Explore the Archive

Scammers are increasingly targeting System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registrations used by federal contractors through phishing emails impersonating the GSA and fraudulent access requests, aiming to compromise sensitive banking and tax information or divert government payments. Successful attacks can result in compromised accounts, modified certifications that jeopardize contract eligibility, or complete registration deletion, halting payments and requiring extensive recovery efforts. Companies can protect themselves by maintaining multiple SAM Administrators, carefully verifying all emails and access requests before clicking links, enabling multifactor authentication, and internally confirming any unexpected access requests before granting approval.

The Palmyra Women's Institute is hosting a scam prevention education session featuring Chatham-Kent Police Special Constable Brenda Koldyk to address rising fraud losses in the community, including grandparent scams, romance scams (one victim lost $250,000), and various other schemes targeting seniors and vulnerable individuals. The November 7 session will cover warning signs, prevention strategies, and common scam types such as tax fraud, home renovation fraud, and impersonation scams, with Koldyk advising victims to verify requests with family members before sending money or gift cards.

A Toronto senior was defrauded by door-to-door roofers who charged her $27,000 for shoddy work, initially quoting $7,000 then demanding an additional $20,000 after removing shingles and leaving the roof in worse condition. After her story aired on CTV News Toronto, over 10 roofing companies offered assistance, and Roofing Repairs Dun-Rite Inc. donated labor, materials, and supplies to provide her with a complete new roof. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to obtain written contracts, get three quotes, verify licenses and insurance, avoid high-pressure tactics, and use accredited businesses to protect against home

A Toronto senior lost $27,000 to a roofing scam but received assistance from a Good Samaritan company that provided a new roof to repair the damage caused by the fraudulent contractor. The incident highlights the vulnerability of seniors to home repair scams and the importance of community support in helping victims recover from financial exploitation.

Scammers are sending threatening extortion emails claiming to have compromising videos or photos of recipients and demanding $2,000 or more in cryptocurrency, using photos of victims' houses obtained from Google Street View screenshots to appear credible. Victims can identify the scam by checking whether actual intimate images are included in the email, searching the email text online to see if others received similar messages, or comparing the house photos to current Google Street View imagery. The FTC recommends reporting fraudulent transactions to your bank for potential reversal (though cryptocurrency transfers are typically irreversible) and filing a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

An 82-year-old Woodland Park resident lost $432,000 to a door-to-door home improvement scam perpetrated by Abba Cohen, 42, of Queens, who collected payment for services never rendered. Cohen was arrested on October 15 and faces second-degree charges including conspiracy to commit theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and money laundering. Authorities are seeking additional victims or information about similar incidents involving Cohen.

Facebook scammers are impersonating car detailing businesses and other service providers to defraud consumers, typically luring victims with attractive offers before requesting upfront "refundable deposits" once contact is established. Red flags include newly created accounts with few photos or reviews, no official phone number, and no online presence beyond Facebook. Consumers should report suspicious accounts to Facebook, warn others in community groups, and contact their bank immediately if they've already made payments.

Following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Florida and surrounding states experienced a surge in price gouging and scams targeting disaster victims. Price gouging—excessive increases on essential goods like fuel, groceries, and lodging—resulted in over 100 complaints to North Carolina's Attorney General alone, while scammers posed as FEMA representatives, insurance adjusters, and contractors to exploit vulnerable residents. Consumers are advised to document suspicious pricing, report gouging to state attorneys general, and remain vigilant against fraudsters during disaster recovery.

Over 100,000 elderly Americans fell victim to fraud last year, losing more than $3.4 billion, with Rhode Island seniors alone losing approximately $7.4 million. U.S. Senator Jack Reed and partners hosted an awareness event highlighting common elder scams—including tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, romance, and family scams—and recommended strategies to avoid them: never volunteer personal information, be skeptical of urgent claims, avoid payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and don't hesitate to hang up on suspicious callers. Victims should report scams to local police or the FTC, and seniors can access

U.S. Senator Jack Reed partnered with AARP Rhode Island and the Rhode Island State Police to hold an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit addressing the rising threat of scams targeting older adults. According to the FBI, elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent in 2023 with losses exceeding $3.4 billion nationally, including $7.4 million lost by Rhode Islanders over age sixty. The summit emphasized public education, awareness of common scam tactics (tech support, romance, investment, and data breach scams), and the importance of reporting fraud to authorities rather than remaining silent out of embarrassment.

