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Multiple U.S. regulatory agencies reported in December that elder financial exploitation costs Americans over $28 billion annually, with over 155,000 cases reported between June 2022 and June 2023 linked to approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity. The FBI documented over 101,000 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with victims over 60 losing an average of $33,915—nearly 270% higher than 2020—primarily through investment scams, business email compromise, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes. Regulatory agencies urged financial institutions to strengthen protections by increasing account oversight, training employees to recognize exploitation, and coordinating with law enforcement and elder

During the 2024 holiday shopping season, criminals are targeting consumers through multiple scam methods including phishing emails and texts impersonating retailers, fraudulent social media shopping ads (which use AI-generated imagery to appear legitimate), cloned websites mimicking trusted brands, and gift card theft schemes. The Federal Trade Commission reported consumers lost approximately $217 million to gift card scams in 2023, while experts recommend consumers verify websites directly, use credit cards for disputes, research companies before purchasing, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited communications. Additional threats include charity scams, with authorities advising consumers to independently verify charitable organizations before donating.

The Ohio Department of Financial Institutions warns consumers about gift card scams, which cost Americans nearly $217 million last year according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate legitimate businesses and government agencies to pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, particularly during the holiday season when gift card purchases are popular. The advisory provides protective measures including purchasing cards only from reputable sources, inspecting cards before purchase, and remembering that legitimate businesses and government agencies never demand gift card payments.

Spectrum, a 2SLGTQ+ advocacy organization, was targeted by a sophisticated donation scam in late November 2024 involving a fabricated story of a 95-year-old lesbian widow leaving a $25,000 estate gift. The scammers sent a fraudulent bank draft for $65,000 with forged insurance documentation, which would have resulted in a $40,000 wire transfer loss had the organization deposited it; the scheme was detected and reported to regional police before any funds were transferred. The organization's leadership felt deliberately targeted by the elaborate fraud, which included multiple fake email accounts and FedEx-delivered documents designed to exploit their emotional investment in supporting elderly qu

During the 2023-2024 holiday season, scammers exploited increased online shopping and gift-giving through phishing emails impersonating trusted companies (like Amazon and PayPal), fake social media advertisements using urgency tactics, and fraudulent charities requesting gift card donations. From November 2023 to January 2024, Texas alone reported over 1,400 scams resulting in $1.12 million in losses, while the U.S. reported over 21,000 scams totaling $94 million in losses. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to use only trusted websites, be skeptical of time-limited offers and gift card donation requests, and report

This educational article identifies three common holiday season scams: fake charity solicitations that exploit seasonal generosity through fraudulent emails and websites, fake gift card giveaways designed to harvest personal information, and porch theft targeting unattended packages. The article provides practical prevention advice including verifying charities through Charity Navigator before donating, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal information, and using security cameras, motion-activated lights, or alternative delivery methods like office shipments or Amazon Lockers to protect packages.

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission reported nearly 10,000 cases of charitable solicitation fraud in the United States, resulting in $22.5 million in donor losses. Experts recommend verifying charity legitimacy by checking website spellings carefully (watching for typos or character substitutions), using verification websites like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the Better Business Bureau's Give.org, to prevent falling victim to fraudulent charitable solicitation schemes.

AARP's Fraud Watch Network identifies four major holiday scams in 2024: online shopping scams using fake brand websites and social media ads that never deliver products; package delivery scams via phishing emails/texts impersonating shipping companies to steal personal information; charity scams exploiting year-end giving through fraudulent organizations; and gift card scams where criminals steal cards, drain them after resale, or collect card information before returning them to shelves. The advisory recommends verifying social media ads and retailer websites, avoiding suspicious links, researching charities before donating, and purchasing gift cards from behind-the-counter or directly from retailers to protect against these seasonal fraud schemes.

The Department of Homeland Security Investigations issued a holiday season warning about phone scams targeting seniors and vulnerable populations, including grandparent scams, charity scams, tech support scams, banking scams, and government impersonation scams. The agency recommends protecting yourself by avoiding sharing personal information, verifying caller identity, being skeptical of urgent requests, staying alert online, and reporting suspicious activity to HSI or local authorities.

During the holiday season, scammers exploit shoppers' stress and excitement through various schemes, including package delivery scams that use fake links mimicking legitimate carriers (like "uspsts.top" instead of "usps.com") to steal personal information or payment, and charity scams where fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations to solicit donations. The article advises consumers to verify packages through original shipping confirmations, independently research charities before donating, maintain antivirus software, and watch for red flags like poor grammar and suspicious links.

Seniors lose an estimated $3 billion annually to scams, with fraud spiking during the holiday season through fake e-commerce websites, phishing emails, charity scams, and delivery fraud. The article identifies warning signs for each scam type—such as suspicious URLs, urgent messaging, pushy callers requesting gift card donations, and unsolicited delivery notifications—and recommends protective measures including verifying websites and charities, avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages, and monitoring financial accounts regularly. Additional safeguards include educating seniors about scams, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, and leveraging caller ID blocking features.

The FBI and Ohio Department of Commerce warn consumers about five prevalent holiday scams: fake charity schemes targeting the $550 billion in annual donations, tollway phishing texts, online shopping fraud via phishing emails and fake websites, employment scams targeting younger adults, and gift card scams requesting personal information. In 2023, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud nationally, with Ohio victims losing over $5 million to non-delivery and non-payment scams alone, plus over $6 million to credit card and check fraud.

