Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
8,640 results
in Phishing
ehextra.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts warning of an uptick in scams impersonating celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military leaders to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency/pig butchering schemes, and merchandise fraud. The scams often exploit people on dating platforms and social media by posing as celebrities to request money, investments, or personal information, with some using AI-generated deepfake audio and video to increase authenticity. Nessel and AARP recommend victims avoid sending money to online contacts, verify caller identities independently, and contact AARP's ElderWatch program at 800-222-4444 for
newsbreak.com
Scammers are impersonating artists and messaging people on social media asking to use their photos for "art projects," then requesting personal information like full names and email addresses under the pretense of sending e-checks for commissions. The scheme is a variant of the common fake check scam, where fraudsters send counterfeit checks that appear legitimate, ask victims to wire back excess funds, and use the collected personal information for future fraud. The Federal Trade Commission warns this tactic is widespread and advises victims to report incidents to the FTC or Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker.
fbcnews.com.fj
Impersonation and phishing scams are increasing in Fiji, with fraudsters pretending to be trusted organizations or individuals to steal personal information and money. The Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission warns the public to be cautious of urgent requests, suspicious links, and threats, and advises verifying sender identity through official channels and avoiding unexpected links. Various phishing methods are prevalent, including Business Email Compromise, spear phishing targeting specific individuals, smishing via SMS, and whaling targeting executives, with the FCCC urging vigilance and careful verification to prevent victimization.
pymnts.com
"Quishing" scams exploit QR codes placed on everyday items like parking meters and utility bills to trick people into visiting malicious websites or sharing personal information, with criminals relying on victims' sense of urgency to act quickly. According to cybersecurity research, 26% of malicious links are now sent via QR code (up from 20% the previous year), and these scams are growing as hackers shift tactics away from traditional email phishing due to increased safeguards. People can protect themselves by watching for signs of physical tampering on QR codes, unusual placement, suspicious context, and pressuring language like "scan immediately to avoid fees."
cnbc.com
QR codes, once harmless novelties, have become targets for scammers in a fraud scheme called "quishing," where malicious QR codes redirect users to phishing websites that steal personal information or download malware. The Federal Trade Commission and state agencies have warned about fake QR codes appearing on parking meters, utility bills, and packages, with studies showing 73% of Americans scan QR codes without verification and over 26 million have been directed to malicious sites. As traditional email phishing becomes harder, cybercriminals are increasingly exploiting QR codes—now accounting for 26% of all malicious links—making this scam expected to rise further.
hawaiinewsnow.com
The Maui Police Department warned the public about a text message scam claiming unauthorized charges on victims' accounts, which directs them to call a number where scammers pose as legitimate representatives and convince victims they are targets of identity theft. The scammers pressure victims to withdraw large sums of money and convert it to cryptocurrency like Bitcoin, while falsely claiming the matter should not be reported to law enforcement. Police advise that legitimate financial institutions never request cryptocurrency transfers, victims should never be told to hide fraud from law enforcement, and suspicious messages should be ignored in favor of contacting banks directly with verified contact information.
tucson.com
A 74-year-old Tucson man drained his 75-year-old wife's $250,000 retirement account after developing an online romance with a woman claiming to be a chef, whom he met on Facebook and sent money to over several months for various fabricated needs including job fees and taxes. The couple also took out a loan on their vehicle and considered a home equity loan to continue funding the scam, which ended when the account was depleted and the scammer stopped contact. Arizona has the highest rate of elder fraud in the nation at 289 cases per 100,000 seniors, with authorities reporting that social media romance scams, phishing, and AI-
bywire.news
Global cryptocurrency scams surged 456% between May 2024 and April 2025, with scammers using AI-generated deepfakes, synthetic voices, and forged credentials to impersonate trusted individuals and platforms with increasing sophistication. In 2024, fraudulent crypto operations stole over $10.7 billion globally, with the U.S. accounting for nearly $3.9 billion in losses across approximately 150,000 reported complaints, though officials estimate actual figures are significantly higher due to underreporting, particularly among older adults and immigrant communities. Law enforcement operations have begun responding—including New York's freezure of $300,000 in stolen assets and seizure
abc.net.au
Sam responded to an unsolicited text about a marketing job opportunity and was drawn into a task-based scam after being contacted via WhatsApp by scammers posing as recruiters. The scammers lured him with promises of $900+ weekly wages for easy work, daily payments, and a paid trial, ultimately resulting in Sam losing thousands of dollars before he ended contact. The article identifies multiple red flags Sam missed, including error-riddled messages, unrealistic wages for unskilled work, requests to move communication off legitimate platforms, and pressure to proceed without standard employment verification procedures.
