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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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs launched VSAFE.gov, a new website and call center platform designed to help veterans and their families identify, avoid, and report scams targeting benefits, identity theft, and education fraud. The initiative was spurred by a surge in predatory schemes targeting veterans following the 2022 PACT Act expansion of benefits and healthcare services, with lawmakers pressing the VA to strengthen its anti-fraud protections. The platform consolidates resources from multiple federal agencies including the FTC, FCC, and Social Security Administration to provide veterans with fraud prevention tools and reporting assistance.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their "Fraud of the Month for August," highlighting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion nationally per year. The organization provided guidance for seniors to protect themselves, including: verifying unsolicited callers before sharing personal information, reporting lost or stolen Medicare cards immediately, treating Medicare cards like credit cards, and reviewing statements regularly for suspicious activity. Seniors can report suspected fraud or compromised information to the New York Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.

A University of Michigan study from February-March 2024 found that health care affordability is the top concern among older American voters, with 56% very worried about medical care costs, 54% concerned about prescription medication costs, and 52% anxious about health insurance and Medicare expenses. Financial scams and fraud ranked as the fifth-highest concern at 53%, with researchers noting that the Government Accountability Office estimates older Americans lose $2.9 billion annually to fraud, which causes significant mental distress that can cascade into other health problems. The study suggests that presidential candidates seeking older voters' support should prioritize communicating plans to control health care costs and address fraud prevention.

Ari Tietolman of Montreal, Canada, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating a massive telemarketing fraud scheme from 2005 to 2014 that targeted tens of thousands of American senior citizens, defrauding them of millions of dollars through worthless or non-existent products like fraud protection services, prescription drug discount cards, and legal services. Tietolman and his co-schemers made unauthorized debits from victims' bank accounts after making false claims about affiliations with banks, insurance companies, and the U.S. government, while he was ordered to pay $7,042,898.22 in restitution; two co-defendants also

A University of Michigan poll of 2,576 older adults found that the cost of assisted living, nursing home care, and home care is their top health-related concern (56.3% very worried), followed closely by medical care costs, prescription medication costs, and financial scams and fraud (52.8% very worried). Women and liberal/moderate respondents reported significantly higher worry levels than men and conservative respondents across most cost-related healthcare concerns.

This article provides multiple scam alerts and protective measures: residents received fraudulent PayPal invoices via email impersonation, unrealistic job offers via text promising $1,000+ daily pay for minimal work, and a fake donation request to a nonprofit seeking wire transfer details for a $7,000 "donation." A massive data breach exposed 2.7 billion individuals' Social Security numbers and personal information, with experts recommending credit freezes with major bureaus, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and vigilance against phishing exploitation of the breach.

A Baltimore therapist lost over $10,000 in a police impersonation scam in May, when a fraudster claiming to be a Baltimore County Sheriff's officer threatened her with arrest for missing a court date and demanded payment of two citations via bank withdrawals and bitcoin. The scammer kept her on the phone for five hours and attempted to extort additional money before she contacted the actual police department and discovered the fraud; FBI officials warn that recovered funds are rarely returned and recommend hanging up on such calls.

Samuel Kristofer Bunner of West Virginia was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for defrauding a dementia patient of $1,906,229 through bank fraud and aggravated identity theft, including selling the victim's real estate, draining accounts, and opening fraudulent credit cards. Bunner used the stolen funds to purchase homes, campers, cars, and consumer goods, and was ordered to pay full restitution of $1,906,229 and serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.

**Summary:** The Senior LinkAge Line is offering two educational classes on September 11 to help older adults detect, report, and prevent health care fraud, waste, and abuse. Participants will learn how to identify Medicare scams, protect their Medicare beneficiary numbers, and review their Medicare paperwork, with registration available online or by calling 800.333.2433.

