Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
4,158 results
in Government Impersonation
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
Davidson County Sheriff's Office warns residents of phone scams where fraudsters impersonate sheriff's office or court officials, claiming victims have outstanding warrants or missed court dates and demanding payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cash. Sheriff Richie Simmons emphasized that his office never requests money from citizens and noted that elderly individuals have lost significant sums to these scams, with some victims giving "their last dime." Simmons recommends victims pause before responding, consult trusted sources or contact the sheriff's office directly to verify claims, as scammers are often located outside the country and recovery is nearly impossible.
dakotanewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in the Sioux Falls region are impersonating law enforcement and the IRS to defraud residents through phone calls and text messages. In one recent case, a 64-year-old woman lost $2,000 after a caller falsely claimed she had outstanding warrants and threatened immediate jail if she visited the sheriff's office in person. Experts advise that these scams exploit fear and authority, use pressure tactics to cloud judgment, and often involve requests to pay money upfront—a red flag since legitimate government agencies never contact people unsolicited via phone, text, or social media to demand payment.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Authorities are warning the public about a widespread phishing scam involving text messages falsely claiming unpaid toll fees, with scammers impersonating legitimate services like FastTrak and EZdriveMA to trick victims into entering banking and credit card information. The scam texts contain malicious links that can expose personal data and lead to identity theft; victims should avoid clicking links, verify sender legitimacy, and report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM). These text-based scams originate internationally and represent a growing threat across the United States.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Lloyds Bank is warning customers never to share one-time passcodes, passwords, or activation codes, as fraudsters are impersonating bank staff over the phone to steal account access and funds. Criminals use stolen personal details to appear legitimate and employ tactics like claiming they need codes to cancel fraudulent payments or secure accounts, though legitimate banks never request such information unsolicited. The warning comes as unauthorized fraud losses reached £358 million in the first half of 2024, with cases rising 19% year-on-year to over 1.5 million incidents.
mothership.sg
· 2025-12-08
Singaporeans lost at least S$385.6 million to various scams in the first half of 2024, including e-commerce fraud, job scams, investment schemes, and government impersonation scams. The article highlights specific cases such as a luggage scam that defrauded 19 victims of S$7,000 and a Facebook egg scam that cost a family their life savings of S$150,000. Singapore's response includes the ScamShield app and helpline (1799) designed to identify scam messages and calls, block fraudulent numbers, and provide immediate assistance to potential victims.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending phishing text messages claiming unpaid toll fees from legitimate services like FastTrak and EZdriveMA to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and revealing banking and credit card information. Authorities warn that legitimate toll services do not contact non-account holders via text, and recommend avoiding clicking links in suspicious messages, verifying sender legitimacy, and reporting scams to 7726 (SPAM).
news.trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS is sending legitimate $1,400 Economic Impact Payments to eligible individuals by late January 2025, but scammers are impersonating the IRS via text messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and revealing personal information like Social Security numbers and addresses. The IRS never initiates contact via text, email, or social media to request personal information, so recipients should ignore these scam texts and verify eligibility directly through irs.gov to protect themselves from identity theft and fraudulent tax returns filed in their names.
torontosun.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Mississauga women and one man were charged in connection with lottery scams targeting elderly victims across Canada between 2019-2023, in which seniors were defrauded of over $57,000 combined by being promised large cash prizes if they paid upfront fees and taxes. Arja Donaldson (50) and Latoya Hayden (37) were charged with fraud and possession of property obtained by crime, while an arrest warrant was issued for Andrew Baker (31) for possession of property obtained by crime. Peel Regional Police advise residents to avoid sending money or personal information to unknown parties and direct anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Robert Powell, 23, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 79 months in federal prison for armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service mail truck in June 2022 and for operating a "card cracking" fraud scheme. Powell robbed a postal worker at gunpoint, stole mail containing checks, and used social media to recruit victims to share their bank account information so he could deposit altered stolen checks and quickly withdraw the funds. The scheme defrauded countless victims before Powell's arrest through investigation by U.S. Postal Inspectors and the Avon Police Department.
