Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
10,158 results
in Scam Awareness
▶ VIDEO
Channel 3000 / News 3 Now
· 2025-01-27
A scam targeting parents of University of Wisconsin-Madison students involved fraudsters impersonating UWPD officers, calling at night (between 2-3 a.m.) and claiming their child had been detained, demanding money for release. Madison Police Department received at least three reports of the scam calls, which used real officer names to appear credible, exploiting the fear and disorientation of parents awakened in the middle of the night.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 7 Austin
· 2025-01-27
According to a 2024 Better Business Bureau report, Texans lost over $10 million to scams, with the top five being: cryptocurrency investment scams (averaging $4,600 loss, primarily affecting ages 55-64), employment scams ($1.6 million total loss to ages 25-34), online purchase scams ($1.5 million in losses), phishing scams ($550,000 in losses), and additional unreported scams on social media. The report highlights that different age groups face different fraud risks, with older adults targeted for investment schemes while younger adults are more vulnerable to employment-related fraud.
▶ VIDEO
We Are Iowa Local 5 News
· 2025-01-27
**Summary:**
Romance scams, where criminals pose as potential romantic partners online, are currently running rampant according to the Federal Trade Commission and affect people of all ages. AARP's Fraud Watch Network volunteer Neil Schultz advises people to be cautious of suspicious dating app profiles—such as photos that appear too polished, requests to move conversations off the platform, or requests for money—as scammers use these tactics to build trust and defraud victims of significant sums.
▶ VIDEO
CBS19
· 2025-01-28
Tax scams involve fraudsters attempting to steal money or personal information through unsolicited calls, texts, emails, and fake websites requesting immediate payment or personal details. Red flags include threats, demands for quick payment, suspicious links, and AI-generated content that appears personalized; the IRS Criminal Investigation division identified over $31 billion in tax and financial crimes in fiscal year 2022. Key prevention strategies include ignoring "too good to be true" offers, verifying communications directly with the IRS, checking for misspelled websites, protecting personal information, and filing taxes early.
▶ VIDEO
WLKY News Louisville
· 2025-02-02
Jefferson County law enforcement officials warned about a rise in scam calls impersonating government agencies, claiming recipients have missed jury duty or have arrest warrants outstanding. Scammers are using local area codes and official names to appear legitimate, but legitimate agencies contact people by mail first and never request credit card or banking information over the phone. The Kentucky Court of Justice launched a website to help residents identify scams and report them to authorities.
▶ VIDEO
KCENNews
· 2025-02-03
This educational piece identifies three key warning signs of tax season scams: promises of large paydays that seem too good to be true, urgent demands for immediate payment with threats, and suspicious unsolicited communications requesting personal information or directing people to misspelled websites. The advice recommends protecting personal information, avoiding unsolicited contacts, filing tax returns early to stay ahead of fraud, and reporting suspected scams to the Better Business Bureau's scam tracker.
▶ VIDEO
CBS4 Indy
· 2025-02-04
LinkedIn users face increasing fake job offer scams that impersonate legitimate companies and direct victims to fraudulent websites requesting personal information like Social Security numbers. Common red flags include requests to pay for background checks, training, or equipment upfront, which legitimate employers never require. Users should verify job postings on company websites, use the WHOIS tool to check website legitimacy, and conduct reverse image searches on profile pictures to identify scams.
▶ VIDEO
WPRI
· 2025-02-05
Romance scammers create fake online profiles to build trust with people seeking love on dating apps, then request money while promising long-term relationships. Victims have lost tens of thousands of dollars through these scams, which often involve requests for gift cards or money transfers via PayPal or Venmo. Banks advise never sending money to people you haven't met in person and never sharing personal banking information.
▶ VIDEO
FOX5 Las Vegas
· 2025-02-06
An 82-year-old woman in Boulder City lost $40,000 in a romance scam after being contacted on Facebook involving a scheme to ship gold. Metro Police are hosting scam prevention events to educate the public about recognizing red flags in romance scams and what to do if victimized.
▶ VIDEO
WKRN News 2
· 2025-02-06
Romance scams rank among the top 10 most perpetrated scams in the U.S., with individual losses increasing dramatically from $1,600 in 2021 to nearly $4,000 in recent years. Scammers create false profiles on dating apps to build emotional connections and exploit victims financially. Red flags include attempts to move communication off the app to unmonitored platforms, which allows scammers greater freedom to manipulate targets.