Registered Nurse Phyllis Dodds pleaded guilty to felony Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree for failing to provide nursing care to three residents at Pacifica Senior Living in Klamath Falls, Oregon, including failing to complete critical assessments and follow-up medical treatment that resulted in one patient's death in January 2022. As part of her plea agreement, Dodds surrendered her nursing license, received three years of supervised probation, 150 hours of community service, and was prohibited from working as a paid caregiver. The Oregon Department of Justice's Medicaid Fraud Unit, working with local law enforcement and Adult Protective Services, has prosecut

In the first half of 2024, Hiya detected nearly 20 billion suspected spam calls globally, with spam flag rates exceeding 20% of unknown calls in 25 of 42 countries, alongside a significant rise in AI deepfake voice-cloning scams—including a January robocall impersonating Joe Biden in New Hampshire. Medicare, health insurance, and tax scams dominated in the United States, while France and Spain experienced the highest European spam rates (53% and 51% respectively), Brazil received the most spam calls per capita (26 monthly), and Canada and the UK saw surges in Amazon and tax authority impersonation scams. Researchers anticipate voice

James Dougherty of Boise was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for wire fraud after systematically defrauding an elderly retired schoolteacher of her 46-acre ranch and over $250,000 through a scheme involving gaining power of attorney, establishing a fraudulent trust, and selling the property to himself at below-market value. His wife, Jessica Dougherty, received three years of probation for obstruction of justice after destroying evidence on a computer while in custody. The victim, whose health had deteriorated, lost control of her finances and real property between 2015 and 2017 when the Doughertys fraudulently transferre

Seniors are frequently targeted by scammers who exploit their trust and financial stability, with elder fraud causing over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 and an average victim loss of $33,915. Common scams include fraudulent phone calls impersonating banks or family members, phishing emails and texts, fake charities, Medicare/insurance schemes, tech support scams, and romance scams (which resulted in $1.3 billion in losses in 2022). The article advises seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited contact, verify organizations directly before donating or sharing information, and report suspected scams to the FTC, Department of Justice, or AARP.

The Better Business Bureau reports an increase in Medicare fraud calls targeting senior citizens, where scammers claim to provide free products that will be billed to Medicare through a third-party arrangement. These calls initiate the Medicare fraud process by falsely claiming they will coordinate with the victim's physician and Medicare to deliver the product. Seniors who suspect they have received such calls are advised to contact their physician immediately.

Pamela Moore, a Cincinnati woman, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in August 2024 for laundering over $8 million in proceeds from online romance scams between 2020 and 2023. Moore used personal and business bank accounts, including a fake jewelry business account, to receive and convert the stolen funds to Bitcoin at the scammers' direction, personally retaining approximately $1.7 million. As restitution, Moore was ordered to pay back the $1.7 million she directly received from the laundered funds.

This educational article identifies 10 common scams targeting seniors, who lose approximately $3 billion annually to fraud. The scams include romance scams, funeral fraud, grandparent impersonation schemes, phishing emails, Medicare fraud, fake tech support, and others that exploit seniors' trust, limited digital literacy, and valuable assets like homes and savings. The article provides protective advice such as setting social media accounts to private, verifying caller identities through stored contact numbers, and being skeptical of unsolicited requests for money or personal information.

Durable medical equipment (DME) scams represent a significant Medicare fraud threat, with scammers using telemarketing, internet ads, and in-person events to target beneficiaries seeking common items like braces and walkers. The Missouri Senior Medicare Patrol advises beneficiaries to be aware of these schemes to protect themselves and Medicare dollars, which are spent in the billions annually on legitimate DME.

Iowa County Sheriff Rob Rotter reports that scams are vastly underreported due to victim embarrassment, with an estimated 59 million people scammed annually and $50,000-$60,000 lost yearly in Iowa County alone. Rotter highlighted common scams including lottery/tax schemes (one couple lost $130,000 across multiple scams), robocalls targeting seniors with health insurance offers, and "grandparent scams" where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress, recommending victims report fraud to authorities and verify caller identity by hanging up and calling back known numbers.

The Senior LinkAge Line is offering two educational classes on September 11 to help older adults detect, understand, and report healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse, including Medicare scams and how to protect beneficiary numbers. The free online classes, offered in partnership with the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Senior Medicare Patrol program, cover reading Medicare paperwork and identifying potential errors and scams targeting seniors. Registration is available through www.arrowheadaging.org or by calling 800-333-2433 by the registration deadline.

Seniors lose approximately $3 billion annually to scams, making them prime targets due to their savings, home ownership, good credit, and often lower digital literacy. The article identifies 10 common scams targeting older adults, including romance scams (fraudsters posing as romantic interests), funeral scams (exploiting grief over deceased spouses), grandparent scams (impersonating grandchildren in emergencies), phishing (fake emails from financial institutions), Medicare fraud, and tech support scams, among others. Prevention strategies include securing social media accounts, verifying contact information through reverse searches, and calling family members directly to confirm emergencies.

