniors' property and money. Organizations including AARP, the National Association of Realtors, and the National Consumer Law Center are urging states to implement stronger protections such as uniform power of attorney laws, multi-factor authentication, property record monitoring, and enhanced enforcement by adult protective services and law enforcement.
sebastopoltimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial exploitation of elderly residents in Sonoma County increased significantly, with Adult Protective Services reporting a 9% rise in abuse reports and 14% increase in investigations from 2022 to 2023, with 19% of over 7,800 allegations involving financial exploitation. Common scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support scams, phishing schemes, and romance scams, which collectively cost victims $3.4 billion nationally in 2023, with romance scams proving particularly damaging due to the emotional manipulation involved. Experts advised seniors to avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or calls, contact companies directly to verify account issues, and be wary of requests for money from online dating
al.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit emotional connections formed on dating apps and social media to lure victims into fake investment schemes, particularly cryptocurrency fraud. In 2021, romance scams cost Americans $547 million, with cryptocurrency-based scams being the most expensive, and victims have lost tens of thousands to millions of dollars. Red flags include promises of guaranteed profits, "no risk" investments, offers to teach investment strategies, and requests for payment via gift cards, payment apps, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—anyone meeting online who pitches cryptocurrency investment is running a scam and should be reported immediately to the platform and the FTC.
lavanguardia.com
· 2025-12-08
Digital fraud targeting seniors in Spain has surged dramatically, with scam cases against people over 65 increasing 78% between 2019 and 2022 (from 7,568 to 13,479 cases), and digital fraud cases alone rising 21.73% in 2022 compared to 2021. Seniors are vulnerable targets due to lower technology familiarity, trustfulness, and susceptibility to social engineering tactics such as fake investment schemes and fraudulent shopping charges, with 15% of victims losing over €10,000 according to one survey. Experts emphasize that enhanced digital education and protection measures are needed to help older adults navigate the internet safely and avoi
djournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber scams targeting elderly people are increasing, with common schemes including fake Microsoft security alerts, phishing text messages spoofing legitimate companies, and tax refund fraud that uses stolen taxpayer information to file fraudulent returns. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable because they tend to trust callers claiming to represent government agencies and are susceptible to tax-related scams. The article advises consumers to verify email, text, and phone communications before clicking links or providing information, remain suspicious of unsolicited contact, and consult resources like the Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity tips to learn detection and avoidance techniques.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
During Australian tax season, scammers are targeting residents with sophisticated phishing scams impersonating government agencies like the Australian Taxation Office and myGov; Commonwealth Bank data shows 24 percent of Australians have already been exposed to tax-related scams, with only 69 percent able to identify them correctly. Scammers use robocalls, emails, and SMS messages containing malicious links to trick victims into providing personal information or payment under false pretenses of urgent debts or refunds. To protect themselves, Australians should recognize that legitimate ATO communications never include unsolicited links or QR codes, request passwords, show a caller ID, or threaten immediate arrest.
abc17news.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams reached a record high in 2023 with 9,288 reports to the Better Business Bureau, and 2024 is on track to exceed this with 3,363 reports in the first quarter alone. One victim, Stacy Keys, lost $800 after clicking a fraudulent Hertz rental website and being instructed to load money onto prepaid cards by phone; scammers are increasingly using technology and AI to mimic legitimate websites and conduct phishing via email, phone calls, and text messages. Since 2021, the BBB has received 23,126 phishing reports with a median loss of $300 each, and victims are advise
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte provided guidance on protecting oneself from financial scams, emphasizing the importance of skepticism toward unverifiable communications and resisting artificial urgency tactics. He outlined why seniors are vulnerable targets—including accumulated assets, trusting nature, and isolation—and recommended verification strategies such as calling organizations back using independently verified numbers and questioning requests for information companies should already have on file. Perrotte stressed protecting Social Security numbers, avoiding text-based financial requests, and remaining aware that exploitation often comes from trusted individuals like family members and caregivers rather than strangers.