komonews.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior named David was defrauded of $435,000 by brothers Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, who posed as home repair contractors, pressured him into authorizing bogus repairs, and failed to complete the work over several weeks until his daughter intervened. The McDonaghs pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud conspiracy charges and received 18-month prison sentences; while $200,000 was recovered through a reversed wire transfer, most of the money was lost, and the brothers are expected to be deported to Ireland after serving their time. The case highlights predatory home repair scams targeting seniors, with Washington state reporting over $88 million in elder financial fraud losses in
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers nationwide are sending phishing text messages impersonating toll agencies like FastTrak and EZdriveMA, claiming recipients owe unpaid toll fees and directing them to click links to steal personal and financial information. Authorities including the California Attorney General warn that these messages appear authentic and exploit drivers' fear of penalties to trick them into entering banking details. Consumers should avoid clicking links, verify messages through official agency contacts, report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM), and file complaints with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
kens5.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams increase significantly during filing season, with fraudsters using unsolicited calls, texts, and emails to steal money or personal information, sometimes leveraging AI-generated scripts to appear legitimate. The IRS Criminal Investigation division identified $31 billion in tax and financial crimes during fiscal year 2022 across more than 2,550 cases. To protect themselves, taxpayers should watch for red flags including promises of large paydays, payment demands with threats, and suspicious website links, and filing taxes early can help prevent fraud.
wsoctv.com
· 2025-12-08
Over $1.03 trillion was lost to scams globally in 2024, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence, imposter tactics, and evolving technology to deceive victims. Key emerging threats include AI-powered phishing, deepfake videos, and voice cloning, alongside traditional imposter scams (including grandparent and romance scams) where median losses reached $800-$14,740 depending on the scam type. Scammers are shifting from phone calls to email and text messages as their primary contact method, making it essential for people to remain skeptical of unsolicited communications.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams and fraud losses reached over $1.03 trillion globally in 2024, with scammers increasingly leveraging new technology to evolve their tactics. Key emerging threats for 2025 include AI-powered scams (using deepfakes, AI-generated images, and synthetic voices to enhance phishing and imposter schemes), traditional imposter scams (including grandparent and romance scams, with median losses of $800 in 2023 and $14,740 for government imposter scams), and a shift toward email and text-based contact methods rather than phone calls. Learning about these developments helps potential victims stay ahead of scammers who aim to steal personal information
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old woman in Coimbatore lost Rs 10 lakh in September when scammers posing as FedEx and cybercrime authorities threatened her with a "digital arrest" via a fake Skype video call, coercing her to transfer money under the pretense of verification. The fraudulent bank accounts were linked to similar scams across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, and Kerala, leading authorities to arrest key suspect Gopi Kumar, 42, in South Delhi, though his associates remain at large.
columbiamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
An educational presentation at the Adair County Extension Office by Shellie A. May from Kentucky's Office of Senior Protection addressed identity theft prevention for seniors. The presentation explained how identity theft occurs (through data breaches, phishing, and physical theft), identified common tactics (dumpster diving, mail theft, password compromise), and provided protective measures including regular credit monitoring, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and statement review. Consumers can report scams to the Kentucky Attorney General's office at ag.ky.gov/scams or 1-888-432-9257.
moneywise.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old senior in Lynwood, Washington lost $624,711 in life savings to a gold bar scam after responding to a fake Charles Schwab pop-up and being manipulated by scammers posing as federal agents who convinced her to liquidate investments and convert them to gold bars, which she handed over in a parking lot. The suspect, 42-year-old Zhichao Huang, was extradited from Los Angeles to face charges, and investigators suspect the scheme may be part of a larger fraud ring, as the FBI reported over $55 million in similar gold bar scam losses between May and December 2023. To protect themselves, seniors
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Antony Linton Stewart, a Jamaican citizen, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme from 2010 to 2016 that targeted elderly Americans by phone, falsely claiming they had won prizes and demanding fees and taxes. Stewart and his co-conspirators defrauded victims of over $1.1 million in restitution, with no actual lottery ever existing and no victims receiving winnings. The case is part of the Department of Justice's broader effort to combat overseas lottery schemes targeting U.S. citizens, particularly older adults.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfakes to commit fraud, with consumers losing over $10 billion to fraud in 2023—a 14% increase from the previous year. Notable incidents include a $25 million deepfake video call scam targeting a Hong Kong firm employee and widespread AI-powered phishing schemes that bypass traditional detection systems. Experts project fraud losses could reach $40 billion in the U.S. by 2027 if current trends continue, with investment scams and imposter scams being the most prevalent threats targeting bank customers.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scammers are expected to escalate their tactics during 2025 tax season, employing AI-generated phishing emails, fake tax preparers, IRS imposter phone calls, and social media schemes to steal money and personal information from taxpayers. These scams can result in significant financial losses, identity theft, and emotional harm to victims. Protection strategies include verifying communications directly with the IRS through official channels, vetting tax preparers for credentials like a PTIN, ignoring unsolicited urgent payment demands, and avoiding suspicious social media offers.
