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in Robocall / Phone Scam
cbsaustin.com
· 2025-12-08
The Travis County Attorney's Office warned of a phone scam where callers impersonate office staff and claim victims have outstanding warrants or criminal charges, then request payment via QR codes or directing victims to ATM-like machines near gas stations. The Travis County Attorney's Office does not solicit payments by phone and urges residents to call (512) 854-9415 to verify any such calls before providing money.
ksfr.org
· 2025-12-08
As the 2023-24 election cycle approaches record spending of over $10 billion, scammers are exploiting the climate to defraud citizens through various election-related schemes. Common scams include fraudulent Political Action Committees posing as candidate fundraisers, illegal robocalls using AI-generated voices, impersonation calls claiming to be from county clerk offices requesting personal information, and fake pollster calls offering payment in exchange for personal data. Experts advise verifying legitimacy through proper PAC procedures, refusing unsolicited calls requesting contributions, never providing personal information to unverified callers, and reporting suspicious election-related communications to authorities.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jackson Police Department warned of a court scam in which fraudsters use spoofed caller IDs to impersonate law enforcement and claim victims have missed court-ordered activities, threatening arrest. Scammers target individuals with public records (recent arrests, those on bond, sex offender registries) and falsely claim missed appointments such as DNA sample submissions, though no legitimate letter or appointment ever existed. To protect themselves, citizens can verify warrants through Wisconsin's online court records (wicourts.gov) and driving status through the Wisconsin DOT, and should remember that courts never accept payment via bitcoin, gift cards, or home pickup of bail money.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Broadcaster Moira Stuart nearly fell victim to an authorized push payment (APP) fraud scam when someone impersonating her bank convinced her to transfer money to a "safe" account, but bank staff intervened and stopped the transaction. APP fraud incidents exceeded 230,000 cases in the most recent year, resulting in £460 million in losses, with fraudsters increasingly using artificial intelligence and evolving tactics including purchase scams, investment schemes, romance scams, and impersonation fraud targeting energy suppliers and tax authorities. Banks are struggling to refund victims, and regulators have capped APP scam refunds at £85,000 starting October 7.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns that cryptocurrency and investment scammers are increasingly sophisticated, with recent research showing $75.3 billion moved into suspicious exchange accounts including $15.2 billion from U.S. investors. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact via phone/email/social media, promises of unrealistic returns with little risk, pressure to act quickly, and overly complicated strategies that only the scammer can explain. The article advises verifying investment professionals' credentials through FINRA BrokerCheck or SEC databases and being skeptical of any opportunity that sounds too good to be true.
kauainownews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Hawai'i's Department of Law Enforcement warns the public of scammers impersonating law enforcement officers who call victims claiming they face arrest for missed court appearances or jury duty, then demand payment for bail or civil fees. The scammers use spoofed phone numbers and often make geographic mistakes (mispronouncing Hawaiian street names or referencing non-existent offices) that reveal they are calling from outside Hawai'i. Legitimate law enforcement agencies never solicit payment by phone, and residents should not provide financial information to callers claiming to be officers.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman in Petaling Jaya lost approximately RM670,994 in cash, jewelry, and gold bars after scammers convinced her that her identity was involved in cybercrime and money laundering, then visited her home posing as police to collect her valuables. The scam occurred between September 20-27, 2024, and highlights a broader trend showing that senior citizens aged 61 and older accounted for 8.9% of online scam victims from January-August 2024, but suffered 27.9% of total losses (RM255,367,680). Police urge families to warn elderly relatives to be vigilant and avoid surren
bernama.com
· 2025-12-08
During the first eight months of 2024, 1,916 elderly individuals aged 61 and above in Malaysia fell victim to online scams, losing RM255.37 million (27.9% of total online fraud losses that year). Although elderly victims represent only 8.9% of online fraud cases, they suffer disproportionately large financial losses, making them prime targets for scammers using tactics such as impersonation of police officers and false claims of cybercrime involvement. Malaysian police officials emphasized the importance of awareness and vigilance, urging families to advise elderly relatives to verify suspicious calls through official channels rather than following unsolicited instructions.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
A West Orange, NJ resident lost nearly $400,000 to a "Norton Scam" that began with a fraudulent email claiming they owed money to Norton Antivirus. The scammers gained remote access to the victim's computer, manipulated the screen to change a $300 payment to $300,000, then directed them to call a fake bank number where additional funds were extracted through wire transfers and gold coin purchases. Detective Ryan Funk identified 33-year-old Jaynesh Patel as a suspect in the investigation.