wmtw.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers using phone calls impersonating banks or relatives to steal personal information and money. According to FBI data, older Americans lost $1.6 billion to fraud from January-May 2024, with Maine victims alone losing $7.2 million in 2023 (397 cases averaging $18,040 per victim). Experts recommend pausing to verify unexpected urgent calls through known phone numbers and educating older adults about common scams, with organizations like Kennebunk Savings partnering with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to provide fraud prevention resources and support.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
86-year-old Sandra Jung of Little Rock, Arkansas lost nearly $10,000 in a tech support scam after seeing a malware pop-up and calling what she believed was Microsoft's official number from a Google search result. The scammer convinced her that an erroneous $15,000 refund (instead of the promised $150) had been deposited and manipulated her into sending back nearly $10,000 to "resolve" the issue. Jung filed a report with the Attorney General's office but is unlikely to recover the funds.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An Australian woman lost $2,500 after a scammer impersonating Virgin Money tricked her into providing a one-time passcode via SMS that appeared to come from the bank's official number. The scammer used technology to spoof the bank's phone number, making the fraudulent message appear in the same conversation thread as legitimate bank communications. The incident highlights growing bank impersonation scams, with Australia's National Anti-Scam Centre recording over 6,800 such reports in 2023 resulting in $18 million in losses, and experts warn scams may increase during tax season when fraudsters impersonate the Australian Taxation Office.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In observation of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts emphasized its commitment to prosecuting elder fraud and financial exploitation, noting that nearly one in 10 adults aged 60 and older experience some form of elder abuse annually. The office highlighted a recent case where Chukwunonso Umegbo was sentenced to over three years in prison for operating a romance scam that defrauded at least 45 victims of more than $568,000 between 2018 and 2019, including a senior who lost her home, car, and retirement savings. The District of Massachusetts has launched an Elder Justice Out
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jackson Police Department's Fraud Prevention Friday post highlights romance scams, which target all age groups and operate through three stages: pretense (the scammer builds fake trust online), problem (the scammer creates an excuse preventing in-person meetings or fabricates a crisis), and pressure (the scammer requests money from the victim). The department recommends citizens educate themselves on romance scams, exercise caution when meeting people online, and references the film "The Tinder Swindler" as a resource for understanding how these scams operate.
clarksvilleonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting travelers with fraudulent airline ticket schemes, using fake websites and spoofed customer service numbers to sell counterfeit tickets, then claiming flights are canceled to extract additional fees. The Better Business Bureau reports numerous cases where victims believed they purchased legitimate discounted flights but were directed to pay extra charges or rescheduling fees to non-existent airlines. To protect against these scams, consumers should book directly through official airline websites, verify flight information independently, check website security, and use credit cards for online purchases.
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in White Settlement, Texas was targeted by a scammer posing as a Chase Bank security employee who instructed her to withdraw and deposit $40,000 in Bitcoin at an ATM while on a video call. A bystander, Myndi Jordan, noticed the victim depositing money at a Chevron gas station and called police; Sergeant James Stewart arrived and intervened before the full amount could be transferred, stopping the transaction after $23,900 had already been deposited. Police were able to coordinate with Bitcoin to recover the deposited funds, and authorities are warning the public that scammers can spoof bank phone numbers and use coercion and threats to manipulate victims into
shoredailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) prompted Virginia State Police to highlight common scams targeting older adults, including a software update scam that defrauded one Virginia senior of $36,000 and the "Grandparent scam" using AI voices to impersonate grandchildren in distress. The advisory recommends independent verification of requests, avoiding gift card or cryptocurrency payments, establishing trusted "buddy systems," and regular financial audits to help vulnerable adults protect themselves from fraud and identity theft.
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing reports doubled in 2023, with the Better Business Bureau receiving a record 9,238 reports, while Connecticut specifically saw phishing complaints rise from 58 in 2022 to 84 in 2023. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create more convincing phishing messages via email, text, and voicemail to trick people into divulging personal information. To protect themselves, people should be suspicious of unexpected messages with urgent subject lines and avoid responding to anything that appears suspicious.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams targeting weight loss drugs like Ozempic increased 183% from January to April, with scammers exploiting the high cost of these medications (approximately $1,000 monthly) by posting fake offers on social media platforms like Facebook and Craigslist. Criminals impersonate doctors and pressure victims to share personal information and use unconventional payment methods such as Bitcoin, Zelle, and Venmo—red flags indicating fraudulent activity. McAfee recommends consumers verify official retailers, avoid suspiciously low prices, check for complete product details, and report scams to relevant financial institutions to attempt fund recovery.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Moving scams are fraudulent schemes perpetrated by rogue online operators who lure customers with lowball estimates, demand deposits or upfront payments, and then either fail to appear, raise prices at the last minute, or hold belongings hostage demanding additional payment. To protect yourself, obtain multiple quotes, verify company references, and remember that the cheapest option is not always the safest when moving valuable personal belongings.
