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An FBI report reveals that scams targeting adults 60 and older are increasing rapidly, with over 100,000 complaints filed in 2023 resulting in $3.4 billion in losses nationwide, with Virginia ranking 9th at over $90,000 in fraud losses. Romance scams, cryptocurrency scams, and impostor scams (such as fake bank agent calls) are the most common tactics exploiting older adults who have more time and financial resources. Experts recommend authenticating all communications, not trusting caller ID alone, and educating seniors about fraud prevention strategies.

Former San Diego Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood shared insights on elder fraud at the 8th Annual Fairfax Scam Jam, highlighting why victims often remain silent—including impairment, isolation, shame, loyalty to abusers, fear of losing independence, dependence on caregivers, and retaliation fears. Greenwood advocates for a proactive community approach to fraud prevention, including training notaries to recognize fraud signs, public awareness campaigns, and educating the public about misconceptions such as ageism affecting investigations and the false belief that giving someone money cannot constitute a crime.

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.

I'm unable to provide a summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be only the navigation menu and header structure of an NBC4 Washington website, not an actual article about a scam, fraud, or elder abuse case. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide: - The actual article text or transcript content - Information about the scam/fraud/abuse that occurred - Details about who was affected and any relevant outcomes Once you share the full article content, I'll be happy to write a concise 2-3 sentence summary following the Elderus format.

The U.S. Attorney for Southern West Virginia secured two guilty pleas for COVID-19 relief fraud: Ross Jay Bailey misused approximately $1.4 million of a $2 million federal loan for personal purchases including cryptocurrency, and April Elick of Bluefield stole $84,000 in federal relief aid for personal expenses rather than eligible business costs. Elick faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, a $250,000 fine, and over $97,000 in restitution.

April Elick, 43, of Bluefield, West Virginia, pleaded guilty to stealing $84,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, including two Paycheck Protection Program loans totaling $14,520 and an Economic Injury Disaster Loan of $69,700, which she obtained by falsely claiming the money was for her home healthcare business. Elick admitted to converting the funds for personal use, including approximately $30,560 in cash withdrawals, $16,350 in digital wallet transfers, and $8,290 in purchases across multiple states. She faces sentencing on September 8, 2025, with a maximum penalty of 10

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles warned residents of a text message scam in which fraudsters impersonating the DMV demand payment for fines and threaten license suspension, with links designed to steal personal information. The DMV emphasized it never sends unsolicited text messages requesting payment and advised residents to report and delete suspicious messages using their phone's junk reporting feature.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles warned customers about a text scam in which fraudsters impersonate the DMV and falsely claim money is owed for unpaid fines, directing recipients to click links that steal personal information. The DMV emphasized it never sends text messages demanding payment and advised customers to verify communications through official channels, avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, and report suspicious messages to authorities or the FTC.

I don't have access to the full article content - only the navigation menu and header information from the FOX 5 DC website. The title indicates the piece is about celebrities Chris Carmack and Erin Slaver sharing their experiences with scams, but the actual article text with details about what scams they experienced, amounts lost, or specific advice is not included in what you've provided. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please share the complete article text or transcript.

A multi-state text scam impersonating the North Carolina DMV claimed recipients had unpaid traffic tickets or toll charges and threatened vehicle registration suspension or required payment of $6.99 within hours. The fraudulent texts included links to fake websites mimicking official DMV sites, designed to steal personal information or payment card details from drivers across North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Florida. The NC DMV advises recipients not to respond, to block the sender, and to report the messages to the FTC via text to 7726.

Americans lost $470 million to text scams in 2024, with fraudsters increasingly impersonating banks and credit unions using convincing messaging to trick victims. Experts recommend being skeptical of all unsolicited communications and instead calling your bank directly using the number on your physical card, checking online banking portals independently, or visiting your financial institution in person to verify any suspicious activity before responding to texts or emails.