siliconeer.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams—where criminals impersonate trusted businesses or government agencies—are the most common type of fraud reported to the FTC, with 360,000 cases in the first half of 2024 alone resulting in $1.3 billion in losses (median $800 per victim). Losses from government and business impersonation scams have surged dramatically, from $370 million combined in 2020 to over $1.3 billion by 2023, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake urgency, unusual payment methods like Bitcoin ATMs, and threats of arrest or deportation. The FTC's new Impersonation Rule
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old woman from Chennai lost ₹1 crore in a FedEx scam involving impersonation by fraudsters posing as police/CBI officers who falsely accused her of illegal activities and instructed her to transfer funds for verification. Between January and August, Chennai's cybercrime unit registered over 250 cases including 45 FedEx scams and 80 online trading frauds, predominantly affecting high net-worth elderly individuals, prompting authorities to launch awareness campaigns through SMS, awareness camps, and partnerships with pensioners' and residents' associations.
wgem.com
· 2025-12-08
First Baptist Church in Quincy held an educational seminar to help senior citizens recognize and avoid phone scams, particularly impersonation scams involving fake IRS calls. Guest speaker Don O'Brien from the Better Business Bureau advised attendees to question callers about details only legitimate government employees would know and to never share payment information or money with suspicious callers. Pastor Orville Jones emphasized that technology education is essential for seniors to protect themselves while remaining connected in modern society.
kchanews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Floyd County Sheriff's Office issued a scam alert regarding fraudulent calls targeting senior citizens, where scammers claim a family member has been arrested and demand cash bail to be picked up by a courier. The Sheriff's Office clarified that legitimate bail payments are only accepted in person at their office or jail, and urged victims or those receiving such calls to report them to local law enforcement and never provide personal information or money over the phone.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake "card declined" messages on fraudulent websites and in phishing emails to trick consumers into entering payment information and personal details, then charging their accounts without authorization. The BBB and AAA have received multiple reports of consumers being charged unexpectedly despite receiving error messages suggesting their transactions failed. To protect yourself, verify website URLs and security features, research businesses before purchasing, avoid unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true, use credit cards for added fraud protection, and monitor your accounts for unauthorized charges.
newstopicnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens are frequently targeted by scammers using untraceable payment methods like prepaid cards and wire transfers, with law enforcement noting these scams are largely preventable through awareness. Documented cases in Sanford included a 77-year-old man defrauded of $3,000 in iTunes cards by someone impersonating his granddaughter claiming to need bail money, and various lottery and inheritance scams sent to residents. Law enforcement agencies advise that any unsolicited request to pay money to receive money is a scam, recommend never sharing personal information over the phone, and note that legitimate government agencies would never demand payment via gift cards or money orders.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
A 31-year-old New York man was arrested in Branford, Connecticut after operating as a courier in a text message scam scheme that initiates contact with unsuspecting victims through unsolicited "Hello" messages to build fake relationships and extract money. The suspect, Wenije He, was apprehended while attempting to collect a large cash sum believed destined for criminal enterprise and faces larceny and phone fraud charges with a $200,000 bond. Police warn residents to ignore unsolicited texts from unknown numbers, never send money or personal information to unknown contacts, and report suspicious activity to local authorities.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
O2, the UK's largest phone network, has issued a scam alert warning customers about fraudulent activity targeting both iPhone and Android users, particularly during the busy pre-Christmas tech launch season. The scams involve criminals posing as O2 representatives to steal personal data, passwords, and bank details by offering too-good-to-be-true deals like steep discounts or free devices, then using the stolen information to fraudulently order phones in victims' names. O2 advises customers to never share sensitive information over phone or text, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report unexpected package deliveries or account changes directly to O2 rather than engaging with the scammers.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
A Komando staff member describes four active email scams currently circulating: a $40,000 fake invoice scheme that impersonates business contacts and uses social engineering to trick finance staff into payment; fake subscription receipt emails designed to extract credit card information or phone calls; sextortion scams threatening to share fabricated embarrassing footage unless victims pay Bitcoin; and direct deposit phishing emails attempting to steal banking information and business data. The article advises recipients to verify requests through established channels, be suspicious when normal approval procedures are bypassed, and recognize that scammers often lack the information they claim to possess.
