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The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting educational presentations throughout July 2024 for seniors, employees, and the general public on financial fraud prevention and investor protection. Topics include avoiding identity theft, selecting investment professionals, preventing elder financial fraud, recognizing common scams, and cybersecurity best practices, with sessions held at libraries, government offices, and community organizations across Pennsylvania.

The Federal Trade Commission reported over 170,000 imposter scam reports totaling more than $645 million in losses as of mid-2024, with an average loss of $780 per victim. Pennsylvania's assistant chief deputy attorney general highlighted that wire transfers account for 75% of scams in the state and stressed the need for banks to implement stronger fraud prevention measures similar to those used in credit card protection. Officials urged scam victims to immediately report incidents to their state attorney general's consumer protection division and the FTC to freeze funds and prevent further fraud.

The Federal Trade Commission reported over 170,000 imposter scam cases in the current year, resulting in losses exceeding $645 million with an average loss of $780 per victim. Pennsylvania's Attorney General's office has established a dedicated team to respond to scam reports by contacting victims, freezing funds, and working with law enforcement to shut down fraudulent communications, while urging consumers to report scams immediately to their state attorney general's office and the FTC. Officials are also pushing banks to take greater responsibility for preventing wire and check fraud, similar to their established fraud prevention practices in the credit card industry.

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging held an Elder Abuse Awareness Day panel discussion to address rising financial fraud against seniors, highlighting that elder abuse affects approximately 1 in 10 seniors nationally, with Pennsylvania victims losing about $12.5 million to financial exploitation. The panel discussed common fraud schemes including dishonest caregivers, unauthorized account withdrawals, and vacation rental scams, and emphasized that 60-90% of perpetrators are family members, making reporting difficult. Officials recommended protective measures such as establishing power of attorney, monitoring joint accounts, and contacting authorities like the Philadelphia District Attorney's Elder Justice Unit at (215) 686-5710 or the AARP Fraud Watch Network at (

The Lehigh County District Attorney's Office is hosting a free "Safeguarding Seniors" symposium on June 25 to educate older residents and caregivers about recognizing fraud, abuse, and neglect. The event will feature personal stories from families affected by elder abuse, training on identifying scam red flags from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Elder Abuse Unit, and interactive "Fraud Scam Bingo" sessions to help attendees detect financial fraud.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing House Bill 2064, which would allow banks to flag suspicious transactions, delay potentially fraudulent transfers, and share information with law enforcement and aging agencies to combat elder financial abuse. The legislation addresses a growing national problem—the National Council on Aging reported nearly 90,000 fraud complaints in 2022 totaling over $3 billion in losses, with common scams including grandparent fraud, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes. The bill aims to protect the state's aging population by giving financial institutions liability protections when they voluntarily report suspected exploitation and providing guardrails against high-pressure scams.

Pennsylvania's aging population faces growing elder fraud risk, prompting Rep. Joe Hogan to introduce House Bill 2064, which would allow banks to flag suspicious transactions, delay potentially fraudulent payments, and share information with law enforcement and area agencies on aging. The National Council on Aging reported nearly 90,000 fraud complaints in 2022 totaling over $3 billion in losses nationally, with common scams including government impersonation, grandparent schemes, and romantic fraud targeting vulnerable seniors. The legislation aims to protect elders through financial institution safeguards, public education, and coordination between banks and protective services.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities hosted multiple educational presentations throughout June to help seniors and the public recognize and prevent financial fraud and elder abuse. Programs covered topics including elder financial abuse recognition, cybersecurity, identity theft prevention, and investment fraud awareness, with sessions delivered through interactive formats like Fraud BINGO in partnership with organizations such as AARP Pennsylvania and local libraries across the state.

A 25-year-old woman in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania was scammed after being contacted by individuals in Colombia claiming to perform tarot card readings who threatened to place a "spell" on her family unless she sent money via Western Union. The victim complied with the demands out of fear for her family's safety. The Wilkes-Barre Police Department is investigating the case.