▶ VIDEO
KPRC 2 Click2Houston
· 2025-02-05
Scammers exploit Valentine's Day shopping—when consumers are expected to spend a record $27.5 billion—through various fraudulent schemes, with fake jewelry websites being a primary concern. These fraudulent sites imitate legitimate jewelry retailers by copying logos and promotional materials while using nearly identical web addresses (differing by just one letter) to trick consumers into purchasing jewelry they never receive. Consumers are advised to carefully verify website addresses and watch for common Valentine's Day scams that exploit the holiday shopping season.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 2 St. Louis
· 2025-02-06
Romance scams are prevalent and increasingly sophisticated, with the Better Business Bureau reporting a median loss of $6,000 per victim. Scammers create fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust over weeks or months before requesting money or pushing cryptocurrency investment schemes, and they now use AI to generate realistic photos and communicate with multiple victims simultaneously. To protect yourself, verify profile photos using reverse image search, trust your instincts if something seems too good to be true, independently research any investment opportunities, and avoid clicking links or sharing financial information provided by potential romantic contacts.
▶ VIDEO
KY3 News - Springfield, Mo.
· 2025-02-08
Greene County Sheriff Jim Arnot purchased a vintage Pontiac Trans Am hood through Facebook Marketplace, but after the seller claimed shipping issues, requested an additional $50 payment—at which point Arnot realized he had been scammed. The scammer, located in Africa, will likely not be caught or prosecuted, and Arnot's money is unlikely to be recovered; he advises others to buy locally when possible to verify items in person before completing transactions.
▶ VIDEO
WFMY News 2
· 2025-02-08
Romance scams cost victims over one billion dollars last year according to the FTC, with scammers typically requesting money from online dating prospects around Valentine's Day. The Better Business Bureau notes that victims lose money and experience emotional harm, as scammers are skilled manipulators who build trust before revealing their deceptive intentions. The key to protection is awareness that online romantic interests may not be who they claim to be and vigilance against requests for money from people you have not met in person.
▶ VIDEO
WRSP/WCCU FOX 55/27 Illinois
· 2025-02-09
A local elderly woman lost $60,000 to an email scam impersonating Microsoft, with scammers nearly obtaining an additional $30,000 before police intervened. The scam involved fraudsters sending a fake security warning email, then using remote access to her computer to convince her that her account had been compromised and required payment via gift cards and cash deposits. The scheme escalated over a week with repeated demands totaling $90,000, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of elderly victims to remote access and tech support scams.
▶ VIDEO
CBS Mornings
· 2025-02-11
Relationship investment scams, known as "pig butchering," are sweeping the nation by targeting people seeking romance on dating apps and social media. Sophisticated criminals use fake profiles, AI-generated images, and fabricated romantic connections to persuade victims to invest money in fraudulent business opportunities, resulting in nearly $159 billion in losses in 2023 alone according to one estimate. Federal agencies including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are partnering with state and nonprofit organizations to warn the public about this growing threat.
▶ VIDEO
Sky News
· 2025-02-11
This educational piece features reformed scammer Elliot Castro, who at age 16 began defrauding people by obtaining their personal information to make unauthorized credit card purchases at restaurants, hotels, and shops, ultimately stealing approximately £2.5 million before being caught and imprisoned. Castro now works with companies on fraud prevention, reflecting on how his criminal activity escalated from a single stolen train ticket to international luxury purchases, and emphasizing that scammers persist relentlessly wherever there is value to exploit. The key takeaway is that awareness of scam tactics and understanding scammer behavior are essential to protecting oneself from fraud.
▶ VIDEO
wgaltv
· 2025-02-12
Romance scammers build trust with vulnerable victims through fake dating profiles, often impersonating celebrities or researching social media accounts, then manipulate them into sending money through promises of investment opportunities or appeals to help with hardship situations. The FBI warns to protect personal information online, use reputable dating platforms, be suspicious of quick requests to move conversations offline, and watch for claims of overseas locations that prevent in-person meetings. Victims should report romance scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
▶ VIDEO
ABC15 Arizona
· 2025-02-12
This article warns about three Valentine's Day scams: impostor websites selling fake jewelry, flowers, or dating services that use stolen logos and offer suspicious discounts or request untraceable payment methods; romance scams where fraudsters build fake profiles to establish emotional connections before requesting money; and wrong-number scams that target lonely individuals through unsolicited texts to lure them into conversations. The article advises consumers to watch for red flags including unrealistic deals, requests for cryptocurrency or cash transfers, relationships that move too quickly without in-person meetings, and requests to keep relationships secret.
▶ VIDEO
WKBN27
· 2025-02-13
A local nonprofit in Youngstown is hosting an educational class to help people recognize and avoid romance scams, which cost victims $23 million in reported losses last year according to the Federal Trade Commission. Romance scams involve fraudsters posing as romantic partners online to gain trust and then manipulate victims into sharing personal information or sending money, gifts, or cryptocurrency. Red flags to watch for include reluctance to meet in person, claims of wealth, requests for secrecy, pressure for money, and "love bombing" tactics.