**Summary:** The FBI Pittsburgh warned that elder fraud complaints reached 147,127 in 2024, resulting in $4.885 billion in losses—a 46% increase in complaints and 43% surge in losses year-over-year, with West Virginia victims reporting $5.7 million in losses. Common schemes targeting seniors include romance scams, investment fraud, tech support scams, and money mule schemes, with fraudsters exploiting seniors' perceived trustworthiness, isolation, and financial stability. The FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts, avoiding pressure-based decisions, protecting personal information, and reporting suspected fraud through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3.gov) to help law enforcement

Senior citizens and vulnerable adults across the United States are being targeted at increasing rates by scammers using phone calls, emails, text messages, and artificial intelligence; in 2024, seniors lost nearly $4.9 billion across 147,000 complaints nationally, with Virginia seniors (age 60+) losing over $106.5 million in more than 3,800 reported incidents. Common scams targeting elders include the "Grandparent scam" using AI voice impersonation, text message schemes regarding undelivered packages and unpaid tolls, and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Officials recommend verifying contact information independently, resisting pressure to act quickly, and avoiding payment methods like gift cards

Virginia ranked 11th nationally for elder abuse financial losses in 2024, with approximately 3,800 complaints filed with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center as part of a broader national trend showing $4.85 billion in losses from over 140,000 elder fraud complaints—a 43% increase from 2023. The FBI recommends protecting yourself by verifying the identity of unfamiliar contacts through independent research, resisting urgency tactics used by scammers, and avoiding sharing personal information or sending money to unverified individuals. Victims should immediately contact financial institutions and report suspected fraud to their local FBI field office or the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

**Summary:** AARP Virginia Community Ambassador Shannon Abell warns that unusually cheap summer travel deals found online often indicate scams, and recommends that anyone suspicious of travel fraud contact AARP's free Fraud Watch Network hotline (877-908-3360) or webpage for assistance, which is available to people of all ages, not just seniors.

Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted for operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded millions of Americans, predominantly elderly victims, by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and threatening arrest to pressure victims into transferring funds to bank accounts they controlled. Victims testified to losing significant sums, including a 70-year-old who transferred over $600,000 and a widowed mother of eight who lost more than $300,000, with the defendants retaining thousands for themselves before laundering the remaining funds. Both were convicted of money laundering and conspiracy charges, with Patel also convicted of wire fraud conspiracy

A woman from Hampton, Virginia fell victim to a sophisticated Facebook account takeover scam in which a scammer impersonated her friend, used fake video calls and personal details to gain her trust, and tricked her into sending a recovery code that gave them access to her account. The scammer changed her email and password, locked her out, compromised three Facebook groups she administered, and attempted to purchase $17,000 in bitcoins on her account before she recognized a follow-up scam demanding money. The article provides recovery steps for compromised Facebook accounts and advises victims to report incidents to IC3.gov and Facebook's official support channels rather than third-party support numbers.

A 2025 national health care fraud takedown resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants across 50 federal districts for schemes involving over $14.6 billion in alleged fraud, with 19 individuals charged in Florida's Middle District alone for defrauding Medicare and programs serving elderly and disabled beneficiaries. Key defendants included William Balsamo, charged with operating a telemedicine kickback scheme that caused at least $9 million in Medicare losses, and Edward Cannatelli, Robbyn Cannatelli, Thomas Farese, and Virginia Lockett, charged with conspiracy to defraud Medicare through medically unnecessary physician orders generated via telemarketing

Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted for operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded millions of Americans, primarily elderly victims, by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and claiming their Social Security numbers had been compromised. The defendants collected over $1 million from victims through controlled bank accounts, including $600,000 from a 70-year-old New Jersey resident and $300,000 from a recently widowed mother of eight, which they laundered and kept portions of for themselves. Parikh was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of money laundering, while Patel

Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted of operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded elderly Americans out of millions of dollars by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and convincing victims their Social Security numbers had been compromised. Victims, including a 70-year-old who lost $600,000 and a widowed mother of eight who lost over $300,000, were directed to transfer funds to bank accounts controlled by the defendants, who then laundered the money. Parikh was convicted of money laundering conspiracy and two substantive money laundering counts, while Patel was convicted on all charges

A high school student named Wesley Driscoll, inspired by his personal experience with a phone scam, founded Silver Guard Seniors to help protect elderly citizens from fraud. The organization is hosting a free scam-prevention event on July 26 in Alexandria, Virginia, featuring former FBI agent John Schwartz and other experts who will educate seniors about recognizing common schemes like romance scams and refund fraud, while addressing the shame and secrecy that often surrounds elder financial abuse.