Scams targeting seniors aged 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses during 2023, with individual victims losing an average of $34,000, and incidents increased 11 percent year-over-year. To address this growing problem, Pennsylvania Rep. Jeanne McNeill's office is hosting a free Senior Scam Prevention Presentation on May 29 featuring Dave Shallcross from the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office, who will provide guidance on avoiding scams and steps for victims. The event includes a question-and-answer session and is open to people of all ages.

State Rep. Jeanne McNeill hosted a senior scam prevention presentation on May 29, featuring David Shallcross from the Pennsylvania attorney general's office who provided guidance on avoiding scams. According to McNeill, seniors lost over $3.4 billion to scams in the previous year (an 11% increase), with individual victims losing an average of $33,915 each.

Scammers are using automated voice messages impersonating banks to trick customers into revealing sensitive financial information like debit card and account numbers. Recent incidents in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Ohio targeted customers of Wayne Bank, banks in Madison, and Brookville National Bank with fake security breach alerts designed to prompt account reactivation. The advisory warns customers never to provide financial information over the phone in response to unsolicited calls and to independently verify such requests by contacting their bank directly.

State Representative Paul Takac hosted a Scam Seminar & Senior Fair on May 23 at Centre Care in Benner Township, Pennsylvania, designed to educate seniors about recognizing and preventing fraud schemes. The event featured representatives from state agencies including the departments of Banking and Securities, Aging, and the Office of Attorney General who provided information and tools to help attendees identify and protect themselves against scams. This educational initiative underscores the growing threat of fraud targeting older adults and aims to empower seniors with knowledge to defend against deceptive practices.

State Rep. Paul Takac hosted a free educational event on May 23 at Centre Care in College Township to help seniors protect themselves against scams. The Scam Seminar & Senior Fair featured representatives from Pennsylvania state agencies including the Department of Banking and Securities, Department of Aging, and the Office of Attorney General, who provided information and tools to help attendees identify and prevent fraud targeting older adults.

**Summary:** A Senior Fair and scam prevention seminar will be held on May 23 at Centre Care in Benner Township, Pennsylvania, featuring representatives from state agencies including the Departments of Banking and Securities, and Aging, and the Office of Attorney General to educate attendees on identifying and preventing current scams. Additionally, Congressman John Joyce will host a telephone town hall on May 22 to answer questions about Social Security and Medicare with assistance from CMS and Social Security Administration officials.

**Summary:** Antranette Echols, 57, of Indianapolis pleaded guilty to wire fraud for preparing and submitting falsified COVID-19 relief loan applications on behalf of borrowers, including some in Pennsylvania, while collecting fees for her services. Sentencing is scheduled for August 16, 2024, with potential penalties of up to 40 years in prison and $1 million in fines.

A 63-year-old Pennsylvania woman lost her $1,225 Social Security check after falling victim to an impersonation scam in April 2024. The victim provided her Social Security information to an unknown female caller claiming to represent the Social Security Administration, and her check was subsequently rerouted to an address in Washington D.C. State Police in DuBois launched an investigation into the fraud.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike and FBI issued warnings about a widespread texting scam targeting tolling customers across multiple states, with over 2,000 complaints received from at least three states. The fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients owe money for unpaid tolls and direct them to click links that compromise personal and financial information. Officials advise customers to delete suspicious messages immediately and contact their financial institutions if they have already clicked malicious links or submitted information.

"Smishing" is a text message-based scam combining "phishing" and SMS that tricks recipients into clicking malicious links by claiming unpaid toll balances are due. The FBI issued a warning after more than 2,000 complaints across North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though Virginia has not yet reported cases; authorities advise never clicking links in unsolicited toll-related texts and instead using official websites or calling legitimate customer service numbers to verify account status.

This is not an article about fraud or elder abuse. It is the homepage content from the official Pennsylvania state government website (pennsylvania.gov), which provides general information about accessing state services and resources. There is no scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case to summarize for the Elderus database.

