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This educational article identifies New Jersey as the safest U.S. state for retirees based on FBI data analysis, citing low violent and property crime rates, minimal senior involvement in fatal accidents, and strong healthcare access. The article also lists nine additional safe states for retirement (New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Alabama) and warns against five states with higher risks of elder fraud, property crime, and scams (Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico).

**Summary:** State Rep. Tina Pickett hosted a free senior scam awareness seminar on April 25 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, led by an investor education coordinator from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. The educational event focused on identifying popular scams targeting seniors, including cryptocurrency fraud, and teaching residents how to protect themselves from financial exploitation.

Pennsylvania State Police presented a seminar on scams targeting seniors, noting that older adults lost over $1 billion to cybercrimes in 2023, with common schemes including government imposter scams, grandparent scams, and tech support fraud. One victim paid $500 for fake tech support and later wired $65,000 to the same scammers after they gained remote access to her device, highlighting how emotional manipulation and technology exploitation are used to defraud older adults.

A 58-year-old former business office coordinator at two senior living facilities in Pennsylvania was indicted on eight counts of wire fraud for allegedly stealing approximately $122,941 from elderly residents' trust accounts at one facility between March 2020 and August 2023, and repeating the scheme at a second facility from April to July 2024. Hardy allegedly exploited her access to the Resident Fund Management Service system by issuing fraudulent checks to herself, family members, and associates, forging resident signatures, and making unauthorized cash withdrawals. Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of up to $366,000, and if convicted on all charges, Hardy faces up to 160 years in prison

**Summary:** Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted on federal charges for participating in a grandparent fraud scheme that operated across Pennsylvania and Ohio between October 2024 and January 2025. The organized crime group defrauded at least five elderly victims in Western Pennsylvania of over $50,000 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations and requesting immediate money transfers; Rodriguez received the stolen funds via rideshare drivers and transferred much of it to the Dominican Republic through wire transfers. The FBI indicates there are likely additional victims across multiple states and requests that anyone with information report it through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh for operating a grandparent fraud scheme targeting elderly victims across Pennsylvania and Ohio from October through January. The organized crime operation involved scammers calling seniors impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations to solicit emergency funds, with money collected in Pennsylvania transported via rideshare drivers to Rodriguez, who then wired over $50,000 to the Dominican Republic; at least five elderly individuals were victimized, though authorities believe the actual number is higher.

A 34-year-old man was indicted in a grandparent scam that targeted at least five Pittsburgh-area seniors, resulting in over $50,000 in losses between October and January, with investigators suspecting many more victims across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and other states. The organized crime group operated by having callers impersonate grandchildren claiming to need emergency money for arrests or accidents, with money collected from victims delivered via ride-share drivers to northern Ohio where the defendant was captured on surveillance. The FBI estimates grandparent scams and similar elder fraud schemes cost seniors over $3 billion annually, targeting them because they are typically trusting, polite, and have significant financial resources.

Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Cleveland resident, was indicted by federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh on charges related to his role in an organized "grandparent scam" operating across Pennsylvania and Ohio. Rodriguez and his crime group defrauded at least five elderly victims out of more than $50,000 between October 2024 and January 2025 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis situations, collecting payments via Lyft and Uber drivers, and funneling proceeds to the Dominican Republic through wire transfers and bank deposits. Investigators believe there are additional victims across multiple states and are seeking information from the public through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Four individuals were indicted on federal charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering as part of a sweepstakes scam that defrauded elderly and vulnerable victims of over $4.5 million across Pennsylvania and the United States. The defendants and their co-conspirators contacted victims claiming they had won multi-million-dollar prizes and used forged documents to convince them to send money in taxes and fees, which was then laundered through bank accounts and money mules to conspirators in Jamaica. All four defendants were arrested between March 14-27, 2025, and face sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

A high school student named Arhan Menta founded the Kumar Project, a nonprofit organization, after his grandfather lost money to a remote-access scam, to educate seniors about financial fraud prevention. Through workshops at senior centers and libraries across Northern Virginia, California, Pennsylvania, and Texas, Arhan and his partners have reached over 1,000 seniors with educational programming and recommendations such as sharing account access with trusted relatives to monitor suspicious activity. Arhan is now working with Virginia state legislators to advocate for laws requiring greater financial scam education and bank transparency to protect seniors from exploitation.

AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents aged 50 and older about rising IRS imposter scams during tax season, where criminals pose as IRS agents via phone, email, mail, or in-person contact to steal money and personal information. Government impersonation scams cost Americans over $394 million in 2023, a 63% increase from 2022, with scammers using threats, fake refund claims, and demands for untraceable payments like gift cards or cryptocurrency. To stay safe, residents should verify IRS contact through official channels (irs.gov), remember that the real IRS initiates contact by mail and rarely makes in-person visits, and report suspicious activity to

Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen living in Cleveland, was indicted in Pennsylvania for operating a grandparent fraud scheme that defrauded at least five elderly victims (ages up to 91) of approximately $50,000 between June 2024 and January 2025. The scammers posed as victims' relatives and authority figures, convincing seniors to withdraw cash and hand it to unsuspecting rideshare drivers, who transported the envelopes to Ohio where Rodriguez collected and wired the funds to the Dominican Republic. This case reflects a growing trend in which elderly Americans lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to grandparent sc

AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents age 50 and older about rising IRS impersonation scams during tax season, in which fraudsters contact victims by phone, mail, email, or in person claiming they owe taxes, face investigation, or are due refunds. Scammers pressure victims to provide personal information or make rapid payments via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. AARP recommends ignoring unsolicited IRS contact, refusing to share sensitive information remotely, reporting suspicious activity immediately, and verifying all IRS communications through the official irs.gov website.

Charles W. Lantzman, a 51-year-old Pittsburgh snow removal business owner, was found guilty of 5 counts of wire fraud and 3 counts of money laundering after defrauding customers by billing them for services never performed. Lantzman used over $10,000 in fraud proceeds to make mortgage payments, and faces sentencing on August 11, 2025, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000 per wire fraud count.

A 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen, Luis Alfonso Rodriguez, was arrested and federally charged with orchestrating a grandparent scam that targeted families across western Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Kentucky between December 2024 and March 2025. Rodriguez allegedly impersonated grandchildren in distress and convinced victims to withdraw thousands of dollars in cash, which they handed to rideshare drivers who unknowingly delivered the funds to him; victims lost tens of thousands of dollars total, with funds later wired to an unidentified person in the Dominican Republic. The FBI urges potential victims to report incidents to its Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced new transparency measures to improve oversight of elder abuse investigations, including publishing performance metrics tracking how quickly Area Agencies on Aging complete cases within a 20-day standard. Westmoreland County AAA improved its compliance rate from 29% in 2024 to 97% in 2025, with the state's 52 AAAs collectively handling nearly 40,000 suspected elder abuse cases annually. The initiative, which includes a new Comprehensive Agency Performance Evaluation tool, aims to increase accountability and ensure more timely protective services for older adults across Pennsylvania.

The FBI warns that grandparent scams have cost Western Pennsylvania residents over $50,000, with criminals posing as family members in financial distress and using social media to gather personal information about elderly targets. Seniors are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be trusting and financially stable, yet often don't report fraud due to shame or lack of knowledge. The FBI recommends victims hang up and independently verify caller identity, resist pressure to act quickly, and report suspected scams to ic3.gov.

Five Western Pennsylvanians lost $50,000 total to the "Grandparents Scam," in which scammers impersonate family members or attorneys claiming a relative needs emergency help. Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a Dominican Republic national living in Cleveland, was arrested for orchestrating the scheme and using ride-share services like Uber to collect payments from victims. The FBI urges additional victims to come forward and advises the public to verify unexpected calls from relatives, resist pressure to act quickly, and never send cash or wire money to unknown callers.

A Georgia man was jailed for allegedly impersonating a police officer ("Sergeant Harding") to scam a registered sex offender in Pennsylvania out of $1,000 in August 2022, claiming he could make a fake warrant disappear if the victim purchased gift cards and paid cash. Law enforcement agencies nationwide report that scammers intermittently target people on sex offender registries with similar police impersonation schemes, though the scams are difficult to track and prevalence varies by jurisdiction. In 2023, American adults lost over $25.4 billion to telephone-based scams overall, with young adults aged 18-44 being three times more likely than older adults to

In 2024, scammers targeted elderly residents and visitors in Beaufort County, South Carolina, stealing over $3.1 million across 62 cases by impersonating law enforcement and demanding cryptocurrency transfers via Bitcoin ATMs. The scams exploited urgency and fabricated threats of arrest or legal consequences, with victims directed to convert cash to cryptocurrency at predatory ATMs with high transaction fees. Officials across South Carolina are calling for government oversight of cryptocurrency ATMs, as these machines have become primary tools for targeting aging communities, with the FTC noting that cryptocurrency scam losses in the U.S. increased tenfold between 2020 and 2023.