Federal Trade Commission data estimates fraud theft in the United States reached $158.3 billion in 2023, with imposter scams, romance scams, tech scams, and investment scams being the most common types, typically beginning with phishing attempts via email, text, phone, or QR codes. AARP Virginia warns that AI technology is making scams increasingly convincing, particularly grandparent scams using synthesized voice calls, and recommends victims and witnesses report fraud to local law enforcement or contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908-3360.

Scammers are creating fraudulent look-alike travel websites designed to trick consumers into booking vacations with fake companies instead of legitimate travel providers. The segment advises consumers to verify website legitimacy before booking, avoid assuming search results are trustworthy, and report fraudulent activity to help authorities track criminals and prevent future victims.

This opinion piece advocates for the bipartisan TRAPS Act (Task Force for Recognizing and Averting Payment Scams) to combat the surge in digital fraud, which cost Americans $12.5 billion in losses across 2.6 million fraud reports last year—a 25% increase from the previous year. The author, a former law enforcement executive, argues that payment scams disproportionately target older adults through romance schemes, fake investments, and AI-generated impersonation calls, and that the current fragmented approach leaves victims bouncing between agencies without effective coordination. The proposed legislation would unite the Treasury Department, FTC, Justice Department, FCC, and financial industry leaders

Eight people have been charged in a sophisticated $8.8 million bank fraud operation that victimized over 230 people, many of them seniors, after three Maryland bank employees allegedly used their access to steal customer information including Social Security numbers and account details, which co-conspirators then used to open fraudulent accounts and transfer funds. The defendants, arrested across multiple states, face charges including racketeering, conspiracy, identity fraud, and unauthorized computer access, with bonds ranging from $10,000 to $1,020,000. Authorities recovered some stolen funds that were spent on personal purchases including vehicles, and the case involved coordination between Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and Missouri law enforcement agencies.

Charleston Police and Chase Bank hosted a scam awareness workshop for seniors in Charleston, West Virginia, where attendees learned to recognize common fraud schemes including E-Z Pass, jury duty, and romance scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, West Virginia residents lost approximately $27 million to fraud and scams in 2024 and are on pace to lose more in 2025. Experts advised seniors to verify requests with trusted sources directly, avoid sharing personal information via phone or email, and report scams immediately to police and their banks, noting that once money reaches scammers—typically operating overseas—it is nearly impossible to recover.

John Burkman and Jacob Wohl pleaded no contest to orchestrating racially targeted robocalls in Detroit during the 2020 election that falsely warned nearly 12,000 Black voters that mail-in voting would expose their personal information to police, debt collectors, and federal health authorities. The scheme was designed to suppress voter turnout through intimidation and deception, and both men face multiple felony charges including election law violations and computer fraud with sentences up to 7 years.

Shawn Steven Harris, a romance scammer operating under at least eight aliases from October 2019 to November 2021, defrauded multiple women out of tens of thousands of dollars by impersonating government operatives (CIA, FBI, DIA) on dating websites and social media. Harris convinced victims to use their credit cards for fake "missions," promising repayment by the government or personal reimbursement that never materialized, while also falsely offering benefits like debt elimination and property. Harris died by suicide in Alexandria, Virginia in 2024 while jumping from a 15th-floor building to evade FBI arrest on fraud charges.

Older adults in West Virginia are frequently targeted by scammers using robocalls, texts, and social media schemes that exploit personal information to build false credibility. Common tactics include impersonating legitimate businesses, the IRS, or family members in distress, then pressuring victims to purchase Green Dot cards, Bitcoin, or other untraceable payment methods. Police advise seniors to question callers without disclosing personal information and recognize that legitimate businesses never operate through unsolicited contact demanding immediate payment.

The Better Business Bureau has documented increased complaints about online gambling scams in Virginia over the past three years, with consumers facing risks from unclear terms, deceptive practices, and fraudulent schemes as the industry expands. The confusing regulatory landscape allows scammers to exploit consumers through illegal gambling platforms and deceptive practices. To protect yourself, verify which gambling sites are legal in your state, understand the terms and conditions, and contact the National Problem Gambling Hotline (1-800-426-2537) if you suspect fraud or have gambling concerns.