▶ VIDEO
NBC 7 San Diego
· 2025-02-15
A San Diego woman lost $32,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship over one year with a man posing as an architect working in Poland. The scammer slowly built trust and emotional intimacy before requesting money for various emergencies, exploiting the victim's affection to gain access to her finances. This case illustrates how romance scams differ from other fraud schemes by operating over extended periods to manipulate victims emotionally rather than through immediate pressure tactics.
▶ VIDEO
WTRF
· 2025-02-14
**Summary:**
The Better Business Bureau and FBI warn that thousands of people fall victim to dating scams annually, particularly around Valentine's Day. Red flags include scammers moving conversations off dating apps to private messaging platforms, quickly professing love, and requesting money or personal information. Experts advise verifying a person's intentions before sharing financial details and to immediately cease contact and review finances if scam activity is suspected.
▶ VIDEO
KFOR Oklahoma's News 4
· 2025-02-15
**Summary:**
Romance scams increase around Valentine's Day, with scammers creating fake online identities on dating apps to build trust and manipulate victims into sending money via gift cards or cryptocurrency or stealing personal information. The Better Business Bureau warns that older adults and lonely individuals are particularly vulnerable targets, and advises people to be suspicious of quick relationship progression, requests for financial help, and unusual payment methods, while encouraging people to check on vulnerable loved ones.
▶ VIDEO
PBS NewsHour
· 2025-02-16
Online romance scams target victims across all demographics through psychological manipulation, with perpetrators using fake profiles to convince people to invest money, often via cryptocurrency. Investigative reporter Cezary Podkul notes that victims have lost billions of dollars annually, with some individuals losing over $1 million, and that many scam operations are run by Chinese cybercriminal gangs that recruit trafficked individuals. To protect oneself, people should watch for red flags like unsolicited contact offering investments, seek second opinions from trusted friends, and report suspected scams immediately to local police, the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Secret Service to aid law enforcement in tracing funds and identifying additional
▶ VIDEO
KVUE
· 2025-02-17
During tax season, two prevalent scams target taxpayers: IRS impersonators and "ghost tax preparers" who prepare returns but refuse to sign them, leaving clients liable for any errors. To protect yourself, verify that tax preparers have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) through IRS.gov before hiring them, research their credentials on the Better Business Bureau website, and be wary of illegally discounted fees or preparers who take a percentage of your refund.
▶ VIDEO
News 5 Cleveland
· 2025-02-18
Online romance scams caused $823 million in losses last year according to the Federal Trade Commission, with losses expected to grow due to increasing use of AI technology that makes fraudulent conversations sound authentic and personalized. Older adults are disproportionately targeted because scammers assume they are financially stable with steady retirement income. Red flags include rapid relationship progression, avoidance of in-person meetings, requests for secrecy, and requests for money; victims should report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
▶ VIDEO
CBS Detroit
· 2025-02-18
Scammers are targeting college students seeking scholarships and grants through two primary methods: calling or mailing fake "scholarship award" letters that require upfront processing fees (which victims never recover), and selling memberships to purported scholarship databases that don't deliver promised results. The Better Business Bureau reports these scams exploit the fact that approximately 25% of college students receive scholarship or grant funding annually.
▶ VIDEO
WSPA 7News
· 2025-02-19
Nearly half of all scams reported to JP Morgan Chase originate from social media marketplaces, where scammers post heavily discounted listings and pressure buyers to pay through unprotected methods like wire transfers, cash, or gift cards before delivering inferior or nonexistent products. Financial experts recommend using payment methods with purchase protection, such as credit cards, when buying from social media to safeguard against fraud.
▶ VIDEO
NBC10 Philadelphia
· 2025-02-20
A local police department warns the public about evolving fraud schemes, including grandparent scams where callers claim a relative needs bail money and social media scams involving QR codes (one victim lost approximately $15,000). Detective Brian Amler advises that fraud prevention requires talking to loved ones about suspicious requests, verifying unusual claims with family members, and recognizing that scammers exploit emotional urgency and pressure to pay immediately.
▶ VIDEO
NBC Bay Area
· 2025-02-21
Scammers are increasingly targeting undocumented immigrants by exploiting fears around immigration enforcement and deportation. Victims report losing thousands of dollars to fraudsters posing as immigration attorneys or ICE agents who demand payment for paperwork help or personal information, with scammers even spoofing official ICE phone numbers. Immigration attorneys and law enforcement warn vulnerable immigrant communities to be alert, as ICE does not initiate contact by phone or demand money.