8days.sg
· 2025-12-08
Phyllis Seah, 27, owner of the lok lok chain Fei Zhu Lok Lok, lost $12,900 to a food and beverage scam in Singapore. A scammer posing as someone from Yuhua Secondary School claimed to want to order 40 cartons of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall from a Malaysian supplier for school teachers, then pressured Seah to purchase expensive items upfront on his behalf. This scam is part of a recurring F&B fraud scheme where callers pose as customers requesting large orders, then manipulate business owners into making expensive advance purchases that are never completed.
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested and ordered detained for their roles in online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, was charged in a scheme that defrauded a 79-year-old Narragansett man of approximately $165,000 (cash and gold bars) after a pop-up falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, was charged in a separate scheme where a 72-year-old Tiverton man was defrauded of nearly $200,000 through similar tactics involving a fake FTC agent. Both perpetrators
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
seehafernews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Manitowoc County Public Safety Committee successfully conducted a four-session educational series on common scams and frauds targeting seniors, drawing nearly 70 attendees who received preventative strategies and insights. The program, organized through the DATCP with support from local law enforcement agencies, was praised for its timeliness given rising fraud incidents in the community. Organizations interested in hosting similar fraud prevention educational sessions are encouraged to contact the Public Safety Committee Chairman.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were charged in federal court for operating online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a scheme involving fake pop-up warnings and impersonation of federal authorities; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, defrauded a 72-year-old victim of approximately $363,000 in gold bullion using similar tactics. Both perpetrators were ordered detained and face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering
parisstaronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Sarnia seniors lost over $1 million in separate online scams, including a 67-year-old woman defrauded of $350,000 by a man posing as a physician who claimed to need money to evacuate a war zone, a 63-year-old man scammed of $52,500 through a romance and extortion scheme involving fake intimate photos, and a 70-year-old man who lost $710,000 to both a lottery prize scam and a romance fraud by the same perpetrator. Police emphasized that such large losses are common among vulnerable seniors and warned residents to avoid risky online behavior and educate elderly relatives about these schemes.
premier.sa.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
South Australia reported 13,183 scams totaling over $15 million in 2023, with romance, investment, classified, and selling scams being most prevalent. A fraudulent Seniors Card website (www.seniorscardportal.au) was also identified, charging $29 for a service that should be free. Authorities urged residents to watch for red flags including pressure to act quickly, requests for unusual payment methods, and suspicious links or attachments.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Long Leaf Trading Group, a Chicago-based boiler-room operation, cold-called victims to pitch a fraudulent commodity-trading scheme between 2020 and its prosecution, resulting in customer losses while company traders collected $1.2 million in commissions. The article uses this case to illustrate how consumer fraud has evolved dramatically, with modern scammers now employing AI voice cloning, personal data harvesting, and impersonation tactics that make scams increasingly difficult to detect, contributing to record losses of $10 billion in U.S. consumer fraud in the previous year.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This editorial contrasts traditional scams like Long Leaf Trading Group's $1.2 million commodity fraud scheme with modern consumer fraud that leverages artificial intelligence, voice cloning, and personal data harvesting to create highly convincing imposter scams. Consumer fraud reached a record $10 billion in losses last year according to the FTC, with imposter scams representing the fastest-growing category as criminals exploit social isolation, political divisiveness, and technological sophistication to target vulnerable Americans. Law enforcement efforts have increased but remain outpaced by evolving fraud tactics, though a new generation of tech-savvy anti-scammers on platforms like YouTube are gaining traction in exposing these criminals.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 200,000 people in Southeast Asia have been forced into operating online "pig butchering" scams by Chinese organized crime groups, generating billions in stolen funds through a scheme that builds false relationships with victims before directing them to fraudulent investment platforms. The FBI reported nearly $4 billion in losses from these scams in 2023 alone, with total global losses estimated at $75 billion or more, and similar operations have now expanded to the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and West Africa. Despite crackdowns by Beijing and international law enforcement efforts, experts warn that the scam continues to proliferate globally as criminal groups replicate the model in regions with weak governance and enforcement.
newpittsburghcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance on protecting oneself from common scams and fraud. Key advice includes recognizing red flags (urgency, unrealistic offers, suspicious communications), safeguarding personal and account information, and taking preventive steps such as ignoring unrecognized contacts, calling banks directly using verified numbers, avoiding suspicious links, and verifying legitimacy before financial transactions. The article covers major scam types including impersonation of financial institutions, fake retailer accounts, rental fraud, fraudulent tech support, malvertising, and AI-generated "deepfake" impersonations.