According to the National Council on Aging, financial scams targeting seniors cost approximately $3 billion annually, causing both monetary losses and significant emotional distress to victims who are often targeted for their perceived vulnerability and trust. Common schemes include Medicare/health insurance fraud, phishing scams, investment fraud, and grandparent scams, all of which rely on deception to steal sensitive information or money. Seniors can protect themselves through education and awareness, with resources available including a free community workshop offered by Home Instead on September 12, 2024, at the DeKalb Public Library covering fraud prevention strategies and protection techniques.

Oregon's Medicaid Fraud Unit, which established a specialized team in 2023 focused on elder and disabled abuse cases, recently secured two criminal convictions: in-home caregiver Tara Saunders pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment and received 3 days jail plus 36 months probation, while registered nurse Phyllis Dodds pleaded guilty to the same charge and received 3 years probation for neglecting and mistreating three patients at Pacifica Senior Care in Klamath Falls, one of whom died. The dedicated team has prosecuted seven individuals total and pursued civil settlements, as Medicaid fraud referrals

Baystate Health fell victim to an email scam in November 2022, wiring $700,000 to a fraudulent account at JPMorgan Chase. After Bank of America alerted Chase that the account was controlled by a criminal actor, the bank allegedly allowed at least $205,542 to be withdrawn by the scammer, with approximately $420,000 remaining unaccounted for. Baystate is suing JPMorgan Chase for $420,000 plus interest, claiming the bank failed in its duty to prevent or delay withdrawals from a flagged fraudulent account.

Senior Law Day is a free educational event scheduled for September 21, 2024, in Boulder County, Colorado, designed to help older adults, family members, and caregivers learn about legal and lifestyle matters through expert presentations and consultations. The event features sessions on topics including scams and fraud, estate planning, Medicaid, elder rights and abuse, and dementia caregiving, with attendees able to schedule one-on-one consultations with attorneys, Medicare counselors, and fraud protection experts.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services notified nearly 947,000 Medicare beneficiaries that their personal information, including Social Security numbers and Medicare claim numbers, may have been compromised in a data breach affecting Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp., a claims processor in six states. The breach occurred between May 27-31, 2023, through a vulnerability in MOVEit file-transfer software, but was only discovered during a May 2024 security review; CMS and the contractor reported no confirmed cases of identity fraud resulting from the exposure but are advising beneficiaries to monitor their accounts.

Older adults are frequent targets of financial exploitation through both remote scams and personal relationships. A Fayette County case exemplified the risks of power of attorney arrangements: a woman was charged with over 1,600 felony counts for allegedly stealing more than $690,000 from an elderly dementia patient over several years after being granted power of attorney in 2015. Experts recommend carefully vetting who receives power of attorney, monitoring financial accounts regularly when mentally capable, and remaining vigilant against "romance scams," which cause the largest monetary losses to older adults, typically through internet-based schemes using false personas.

Older adults are frequent targets of financial exploitation, both through remote scams and by trusted individuals with power of attorney. In one notable Fayette County case, a woman was charged with over 1,600 felony counts for allegedly stealing more than $690,000 from an elderly dementia patient over several years after being granted power of attorney. Experts recommend careful selection of financial agents, maintaining oversight of accounts, and awareness of common scams like "romance scams," which cause the greatest monetary losses to seniors.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified AI-driven healthcare scams as their Medicare Fraud of the Month for September 2024, highlighting how artificial intelligence enables fraudsters to generate fake medical claims, steal identities, and create deepfake audio/video to commit healthcare fraud. The organization recommends seniors verify caller identity through trusted numbers, limit personal information shared online, and exercise caution with financial data, noting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually. Seniors can report suspected fraud by calling 800-333-4374 or visiting nysenior.org.

This educational article distinguishes between scams (where criminals manipulate victims into sharing information or money) and fraud (where criminals use stolen information without the victim's involvement), and outlines how to identify suspicious messages. The piece advises that red flags include pressure tactics, mismatched sender email addresses, and offers that seem too good to be true, emphasizing that individuals are the first line of defense against scams through reporting and awareness. In 2023, Australians lost $476 million collectively to scams, making vigilance against suspicious communications critical for protecting personal finances and sensitive information.