al.com
The Federal Trade Commission warned consumers about a phishing scam in which fraudsters impersonate Amazon via text message, claiming products failed quality inspections or were recalled and offering refunds through malicious links designed to steal personal information. The FTC advises consumers not to click links in unsolicited texts, instead independently verifying any issues by logging into their Amazon account directly or contacting Amazon through official channels.
ainvest.com
A woman's Instagram account was hijacked and used to advertise fake Oasis concert tickets, resulting in £1,400 stolen from her friends who believed they were purchasing genuine tickets from her. The scammers impersonated her to spread the fraud and demanded £100 to return account access, while Instagram refused to recognize the account as compromised. The incident reflects a broader trend of ticket fraud, with UK Oasis fans losing over £2 million to fraudsters by March 2025, and experts recommend using two-factor authentication to prevent similar account compromises.
yahoo.com
Morgan Hill Police Department arrested one suspect and recovered $15,000 from two separate elder fraud cases reported on July 23. The first case involved a victim who lost $30,000 to a pop-up scam claiming their computer was hacked and requiring payment to fix it; the suspect was arrested on July 24 and charged with elder abuse, criminal conspiracy, and theft by false pretenses. The second case involved a victim who received a call from someone impersonating an FBI agent demanding $24,000; police intercepted $15,000 before it was shipped out of state.
aol.com
An $8.8 million fraud ring targeting 235 elderly victims across multiple states was dismantled following a suspicious $250,000 transfer detected by Synchrony Bank in April 2023. The scheme involved eight suspects and three bank employees, including insider Antonio Penn, who stole customer banking data and sold it via Telegram to accomplices who opened fraudulent accounts and laundered the stolen funds. The 15-month investigation, led by the Polk County Sheriff's Office with support from the Florida Attorney General and multi-state agencies, recovered the full $8.8 million and highlighted the importance of transaction alerts, financial monitoring services, and bank fraud protections to prevent insider fraud targeting seniors.
northeastnow.com
Regina Police Service and Moose Jaw Police Service in Saskatchewan issued warnings about a STARS Lottery scam in which victims receive calls or emails claiming they won a prize and are pressured to send money via money order or gift cards to claim the winnings. Police emphasized that legitimate lottery prizes are never claimed by sending advance payments, and any such request is fraudulent.
mb.com.ph
Filipinos, including senior citizens increasingly active on social media, face a surge in scam links on platforms like Facebook, Viber, and Telegram, with suspicious links rising 28 percent to nearly 19,000 incidents in Q2 2025—driven by scammers shifting from declining SMS and call-based fraud to social media. The scams primarily target vulnerable individuals through online gambling sites, fake promotions, and loan offers, with loan-related scams accounting for nearly 10,000 cases. The article advises users to avoid clicking unfamiliar links, verify messages directly with senders, and report suspicious content, while calling on social media platforms to increase moderation and collaborate
ifamagazine.com
Nearly 1 in 5 UK travellers fall victim to holiday booking scams, with some losing over £500, as cybercriminals use fake accommodation listings, counterfeit travel apps, deepfake customer service agents, and QR code fraud to target holidaymakers during peak season. The article identifies six common travel scams including fake travel insurance, public Wi-Fi attacks, and fraudulent currency exchanges, with UK losses from "quishing" scams alone reaching £3.5 million last year. Key prevention measures include verifying listings and app sources, avoiding unsolicited contact, checking for HTTPS encryption, using VPNs on public Wi-Fi, and only using official
foxnews.com
A phishing scam impersonates Microsoft security alerts by sending emails with links that appear to point to legitimate platforms like Google Docs or SharePoint but actually redirect users to fake Microsoft login pages designed to steal credentials. The scam uses urgent language, vague threats about account compromise, and sometimes modifies support contact information to deceive victims into providing sensitive information. Users can protect themselves by verifying sender addresses, hovering over links before clicking, only approving two-factor authentication requests they initiated, and reporting suspicious emails to Microsoft.