buzzfeed.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 70,000 people reported romance scams to the FTC in 2022, losing $1.3 billion collectively with an average loss of $4,400; a notable case involved a French woman who lost €830,000 ($865,000) to a scammer impersonating Brad Pitt over 1½ years, who used AI-generated images of the actor in a hospital to claim he had kidney cancer and needed money. The article advises family members to watch for sudden mood changes and secretive behavior in loved ones, avoid victim-blaming, and approach conversations with curiosity rather than accusations, since scammers often prepare victims to expect such criticism from their social
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
A Houston woman received an unsolicited moissanite ring in the mail as part of a "brushing scam," where fraudsters ship inexpensive items to create fake verified buyer accounts and positive reviews, or to trick recipients into scanning QR codes that lead to malware-infected websites designed to steal personal information. The Better Business Bureau warns this scam has spread nationwide involving jewelry, speakers, and other items, and advises consumers never to scan QR codes on suspicious packages or enter personal information on unfamiliar websites.
business-reporter.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
CEO gift card fraud is a seasonal scam where attackers impersonate senior executives to trick employees into purchasing gift cards, exploiting holiday goodwill and busy schedules. Modern variants use sophisticated tactics including spoofed emails, social media reconnaissance, and generative AI to create convincing messages that bypass traditional email defenses, with these attacks increasingly enabled by cyber-crime-as-a-service platforms and tools like GhostGPT. Organizations face financial losses and reputational damage when falling victim, as these text-based scams lack obvious red flags that standard security systems are designed to catch.
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Antony Linton Stewart, a 40-year-old Jamaican citizen, was sentenced to 84 months in prison and ordered to pay $1,104,041.74 in restitution for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme from approximately 2010 through August 2016. Stewart and his co-conspirators targeted elderly Americans by phone, falsely telling them they had won sweepstakes or lottery prizes and demanding upfront fees and taxes, with no actual lottery or winnings ever existing. The case was prosecuted as part of the Justice Department's effort to combat Jamaica-based lottery fraud schemes that prey on U.S. citizens, particularly older adults.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Antony Linton Stewart, a Jamaican citizen, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for operating a fraudulent lottery scheme from 2010 to 2016 that defrauded elderly Americans by falsely claiming they had won sweepstakes prizes and demanding payment for fees and taxes. Stewart and his co-conspirators contacted victims by phone and repeatedly solicited additional payments with no lottery or winnings ever existing, resulting in over $1.1 million in losses for which he was ordered to pay restitution. This case is part of the Department of Justice's ongoing effort to combat Jamaica-based lottery fraud targeting U.S. citizens, particularly seniors.
news.syr.edu
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other government agencies to target international students via email and phone, claiming visa issues exist and demanding urgent payments through gift cards. ITS advises that legitimate government agencies never demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers, and victims should report such contact to the ITS Helpdesk rather than responding to the fraudsters.
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
kxii.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, scammers increase fraudulent activity through multiple methods including tax identity theft, IRS impersonation via phone/email/text, fake tax preparation services, and phishing links to counterfeit websites. The IRS will only contact taxpayers by mail, never through phone, email, or text, and experts recommend setting up an IRS PIN to prevent criminals from filing fraudulent returns on victims' behalf.
roi-nj.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines how scams have evolved over two decades, becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI technology enabling scammers to impersonate voices and identities of loved ones and authority figures. The article identifies common fraud targets as elderly people and veterans, with typical schemes including romance scams, fake employment offers using fraudulent checks, impersonation of government officials, and advance-fee schemes. Key prevention strategies include recognizing red flags such as urgent pressure, unusual payment methods, grammar errors, and implementing protective measures like monitoring accounts, using strong passwords, and setting spending limits.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax season scams employ increasingly sophisticated tactics including phishing emails impersonating the IRS, phone calls demanding immediate payment, fraudulent tax return filings to claim refunds, and fake tax preparers on social media platforms. Scammers exploit fear and urgency to pressure victims into revealing sensitive information or making payments. Taxpayers can protect themselves by filing early, verifying IRS communications directly, using secure internet connections, monitoring tax accounts, and only using IRS-registered tax preparers.
