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The FBI and Better Business Bureau warn of a surge in holiday season scams targeting consumers during Christmas shopping. Common scams include misleading social media ads leading to counterfeit products, illegal pyramid schemes disguised as gift exchanges (like "Secret Sister"), fake toll collection texts, phishing emails offering free gift cards, and fraudulent seasonal job postings that exploit personal information. Consumers are advised to research businesses on BBB.org, verify offers directly with official sources, review app privacy policies, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages.

The FBI and Ohio Department of Commerce warn consumers about five prevalent holiday scams: fake charity schemes targeting the $550 billion in annual donations, tollway phishing texts, online shopping fraud via phishing emails and fake websites, employment scams targeting younger adults, and gift card scams requesting personal information. In 2023, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud nationally, with Ohio victims losing over $5 million to non-delivery and non-payment scams alone, plus over $6 million to credit card and check fraud.

Seniors lose an estimated $3 billion annually to scams, with fraud spiking during the holiday season through fake e-commerce websites, phishing emails, charity scams, and delivery fraud. The article identifies warning signs for each scam type—such as suspicious URLs, urgent messaging, pushy callers requesting gift card donations, and unsolicited delivery notifications—and recommends protective measures including verifying websites and charities, avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages, and monitoring financial accounts regularly. Additional safeguards include educating seniors about scams, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and leveraging caller ID blocking features.

During the holiday season, scammers exploit shoppers' stress and excitement through various schemes, including package delivery scams that use fake links mimicking legitimate carriers (like "uspsts.top" instead of "usps.com") to steal personal information or payment, and charity scams where fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations to solicit donations. The article advises consumers to verify packages through original shipping confirmations, independently research charities before donating, maintain antivirus software, and watch for red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links.

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations issued a holiday season warning about phone scams targeting seniors and vulnerable populations, including grandparent scams, charity scams, tech support scams, banking scams, and government impersonation scams. The agency recommends protecting yourself by avoiding sharing personal information, verifying caller identity, being skeptical of urgent requests, staying alert online, and reporting suspicious activity to HSI or local authorities.

AARP's Fraud Watch Network identifies four major holiday scams in 2024: online shopping scams using fake brand websites and social media ads that never deliver products; package delivery scams via phishing emails/texts impersonating shipping companies to steal personal information; charity scams exploiting year-end giving through fraudulent organizations; and gift card scams where criminals steal cards, drain them after resale, or collect card information before returning them to shelves. The advisory recommends verifying social media ads and retailer websites, avoiding suspicious links, researching charities before donating, and purchasing gift cards from behind-the-counter or directly from retailers to protect against these seasonal fraud schemes.

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported nearly 10,000 cases of charitable solicitation fraud in the United States, resulting in $22.5 million in donor losses. Experts recommend verifying charity legitimacy by checking website spellings carefully (watching for typos or character substitutions), using verification websites like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the Better Business Bureau's Give.org, to prevent falling victim to fraudulent charitable solicitation schemes.

This educational article identifies three common holiday season scams: fake charity solicitations that exploit seasonal generosity through fraudulent emails and websites, fake gift card giveaways designed to harvest personal information, and porch theft targeting unattended packages. The article provides practical prevention advice including verifying charities through Charity Navigator before donating, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal information, and using security cameras, motion-activated lights, or alternative delivery methods like office shipments or Amazon Lockers to protect packages.

During the 2023-2024 holiday season, scammers exploited increased online shopping and gift-giving through phishing emails impersonating trusted companies (like Amazon and PayPal), fake social media advertisements using urgency tactics, and fraudulent charities requesting gift card donations. From November 2023 to January 2024, Texas alone reported over 1,400 scams resulting in $1.12 million in losses, while the U.S. reported over 21,000 scams totaling $94 million in losses. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to use only trusted websites, be skeptical of time-limited offers and gift card donation requests, and report

Spectrum, a 2SLGTQ+ advocacy organization, was targeted by a sophisticated donation scam in late November 2024 involving a fabricated story of a 95-year-old lesbian widow leaving a $25,000 estate gift. The scammers sent a fraudulent bank draft for $65,000 with forged insurance documentation, which would have resulted in a $40,000 wire transfer loss had the organization deposited it; the scheme was detected and reported to regional police before any funds were transferred. The organization's leadership felt deliberately targeted by the elaborate fraud, which included multiple fake email accounts and FedEx-delivered documents designed to exploit their emotional investment in supporting elderly qu

The Ohio Department of Financial Institutions warns consumers about gift card scams, which cost Americans nearly $217 million last year according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate legitimate businesses and government agencies to pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, particularly during the holiday season when gift card purchases are popular. The advisory provides protective measures including purchasing cards only from reputable sources, inspecting cards before purchase, and remembering that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand gift card payments.