wbrz.com
Louisiana State Police and the Office of Motor Vehicles warned residents of a fraudulent text message scam claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and must pay fees or face prosecution. The official agencies clarified they do not send threatening text messages or emails and advised recipients to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and report scams to the FTC rather than providing personal information or payment.
cleveland.com
The Federal Trade Commission warned of a phishing scam where scammers send text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming customers are entitled to refunds due to product recalls or quality issues and instructing them to click a link to claim the money. Instead of issuing refunds, the malicious links direct victims to phishing sites designed to steal personal and financial information. The FTC advises consumers not to click links in suspicious texts, to verify any account issues by visiting Amazon's official website directly, and to report scam messages to 7726 (SPAM).
cnet.com
During the 2024 holiday season, phishing and spoofing scams stole over $70 million from victims, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including legitimate-looking HTTPS encryption and URLs mimicking real websites to deceive consumers. The article provides guidance on identifying malicious links by checking URLs for suspicious indicators (such as "@" symbols, typo-squatting, or unusual domain extensions), avoiding shortened links, and being wary of urgent messaging, while warning that clicking scam links can result in financial loss, credential theft, or malware installation.
kalb.com
Louisiana residents are being targeted by scam text messages impersonating the Office of Motor Vehicles demanding payment for traffic violations, along with increased scam calls falsely claiming to be from law enforcement and the Department of Justice demanding money under threat of arrest. Authorities advise residents not to click links or share personal information in unsolicited messages, to verify communications directly with official sources rather than responding to the message itself, and to be aware that scammers use "spoofing" technology to make fraudulent calls appear legitimate.
enquirerjournal.com
This article documents various scam tactics—including posing as banks, government agencies, and using cryptocurrency demands—and shares personal experiences where victims avoided losses by recognizing red flags like bitcoin requests and suspicious email domains. According to AARP data, consumers lost $470 million to scams in 2024 (five times the 2020 amount), with criminals targeting text messages at high success rates; the article recommends filtering unknown numbers, verifying caller information, and deleting messages requesting urgent action or personal information.
nasdaq.com
Joe Schulz, a New Jersey-based custom clothing manufacturer, received a suspicious order from a Dubai company for 200 coats and was targeted by an overpayment scam when they deposited a fraudulent check for $93,000 instead of the $14,000 owed, then requested he wire back the $79,000 difference. Schulz avoided the scam by investigating the check's origin, discovering it was fraudulently drawn on a legitimate Indiana construction company's account, and immediately contacting his bank to freeze his account. The incident illustrates how fake checks can appear legitimate and clear quickly, but may take weeks for banks to detect as fraudulent.
pressherald.com
At least 13 Mainers reported receiving text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, using a fake law reference and threatening license suspension to create panic and prompt immediate payment. Maine has seen a significant rise in government impersonation scams, with 98 reported victims in 2024 compared to about 40 annually from 2020-2022, while phishing and spoofing scams jumped from fewer than 100 victims yearly to 357 victims in 2024. Experts recommend acting quickly if scammed by freezing credit with all three major agencies, monitoring financial accounts, and reporting the incident to local police and relevant companies.