lexology.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource from a law firm specializing in online fraud describes "pig-butchering" scams—sophisticated schemes where fraudsters build trust with victims over weeks or months through romantic or business relationships, then pressure them to invest large sums in fake opportunities like cryptocurrency or real estate projects. The article provides warning signs including high-pressure tactics, unrealistic returns, cryptocurrency payment requests, and offshore transfers, and recommends victims conduct background checks, research platforms, seek legal advice early, and stay informed about common fraud tactics. The firm notes it receives approximately 100 victim requests monthly but can only accept cases involving losses exceeding $500,000 due to the complex, resource-intensive nature of
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Washington senior lost $624,000 in life savings to a gold bar scam orchestrated by 42-year-old Zhichao Huang, who was extradited from California to face charges. The scam followed a common pattern: a fake pop-up mimicking Charles Schwab prompted the victim to call a number, where an imposter claiming to be a federal agent convinced her to liquidate stocks and retirement accounts into gold bars, then collect them in a parking lot under false pretenses. Between May and December 2023, the FBI reported over $55 million in losses from similar gold bar scams targeting seniors nationwide, with investigators susp
police.boston.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Boston Police Department warns that cryptocurrency scams are rising significantly, with losses in Boston alone expected to exceed $9 million in 2024 and anticipated to grow further in 2025. Common schemes include investment fraud promising guaranteed returns, blackmail and extortion demanding crypto payments, and imposter scams where fraudsters pose as banks, government agencies, or employers to trick victims into transferring funds. To protect themselves, residents should verify investment opportunities through official sources, never share crypto wallet information, be skeptical of unsolicited contacts and social media ads, and report suspected fraud to authorities or the Federal Trade Commission.
newsroom.paypal-corp.com
· 2025-12-08
PayPal and Venmo warn that fraudsters exploit charitable giving by impersonating legitimate charities and relief organizations through phishing, high-pressure tactics, fake websites, and account spoofing to steal money and personal information from well-intentioned donors. The platforms recommend donating only through verified channels like PayPal Cause Hub and Venmo Charity Profiles, and provide guidance on spotting red flags including lack of transparency, unverified credentials, aggressive messaging, and inconsistent communication methods.
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonated the IRS by sending fraudulent text messages promising $1,400 stimulus checks, directing victims to fake IRS websites designed to steal personal and financial information or install malware. The Better Business Bureau warned consumers to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, remember that legitimate IRS communication occurs only through postal mail, and report suspicious communications to authorities.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old Syrian refugee in Dubai provided firsthand testimony about working in a sophisticated mass scamming operation that employed over 1,000 workers across multiple desert facilities to conduct "pig butchering" romance scams targeting victims globally. After being hired under false pretenses for what he believed was an advertising job, the worker was forced to impersonate women and manipulate people into investing in cryptocurrency, working 12-hour shifts for minimal pay while his passport was threatened and movement restricted. The operation, run by Chinese managers and staffed primarily by desperate foreign migrants, is part of a transnational scamming industry estimated to have generated $1.03 trillion globally last year.
ntd.com
· 2025-12-08
Antony Linton Stewart, a 40-year-old from Jamaica, was sentenced to 84 months in prison for operating a lottery scam from 2010 to 2016 that defrauded U.S. seniors by falsely claiming they had won sweepstakes prizes and then repeatedly extracting fees and taxes from victims who never received anything. Stewart and his co-conspirators targeted elderly Americans by phone, instructing them to send money via wire transfer or mail to intermediaries before it reached Stewart, ultimately causing significant financial losses to his victims. Stewart was ordered to pay more than $1.1 million in restitution after being extradited to the United States
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion nationally in 2023, with 2024 showing alarming trends in scam types including online job scams, government impersonation, gift card fraud, and business investment schemes. Student loan scams have proliferated due to confusion over federal loan forgiveness programs, with criminals using phishing, upfront fee schemes, and identity theft tactics to prey on borrowers seeking debt relief. The FTC warns that legitimate assistance is available free through student loan servicers and the Department of Education, and that private companies cannot deliver forgiveness benefits that aren't already available through government programs.
lewistownsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pennsylvania Attorney General representative educated veterans on fraud risks, noting that veterans are twice as likely to be scammed through schemes targeting military benefits, disability payouts, and pensions. Key prevention measures include being cautious of unsolicited contacts, researching entities through official government websites, shredding personal documents, and remembering that government agencies do not initiate contact via phone, email, or social media. Victims can report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission or Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Army colonel in his early 70s from Pune lost Rs 62 lakh in a "digital arrest" scam when fraudsters posing as Delhi Cyber Cell officers claimed he was involved in a Rs 500 crore hawala scam and coerced him to transfer his savings to fake government accounts over five days. The scam operated by threatening arrest, conducting fake video calls to simulate detention, and routing stolen funds through bank accounts in Karnataka, Assam, and Madhya Pradesh. This case is part of a broader pattern of digital arrest fraud targeting senior citizens and armed forces personnel in India, with recent victims losing crores of rupees to organized multinational syndicates.
wvtm13.com
· 2025-12-08
Two text message scams are currently circulating: one falsely claims to be from the IRS offering a $1,400 economic impact payment and directs recipients to click malicious links and provide personal information, while the other impersonates toll agencies threatening license suspension for unpaid road tolls. Authorities warn recipients not to reply to or click links in these messages, noting that the IRS only contacts people by mail and will never request personal information or payment via text or email.