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A BSA Scout writes about the rising threat of scams targeting elderly residents in Johnson County, highlighting common schemes including romance, tech support, refund, emergency, and Medicare scams. The author describes a personal experience with a Medicare scam in which fraudsters using spoofed phone numbers impersonated Medicare or doctors' offices to pressure victims into changing their Medicare plans or face cancellation. The piece emphasizes that scammers continuously develop new tactics to exploit vulnerable seniors.

Bill Whitaker, a 75-year-old, fell victim to a tech support scam that began with a fake software upgrade email; after following the scammer's instructions, approximately $28,000 was drained from his and his wife Susan's accounts, with only $8,000 recovered. The incident illustrates the broader "tsunami of fraud" targeting older Americans, with the FTC reporting over $10 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2023 (actual losses far higher due to underreporting), predominantly perpetrated by overseas criminal syndicates using tactics ranging from fake tech support to AI-cloned voices and romance scams. Experts testifying before Congress

In a September 19, 2024 Senate hearing on elder fraud, lawmakers discussed how scammers stole over $3.4 billion from American seniors in 2023, often through impersonation, romance scams, and false investment promises by transnational criminal organizations based in countries like Mexico and China. The hearing highlighted that Medicare alone lost an estimated $60 billion to fraud, errors, and abuse in 2023, with scammers using stolen Medicare numbers to bill for unnecessary medical equipment. Senators emphasized the importance of community banks, local law enforcement, and AI-powered fraud detection systems in combating these crimes and called for enhanced education to help seniors recognize warning signs.

In 2023, the FTC reported $10 billion in total consumer fraud losses (up $1 billion from 2022), with older adults losing $3.4 billion according to FBI data, driven primarily by imposter scams, investment fraud (up 400% since 2021), and tech support scams despite scam types remaining largely consistent with previous years. The Senate Special Committee on Aging released its ninth annual fraud book highlighting that common scams targeting seniors include imposter, sweepstakes, lottery, cryptocurrency, and AI-enabled schemes, with tech support scams causing nearly $590 million in losses and investment scams topping $1.2 billion. Between June

Jeffrey Morris, a 37-year-old real estate developer in Wheeling, West Virginia, was sentenced to five years in prison for defrauding investors through forged leases, withheld information, and Ponzi-scheme payments that caused five or more victims to lose their savings. Morris must pay nearly $5 million in restitution to investors and over $500,000 to the IRS for unpaid taxes and penalties.

On September 21, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced new initiatives to support women's economic security, particularly as they age, acknowledging that women typically retire with less savings than men while living longer and facing greater financial vulnerability. The announcement included over $200 million in grants for senior employment training, nearly $3 million for emergency housing for older women experiencing abuse, and new resources for retirement planning and financial literacy. The administration also emphasized existing protections against financial fraud and scams targeting women, alongside policies to strengthen Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.

Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister conducted a community presentation warning residents about common scams after a local family lost $90,000, noting that scammers typically operate outside U.S. jurisdiction making fund recovery nearly impossible. Scammers use emails, phone calls, social media, and mail to target victims by spoofing phone numbers, impersonating government agencies or financial institutions, and creating emotional urgency through threats or too-good-to-be-true offers. Armbrister recommends verifying suspicious calls by hanging up and calling trusted numbers, watching for red flags like immediate threats and AI-enhanced voice spoofing, and never providing personal or banking information to unsolicited callers

Medicare scam calls are fraudulent attempts to steal seniors' Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, bank account information, and other personal data by impersonating government agencies or Medicare representatives. Scammers use pressure tactics such as threatening benefit cancellation, promising free services, or offering plan upgrades to manipulate victims into disclosing sensitive information. Medicare and Social Security never make unsolicited calls requesting personal information; recipients should hang up immediately and contact Medicare directly at 800-633-4227 to report suspicious calls.

Senior Medicare Patrol in Ohio partnered with Belmont County Senior Services to educate Medicare beneficiaries about fraud prevention through a "fraud bingo" community event. Outreach specialists emphasized that scams can affect anyone and encouraged seniors to verify messages by calling companies directly before sharing personal information, stressing that legitimate businesses support verification efforts.

Missoula Aging Services reported a surge in phone scams where callers impersonate Medicare, government agencies, banks, and tech support to extract victims' personal information including Medicare numbers, Social Security numbers, and bank account details using high-pressure tactics. The organization urges consumers to be suspicious of unsolicited calls requesting personal information and recommends verifying caller identity by independently contacting the organization, then reporting suspicious calls to Montana Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-551-3191 or the Federal Trade Commission.