we-ha.com
· 2025-12-08
The article highlights two major scams: (1) "Card declined" fraud, where fake websites capture credit card information after displaying declined messages, causing victims to lose money and have personal data exposed; and (2) Bitcoin ATM scams, which have resulted in over $65 million in losses in the first half of 2024, with seniors over 60 losing a median of $10,000 each after scammers convince them to deposit cash into machines. The FTC and BBB advise consumers to verify website legitimacy before entering financial information and never withdraw cash or use Bitcoin ATMs in response to unsolicited calls or messages.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru resident narrowly avoided an iPhone 15 scam when a fraudster posing as a delivery agent attempted to hand over a counterfeit package while refusing to allow the promised "open box" inspection. The resident became suspicious of this policy violation, began recording the interaction, which caused the scammer to flee, and minutes later received the legitimate iPhone from the actual Flipkart delivery agent. The incident highlights the importance of vigilance during high-value online purchases and verifying delivery agent identity and enforcing agreed-upon inspection policies.
hellorayo.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams across the UK resulted in £6.8 million in losses over 12 months, with North Yorkshire police warning that 65% of people believe it won't happen to them despite the significant threat. Scammers typically build trust through fake profiles and emotional manipulation, sometimes persuading victims to sell assets or homes based on false promises, with losses ranging from hundreds to millions of pounds. Police advise against sharing personal information online, sending money to unknown contacts, moving conversations off legitimate dating platforms, or accepting money transfers that could constitute money laundering.
futurescot.com
· 2025-12-08
Research in Scotland revealed that 400,000 older people have been targeted by online scams, prompting the Cyber and Fraud Centre to relaunch a safety guide addressing cryptocurrency scams, fake calls/emails, and text message fraud. The Cyber and Fraud Hub has handled approximately £250,000 in cryptocurrency fraud cases across all age groups while preventing around £60,000 from reaching scammers, with older adults identified as particularly vulnerable due to lower technology familiarity and greater trust in unsolicited contacts. The guide recommends that seniors remain cautious of unexpected communications, protect personal information, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and discuss finances with trusted individuals.
fox19.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior couple in Boone County, Kentucky nearly fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam initiated by a pop-up message on their computer that directed them to call a number claiming their accounts were compromised. When they called the provided number, scammers instructed them to withdraw money and convert it to Bitcoin at a local vape shop, but an alert vape shop employee and the couple's own suspicions prompted them to contact the sheriff's office before completing the transaction. The Boone County Sheriff's Office successfully recovered the couple's funds, with deputies noting that recovering money in such scams is exceptionally rare.
marionstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Millions of elderly Americans lose over $3 billion annually to financial fraud and scams, as seniors are frequently targeted due to their trustworthiness, financial savings, and reluctance to report crimes. FBI Special Agent Jacob Hollister presented information on October 15 at Kingston Residence of Marion detailing how criminals build trust with elderly targets through online, phone, and mail communications and sustain fraudulent schemes for financial gain.
nola.com
· 2025-12-08
Georges Media Group and AARP Louisiana are hosting "Unmasking Fraud," a free public educational event on October 15 in New Orleans featuring AARP Fraud Ambassador Paul Greenwood, a retired prosecutor with 22 years of experience leading elder abuse prosecution, along with local law enforcement and legal experts who will discuss fraud prevention tactics and resources. The event includes a resource fair, stakeholder roundtable, and will be livestreamed, with AARP reporting that an estimated 141.5 million U.S. adults have been targeted by fraud, emphasizing the need for community-wide prevention efforts and the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline at 877
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost $10.3 billion to fraud in 2023, with seniors (ages 60+) among the most vulnerable populations targeted through tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and credential stuffing attacks. OnPoint Credit Union released a 2024 cybersecurity eBook highlighting emerging threats including deepfake phishing, AI-enhanced scams, and smart device vulnerabilities, recommending consumers verify sender information, monitor accounts closely, and remain vigilant against unsolicited communications.
providencejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Two out-of-state men faced federal charges for defrauding two elderly Rhode Island residents through gold bullion scams totaling approximately $530,000 in losses and purchases. The scammers used fake online popup messages falsely accusing the victims (ages 79 and 72) of child pornography and money laundering offenses, then impersonated federal authorities to direct them to purchase and surrender gold bars and cash. Law enforcement from multiple agencies coordinated to apprehend one conspirator during a controlled delivery in September, with ongoing investigations into similar schemes.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Marylanders lost approximately $69 million in cryptocurrency investment scams, where fraudsters contact victims randomly, build trust, and convince them to invest savings or retirement funds into fake trading accounts showing false returns before blocking withdrawals. Scammers typically encourage victims to liquidate retirement accounts and take loans for larger investments, with some victims losing over $1 million while being charged hundreds of thousands in fees to access their funds; cryptocurrency-related fraud comprises about half of all reported fraud cases, and FBI officials warn that peer-to-peer crypto transactions cannot be reversed once completed.