The FBI warns that online romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often perpetrated by organized crime rings exploiting dating app users. A victim named Carina lost $150,000 after being manipulated by a fake profile into investing in cryptocurrency over a three-month period, and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware alone, 970 people reported romance scam losses totaling $33.5 million last year. Experts emphasize that victims experience significant emotional damage beyond financial loss and recommend approaching suspected victims with empathy rather than judgment, while noting that many scammers operate overseas, making recovery difficult.

The FBI issued a warning about a "smishing" scam active since March 2024 that uses fake SMS text messages claiming recipients have unpaid toll fees, directing them to fraudulent websites to steal payment information or malware. Over 2,000 complaints were received across three states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, with scammers impersonating legitimate toll services and threatening late fees. Victims are advised to verify toll balances through official channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, delete fraudulent messages, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a political interview with a Pennsylvania District Attorney candidate discussing his qualifications and priorities for Attorney General, which include mentions of protecting elders and children alongside fentanyl, mental health, and violent crime initiatives. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.

A Senate report reveals that retirees across multiple states have been targeted by scams resulting in both significant financial losses and substantial IRS tax bills, with victims unable to deduct theft losses under current tax law. The report profiles cases such as a Pennsylvania retiree who lost $765,000 to a cryptocurrency scam and subsequently faced a $220,000 tax bill, highlighting how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act narrowed the theft loss deduction for individuals to only federally declared disasters. Senator Bob Casey calls for reversing these tax limitations to protect fraud victims from bearing additional tax burdens on their stolen retirement savings.

A Tallmadge police sergeant investigated a 2019 online dating scam that defrauded a local woman of $60,000 and uncovered a multi-state money-laundering operation involving victims across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, including one couple who lost $375,000. The investigation led to the arrest of six people in Rhode Island who were processing fraudulent funds through compromised bank accounts and money orders. The FBI reported 19,000 romance scam complaints nationally in 2022 with losses exceeding $739 million, typically targeting women over 40.

Jackie Lynn Neubauer, a 41-year-old car rental manager in Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft after processing over 140 fraudulent car rentals using stolen credit card numbers provided by conspirators, resulting in losses exceeding $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2024, with potential penalties ranging from two to 12 years in prison and fines up to $500,000. The U.S. Secret Service investigation led to the prosecution of this case involving coordinated identity theft and fraud.

**Summary:** Fraudsters targeted Pennsylvania Turnpike E-ZPass customers with phishing text messages and emails impersonating "PA Toll Services," claiming they had outstanding toll balances requiring immediate payment to avoid late fees. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advised customers to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and instead check accounts through the official PA Turnpike website or PA Toll Pay app, with an option to report fraudulent texts to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike warned E-ZPass account holders of a phishing scam using text messages falsely claiming to be from "PA Toll Services" and threatening late fees to pressure victims into clicking malicious links and providing personal financial information. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide, and the Turnpike advised customers to verify account information only through official channels like the PA Turnpike website or PA Toll Pay app, with fraud reports directed to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is warning E-ZPass users of a phishing scam in which fraudsters send texts or emails impersonating "PA Turnpike Services" to request personal financial information for allegedly outstanding toll balances and late fees. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide, with scammers directing victims to fake PA Turnpike websites; the legitimate way to check accounts is through paturnpike.com, and fraudulent messages should be reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

AARP Pennsylvania is launching an educational campaign to combat Social Security fraud, which affected approximately 360,000 people through impersonation scams in 2021. The organization recommends protective measures including robocall-blocking applications, online account monitoring, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities, emphasizing that genuine unsolicited Social Security Administration contact is extremely rare. Victims of these scams face risks including identity theft, financial loss, and long-term challenges accessing credit and services.