During the 2024 holiday shopping season, criminals are targeting consumers through multiple scam methods including phishing emails and texts impersonating retailers, fraudulent social media shopping ads (which use AI-generated imagery to appear legitimate), cloned websites mimicking trusted brands, and gift card theft schemes. The Federal Trade Commission reported consumers lost approximately $217 million to gift card scams in 2023, while experts recommend consumers verify websites directly, use credit cards for disputes, research companies before purchasing, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited communications. Additional threats include charity scams, with authorities advising consumers to independently verify charitable organizations before donating.

Multiple U.S. regulatory agencies reported in December that elder financial exploitation costs Americans over $28 billion annually, with over 155,000 cases reported between June 2022 and June 2023 linked to approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity. The FBI documented over 101,000 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with victims over 60 losing an average of $33,915—nearly 270% higher than 2020—primarily through investment scams, business email compromise, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes. Regulatory agencies urged financial institutions to strengthen protections by increasing account oversight, training employees to recognize exploitation, and coordinating with law enforcement and elder

Scammers target seniors year-round, with people over 50 accounting for more than half of fraud victims and those 80+ losing an average of $39,000 per incident. Common scams include charity calls, grandchild impersonation schemes, and gift card fraud, with the FTC reporting a median loss of $800 for people aged 70-79. The Alzheimer's Association recommends protective measures such as creating separate "slush fund" accounts with limited funds, setting up bank account alerts, and providing fraud awareness education to seniors and caregiving staff.

Scammers target older adults year-round through various schemes including grandchild impersonation, charity fraud, and gift card scams, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting a median loss of $800 for people aged 70-79 and AARP data showing seniors over 50 account for more than half of fraud victims, losing billions annually. The Alzheimer's Association recommends protective strategies such as setting up a "slush fund" of $200-300 for vulnerable seniors (who lose an average of $39,000 per scam victim aged 80+) and establishing bank account alerts to monitor for fraudulent activity.

New Hampshire's Assistant Attorney General Alexandra Sosnowski warns consumers about holiday shopping scams, particularly those occurring online during the Christmas season. Key recommendations include verifying retailer URLs and checking reviews on trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau before purchasing, monitoring package deliveries to prevent porch theft, avoiding clicking links in unsolicited text messages claiming delivery issues, and purchasing gift cards directly from retailers to avoid tampered cards. The alert emphasizes taking extra time to verify sources and using tracking information directly from retailers rather than through suspicious links.

During the holiday season, charity, romance, and banking scams increase in frequency, with scammers using tactics such as requesting gift cards and offering unrealistic deals. The article advises consumers to protect themselves by being skeptical of unsolicited contacts and suspicious offers during this high-risk period.

I cannot provide a summary of this article as requested. The content provided appears to be a webpage listing of video segments and headlines rather than an actual article with substantive content about elder fraud or scams. The only relevant item to Elderus is the headline "Charity, romance, banking scams on the rise during the holidays," but no article text or details are included. If you have the full text of that segment or another elder fraud/scam article, I'd be happy to summarize it according to Elderus standards.

During the holiday season, scammers exploit increased consumer spending through fake travel websites, bogus vacation rentals, mock online stores, donation scams, and phishing emails, with credit card fraud causing $173 million in losses and nonpayment/nondelivery scams resulting in over $309 million in damages in 2023. To protect themselves, consumers should practice strong cybersecurity habits (avoiding suspicious links and verifying company contacts directly), use credit cards for online purchases and monitor statements, obtain tracking numbers for shipments, create unique strong passwords, and verify sender email addresses before clicking links or downloading attachments.

Scammers created deepfake videos impersonating Australian diabetes expert Professor Jonathan Shaw and TV personality Karl Stefanovic to promote Glyco Balance, a dietary supplement, falsely claiming it treats type 2 diabetes better than metformin medication. The fraudulent ads, which circulated on Facebook before removal, raised serious health concerns as patients contacted Shaw's clinic considering stopping their prescribed medications based on the fake medical advice. This represents an escalating trend of AI-generated video scams targeting public figures to market unproven health products, with experts warning that such sophisticated deepfakes are increasingly difficult for the public to identify as fraudulent.

The FBI Jacksonville Division warns consumers about increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting shoppers through fake retail sites, social media frauds, and charity schemes. During the 2023 holiday season, the IC3 received 13,000 non-delivery complaints totaling $92 million in losses, and in 2024, puppy scams alone generated approximately 2,600 complaints with $5.6 million in losses. The FBI recommends using strong passwords, verifying charity legitimacy, avoiding unrealistic discounts, and checking financial statements regularly to prevent fraud.