▶ VIDEO
WWLTV
· 2025-02-25
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office and FTC are warning about a nationwide toll scam in which recipients receive threatening text messages claiming they owe unpaid toll fees and face fines or license suspension. The fraudulent texts, often sent from international numbers with embedded links, attempt to steal banking and credit card information; victims are advised to block these messages and contact their state's tolling agency directly using verified phone numbers or websites rather than clicking any links.
▶ VIDEO
CBC News
· 2025-02-26
An 84-year-old senior in Surrey, B.C., fell victim to a phone scam in January when she received a fraudulent email warning of unauthorized bank account activity and called the provided number, where a scammer impersonating a police constable pressured her to withdraw $20,000 from her bank in two transactions. The scammer maintained contact with the victim through 41 phone calls, keeping her in a state of fear and preventing her from contacting anyone else, until she attempted a third withdrawal and her neighbor recognized the scam and reported it to police.
▶ VIDEO
CBS TEXAS
· 2025-02-26
U.S. senators introduced legislation to combat Bitcoin ATM scams targeting older Americans, following investigations into the use of these machines by scammers. An 80-year-old victim lost $55,000 after falling for a "jailed son" imposter scam directing him to send cryptocurrency through a Bitcoin ATM; once the transaction completed, the funds could not be recovered. With over 4,000 Bitcoin ATMs operating in Texas alone, the proposed bill aims to establish safeguards and accountability measures to protect consumers from these increasingly common schemes.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 47 News
· 2025-02-26
Tax season scams are prevalent, with fraudsters impersonating tax preparers and the IRS to steal personal information and money through threats of legal trouble or false promises of refunds. To protect yourself, verify that tax preparers are legitimate, never provide personal information to unsolicited callers or emails, and remember that the IRS communicates through certified mail only, never by phone or email.
▶ VIDEO
THV11
· 2025-02-27
The FBI's Little Rock office is warning the public about a significant rise in cryptocurrency investment fraud, which they identify as the largest and most costly scam currently operating. Scammers use online platforms to build relationships with victims and convince them to invest in cryptocurrency schemes, exploiting the growing popularity and public unfamiliarity with digital currencies. The FBI has launched "Operation Level Up" to combat this fraud and educate consumers before they become victims.
▶ VIDEO
WCPO 9
· 2025-02-28
The Better Business Bureau warns that scam attempts are increasing, particularly phishing texts and emails designed to install malware or steal personal information, and fraudulent job postings on employment sites like Indeed offering unrealistically high wages. The BBB recommends being cautious when job hunting, using their scam tracker database to check for similar reported scams, and filing reports of suspected fraud to help alert the community and investigate emerging scams involving cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence.
▶ VIDEO
CTV News
· 2025-03-01
March marks Fraud Prevention Month across Canada, during which law enforcement and community groups collaborate to educate the public about fraud prevention. According to Edmonton police and the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association, current fraud trends include investment fraud, online employment scams, and romance fraud, with scammers becoming increasingly sophisticated in targeting both money and personal identity. Key prevention advice includes being skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true and verifying whether you initiated contact with the person or organization reaching out.
▶ VIDEO
NBC Chicago
· 2025-03-01
Naperville police warned residents of scams targeting the community, reporting that residents lost $5.5 million to scammers in one year, with victims ranging in age from 15 to 91 years old. Common scams included cryptocurrency fraud, fake warrant phone calls, tech support scams, online retail scams, and phishing, with scammers often impersonating the IRS, Medicare, tech companies, or financial institutions and pressuring immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers. Police advised residents to block unwanted calls, resist pressure to act immediately, consult trusted contacts before responding to strangers, and contact their bank and credit bureaus if they believe they've been scammed.
▶ VIDEO
National Geographic
· 2025-03-02
Investigative journalist Mariana Van Zeller explores cryptocurrency "rug pull" scams, where fraudsters create fake crypto tokens to steal investor money—a scheme that victimized people of nearly $3 billion in 2021 alone. The episode follows Van Zeller's investigation into young, wealthy scammers who exploit cryptocurrency's unregulated decentralized finance space, and features interviews with victims like Xavier, who lost money across multiple rug pull schemes with no recourse in the largely lawless crypto market.
▶ VIDEO
CBS4 Indy
· 2025-03-04
A cybersecurity survey reveals that many Americans are overconfident in their ability to avoid online scams, with over a third believing victimization only occurs from oversharing and nearly half thinking misspellings easily identify scams—misconceptions that no longer hold true as scammers increasingly sophisticate their tactics. Despite 75% of respondents agreeing scams should be reported, actual reporting rates are significantly lower, dropping to 14% for romance scams, while seniors remain the most targeted demographic though younger age groups are experiencing the fastest growth in scam victimization.