Following hurricanes Helene and Milton in the Southeast, authorities including the FCC and state attorneys general warned residents about surge in fraud and price gouging, with scammers targeting disaster victims through home repair, tree service, water treatment, and charity donation schemes. Consumers should avoid unsolicited traders, never share personal information with unverified parties, verify credentials through the Better Business Bureau, and report suspected fraud to their state attorney general or the FTC. Price gouging laws vary by state but typically prohibit selling goods or services at "unconscionable" prices during declared states of emergency.

Following Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina, scammers have been targeting disaster victims through multiple schemes including door-to-door fake donation collections, insurance fraud, and contractor scams. Police reported several reports of fraudsters posing as relief workers collecting donations in areas like Patton Avenue in West Asheville, while insurance adjusters may underestimate wind damage to shift liability to federal flood insurance programs, and unqualified contractors overcharge desperate homeowners for substandard repairs. Authorities advise residents to verify the legitimacy of donation solicitors and repair contractors, avoid upfront payments, and check online reviews before hiring services.

Federal officials are warning Hurricane Helene victims of an anticipated surge in fraud schemes, including fake charities, identity theft, and fraudulent contractor scams targeting vulnerable disaster survivors. The National Center for Disaster Fraud has received over 220,000 complaints since 2005, and authorities say criminals exploit disaster victims before, during, and after storms by impersonating government officials, soliciting fake donations, and committing price gouging. Experts advise survivors to verify the identities of helpers, avoid sharing sensitive information, obtain multiple repair estimates, and report suspected scams to FEMA or local authorities.

A 50-year-old contractor from Johor Bahru lost RM688,000 in an online investment scam that promised 410% returns over three months, after being lured through a Facebook advertisement and WhatsApp group where scammers posed as investment educators and sent a fake guarantee letter along with a fraudulent mobile app. The victim made 17 transfers between July and September, received an initial return of RM64,000 to build confidence, but had his account frozen when he refused to invest additional funds, ultimately discovering the supposed investment company did not exist. Police are investigating under cheating laws and probing whether money mule accounts were involved in the fraud.

On September 20, 2024, New Windsor Police Sergeant Hannah Lake presented information to the New Windsor Senior Citizens Club about fraud schemes commonly targeting seniors, including government impersonation, grandparent, romance, home improvement, solicitor, and gift card scams. Sergeant Lake also educated local merchants on recognizing and reporting suspicious gift card purchases. The presentation emphasized prevention strategies such as never sharing sensitive information by phone, refusing gift card payments, recognizing law enforcement and tax scams, and being wary of requests for secrecy regarding money transfers.

The Better Business Bureau issued a warning about driveway repair and paving scams targeting homeowners, where fraudsters pose as contractors claiming to already be working in the area and offering discounted services before disappearing with payment or providing substandard work. The alert recommends homeowners decline unsolicited offers, research contractors through the BBB website, use written contracts, avoid paying in full upfront, and pay by credit card rather than cash to enable fraud disputes if needed.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked on a fake Safari warning, which led scammers to manipulate her into purchasing gift cards worth thousands of dollars over 10 hours. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards becoming an increasingly common payment method for criminals because they lack consumer protections similar to credit and debit cards. The article reveals systemic failures in federal regulation, inadequate retailer safeguards, and the profitable role that technology companies and retailers play in the gift card fraud ecosystem, where "everybody but the victim makes money."

The Hopkins County Sheriff's Office identified two active scams targeting county residents: a driveway paving scam where unsolicited individuals claim to be in the area with extra materials and offer services, and a fake officer phone scam. Officials warn residents to be skeptical of unsolicited service offers and to verify caller identities before providing personal information or payment.

A 69-year-old widower from Suffolk, England, was defrauded of approximately £100,000+ (Sh14.35 million) in a romance scam involving a fake Kenyan woman named "Anita" introduced by a friend who orchestrated the scheme. After being convinced to send money for supposed home improvements and wedding preparations, Lodge discovered the deception upon traveling to Nairobi and subsequently became homeless, sleeping at Heathrow Airport and shelters. The case exemplifies a broader trend of online romance fraud with significant psychological impacts on victims, including shame and mental health issues, as reported by law enforcement agencies tracking rising cybercrime rates globally.