This educational guide from the Bucks County Department of Consumer Protection outlines common holiday shopping scams and prevention strategies. Key scams include fake retailer websites using phishing tactics, gift card theft where criminals harvest card numbers before activation, and fraudulent charities impersonating legitimate organizations. Consumers should verify URLs directly, use secure payment methods, purchase gift cards in-store, and donate only to verified charities to protect themselves during the holiday season.

This educational article outlines twelve common scams that surge during the Christmas season in Australia, including online shopping fraud, parcel delivery scams, fake charities, counterfeit gift cards, holiday travel scams, romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and phishing attacks. HSBC warns that festive season distractions and increased spending make consumers more vulnerable to fraud, with Australians expected to spend $11.8 billion on gifts in 2024. The article advises consumers to verify websites and retailers, donate through established charity channels, and remain cautious of unsolicited offers and suspicious links.

This educational article provides seven tips for protecting against holiday scams and identity theft during the busy shopping season. Key advice includes practicing caution with online marketplaces and using traceable payment methods, avoiding fake delivery notification scams (particularly impersonating USPS), safeguarding passwords with unique credentials and multifactor authentication, and checking for card-skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals. The article emphasizes that online shopping scams affected 82% of targeted victims in 2023, and card skimming costs over $1 billion annually, making holiday vigilance essential.

During the holiday season, scammers target shoppers and donors through fraudulent shipping notifications, fake charities, bogus order confirmations, and counterfeit online stores. Common tactics include phishing emails and texts impersonating delivery services (UPS, FedEx, USDA) to steal personal information, fake charity websites that exploit generosity, and fraudulent retailers offering steep discounts that deliver counterfeit goods or nothing at all. To protect yourself, verify communications directly with organizations, avoid clicking unexpected links, use two-factor authentication, monitor financial accounts, and report suspicious activity to ic3.gov or relevant authorities.

This educational article provides seven tips for protecting against holiday season scams and identity theft, including practicing caution with online shopping, avoiding phony delivery scams (particularly those impersonating the USPS), using strong password security practices, checking for card-skimming devices at ATMs and payment terminals, verifying charity legitimacy, being skeptical of unsolicited contacts, and monitoring financial accounts. The article notes that online shopping scams affected 82% of victims with financial losses in 2023, and that card skimming costs consumers and financial institutions over $1 billion annually.

The FBI warned that criminals are increasingly using generative AI tools to create highly convincing fraudulent content—including fake social media profiles, websites, audio recordings, and deepfake videos—making scams more believable and scalable across larger victim populations. AI-generated text, images, voice cloning, and videos are being weaponized in romance scams, investment fraud, job hiring schemes, extortion, and identity theft, with criminals exploiting the technology's ability to produce realistic-seeming content that overcomes traditional fraud detection signs. The sophisticated nature of AI-generated content makes it increasingly challenging for individuals and businesses to identify fraudulent schemes before becoming victims.

As holiday shopping season approaches with record-breaking online sales predicted, scammers are deploying increasingly sophisticated tactics to defraud consumers. Virginia Tech cybercrime expert Katalin Parti outlines key warning signs and prevention strategies, including: avoiding unsolicited requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, being skeptical of high-return investment ads, verifying company contact information through official websites rather than provided links, and remaining cautious of romance scams, job scams, and fake charitable solicitations. Consumers should also monitor financial statements for fraud, keep software updated, verify website URLs, and be aware that scammers can now spoof voices and area codes to impersonate trusted contacts.

The IRS warned taxpayers on December 4, 2024, about fraudulent "Charitable LLCs" schemes that target high-income filers by encouraging them to transfer assets to limited liability companies, donate majority nonvoting units to charities while retaining control, and falsely claim large charitable deductions. Participants in these abusive schemes face assessment of correct taxes owed plus penalties, interest, and potential criminal prosecution, with the IRS currently conducting audits and investigations that have resulted in multiple criminal convictions of promoters and donors. Taxpayers are advised to avoid any scheme promising personal benefits or control over donated assets, as valid charitable contributions require complete relinquishment of control to the

Harold Richardson, 75, from Kent, lost £4,000 in a Microsoft impersonation phone scam in which fraudsters convinced him to grant remote access to his computer, allowing them to steal personal information and banking details. Though he eventually recovered most of the money, the process was lengthy and caused significant stress. The article notes that phone scams are widespread in Britain, with adults aged 35-55 actually losing the largest average amounts (£1,826), and recommends using the "Stop, Check, and Call Back" method to verify unexpected callers before sharing any personal information.