An organized crime network operating across Pennsylvania and Ohio perpetrated "grandparent scams" against at least five elderly Pittsburgh residents between October 2024 and January 2025, stealing approximately $50,000 by impersonating grandchildren in crisis and requesting urgent cash payments for bail or medical expenses. Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, 34, was indicted for coordinating the collection and interstate transport of stolen funds via couriers and ride-share services, depositing the money under false names into bank accounts; he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The FBI warns that seniors remain vulnerable targets due to their trustworthiness and financial resources, and urges anyone who received suspicious calls

Dr. Neil Anand, a 48-year-old Indian-origin physician, was convicted in federal court in Pennsylvania for his role in a $2.3 million healthcare fraud and illegal controlled substance distribution scheme, along with money laundering charges. The Justice Department prosecution targeted Anand's involvement in unlawfully distributing controlled medications and defrauding the healthcare system.

State Rep. Leanne Krueger is hosting "Scam Jam," a free educational event on April 25, 2025, in Aston, Pennsylvania, where residents can learn fraud prevention from experts including the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, Delaware County District Attorney's Office, and AARP Pennsylvania. The two-hour seminar will cover recent elder abuse cases, common community scams, investment fraud, mail fraud, and check washing, with interactive games and resources to help attendees recognize and prevent scams targeting seniors and other residents.

A Pittsburgh-area senior couple lost $6,750 to Shiloh Landscaping after paying a $4,000 advance for a retaining wall that was never completed, receiving only materials and excuses over two years. After their story aired on local news, contractor Ray Benvenuti saw the report and donated labor to complete the wall at no cost, with help from a local hardware store. The article also includes Better Business Bureau guidance on selecting contractors, recommending getting multiple bids, verifying insurance, limiting advance payments to one-third of the total cost, and confirming contractor registration with Pennsylvania's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Scammers impersonating State Troopers and court officials are calling Pennsylvania residents and threatening arrest for missed jury duty or contempt of court, demanding immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The imposters use spoofed caller IDs, fake case numbers, and victims' personal information to appear credible. Pennsylvania State Police warn that legitimate government agencies never request payment through untraceable methods or personal financial information over the phone, and urge residents to hang up immediately and contact local police if targeted.

A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters impersonating Microsoft and her bank claimed she had been hacked and threatened arrest, attempting to manipulate her into withdrawing cash to purchase cryptocurrency. The scam exploited heightened emotions and urgency, tactics that have become more effective with AI advancement and access to personal data on the dark web. According to the FTC, Americans lost between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to financial scams in 2023-2024, with cryptocurrency transfers and digital payment methods making these crimes particularly difficult to trace and recover from.

State Rep. Tina Pickett and Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters hosted a free educational seminar on May 9 in Tunkhannock to help residents recognize and avoid scams, particularly targeting seniors. The event featured Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities coordinator George Dillman, who presented information on common scams and included an interactive "Fraud Bingo" game to teach fraud prevention strategies. The seminar was part of an ongoing effort to educate the public as scammers become increasingly aggressive and deceptive.

Three individuals—Todd, Ty, and Laura Reppert—were charged with financial exploitation of an elderly woman named Donna Reppert after misappropriating approximately $500,000 between January 2019 and January 2023. Todd Reppert, who held power of attorney over Donna's finances, along with the two other defendants, diverted funds for personal expenses including bills, vehicle purchases, real estate acquisitions, and online gambling despite having no legal authorization to do so. The Pennsylvania State Police filed charges including financial exploitation of an elder, corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and multiple felony theft counts.