whig.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing remains one of the most prevalent fraud tactics, with scammers using emails, text messages, and phone calls to steal personal information and money by impersonating banks, government agencies, and tech support. The Better Business Bureau reports phishing text messages are increasing in frequency and now incorporate artificial intelligence to create more convincing messages. Common warning signs include requests to confirm financial information, claims of account problems, urgent language with typos, and unsolicited links or offers; victims should verify suspicious communications directly with legitimate organizations before clicking links or providing information.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis highlighted the Justice Department's multi-faceted approach to combating elder fraud, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative that target foreign-based schemes and fraud networks. The office detailed common scams affecting older Americans—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and cited a 2023 federal conviction where a defendant defrauded an elderly widow of approximately $1.2 million by posing as her personal representative and spending her money on luxury items and lottery tickets.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office is promoting fraud awareness to combat the rising tide of financial crimes against seniors. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, phishing, and romance schemes. The IRS employs education, criminal investigations, and public-private partnerships to combat elder fraud, with recent prosecutions including a home health care operator sentenced to 45 months for stealing over $1 million from elderly clients and an investment fraudster sentenced to
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
California and San Francisco law enforcement issued warnings about financial fraud targeting seniors, which costs older adults nearly $3 billion annually. Scams include call center fraud, romance schemes, grandparent scams, and AI-enabled impersonations, with particular targeting of ethnic communities like Chinatown through language-based trust exploitation, including a notable $39 million Ponzi scheme. Authorities urge reporting of suspected elder fraud to police, adult protective services, and the California Attorney General's office to help catch perpetrators and prevent future victimization.
hayspost.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens in Kansas and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated tax debts or refunds, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of suspicious calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and contact IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.
cpapracticeadvisor.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS has renewed warnings about impersonation scams targeting older adults, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent debts or prize claims, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling the official IRS number (800-829-1040) rather than using any number provided by the caller.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports a significant increase in elder fraud cases, with $1.6 billion in losses from January to May 2024—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023—and notes that Texas alone lost over $278 million in 2023. The most common schemes targeting older adults include tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and government impersonation scams, with investment fraud showing the sharpest growth (up 419% in losses from 2021-2023, largely due to cryptocurrency). The FBI emphasizes that seniors should verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and monitor their
becu.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud continues to rise significantly, with older Americans losing over $3.4 billion in 2023 alone—an average of $33,915 per victim and representing an 11% increase in losses from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud (where scammers pose as legitimate companies to gain computer access), imposter scams (impersonating government agencies or financial institutions), and romance scams (criminals building fake relationships to extract money). Protective measures include avoiding unsolicited contact, never downloading software from unknown contacts, and never sharing sensitive information or credentials with unverified callers.
newsantaana.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reports that elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion from January to May 2024, a nearly $300 million increase from the same period in 2023, with complaints rising 14% annually. Common schemes targeting older adults include tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams (which saw 419% increase in losses from 2021-2023), and government impersonation scams. The FBI recommends seniors verify unfamiliar contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to the FBI or IC3.gov.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. District of South Dakota joined national leaders in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, emphasizing that one in ten older Americans are victims of elder abuse annually. The District highlighted ongoing efforts through initiatives like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative to combat common schemes targeting seniors, including romance scams, tech support fraud, Social Security impostor scams, lottery scams, and IRS impersonation scams.