theglobeandmail.com
Crystal Quast, a Canadian author, lost $2,500 to an Amazon imposter publishing scam before a friend at the company revealed she was dealing with fraudsters. Canadian fraud losses reached $647 million in reported cases in 2024, up from $577 million in 2023, with an estimated 90-95 percent of fraud going unreported. As banks have strengthened defenses against unauthorized fraud, criminals have shifted to "authorized fraud" schemes like investment and romance scams that manipulate victims into voluntarily transferring funds, creating new detection challenges for financial institutions.
nbcwashington.com
Actor Chris Carmack and his wife Erin Slaver lost $2,000 to an online shopping scam after paying for cushions that never arrived and could not recover their money once the seller disappeared. The couple publicly shared their experience on Instagram as part of a McAfee cybersecurity campaign encouraging scam victims to report their stories, noting that billions of dollars are lost annually to scams. The article emphasizes that victims should report scams to the FTC, save all documentation, and speak openly about their experiences to help others recognize warning signs.
newschannel5.com
A Brentwood, Tennessee resident lost $648,000 in an elaborate scam after fraudsters posing as federal agents convinced him his identity was being used for money laundering and instructed him to liquidate his bank accounts and retirement savings into gold bars. The victim handed over gold worth $144,430 and $504,029 to fake couriers who arrived at his home on two separate occasions in April and May. Working with police, the victim set up a sting operation for a third pickup in July, resulting in the arrest of two suspects, Fan Zhang and Zhen Chen, who arrived in a gray Toyota van to collect what they believed was $273,895 in gold.
dailydot.com
A 5th-grade teacher received a convincing scam call from someone impersonating a sheriff's department official claiming she had failed to appear for jury duty and faced citations and arrest warrants. She avoided falling victim by questioning the caller's information and verifying with her local sheriff's department non-emergency line, which confirmed it was a scam—noting that legitimate jury duty failures are handled by mail, not threatening phone calls. The teacher's warning highlights that this scam is circulating widely, with multiple commenters reporting they experienced similar calls or were actually defrauded by the scheme.
thestar.com.my
Nearly 20 Hong Kong residents lost HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) to online romance scams over two weeks, with 40% of victims aged over 60. One notable case involved a 70-year-old man who lost HK$3 million in savings plus HK$1 million in debt after being befriended via WhatsApp by a scammer posing as a neighbor, who then gained his trust through romantic messages and convinced him to invest in cryptocurrency. Police recommend verifying identities through video calls, avoiding rushed emotional or financial commitments with online strangers, and using the "Scameter" tool to check suspicious contacts and websites.
wchstv.com
Charleston Police and Chase Bank hosted a scam awareness workshop for seniors in Charleston, West Virginia, where attendees learned to recognize common fraud schemes including E-Z Pass, jury duty, and romance scams. According to the Federal Trade Commission, West Virginia residents lost approximately $27 million to fraud and scams in 2024 and are on pace to lose more in 2025. Experts advised seniors to verify requests with trusted sources directly, avoid sharing personal information via phone or email, and report scams immediately to police and their banks, noting that once money reaches scammers—typically operating overseas—it is nearly impossible to recover.
wobm.com
Phone scams targeting New Jersey seniors have surged significantly, with scammers using sophisticated tactics like spoofed caller IDs and emotional manipulation to exploit older adults' willingness to engage in conversation and trust callers claiming to be family members or banks. Common schemes pressure victims to act quickly without verification, and scammers exploit seniors' unfamiliarity with modern fraud tactics. Protective measures include teaching seniors not to share information with suspicious callers, verifying numbers by hanging up and calling back independently, and contacting New Jersey's consumer affairs division or local police fraud departments for assistance.
ama-assn.org
Two federal agencies—the DEA and CMS—issued warnings about scams targeting physicians that impersonate government officials to fraudulently obtain medical records, personal information, or payments. The DEA alerts physicians to impersonation schemes claiming to investigate their practices via phone or letter, while CMS warns of fraudulent requests for medical records or alleged Medicare debt payments. Both agencies emphasize that their personnel do not initiate contact via unsolicited calls, emails, or faxes demanding information or payment, and recommend reporting suspicious incidents to the FBI or Federal Trade Commission.