According to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 report, Gen Z (ages 18-24) reported the highest median loss to scams for the second consecutive year, averaging $155 per person, primarily from employment, online purchase, and cryptocurrency scams. While younger people overall lost the most money, people over 65 suffered the largest individual losses to romance scams, which surged dramatically with median losses increasing from $1,411 in 2022 to $3,600 in 2023, with scammers increasingly using cryptocurrency to defraud victims. The report also found that scammers are increasingly targeting minors (ages 7-18), with 16% of

Actress Tamlyn Tomita and her husband Daniel Blinkoff lost approximately $500,000 to a business email compromise scam in which fraudsters impersonated their theater contractor through spoofed emails with subtle address variations, causing their bank to freeze their account and delay construction of their Outside In Theatre project. The FBI reported that similar scams generated over 21,000 complaints and nearly $3 billion in losses across the Los Angeles area last year, with attackers often operating internationally and using social media research to target victims. Despite the setback, the couple plans to proceed with opening the theater on schedule while working with their bank to recover funds.

National Public Data, a data broker, was hacked by a group calling itself "USDoD," resulting in the theft and public posting of 2.9 billion records containing names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, addresses, family member names, and phone numbers affecting hundreds of millions of people in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The breach highlights four critical lessons: data brokers are incentivized to collect ever-expanding datasets for profit, large-scale data aggregation creates compounded privacy and national security risks, the data brokerage industry remains largely unregulated despite recent legislative discussions, and regulatory enforcement alone cannot adequately address the systemic problem of privacy-invasive

A 48-year-old civil contractor from Pimpri lost Rs 21 lakh in an online share trading scam between July and August after responding to a stock market investment advertisement on social media. The scammer added the victim to a messenger group, promised high returns, and convinced him to transfer Rs 20.9 lakh to multiple bank accounts before becoming unresponsive and blocking contact. The Pimpri Chinchwad police registered a case after the victim filed a complaint with the cyber crime cell and are investigating using the contractor's bank transaction details.

Detective Kevin Landers of the Abilene Police Department outlines common scams targeting seniors, including romance, lottery, sweepstakes, and government impersonation schemes where callers demand payment via gift cards or bitcoin. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings, own homes, and maintain good credit, though scammers prey on people of all ages. Landers recommends protecting oneself by verifying unsolicited offers online, resisting pressure to act quickly, monitoring credit reports annually, and stopping communication with suspected scammers immediately.

Scammers are targeting consumers by posing as government officials and offering free solar panels door-to-door, though the federal government does not provide free solar installations. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to avoid "free" offers that pressure immediate payment, to never provide personal information to unverified sources, and to verify offers through legitimate government resources like the Department of Energy before signing any contracts.

Nassau County police arrested two Bronx men in July 2024 after they attempted to scam a 73-year-old East Meadow resident by falsely claiming his bank account was compromised; the investigation revealed they were responsible for numerous additional scams. The county is warning residents about prevalent scams including home improvement fraud, fake relative arrest schemes, Social Security and IRS impersonation scams, lottery fraud, and computer remote access scams, which collectively cost victims thousands of dollars. Officials urge residents, particularly seniors, to remain vigilant, verify caller identities, avoid unsolicited services, and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently

An 83-year-old Maryland resident named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam that ultimately resulted in fraudsters convincing her to purchase gift cards as payment. The article documents how gift card fraud has become a leading payment method in elder fraud schemes, with an estimated $8 billion stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older, yet federal regulators have failed to implement consumer protections for gift cards comparable to those for credit and debit cards. The investigation reveals that while fraudsters, gift card companies, and retailers profit from these schemes, the privately-held technology companies managing the gift card infrastructure are best positioned to prevent fraud but lack legal requirements to do so.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud after clicking a malicious link on her frozen laptop, leading fraudsters to convince her to purchase gift cards worth thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for criminals due to minimal consumer protections and difficulty in tracing funds. Federal regulators have failed to provide gift cards with the same protections as credit and debit cards, while retailers, technology companies, and fraudsters all profit from the scheme at victims' expense.

An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam when a fake Apple alert prompted her to contact fraudsters posing as Apple and bank employees, who ultimately convinced her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the payment method of choice for criminals because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards. Federal regulators have failed to adequately protect consumers from gift card fraud despite it being a growing problem, while technology companies and retailers benefit financially from these crimes due to

Traverse Bay Farms partnered with financial expert Andy LaPointe to promote senior fraud prevention through his book "Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams." The guide educates seniors on recognizing and protecting themselves from various scams including door-to-door, telephone, phishing, social media, romance, and cryptocurrency schemes, while providing actionable strategies for internet safety, password management, and scam reporting.