newstalkkzrg.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experience elder abuse and an estimated $28.3 billion is lost annually to elder fraud scams. The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting elder abusers through various initiatives, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative, while providing public awareness resources on common schemes such as romance fraud, tech support scams, and Social Security impostor scams. Recent cases include the sentencing of Henry Asomani to 10 years in federal prison for a romance fraud conspiracy that stole over $3 million from more than a dozen victims.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Mexican drug cartels, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, Gulf Cartel, and Sinaloa Cartel, have stolen over $300 million from American seniors through elaborate timeshare property scams over the last five years. The cartels operate call centers that conduct extensive research on victims, then use high-pressure sales tactics, forged documents, and spoofed emails to convince them to pay upfront fees or sign power-of-attorney forms. The FBI warns seniors never to pay upfront fees for timeshare settlements and to be suspicious of anyone claiming to be a government official threatening arrest or legal action related to timeshare issues.
metrobyt-mobile.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not a news article about fraud or elder abuse, but rather an instructional guide for Google's Scam Shield app. The content provides step-by-step directions for users to download and use the app's features, including reporting scams and spam calls, managing allow lists and blocked numbers, viewing caller details, and accessing premium protection features—designed to help users identify and filter unwanted or fraudulent calls.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
Since August, over 80,000 New Yorkers have been targeted in a SNAP card-skimming scam where thieves place devices over card readers to drain benefits accounts, with victims like Vanda Jones losing hundreds of dollars and facing weeks-long refund processes. Brooklyn Senator Roxanne Persaud is advocating for chip technology to replace magnetic strips on benefits cards by 2025, which would prevent most electronic theft. The state recommends cardholders regularly change PINs, monitor accounts for suspicious activity, use the new card-freeze feature available through ebtEDGE, and inspect card readers for tampering devices.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, in which fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, false claims of tax debt or prize winnings, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, verify communications through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report suspicious activity.
advantagenews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Madison County Sheriff's Department warned residents about a jury duty scam in which callers impersonated police sergeants and claimed victims had missed jury duty. The scam targeted personal information; residents are advised that legitimate jury duty notices arrive by mail and law enforcement will never call about missed jury duty.
devdiscourse.com
· 2025-12-08
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in India issued a public alert warning of fraudsters impersonating customs officers who use phone calls and SMS to extort money from victims by threatening legal action or claiming to hold packages. The scammers exploit fear of customs violations and penal action to coerce payments from targeted individuals. In response, the CBIC launched a multi-modal awareness campaign utilizing newspapers, social media, and field formations to educate the public on recognizing and protecting themselves from these scams.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
This cryptocurrency market recap covers multiple topics, but is primarily relevant to elder fraud awareness for two scam types: The Federal Trade Commission warned of a surge in romance scams where fraudsters build romantic relationships to defraud victims of cryptocurrency holdings. Additionally, crypto exchange scams affected users through SIM swap attacks (OKX), impersonation fraud targeting $210,000 in losses (fake Binance co-founder), and major exchange breaches ($22 million stolen from Lykke).
cryptopolitan.com
· 2025-12-08
CISA warned of increasing impersonation scams targeting crypto investors, where fraudsters pose as government employees to solicit wire transfers, cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. The FTC simultaneously issued an alert about romance scams involving cryptocurrency, where scammers build emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into fake crypto investments. Both agencies advise verifying caller identity through official channels and rejecting unsolicited requests for money or personal information, emphasizing that legitimate government agencies never request such payments.
sciotopost.com
· 2025-12-08
De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Ohio, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for laundering money from a romance fraud conspiracy targeting elderly victims seeking companionship online. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles to deceive victims into sending substantial cash, items, and wire transfers totaling over $1.1 million, which Amuzu then transferred to Ghana accounts. Several victims lost so much money they were forced into bankruptcy, and Amuzu has been ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, highlighting that while consumers over 60 lose money to scams less frequently than younger people, they lose significantly larger amounts when victimized—averaging nearly $1,000 compared to under $500 for those under 60. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent scams (using impersonation and AI voice cloning), Medicare scams during enrollment periods, and tech support scams falsely claiming to be from Apple or Microsoft. The article provides prevention strategies for each scam type and guidance on how to supportively help victims by responding with empathy, listening to their experience, validating their story, and assisting with reporting and recovery steps.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by announcing a partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat fraud targeting older citizens. The agencies will hold a public town hall on June 20, 2024, to educate seniors about recognizing and preventing fraud schemes, including tech support scams, romance scams, and Social Security impostor fraud. The Justice Department emphasizes that awareness and information are key to protecting vulnerable populations from financial, physical, and psychological harm.