The FBI warns of discount medical insurance scams that promise reduced rates but provide no actual coverage, resulting in millions in annual losses and primarily targeting people seeking affordable healthcare through unsolicited contact. Washington state issued a cease-and-desist order against one fraudulent company after over 100 complaints, with victims reporting misrepresented coverage, denied refunds, and unauthorized charges; specific cases included Pennsylvania residents pressured into plans with no actual coverage, a Texas senior deceived into unwanted dental insurance, and a Maryland man left responsible for $7,000 in surgery costs after his purchased plan was not accepted by his hospital. To protect themselves, consumers should verify that insurance companies are licensed in their state through the state

A Doylestown, Pennsylvania woman lost $45,000 in a dealership cloning scam after finding what appeared to be a legitimate Lexus listing on CARFAX that was attributed to a real Nebraska dealership owner, Jim Woods, but was actually perpetrated by scammers using a fake website and stolen listings. The criminals impersonated Woods, provided fabricated vehicle videos, and disappeared after receiving wire payment, with at least one other victim losing $18,000 in the same scheme. CARFAX declined to provide details on its vetting process for sellers but stated it investigates and removes fraudulent listings when identified, though experts recommend using escrow services for sight-unseen

**Summary:** The FBI has issued a warning about fraudulent discount medical insurance schemes that cost victims millions annually, targeting people seeking affordable healthcare with misleading offers that promise coverage but provide none. Scammers use unsolicited contact and high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into quick sign-ups, with documented cases including a Pennsylvania couple and Maryland resident who discovered their policies provided no coverage after medical events, leaving them responsible for thousands in bills. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, reviewing policy documents carefully, and avoiding upfront payments to protect against these scams.

The FBI warns of a rapidly spreading scam involving fake discount medical insurance plans that have cost victims millions of dollars. Fraudsters posing as insurance representatives use unsolicited contact and false urgency to convince people to pay for non-existent coverage, often promising full medical/dental benefits, preferred doctor access, and bonus benefits like grocery or gas aid. Documented cases include a Pennsylvania couple who received emergency room bills they thought were covered and a Texas senior who had to cancel his credit card to stop unauthorized charges after enrolling in a fraudulent dental plan.

Pennsylvania has established consumer protection resources under Governor Shapiro's Administration to help residents report and address financial, insurance, and consumer scams. Residents can report suspicious activities through multiple channels: calling 1-866-PACOMPLAINT, visiting pa.gov/consumer, or emailing [email protected], with serious crimes also reportable to local law enforcement.

The FBI issued a nationwide alert about fraudulent "discount" medical insurance schemes targeting seniors and other Americans, resulting in millions of dollars in losses. Scammers impersonate legitimate insurance companies through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails, using high-pressure tactics to pressure victims into enrolling in fake plans that provide no actual coverage when medical services are needed. Documented cases include victims in Washington, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Maryland who were denied coverage claims, subjected to unauthorized charges, and refused refunds after discovering the plans were fraudulent.

**Summary:** Windber Police Chief Andy Frear warned of increased phone scams targeting older adults in Somerset County, Pennsylvania, after two recent victims lost tens of thousands of dollars. Scammers use various pretexts—claiming loved ones have been arrested or accounts have been hacked—and request money or gift cards, with older people being the primary targets. Chief Frear urges family members to alert elderly relatives about these scams and recommends calling police immediately or contacting their bank if they suspect fraud.

Gift card scams cost Americans over $217 million in 2023, with scammers impersonating government agents, family members, or businesses to pressure victims into purchasing cards and sharing serial numbers and PINs. More than one-third of U.S. adults have been targeted by these scams, which exploit trust and urgency to steal money that cannot be recovered. AARP recommends purchasing gift cards directly from retailers, verifying balances before leaving stores, and never using gift cards as payment, while encouraging victims to report scams to local law enforcement.

The FBI warned of growing discount medical insurance scams where fraudsters contact victims via phone, text, and email offering fake insurance plans at reduced rates with high-pressure tactics and upfront payment requirements. Victims have lost millions of dollars annually, including a Pennsylvania couple who discovered their policy didn't cover emergency care and a Maryland man who faced a $7,000 medical bill after his fake insurance was rejected by providers. To protect themselves, consumers should verify insurance offers through their state's insurance commissioner and Better Business Bureau, confirm provider acceptance, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The FBI is warning the public about discount medical insurance scams that have emerged in Pennsylvania and beyond, which fraudulently promise reduced insurance rates while providing no actual coverage. These scams target people seeking affordable healthcare by impersonating legitimate providers, using high-pressure sales tactics, and promising hidden fees or refunds that never materialize, resulting in millions of dollars in annual losses. The FBI recommends verifying offers through the Better Business Bureau, checking with current providers, and reporting suspected fraud to the Internet Crimes Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Pittsburgh-area law enforcement leaders warned the public about increasingly sophisticated scams facilitated by technology, including common schemes like "grandparent" scams, fake tech support, and gift card fraud. The officials advised people to pause before acting on suspicious communications, verify information with trusted sources, avoid clicking links, and report all scams regardless of amount, noting that most stolen money is quickly moved out of the country and difficult to recover.