forbes.com
A surge in SMS phishing scams impersonating Amazon has increased more than 5,000% since July 8, with attackers sending millions of text messages claiming refunds or delivery issues to lure users to fake Amazon websites designed to steal login credentials. The scam targets Amazon users indiscriminately based on the high likelihood that recipients have made recent purchases, with organized criminal gangs operating at industrial scale from beyond U.S. law enforcement reach. Amazon advises recipients to delete suspicious texts immediately, verify accounts through official channels, and enable two-factor authentication, while the company reported taking down over 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 phone numbers used in impersonation schemes
westernunion.com
This is a navigation page and "About Us" header for a money transfer service's fraud awareness section, not a specific article about a scam or fraud incident. The page displays menu options and links to educational fraud prevention resources covering topics like puppy scams, identity theft, military scams, romance scams, and telemarketing scams, but contains no actual content, case study, or data to summarize.
consumer.ftc.gov
Scammers are sending text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming items failed quality inspection or were recalled and offering refunds via suspicious links—a phishing scheme designed to steal personal information and money. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, verify any concerns by logging directly into your Amazon account through official channels, and report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM) or your carrier's junk reporting feature.
fox23maine.com
A text message scam claiming to be from Maine's Department of Motor Vehicles has resurfaced, falsely threatening to suspend recipients' licenses over unpaid traffic citations and urging them to click a link for payment. Nearly a dozen Maine residents reported receiving the deceptive messages, which include a fake state seal and can be identified as fraudulent by red flags such as Maine not having a DMV (the correct agency name is Bureau of Motor Vehicles) and the state never collecting payments via text. Officials advise recipients not to click links, to delete the message immediately, and to report any financial losses to their bank, while acknowledging that tracking the scammers' source is difficult due to identity-shielding technology.
dailyamerican.com
Scammers employ constantly evolving tactics including fake emails, texts, and social media profiles to deceive victims, with Pennsylvanians losing approximately $400 million through text messaging scams alone. To avoid becoming victims, consumers should guard credit and debit cards, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, verify company contact information independently, refrain from posting vacation photos on social media, and be cautious during high-risk periods like summer travel and back-to-school shopping when scams increase. Victims can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission or FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
app.com
A phishing scam impersonating the New Jersey DMV has circulated since at least May, sending text messages threatening vehicle suspension, credit score damage, and prosecution for alleged unpaid traffic tickets to pressure recipients into clicking malicious links and providing personal financial information. The NJMVC clarified it only sends text messages for appointment reminders and never requests services or payments via unsolicited communications. Victims should verify claims directly with official websites and report such SMiShing attempts to the FTC and FBI.
wlwt.com
Scammers are impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles in text messages claiming recipients owe money for overdue traffic tickets, threatening license suspension, prosecution, and credit damage to pressure victims into clicking malicious links that steal money and personal information. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients to delete such messages, report them as spam, and contact their state DMV directly using official contact information rather than links in unsolicited texts.
foxnews.com
Amazon sent warning emails to hundreds of millions of customers alerting them to phishing scams that use fake renewal notices and fake login pages to steal account credentials and personal information. Scammers use scare tactics and real personal details from previous data breaches to make the emails appear legitimate, then harvest login credentials, credit card information, and other data that can be used for unauthorized purchases or sold to other criminals. Amazon has shut down tens of thousands of phishing websites and phone numbers, and recommends customers verify account status directly through Amazon's website or app, enable two-factor authentication, use unique passwords, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails.
patch.com
North Branford police conducted an elder fraud awareness presentation at Evergreen Woods Community to educate seniors on prevention strategies. The presentation highlighted that seniors lose more than $3 billion annually to various fraud schemes including romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and government impersonation scams, with tips provided on how to recognize and protect against these threats.