Alex Ambrose, a 27-year-old manager at Mission Point Nursing & Physical Rehabilitation Center in Warren, Michigan, was charged with embezzling over $7,000 from eight vulnerable nursing home residents between September 2023 and January 2024. Ambrose allegedly deposited residents' checks totaling $7,792 into his personal accounts and faces four felony counts and five misdemeanor counts of embezzlement from vulnerable adults. He was released on a $20,000 bond pending preliminary examination scheduled for October 10, 2024.

Elder financial scams increased 14% in complaints and 11% in financial impact in 2023, with criminals targeting seniors through imposter scams (IRS/Social Security), shopping fraud, grandparent scams, tech support schemes, and sweepstakes fraud. The article provides protective measures for each scam type, emphasizing that seniors should never share personal information unsolicited, verify requests through independent contact with family or organizations, be skeptical of unusual payment methods, and report suspected fraud immediately.

Scammers continue to impersonate Medicare representatives via unsolicited phone calls to steal Medicare account numbers, which they use to commit fraud such as ordering medical devices. Medicare never contacts beneficiaries by phone and is not issuing new cards, making these calls a reliable indicator of scam activity. Medicare fraud costs the government between $60 billion to $100 billion annually.

Randy A. Farrell, Sr., age 61, a third-party building inspector in New Orleans, was indicted on 25 counts including conspiracy, wire fraud, and honest services fraud for accepting bribes to allow unlicensed electricians to obtain fraudulent permits and pass inspections on hundreds of homes using licensed electricians' names. Farrell and his company IECI & Associates also attempted to obstruct the investigation by offering bribes to public officials. If convicted, Farrell faces up to 20 years in prison per count and potential fines up to $250,000 per count.

The U.S. Senate's Special Committee On Aging held a hearing on elder financial fraud, featuring testimony from AARP's Kathy Stokes revealing that organized transnational crime rings operate like corporations, using emotional manipulation to bypass victims' logical thinking, and that identity fraud alone cost Americans $43 billion in 2023. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing fake communications, emails, and deepfakes, making tech support scams and bank impostor scams harder to detect, though awareness of common tactics and red flags can help protect vulnerable adults.

A Palm Coast woman discovered her 79-year-old friend had been duped by fake warranty scam mailings, paying approximately $300 per month to two home warranty companies and one car warranty company for coverage she never purchased. The official-looking letters with urgent language like "Final Notice" and "Past Due" convinced the senior she had existing warranties, and when she tried to cancel, one company refused a refund and suggested only a temporary hold. Law enforcement officials report that over 60% of fraud complaints in their jurisdiction involve seniors, with median individual losses ranging from $800 for ages 70-79 to $1,500 for those 80 and older, and they advise seniors

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes amended her lawsuit against Heritage Village Assisted Living to include racketeering charges and seek court receivership of two additional facilities (Visions Mesa and Visions Apache Junction) owned by the same operators. The investigation uncovered that owners Gary and Tracy Langendoen diverted over $2.9 million from Heritage Village's operating accounts to pay debts on other properties, including at least $890,000 transferred to Visions Apache Junction, while residents suffered abuse and neglect and insurance coverage lapsed until the receiver secured replacement coverage at an additional cost of $500,000. The amended complaint also alleges that Heritage Village submitted six forged license applications

Rose Sherrie Davis, a 66-year-old woman, was arrested in September 2022 and faces felony charges including exploitation of a vulnerable adult and financial identity fraud after allegedly stealing $102,109.04 from a nursing home patient at NHC Healthcare West Ashley between November 2021 and April 2022 using her power of attorney access. Davis used the victim's bank accounts and debit cards for her personal expenses and was released on a $25,000 bond; the charges carry potential prison sentences ranging from six months to 10 years.

From 2018 to 2020, Medicare paid out over $1 billion in fraudulent claims for orthotic braces (neck, back, and other supports) that were sold to beneficiaries through unsolicited telemarketer calls and advertisements without required doctor consultations or prescriptions. The scheme involved 24 defendants across 17 federal districts who submitted $1.7 billion in false Medicare claims, often sending unrequested or medically unnecessary braces to seniors, which put recipients at health risk and potentially disqualified them from future legitimate brace coverage.