The FBI warns consumers during Cyber Monday shopping season to be vigilant against common scams targeting older adults, including cryptocurrency investment schemes, tech support fraud, and social media scams featuring unrealistic deals and fake contests. Elder fraud increases during the holiday season when seniors give gifts and donate to charity, though younger people can also fall victim to social media-based schemes. Suspected scams should be reported to banks or local law enforcement.

Local and federal authorities warn that scam attempts increase during the holiday season, with criminals using text messages, phone calls, and emails to target victims through blackmail, charity fraud, debt collection schemes, grandparent scams, and other deceptive tactics. Common red flags include unsolicited contact using fear or emotional manipulation to pressure victims into sending money via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities recommend verifying the legitimacy of charities through trusted resources, being skeptical of unsolicited requests, and hanging up if something sounds suspicious rather than providing personal or financial information.

The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection warned consumers ahead of Giving Tuesday to be cautious of charity scams, which increase during the holiday season when donors are motivated by generosity and tax deductions. Fraudsters often impersonate legitimate organizations or government agencies to solicit donations, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting 9,808 charitable solicitation fraud reports nationwide in 2022, though many scams go unreported. The department provided guidance including verifying charity legitimacy, avoiding third-party fundraisers, resisting high-pressure tactics, never disclosing personal information, and never giving cash.

The FBI warned in 2024 that holiday shopping scams pose significant risks to consumers, with cybercriminals using sophisticated tactics like AI-generated fake websites and phishing emails to exploit the projected $260 billion in e-commerce sales. Younger shoppers aged 18-39 are 25% more likely to fall victim to scams, which include non-delivery fraud ($73 million in 2023 losses), gift card fraud ($148 million in losses), and fake charity schemes that exploit seasonal generosity. Consumers should be vigilant about suspicious deals, verify seller legitimacy, and avoid sharing sensitive information like gift card PINs with unknown parties.

During the holiday season, scammers exploit people's charitable giving by creating fake charities with legitimate-sounding names and websites to steal money and personal information. To protect yourself, verify charities through resources like BBB Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator, avoid pressure to donate immediately, pay by credit card rather than cash or gift cards, and never click links or provide personal information like Social Security numbers to unknown senders. Legitimate charities will not rush you, mask caller IDs, or request payment through untraceable methods.

The Cambridge Police Department warns of multiple holiday-themed scams targeting shoppers and donors, including fake websites offering unrealistic discounts, puppy scams (80% of sponsored pet ads may be fraudulent), gift card schemes where criminals tamper with cards or request codes, phishing emails impersonating legitimate companies, and grandparent scams targeting elders through impersonation demanding payment via gift cards or wire transfers. The advisory recommends conducting reverse image searches before pet purchases, avoiding suspicious links and emails with grammar/spelling errors, purchasing gift cards from counters rather than kiosks, and verifying unexpected delivery or emergency requests directly with known contacts.

The article provides consumer protection guidance for the holiday season, highlighting the "drain scam" in which thieves copy gift card numbers and activation codes before purchase, resulting in over 41,000 reported cases and $217 million in losses last year. Consumer Reports recommends inspecting gift cards for tampering before purchase, buying from behind the counter or selecting virtual options, and using cards immediately upon receipt. The article also advises consumers to avoid suspicious deals on social media, fake delivery text messages, and to verify charities through trusted websites before donating.

Federal, state, and local authorities warn that scams targeting seniors are rising, particularly during the holiday season, with common schemes including charity fraud, grandparent scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and government impersonation scams. Authorities advise seniors to avoid phishing emails, use secure networks for online purchases, verify websites and charities before donating, and be cautious of unsolicited offers. Victims can report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov), their state attorney general, or local law enforcement.

This article is an educational resource warning North Carolinians about common holiday scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly older adults. It covers four main fraud categories: holiday mail scams (phishing emails and porch theft), holiday shopping scams (fraudulent retailers and gift card schemes), and charity/investment scams, providing practical prevention tips such as verifying sender information, using secure networks for purchases, and researching charities before donating. The article emphasizes that consumers should be cautious during the high-spending season and recommends using resources like the BBB Scam Tracker and AARP Fraud Watch Network for protection and verification.

Black Friday shopping presents heightened fraud risks, with approximately 30% of annual online scams occurring on this day according to Norton's Scam Research Labs. The article identifies common scams including fake e-shops (which use unrealistically steep discounts and inconsistent payment options) and "smishing" attacks, and provides detection tips such as verifying secure connections (https/lock icons), checking URLs for brand consistency, reviewing third-party seller ratings, and confirming physical business addresses.