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
During tax season, the Federal Trade Commission warns that identity theft scams are evolving, with scammers increasingly using text messages and emails rather than phone calls to direct victims to fake IRS websites and steal login credentials or install malware. In 2023, the FTC received over one million identity theft reports resulting in more than $10 billion in losses combined. The FTC advises taxpayers to avoid clicking unsolicited links, visit IRS.gov directly to verify information, freeze their credit, use strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, file taxes early, and obtain an IRS identity protection PIN.
aljazeera.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore passed unprecedented anti-scam legislation in 2024 that grants authorities power to freeze bank accounts of suspected scam victims to prevent them from transferring funds to scammers. The measure was prompted by record-high scam reports—26,587 cases in the first half of 2024 with losses exceeding $284 million—where 86 percent involved willing fund transfers, despite education efforts and bank safeguards. While supporters view the law as essential protection, critics argue it reflects paternalistic governance that inappropriately restricts individual financial autonomy.
substack.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scams targeting older adults resulted in approximately $3.4 billion in losses, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report. Common schemes include romance scams, tech support fraud, grandparent scams, government impersonation, lottery scams, and home repair fraud, with perpetrators typically using intimidation tactics or appeals to family relationships to pressure victims into sending money. Experts recommend maintaining awareness, being cautious of high-pressure situations, and reporting suspected fraud as the best defenses against these schemes.
thejakartapost.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Tasikmalaya, West Java defrauded 35 small catering businesses by posing as representatives of a government business association involved in Indonesia's free meals program, claiming they needed vendors and requesting payment of approximately 11 million rupees ($521 USD) per business for certifications and training. One victim, 35-year-old Moena Rosliana, spent 800 million rupees to build a kitchen based on the fraudsters' instructions before the scheme was discovered just weeks before the program's January 6 launch.
home.barclays
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraud and scams reached unprecedented levels, with 18 percent of consumers victimized and 34 percent knowing a scam victim, particularly targeting parents and grandparents. Investment scams emerged as the costliest threat, accounting for one-third of all scam losses with an average claim of £15,564, while 75 percent of scams originated on social media and tech platforms, including sophisticated AI voice-cloning schemes that remain underrecognized by consumers. The article emphasizes that while awareness campaigns have successfully educated the public about traditional scams like fake delivery and HMRC fraud, newer technological scams and recruitment fraud require increased education and cross-industry collaboration
brainerddispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
As tax season approaches, fraudsters are using increasingly sophisticated tactics—including artificial intelligence—to target taxpayers, with the FBI reporting 880,418 cybercrime complaints in 2023 resulting in losses exceeding $12.5 billion. Common tax scams include phishing emails impersonating IRS officials, unqualified tax preparers misusing client information, tax identity theft, and AI-enabled fraud schemes. Taxpayers should protect themselves by verifying preparer credentials, recognizing that the IRS initiates contact via mail rather than unsolicited phone calls or emails, avoiding suspicious links, and safeguarding personal information.
townandcountrymag.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, multiple high-profile fraud cases emerged involving sophisticated impersonation schemes: a Hermès heir reported a $13 billion fortune missing, Elvis Presley's estate discovered Graceland nearly sold at auction after a woman forged loan documents and signatures, and an Arup engineering employee wired $25 million to fraudsters using deepfake technology to impersonate company executives. The article highlights how modern scammers exploit advancing technology—including AI-generated voices and deepfakes—to impersonate authority figures, family members, and trusted individuals, with experts predicting AI-generated fraud could reach $40 billion by 2027. Recommended protections include establishing family
themonroesun.com
· 2025-12-08
Common scams targeting victims include fake attorney calls claiming a loved one needs bail money, utility shutoff warnings, lottery schemes, romance scams, and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Law enforcement advises that when unsolicited callers request personal information or money, recipients should hang up and independently verify the claim by contacting the supposed organization or person directly. Scammers use tactics such as keeping victims on the phone to prevent critical thinking, leveraging personal information like Social Security numbers, and coaching victims on how to send money discreetly to avoid detection by store employees.