kiplinger.com
A 2025 bipartisan report highlights that fraud and scams cost seniors $4.8 billion in 2024, with investment, cryptocurrency, and romance scams posing the greatest risks to older adults who are often targeted due to politeness, trust, and unfamiliarity with digital technologies. Common scams include Medicare fraud ($80.5 million in losses), imposter scams ($789 million in losses), phishing, and deepfakes, which cause not only financial devastation but also significant emotional and physical health impacts on victims.
reviewjournal.com
A hospice agent conducted door-to-door solicitation in Texas claiming to represent Medicare and offer free hospice services, a newly identified scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare officials warn that legitimate Medicare will never solicit services via unsolicited calls or home visits, and recipients should never share personal information with unknown callers; those suspecting fraud should contact the Medicare fraud hotline at 800-633-4227 or Senior Medicare Patrol at 877-808-2468.
travelandtourworld.com
Elderly travelers are increasingly targeted by AI-generated deepfake scams that create convincing fraudulent videos of non-existent vacation destinations, causing significant financial losses to seniors who book trips based on the fabricated content. Scammers use advanced AI technology to produce hyper-realistic videos, fake testimonials, and manipulated voices to lure victims into bookings, exploiting older adults' lower digital literacy and trusting nature. As deepfake technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, authorities warn that awareness, careful verification of travel offers, and digital literacy education are essential to protect vulnerable seniors from this growing fraud threat.
newsbreak.com
Scams targeting older adults in the Palm Desert, California area are increasing in sophistication and frequency, utilizing fake phone calls, deceptive emails, and online schemes with tactics enhanced by artificial intelligence. In response, Assemblymember Greg Wallis partnered with the Desert Recreation District to host a free senior scam awareness seminar on August 13, 2025, featuring state agencies and representatives providing current information to help older adults protect themselves before falling victim to fraud.
floridadaily.com
Eight people have been charged in a sophisticated $8.8 million bank fraud operation that victimized over 230 people, many of them seniors, after three Maryland bank employees allegedly used their access to steal customer information including Social Security numbers and account details, which co-conspirators then used to open fraudulent accounts and transfer funds. The defendants, arrested across multiple states, face charges including racketeering, conspiracy, identity fraud, and unauthorized computer access, with bonds ranging from $10,000 to $1,020,000. Authorities recovered some stolen funds that were spent on personal purchases including vehicles, and the case involved coordination between Florida, Maryland, Virginia, and Missouri law enforcement agencies.
wfmz.com
A senior couple in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania was scammed out of $20,000 through a phishing email scheme in which scammers impersonated Apple Customer Support, claimed fraudulent charges had occurred, and eventually sent someone to their home to collect cash in person. The scammers contacted the couple over 20 times via email, directing them to a fake help-line and falsely telling them Apple had accidentally deposited $20,000 into their account that needed to be repaid. Financial exploitation through such scams is now the leading form of elder abuse reported in Pennsylvania, with an estimated $2 billion annually stolen from older adults in the state.
tampafp.com
A multi-state fraud operation that stole $8.8 million from 235 predominantly elderly victims was dismantled, resulting in eight arrests in Polk County, Florida. The scheme involved three M&T Bank employees in Maryland who sold stolen customer data via Telegram to fraudsters, who then used the credentials to drain bank accounts and purchase luxury items. The perpetrators, including bank insiders Antonio Penn, Roshado Durrant, and others, face racketeering and related felony charges with bonds exceeding $1 million.
wfmz.com
Pennsylvania State Police investigated a $20,000 fraud case in North Whitehall Township where elderly victims received phishing emails falsely claiming fraudulent Apple charges, then were manipulated by a scammer posing as "Thomas" into downloading remote access software and withdrawing cash that was handed to a courier using the code word "purple." The scam occurred on June 6, and police are seeking information about the unknown male courier who collected the money.