During the holiday season, scammers target both shoppers and charitable donors through fraudulent websites and fake charity appeals. The Better Business Bureau recommends using credit cards rather than apps for purchases, shopping only on legitimate websites, and verifying charities' legitimacy by contacting them directly before donating, as scammers often impersonate legitimate organizations to redirect donations to themselves.

Black Friday shopping increases credit card fraud risk, with approximately 60% of US credit card holders having experienced fraud and 52 million Americans victimized by fraudulent charges exceeding $5 billion last year. Common scams include gift card fraud (where scammers impersonate officials or drain altered cards), fake charity websites, cloned shopping sites, phone scams requesting card information, and credit card skimmers placed on payment terminals. To protect themselves, consumers should verify charities through the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search, monitor credit reports weekly at annualcreditreport.com, verify website URLs and encryption (https://), and hang up on unsolicited callers requesting card information.

This article provides Giving Tuesday safety advice for charitable donors. Givers who cannot afford cash donations can volunteer or donate gently used items like blankets, sheets, and cleaning supplies to local charities. Donors should verify charities are legitimate using resources like Charity Navigator, request receipts for tax purposes, and avoid organizations that use high-pressure tactics or request donations via gift cards or wire transfers.

A 35-year-old Oakland man, Zhongqiang Chen, was arrested on November 14 after scamming an elderly Stanislaus County woman out of $30,000 through a fake McAfee antivirus email that gave him remote access to her computer. Chen transferred $60,000 from her money market account, convinced her she owed him that amount, and collected an initial $30,000 payment before being arrested in an undercover operation when he arrived to collect the remaining $30,000. The case remains under investigation to determine if there are additional victims.

Tracey Watkins, a 42-year-old accountant from Cardiff, lost £52,000 (her savings plus her daughter's savings and unauthorized loans) after being approached via WhatsApp by a scammer posing as an investment firm representative who promised to triple or quadruple her money through bitcoin investments. After granting remote access to her phone via the AnyDesk app under the pretense of facilitating the investment, the scammer used her device to authorize loans and drain her accounts, then disappeared; her bank and the Financial Ombudsman Service denied recovery because she had granted permission through the app. Citizens Advice warns against investment scams on social media, advising people

This appears to be informational content from the Ohio Attorney General's office about website security and charitable organization resources, rather than an article about a specific scam or fraud incident. The text emphasizes the importance of using secure .gov websites for sensitive information and introduces Charitable Ohio, a program providing resources for charitable leaders and donors to ensure responsible fund management.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and AARP Connecticut Director Nora Duncan held a press conference to warn consumers about increasing fraud and scams, particularly during the holiday season when shopping, travel, and charitable giving increase. According to an AARP report, approximately 82% of U.S. consumers have experienced attempted fraud in the past year, with scams becoming increasingly sophisticated through phishing emails about delivery problems, counterfeit products, and fake charities. Officials urged awareness and caution, recommending that people report suspicious activity to the AARP Fraud Watch Network (877-908-3360), the Federal Trade Commission, or the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection.

Native and Indigenous elders in the U.S. face disproportionate risks of financial fraud and scams, with one documented case involving a tribal member losing $15,000 to a sweetheart scam. According to federal data, Alaska Native and Indigenous individuals are more likely to be victims of scams and less likely to report them than other groups, with approximately one million Indigenous and Alaska Native people over 65 across 574 federally recognized tribes. Community organizations are working to address this vulnerability by providing support without stigma, while recognizing that factors like regular tribal payments, Social Security, and cultural values around resource-sharing make older Indigenous people particularly attractive targets for financial exploitation.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database. The content is a general listicle about various scams (cryptocurrency investment scams, online marketplace scams, phone scams, etc.) rather than a focused article about elder fraud, elder abuse, or scams specifically targeting older adults. To be useful for Elderus, the article would need to specifically address scams affecting seniors, elder financial exploitation, or elder abuse cases. Please provide an article or transcript focused on elder-specific fraud or abuse for summarization.

**Article:** "Senior Citizens Targeted by Technology Scams: How to Identify and Protect Against Fraud" by Beth Swift, Washington Evening Journal Senior citizens are increasingly targeted by technology scams including impersonation fraud, prize/sweepstakes schemes, tech support scams, charity fraud, and IRS threats, with older adults disproportionately victimized because they typically have savings and good credit. The article identifies key warning signs—unsolicited contact, artificial urgency, requests for money or personal information, unrealistic offers, and poor communication quality—and advises seniors to verify caller identity independently, never share sensitive information, consult trusted contacts before responding to requests