This educational piece identifies six common scams targeting Iowa storm victims: FEMA impersonation scams, contractor fraud (storm chasers), fake charities, insurance claim scams, phishing communications, and identity theft. The article provides preventative measures for each scam type, including verifying credentials, obtaining multiple estimates, researching charities through watchdog organizations, contacting insurance companies directly, and freezing credit. Resources provided include the Iowa Attorney General's Office, Iowa Insurance Division, and FEMA fraud hotline for reporting suspected fraud.

This educational piece by law enforcement examines modern phone-based scams targeting Americans, highlighting how technology has enabled criminals to defraud victims without in-person contact. The article details six prevalent scams: impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment for fines, fake charity solicitations, fraudulent debt collectors, fake prize offers, and IRS impersonation schemes—emphasizing that government agencies never demand immediate payment via phone, gift cards, or wire transfers, and advising victims to hang up and verify claims directly with legitimate organizations.

A father-daughter duo from Ulster County, New York—Frank Whittaker and Christine Ellsworth—were arrested for stealing over $250,000 from a 92-year-old elderly woman between 2021 and the time of their arrest. After gaining the victim's trust through help with household tasks, Whittaker obtained Power of Attorney and used it to drain the woman's accounts through checks and illegal bank transfers, spending the stolen money on vehicles, jewelry, restaurants, and casinos. Both face charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, with potential sentences of up to 15 years if convicted.

In 2023, over 101,000 people age 60 and older lost nearly $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report, with common scams including tech support fraud ($590 million in losses), investment fraud ($4.57 billion, up 38% year-over-year), power of attorney abuse, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, and homeowner scams. AI-driven fraud is making scams increasingly sophisticated, with criminals creating convincing fake audio and video to deceive victims. Protection requires vigilance about warning signs such as unusual account activity and suspicious communications, along with education and open family dialogue about financial security.

A contractor used a bait-and-switch tactic to defraud homeowner John Orkney, initially identifying a legitimate roof leak but then claiming to discover termite infestation and inflating the repair estimate to $195,000 for extensive work including a virtual rebuild of the house and garage. This scheme exemplifies how unscrupulous contractors gain trust through legitimate initial observations before dramatically escalating costs through unverified claims of additional damage.

**Event Type:** Scam Awareness Educational Initiative The Palos Park Police Department held a National Night Out event to educate residents about elder fraud, highlighting that seniors in their predominantly elderly, affluent community are particularly vulnerable targets. Key scams discussed included door-to-door service schemes and "grandparent scams," with the FBI reporting that elder fraud caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (up 11% from 2022), averaging $33,915 per victim, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Police advised residents to verify caller identities, trust their instincts when something feels off, and be

Scammers impersonate government officials or utility company representatives to pressure homeowners into purchasing solar panels or energy efficiency upgrades, falsely promising free installations, large rebates, or guaranteed bill savings that can cost victims tens of thousands of dollars. These scams typically begin with unsolicited calls, messages, or visits offering "free" energy audits or claiming the victim is already enrolled in a program requiring payment. To protect yourself, avoid any "free" solar offers, resist pressure for immediate payment or unusual payment methods (cash, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency), and never share personal information in response to unexpected online requests.

TRICARE beneficiaries in the Augusta area are being targeted by phishing scams via text messages claiming to come from Wisconsin Physicians Service (the TRICARE For Life contractor) and threatening coverage expiration due to nonpayment. TRICARE reminded beneficiaries that the agency never contacts them by phone or text requesting payment or personal information, and advised them to report suspicious messages to their TRICARE contractor or the Defense Health Agency's Office of the Inspector General.

Eight major digital tech companies (Google, Meta, Yahoo, X, Snap, TikTok, Discord, and Twitch) have voluntarily adopted an Australian Online Scams Code to combat fraud while the government develops mandatory legislation, committing to verify advertisers, screen for suspicious content, and increase intelligence sharing with regulators. The code addresses growing scam losses, particularly social media scams which reached $95 million in reported losses in 2023—a 250% increase since 2020—with most fraud originating from WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and online dating platforms.