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first six months of 2024, Americans lost $65 million to Bitcoin ATM scams, with losses increasing nearly 10-fold since 2023. Scammers use various tactics—such as impersonating law enforcement and threatening arrest—to manipulate victims into depositing cash at Bitcoin ATMs; one Houston man lost nearly $60,000 after being told he had an active warrant. The median loss across all ages is $10,000, though consumers over 60 are more frequently targeted, and the FTC warns that if anyone directs you to use a Bitcoin ATM, it is a scam.
delawarevalleynews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Middletown Township business lost $2,600 to scammers impersonating a fire marshal and the business owner, who used text messages and false urgency to convince an employee to deposit funds into a bitcoin machine at a smoke shop, including $600 of the employee's own money. Police state the funds are unrecoverable and the perpetrators cannot be identified, as bitcoin has never been a valid payment method for the Fire Marshal's office. The department advises verifying unexpected payment requests by calling official offices and supervisors directly before transferring any money.
therakyatpost.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
lawyer-monthly.com
· 2025-12-08
Wire transfer scams cost Americans $343.7 million in 2023, with fraudsters impersonating trusted contacts to redirect payments to their accounts through compromised emails, fake documents, or intercepted communications. Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once processed, making them the scammer's preferred method; one victim lost his entire $900,000 life savings intended for a home down payment when scammers hijacked his email conversation with his real estate agent. Common wire transfer scams include real estate fraud, advance-fee loan schemes, fake checks, family emergency impersonations, rental fraud, tech support scams, and business email compromise attacks.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
As Election Day approaches, scammers are impersonating political campaigns and organizations through text messages to steal personal information and money using three main tactics: fake voter registration alerts with malicious links, fraudulent polling requests, and donation solicitation scams. To protect yourself, avoid clicking links from unknown senders, verify voter registration through official state websites only, and never respond to unsolicited political texts; additionally, enable spam filtering on your phone by using built-in settings like "Filter Unknown Senders" on iPhones or spam protection features on Android devices.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Two Ontario women—Gabriel Edith Marie Paradis, 27, and Vanessa Fatima Alves Dasilva, 20—were sentenced to house arrest (one year and 18 months respectively) for their role as "money mules" in a grandparent scam that defrauded nine elderly Manitoba seniors of nearly $90,000 in summer 2022. The scheme involved unknown scammers calling victims posing as grandchildren in legal trouble and requesting bail money, which the women would pick up from victims' homes; while most victims recovered their money, the emotional impact included loss of trust and embarrassment.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old San Francisco man was arrested after attempting to scam a Grass Valley, California elderly woman out of $32,000 through a fake "Microsoft Windows error" tech support scheme. The scammer gained remote computer access, falsely claimed criminal activity on her account, and convinced the victim to withdraw $32,000 from her bank; however, the victim's family intervened and contacted law enforcement, who arrested the suspect when he arrived to collect the money. The suspect was charged with attempted grand theft, obtaining money by false pretense, conspiracy to commit a crime, and elder theft.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs warns residents to be vigilant against post-Hurricane Helene scams, including fraudsters impersonating FEMA and utility companies to steal personal information through unsolicited calls. The department reminds the public that legitimate government agencies never charge for disaster relief and advises verifying charitable organizations before donating, with resources available through the Secretary of State's office or by calling 1-888-CHARITI.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Global online scams resulted in $1.026 trillion in losses in 2023, affecting approximately one in four people worldwide. Bitdefender launched an AI-powered Scam Protection platform featuring real-time threat detection, a scam identification chatbot, regional scam wave alerts, and enhanced SMS protection across all devices to help users identify and defend against evolving scam tactics including phishing, malicious texts, and fraudulent websites.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
newpelican.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece by attorney Tara David discusses preventing elder financial abuse through careful fiduciary planning and monitoring. Key recommendations include thoughtfully selecting trustees and power-of-attorney agents, reviewing these designations periodically, and revoking documents if agents become untrustworthy—with formal notification to both the agent and financial institutions. The article also advises monitoring elderly individuals' financial statements for suspicious activity, watching for new relationships (particularly remote ones, given that Florida seniors lost over $40 million to romance scams in 2023), and contacting authorities if exploitation is suspected, with guardianship available as a legal recourse for incapacitated individuals.