Pennsylvania Turnpike officials identified a phishing scam targeting E-ZPass account holders through fraudulent text messages impersonating toll services and threatening late fees to pressure victims into clicking malicious links. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide in recent days. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises account holders to verify account information only through official websites and to report suspicious communications to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Scammers have been selling counterfeit solar-viewing glasses ahead of the April 8 solar eclipse, capitalizing on consumer demand for eye protection during the event. Fake glasses lack the special filters needed to protect eyes from the sun's intense energy, unlike legitimate ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. Pennsylvania authorities urge consumers to verify glasses are marked with the ISO 12312-2 certification number and to report suspected fake products to the Attorney General's office.

This is not an article about fraud or elder abuse. Rather, it is informational content from the official Pennsylvania government website describing legitimate state services and resources, including guidance on verifying official .gov websites to avoid phishing scams. It does not contain a specific scam incident, fraud case, or elder abuse situation to summarize.

West Chester, Pennsylvania police received over 25 calls over a weekend from residents targeted by scammers posing as police officers claiming they had warrants or felonies pending, an international scam that is difficult to trace. Authorities warn that scammers are attempting to obtain personal information from victims, with past cases showing that people who provide information believing it will resolve legal issues often experience additional fraud problems. Imposter scams reported to the FTC increased 12% year-over-year, and while no confirmed victims were reported in this particular incident, residents are advised to contact police if they receive such calls.

A 67-year-old New Castle, Pennsylvania man lost $18,600 ($15,000 in cash plus $3,600 in gift card codes) in October after clicking on a malware pop-up that mimicked Microsoft or the FBI and prompted him to call a scammer for technical support. Pennsylvania State Police warn the public to avoid calling numbers on suspicious pop-ups, never allow remote computer access to unknown parties, and remember that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards or cash; victims should contact their bank, change passwords, and consider a credit freeze.

State Representative Mike Cabell hosted an educational seminar at Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dallas, Pennsylvania, where approximately 50 seniors learned how to protect their personal information and identify identity theft scams. The seminar focused on online safety and everyday fraud prevention, with Cabell emphasizing that education is the key tool to combat scams targeting vulnerable seniors.

Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Blair, is partnering with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office to host a free Senior Scam Prevention Seminar on March 21 in Altoona, addressing the problem of scammers targeting senior citizens and stealing their money. The seminar will cover identity theft prevention, protecting personal information online, and recognizing identity theft scams, with attendees encouraged to RSVP by calling 814-946-7218 or visiting RepSchmitt.com/events.

Pennsylvania residents lost more than $158 million to scams in the first nine months of 2023, a 22% increase from the previous year, with over 126,000 fraud reports filed averaging $1,250 per incident. While people ages 30-39 reported the most fraud cases, those ages 60-69 lost the most money at $744 million, and one in seven fraud victims experienced losses exceeding $10,000. The FTC advises consumers to avoid unsolicited requests for personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, and be wary of scammers demanding cryptocurrency or gift card payments.

Pennsylvania residents lost at least $158 million to scammers in the first nine months of 2023, a $28 million increase from the same period in 2022, based on Federal Trade Commission data showing 126,576 fraud reports with an average loss of $1,250 per victim. Remote contact methods—particularly social media—were the most common and profitable scam techniques, with social media accounting for $1 billion of the $7 billion stolen nationwide in 2023.

Josiah DeJesus, a 22-year-old from the Bronx, was sentenced to 80 months in prison for serving as the lead courier in a "grandparents" fraud scheme operating from the Dominican Republic from June to October 2020. The scam targeted elderly Americans nationwide by using phone calls from overseas co-conspirators posing as grandchildren or attorneys to convince victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed immediate bail money, with DeJesus and his recruits collecting thousands of dollars from UPS and FedEx packages across Pennsylvania. DeJesus was ordered to pay $366,303.28 in restitution to victims.

Ashley Donnelly of Peckville, Pennsylvania discovered fraudulent transactions on her bank account at Rite Aid and Sheetz locations in South Abington Township, despite having her physical card in her possession; the thief had obtained her banking information including her PIN. Local police identified a suspect through surveillance footage and note these card-skimming cases are increasingly common as society becomes more cashless, with criminals exploiting the difficulty law enforcement faces in tracing how and when personal financial data is stolen. Donnelly's bank replaced the stolen funds, but authorities are seeking public information to identify the suspect.