Assemblymember Laurie Davies hosted two senior scam awareness seminars in Oceanside and Vista that drew over 300 participants, highlighting that seniors in San Diego County lost $97.3 million to scams in 2023. The article outlines six common elder fraud schemes—including tech support, romance, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, and home repair scams—and advises seniors to verify suspicious calls directly with institutions, never share financial information over the phone, and report scams to local police to increase recovery chances and help law enforcement stop fraudsters.

Two unlicensed contractors, John Francis McDonough (31) from Philadelphia and James Anthony Eugene Ward (25), were charged with operating a home improvement scam targeting elderly and vulnerable Long Island homeowners under the business name "Top Line Masonry." The men would deliberately damage properties and falsely report existing damage to solicit repair work, with Nassau County police reporting 31 home improvement scams this year—22 involving elderly victims—including one case where a homeowner was defrauded of $239,000. Both men face multiple felony charges including first-degree scheme to defraud, and investigators are still determining the total number of victims and amount defrauded by this pair.

Two Long Island men posing as unlicensed contractors for a fake company called "Top Line Masonry" targeted senior homeowners by performing minor repairs, then deliberately causing additional damage to justify larger jobs and deposits before disappearing. David Young, 31, and Adam Turner, 25, pleaded guilty to multiple charges; police confirmed at least one victim in Floral Park and suspect additional victims in surrounding areas, with Nassau County reporting 31 home improvement scams targeting seniors aged 70-90 that year alone.

Senior citizens lose approximately $3 billion annually to elder fraud, with scammers increasingly targeting seniors due to their financial security and trusting nature. The article identifies eight common scams affecting elderly individuals, including tech support/home repair fraud, grandchild impersonation schemes, government agency impersonation, fake sweepstakes, phishing emails (particularly fake Geek Squad invoices), overpayment scams, and unsubscribe email phishing attempts. Key prevention strategies include verifying caller identities independently, confirming stories with family members before sending money, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and researching companies before making purchases.

Since mid-May, fraudulent HVAC service scams have been heavily advertised on social media in Sedona and the Verde Valley, using suspicious accounts with generic photos, no business information, and minimal social presence. These "blow and go" scams typically lure homeowners with rock-bottom prices (under $200 versus legitimate rates of $500+), then either fail to perform work, do substandard jobs, or upsell unnecessary and costly services like mold removal. As of the article's date, neither local law enforcement had documented actual victims, but the National Air Duct Cleaners Association warned homeowners to watch for red flags including pressure for upfront cash payment, lack

A Nunez resident narrowly avoided a door-to-door scam when a man impersonating a DIRECT-TV employee attempted to collect personal information and bills from his home; the resident later confirmed with DIRECT-TV that no representative had been sent. The scammer, operating from an unmarked red car, claimed to be addressing customer complaints about pricing, and similar incidents were reported in the area with the suspect impersonating both DIRECT-TV and Dish employees. Sheriff officials advise residents to request valid peddler's licenses, verify caller identity directly with companies, and avoid sharing personal information or documents with unsolicited visitors.

Seniors lost over $3 billion to scams in 2023, with losses reaching $1.6 billion in just the first five months of 2024, representing a significant increase year-over-year. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and good credit, making them attractive to con artists. Common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (where scammers pose as romantic partners to extract money) and tech support scams (where fake pop-ups trick victims into calling numbers and granting remote computer access).

Emergency scams, often targeting grandparents, involve fraudsters impersonating loved ones via phone, text, or voicemail to request urgent money for emergencies. Newer versions use AI-generated messages and voice cloning to increase authenticity, making these scams harder to detect. The article advises verifying requests by calling the person directly, protecting social media information, trusting your instincts about suspicious requests, and refusing to send money through untraceable methods like wire transfers or cryptocurrency.

Following Hurricane Beryl, scammers known as "storm chasers" targeted Texas residents with fraudulent home repair services, typically arriving from out of state to exploit storm damage. Red flags include pressure tactics like same-day-only deals, unmarked vehicles, upfront payment demands, and offers to waive insurance deductibles—a practice that is illegal. Experts recommend obtaining multiple written estimates on company letterhead, verifying contractor credentials and references, and requesting documentation like warranties and bills of sale before hiring any repair service.

This is a community events calendar for the Poway, California area (July 11-13) listing various public activities and services, including a veterans resource fair, educational programs, craft activities, a blood drive, barrel racing, food collection, and musical performances. The content does not relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse and is therefore not relevant to the Elderus database.