The Virginia Tech Police Department warned of multiple ongoing scams targeting students and community members, including fake football ticket sales via social media (where scammers pose as alumni and accept payment through apps like Venmo but never deliver tickets), sextortion schemes targeting male students (where scammers pose as attractive women, solicit intimate photos, then blackmail victims), fraudulent job offers involving fake checks that students are asked to cash and return funds for, and impersonation scams where scammers pose as family or friends requesting gift card payments. The department provided prevention advice for each scam type, emphasizing purchasing from official vendors, never sending intimate photos to unknown contacts, verifying checks through banks, and carefully ver

A TikTok user reported falling victim to a solar panel installation scam after a door-to-door salesman falsely claimed Virginia's government would pay for panels, with only installation costs required. The family took out a predatory loan with hidden interest charges and was forced to replace their roof, leaving them in substantial debt with a substandard system lacking battery backup. Solar scams are widespread nationwide, involving false government program claims, predatory loans with misleading terms, incomplete installations, and hidden fees; consumers should avoid door-to-door salespeople, verify companies through the BBB, and report suspected fraud to the FTC, CFPB, or state consumer protection offices.

Scammers are increasingly sophisticated in crafting deceptive texts and emails, with the typical American receiving nearly 63 spam texts in August 2025, and many now using AI to improve message quality. The primary defense is to avoid engaging with suspicious messages, trust your instincts, contact your financial institution directly through official channels rather than responding to the message, and be cautious about verifying sender email addresses, as they often appear suspicious despite polished message content. Additional protective steps include limiting personal information shared on social media, refraining from posting travel plans, shredding financial documents, and switching to digital statements to prevent scammers from using personal data to target individuals or their loved ones.

Scammers increasingly use sophisticated techniques, including AI-generated messages, making it harder to identify fraud through traditional red flags like typos. Key prevention strategies include trusting your instincts when messages seem suspicious, contacting financial institutions directly rather than responding to unsolicited communications, avoiding posting personal information on social media, and securely disposing of financial documents. Being skeptical and cautious about unsolicited messages—even from seemingly legitimate sources—is the most effective defense against modern scams.

Brian Taulton, a 56-year-old from West Virginia, was arrested on charges of defrauding North Carolina residents between February 2024 and June 2025 by posing as a Duke Energy employee and driveway repair contractor, stealing approximately $90,000 and attempting to steal an additional $38,600 from elderly and disabled victims. Taulton would knock on doors claiming to have leftover asphalt from nearby jobs, then either perform substandard work or not complete repairs at all, with individual victims losing amounts ranging from $7,000 to $20,000. He faces 22 felony charges related to exploitation and fraud, an

Brian Taulton, a West Virginia man, was arrested for defrauding Wake County seniors by approaching their homes and draining their bank accounts, exploiting victims out of tens of thousands of dollars. The case highlights a door-to-door fraud scheme targeting elderly residents in the area.

I appreciate you providing this content, but this appears to be just the navigation menu and header structure of an NBC4 Washington webpage, not an actual article about elder fraud or scams. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the actual article text with: - A headline describing the fraud/scam incident - The body content explaining what occurred - Details about victims, amounts, and outcomes Could you please share the actual article content you'd like summarized?

Brian Alexander Taulton, 57, was arrested in Wake County, North Carolina, and charged with exploiting elderly residents through a driveway repair scam that defrauded victims of approximately $100,000. Taulton allegedly posed as a city worker or offered unsolicited asphalt repair services, collecting upfront payments (including nearly $16,000 from one victim and $18,000 from a 95-year-old) before performing substandard or no work; he is also facing fugitive charges in Virginia for similar crimes. Authorities advise residents to verify credentials, request references, and avoid pressure tactics emphasizing urgency, as elder fraud costs an estimate

Linda Kay Simmons, a 71-year-old Virginia woman, lost approximately $10,000 in a "jury duty" scam in which callers spoofed sheriff's office numbers and falsely claimed she had missed grand jury duty and owed $14,000 in fines to avoid jail. The scammers kept her on the phone for five hours while directing her to withdraw cash and deposit it into a bitcoin machine at a gas station, using psychological manipulation and tracking her location to maintain control. Simmons is now publicly sharing her experience to warn others about the sophistication and psychological tactics used by these scammers.

I appreciate you sharing this, but the content you provided appears to be a website navigation menu and header structure from WDBJ7 news rather than the actual article text. While there is a headline "Beware of Jury Duty Scams" published September 10, 2025, the actual article content is not included in what you've shared. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the full article text describing the jury duty scam details, including: - What the scam involves - Who was targeted/affected - Any victim losses or outcomes - Specific warning details Could you please share the complete article content?