A 71-year-old woman in Longswamp Township, Pennsylvania was defrauded of $20,000 in February after receiving a call from someone impersonating "Agent Garcia" from the Federal Trade Commission, who falsely claimed her Amazon and bank accounts were compromised. The scammer directed her to move her money to a Bitcoin ATM, where the funds were stolen. Police warn residents not to share account numbers or sensitive information over the phone.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple educational presentations throughout March 2024 to help seniors and the public protect themselves from financial fraud and identity theft. Topics include recognizing elder financial abuse (which is the #1 reported issue to Adult Protective Services), avoiding identity theft, cybersecurity best practices, investment fraud awareness, and common scam tactics, with sessions offered both in-person and virtually across the state.

Online scams in the United States reached record losses of $6.9 billion in 2021, nearly doubling since 2019, with Pennsylvania ranking fifth among most-scammed states at $207 million in losses affecting 17,262 victims who lost an average of $11,991 each. Romance, cryptocurrency, and investment scams are increasingly sophisticated and affecting educated individuals across all socioeconomic levels, with teens experiencing the highest percentage increase in losses (1,125% over five years) and seniors seeing a 390% increase. The article recommends avoiding money transfers to strangers met online, refusing requests for personal information, performing reverse image searches to verify identities,

Kate Kleinert, an AARP Pennsylvania volunteer, lost her entire life savings of $39,000, her home, and her six dogs to a romance scam involving a man posing as a surgeon in Iraq who she met on Facebook. After the scammer failed to appear as promised and a subsequent house fire destroyed her remaining possessions, Kleinert rebuilt her life and now volunteers as a Fraud Watch Network Speaker, educating seniors and community groups about recognizing and avoiding romance scams. Her advocacy work demonstrates how victims can transform their experience into meaningful action to protect others from similar financial and emotional devastation.

**Summary:** A 65-year-old Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania woman was indicted on federal theft of government funds charges for unlawfully obtaining approximately $91,300 in Social Security benefits between May 2016 and January 2022. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and if convicted, Merlo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

State Representative Liz Hanbidge organized a free educational session on March 1, 2024, in Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania, featuring experts from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, and AARP Pennsylvania to educate residents about current scam trends and protective measures. The event aimed to help community members identify scam tactics and safeguard themselves against evolving fraud schemes.

A 29-year-old California man, Jiahao Xiao, was arrested in Archbald, Pennsylvania after conspiring to defraud a 59-year-old local resident, Ferdinando Santarelli, of $361,000 through a romance and investment scam. Xiao and unknown co-conspirators posed as an online romantic interest named "Jennie" on Telegram and falsely promised Santarelli access to millions in investments, convincing him to wire funds for fabricated tax payments. Xiao was caught attempting to collect a final $175,000 payment in cash and is being held on $500,000

# Medicare Fraud Summary Scammers are bombarding seniors with 50-60 fraudulent phone calls daily during Medicare's open enrollment period, using spoofed numbers and impersonation to steal personal information, commit identity theft, and bill the government for fake medical equipment. Complaints about these scams have surged 40 percent this year, leaving victims like an 80-year-old Pennsylvania man receiving calls every 14 minutes and experiencing severe harassment. To protect yourself, never verify Medicare information over the phone, hang up on unsolicited callers claiming to be from healthcare providers, and report suspicious calls to the Federal Communications Commission or Better Business Bureau.

Two men from Florida and Virginia have been indicted for operating a major elder fraud scheme that stole approximately $26 million from seniors across Western Pennsylvania and beyond between January 2024 and August 2025, using deceptive emails to trick victims into sending cash or depositing funds into Bitcoin ATMs. The perpetrators, Amit Kumar Jain and Trevaughn J. Yearwood, allegedly laundered the stolen money through fake business entities and bank accounts in Virginia. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited emails requesting money transfers, verify requests by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers, and report suspicious activity to local authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.