▶ VIDEO
CBS 13 News
· 2025-03-04
Financial losses from scams in Maine are rising significantly, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated and relentless tactics that have intensified since the pandemic, according to AARP Maine experts. Common scam types affecting Maine residents include door-to-door scams and romance scams, among others, and anyone can become a victim regardless of demographics. Experts emphasize that knowledge and vigilance are critical to protecting oneself from these evolving fraud schemes.
▶ VIDEO
The National Desk
· 2025-03-04
A Bankrate survey found that 34% of U.S. adults experienced financial fraud in the past year, with 37% of those losing money. Contrary to assumptions that only older generations are vulnerable, Gen Z and Millennials who fell victim to scams were actually more likely to lose money (53% and 45% respectively), compared to Gen X at 32%. Financial strain from inflation and elevated interest rates is making Americans more vulnerable to scams.
▶ VIDEO
News 5 Cleveland
· 2025-03-04
During National Consumer Protection Week, the Federal Trade Commission highlights the rising threat of imposter scams in Northeast Ohio, where scammers are using phone calls to impersonate insurance agents, family members, and other trusted figures to extort money from victims. Recent cases included attempts to collect "premiums" on a $30,000 life insurance policy and $5,000 in bail money for a supposed grandson's accident, with Cleveland reporting 3,000 imposter scam complaints. Scammers are increasingly using AI technology to improve their impersonation tactics and gain credibility with potential victims.
▶ VIDEO
KATVchannel7
· 2025-03-05
A USAA bank customer fell victim to scammers impersonating the bank's fraud department who called claiming to warn about suspicious charges on her account. The scammers, who had obtained her personal information, manipulated her into granting them access to her account and stealing thousands of dollars. The incident is part of a growing trend of bank customers being targeted by fraudsters using spoofed caller IDs and social engineering tactics.
▶ VIDEO
CBS TEXAS
· 2025-03-05
A North Texas man fell victim to a combined romance and cryptocurrency scam after meeting a woman named "Giana" on a dating site for seniors. The scammer built trust through daily communication, then persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency, ultimately causing him to lose nearly everything. The scam exemplifies how romance fraud is often layered with investment schemes to exploit victims' emotional vulnerability and financial resources.
▶ VIDEO
Global News
· 2025-03-05
Michael Campbell was targeted by sophisticated scammers who impersonated Amazon and his bank in a coordinated fraud attempt. The scammers tricked him into authorizing a $10,000 transfer by posing as fraud investigators claiming they needed to trace unauthorized activity, while actually siphoning money from his other accounts. Campbell avoided losing funds when he visited his bank branch in person and discovered the scheme, learning that scammers had also called impersonating him.
▶ VIDEO
wgaltv
· 2025-03-06
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Risk Scam Report identifies investment/cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and romance scams as the top three riskiest scams based on exposure, susceptibility, and monetary loss. While the likelihood of experiencing a scam loss decreased 15% year-over-year, the median loss per victim increased 30% to $130, with seniors age 65 and older and young adults age 18-24 reporting the highest median dollar losses, and Publisher's Clearing House impersonation being the most common scam tactic.
▶ VIDEO
KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas
· 2025-03-06
A 72-year-old Las Vegas senior named Thea Giles fell victim to scammers who impersonated her bank (City Bank) and convinced her to cut up her debit card and provide account information, resulting in the theft of her life savings. Giles, who was battling cancer, reported being a three-time scam victim but claims the bank provided no assistance in recovering her stolen funds. The scam highlights the vulnerability of seniors to fraud and the inadequate support victims receive from financial institutions.
▶ VIDEO
News 5 Cleveland
· 2025-03-07
This educational piece features Frank Salona, president/CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Canton, discussing scam prevention during National Consumer Protection Week. He emphasizes that scams affect all consumers regardless of demographics and highlights seasonal fraud schemes, particularly storm-chasing scams targeting homeowners with fake repair services during severe weather seasons like spring storms and flooding.
▶ VIDEO
WFMJ
· 2025-03-08
Scammers are creating fake profiles on dating apps powered by AI chatbots that use artificial intelligence to engage victims in romantic conversations before soliciting cryptocurrency payments. These fake profiles typically contain minimal information (just a few photos and a name) and use chat GPT technology to generate convincing messages, allowing perpetrators to manipulate victims into sending hundreds or thousands of dollars. Security experts warn that these AI-powered catfishing scams represent a dangerous evolution of traditional romance fraud targeting dating app users.