A 70-year-old Virginia man lost thousands of dollars in a year-long romance scam in which he believed he was communicating with Canadian actress Amber Marshall on Facebook and messaging app Zangi, ultimately losing money meant for rent. According to Virginia Tech elder mistreatment expert Pam Teaster, seniors are disproportionately targeted by romance scams that exploit loneliness; the FBI reported 17,910 romance scam complaints in 2024 resulting in over $672 million in total losses. The victim is sharing his story to educate others, emphasizing that combating these scams requires both education and addressing societal loneliness among elderly individuals.

The Washington County Virginia Sheriff's Office warned of a property listing scam in which fraudsters use accurate owner information (name, address, tax ID) to contact realtors and illegally list real properties, particularly farmland, for sale. Local realtors have successfully prevented many attempts by verifying details with actual property owners, and authorities recommend that individuals verify all transaction details and report suspected scams to law enforcement.

I appreciate you sharing this, but the content provided appears to be navigation menus and website structure from WDBJ7 rather than the actual article text. The only headline I can see is "Voices of Privacy: A Look at Startling Statistics on Senior Scams" (published Sep. 18, 2025), but the article body itself isn't included. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the full article text or transcript. Could you please share the complete article content?

According to an AARP study, seniors lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024—a 43% increase from 2023—with over 147,000 complaints filed to the FBI and $745 million lost in just the first quarter of 2025. Artificial intelligence and deepfakes have made scams significantly more convincing in 2025, with fraudsters using AI to impersonate trusted figures and create false urgency across multiple scam types targeting senior citizens' retirement funds.

Two women—Kimberly VanKline of Maryland and Rhonda Brown-Moore of New York—pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for creating and submitting falsified documents to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds, including Paycheck Protection Program loans for a West Virginia resident, with both defendants profiting from the scheme. They each face up to 20 years in federal prison, with sentencing to be determined by a federal judge.

An 80-year-old Gaithersburg resident lost over $26,000 in a government impersonation scam where fraudsters falsely claimed to be U.S. Treasury Department agents demanding payment to avoid criminal charges. James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was arrested in Culpeper County when he arrived to collect an additional $10,000 that authorities had arranged as part of an undercover operation, and he was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses. Authorities indicate the scheme was part of a larger operation intended to send collected funds overseas and warn residents to report suspicious demands for money

Virginia reported nearly 4,000 residents aged 60 and older lost over $106.6 million to fraud in 2024, ranking the state 11th nationally in elder fraud losses, though actual cases likely far exceed reported figures. Common scams targeting seniors exploit their fixed incomes and fears through impersonation schemes (like fake Microsoft or bank calls), with experts recommending victims never share personal information with unknown contacts and verify requests through official channels. Professionals emphasize that fraud can affect anyone regardless of experience, and encourage open communication and consultation with trusted individuals rather than hiding shame about becoming a victim.

A Maryland man named James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg was arrested after scamming a 90-year-old Culpeper, Virginia woman out of $26,000 in a sophisticated scheme involving impersonation of U.S. Treasury Department agents who threatened her with criminal charges unless she provided cash. Smith was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses, and is being held without bond.

West Virginia University's Information Technology Services warns faculty, staff, and students to be cautious of unsolicited job offers and credential-soliciting messages via email, phone, or text, noting that ITS will never contact users by text to verify information or request login details. Legitimate job opportunities are posted on jobs.wvu.edu (employees) and Handshake (students), and users should report suspicious communications to the ITS Service Desk or forward suspicious emails to [email protected], changing their password immediately if they have already disclosed personal information.

A 10-person scam ring operating near Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia defrauded hundreds of Navy Federal Credit Union customers out of approximately $2 million between 2023 and 2025. The scammers, using aliases like "Wildboy," "Fatty," and "Jizzle," targeted military-age individuals in public spaces, convincing them to surrender their phones under false pretenses, then used the devices to illegally transfer funds, submit fraudulent loans, and steal personal information—sometimes using threats, physical force, or firearms. Within eastern Virginia alone, 500 victims reported the scheme, leading to federal indictments against all 10 defendants on charges including bank