Lance Norman, 36, of Queens, was arrested for operating a Publishers Clearing House scam targeting a Columbia County resident who lost approximately $62,000 in cash across two in-person meetings in Hudson. Norman was located in Westchester County with a large sum of cash in his vehicle and was charged with grand larceny and conspiracy, both felonies. New York State Police urged the public to be cautious of prize or sweepstakes scams demanding upfront payments and to report suspicious financial activity targeting older adults.

Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are warning residents about six prevalent scams: Facebook marketplace scams offering cheap duct cleaning or car detailing that harvest personal information; jury duty scams impersonating authorities and requesting driver's license or passport numbers; "brushing" scams involving unsolicited packages with malicious QR codes designed to access phone data; Medicaid/Medicare impersonation scams attempting to steal Social Security numbers and personal information; fake law enforcement scams threatening arrest and demanding bond payments; and additional schemes targeting victims through phone calls, emails, and in-person contact. The advisory emphasizes avoiding contact with suspicious offers, never scanning unknown QR codes, hanging up on callers imp

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.

Ghanaian socialite and musician Hajia 4Reall (Mona Faiz Montrage) was released from federal prison on May 22, 2025, after serving a one-year-one-day sentence for her role in a romance scam that defrauded U.S. victims between 2013 and 2019. She was ordered to forfeit $216,475 and pay $1,387,458 in restitution to victims, and will return to Ghana under a three-year supervised release agreement. The 32-year-old was convicted for conspiracy to receive stolen money as part of a West Africa-based criminal enterprise that used romance frau

The Cambria County Area Agency on Aging held an educational luncheon where seniors learned to identify financial scams from local police and Pennsylvania Attorney General's office officials. Attendees received information about common fraud tactics including online relationship scams, tax filing schemes, and fake toll fee requests, which have resulted in some elderly victims losing thousands of dollars or even their homes. The agency reports receiving calls almost weekly about financial exploitation in the county, emphasizing that financial crimes against seniors are among the fastest growing in the United States.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is conducting educational outreach events throughout June 2024 to help seniors, service providers, and the general public recognize and avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. The programs include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO," "$camJam" (featuring law enforcement and state agency experts), senior expos, and sessions on common scam tactics, offered at various locations across Pennsylvania at no cost to attendees.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple free educational events throughout June 2024 aimed at seniors, service providers, and the general public to help them avoid scams, detect fraud, and prevent identity theft. Events include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO" and "$camJam" held at senior centers and community locations across Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvanians encouraged to report scams via 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.

Scammers are sending text messages falsely claiming to be from PennDOT, threatening license suspension and vehicle registration revocation unless recipients pay outstanding fines immediately. PennDOT officials clarified that the agency does not send text messages about traffic violations or fines, and advised recipients to delete the messages, avoid clicking links, and report them as spam. A key indicator of the scam is that the message falsely references the "Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles," a non-existent department in Pennsylvania.

Officials in Pennsylvania and New Jersey are warning about a text message scam claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threatening license suspension or prosecution to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal information. Both PennDOT and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission clarified they do not send unsolicited texts about driver status. Victims should report suspected scam messages to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Pennsylvania residents are receiving scam text messages impersonating state agencies including the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Department of Motor Vehicles, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, claiming outstanding traffic tickets or toll fees require immediate payment via links or gift cards. The scammers threaten fictitious penalties such as license suspension, criminal prosecution, and credit damage to pressure victims into sending money through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. State authorities advise recipients to ignore suspicious links, never provide personal information, and report such messages to local police or the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, emphasizing that legitimate state agencies never solicit payment via text message.

Scammers sent fraudulent text messages to Pennsylvania drivers impersonating the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), claiming recipients had outstanding traffic tickets and threatening vehicle registration suspension and driving privilege revocation for 30 days, with an added threat of a 35% service fee if charges were transferred to toll booths. The messages contained a malicious link (since disabled and flagged) designed to collect payment for fines that do not exist, and multiple recipients reported the scam to local news outlets.