The FBI and Better Business Bureau warn of a surge in holiday season scams targeting consumers during Christmas shopping. Common scams include misleading social media ads leading to counterfeit products, illegal pyramid schemes disguised as gift exchanges (like "Secret Sister"), fake toll collection texts, phishing emails offering free gift cards, and fraudulent seasonal job postings that exploit personal information. Consumers are advised to research businesses on BBB.org, verify offers directly with official sources, review app privacy policies, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages.

During the holiday season, scammers exploit charitable giving through phone solicitations impersonating legitimate charities or operating as fraudulent organizations. Experts advise verifying any charity through CharityNavigator.org before donating and choosing to donate online directly through the charity's official website using a credit card rather than responding to unsolicited phone calls, which cannot be verified as legitimate.

The Better Business Bureau identifies 12 holiday-season scams targeting consumers, including misleading social media ads, fake charities, puppy scams, and employment fraud schemes that exploit seasonal shopping and giving. Experts advise consumers to avoid wire transfers, gift card payments, and unsolicited links; research businesses and organizations before engaging; and report scams to law enforcement even if embarrassed, as scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated.

The Better Business Bureau identifies twelve common holiday scams that increase during the festive season, including advent calendar fraud, fake charities, imposter emails/texts mimicking legitimate companies, fake shipping notifications, misleading social media ads, gift exchange schemes, puppy scams, and fake toll collection texts. The BBB advises consumers to verify charities through official evaluators, avoid unsolicited links and texts, use credit cards for social media purchases for protection, and contact companies directly through official channels if suspicious activity occurs. These scams particularly harm consumers with tight budgets who are trying to purchase gifts and prepare holiday meals.

Holiday shopping scams cost Americans over $309 million in non-payment and non-delivery fraud last year, with nearly 80% of consumers falling victim to scams—a 10% increase from the prior year. The FBI warned consumers against unrealistic deals during peak shopping periods, as scammers exploit holiday distractions and increased transaction volumes through tactics including counterfeit in-demand items, fake charities (affecting nearly 1 in 3 people), phishing emails and texts, fraudulent gift card offers, and fake employment opportunities. Common advice includes avoiding unsolicited links, verifying charity legitimacy, and purchasing only from authorized retailers.

This article outlines common holiday scams targeting consumers during the Christmas season, including gift card fraud (via tampered barcodes), fake package delivery notifications that trick users into clicking malicious links, dangerous "free" Santa tracker apps containing malware, and fraudulent charity websites. The Better Business Bureau and FBI advise consumers to inspect gift cards for tampering, verify package tracking directly through official carrier websites rather than clicking text links, avoid free Santa tracker apps, and research charities before donating. Victims should report suspected scams to the BBB Scam Tracker.

This educational guide defines scams as illegal schemes designed to steal money or personal information, and describes current fraud methods including "quishing" (fake QR codes at parking meters), fraudulent text messages impersonating government energy credit schemes, and spoofed business emails requesting payment. The article provides protective measures such as avoiding QR code payments, using multi-factor authentication, verifying websites through cybersecurity tools, recognizing warning signs (unsolicited contacts, pressure to act quickly, grammatical errors), and safeguarding personal information by only sharing details in initiated communications and checking website security features.

This article provides six free strategies for protecting finances from fraud, particularly during high-risk periods like the holiday season. The recommended safeguards include staying informed about trending scams (adoption, romance, grandparent, and elder fraud), freezing credit with major bureaus when not applying for loans, enabling multi-factor authentication on accounts, using password managers to create strong unique passwords, avoiding clicking links or calling numbers in unsolicited communications, and monitoring accounts regularly for suspicious activity. These preventive measures require no financial investment but can significantly reduce vulnerability to identity theft and fraud year-round.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is urging residents to become "scam spotters" in 2025 as the state reports an increase in fraudsters tricking people into sharing financial information and losing money. The department provides key prevention tips including verifying requests directly with the source, resisting emotional manipulation and urgency tactics, avoiding upfront payment demands, and not clicking suspicious links—and offers resources for reporting scams and checking business licenses.

During the holiday season, Mainers face increasingly sophisticated scams including phishing emails impersonating UPS or PayPal, "brushing" scams with fake QR codes on unexpected Amazon packages, and tampered gift cards that scammers drain before they're given as gifts. AARP Maine recommends checking with companies directly before clicking links, placing credit freezes if data is compromised, verifying charities through the IRS or Charity Navigator, and contacting the AARP Fraud Watch Network if targeted, noting that over 80% of Americans have experienced or been targeted by holiday-related fraud.

During the holiday season, common scams include fake merchandise, phishing emails and texts, charity fraud, romance scams, and gift card scams where fraudsters place stolen barcodes on unpurchased cards. As of October 2024, Canada reported over 40,000 fraud incidents totaling $500 million in losses, with experts recommending shoppers verify merchants, check gift card barcodes, and avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources. Recovery of fraudulent funds is difficult, particularly when cryptocurrency is involved, and authorities estimate only 5-10% of fraud victims report incidents.

Americans lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with impostor scams and email impersonations being increasingly common threats to individuals and organizations like Rotary clubs. Scammers are leveraging artificial intelligence tools and multiple communication channels (text, email, social media) to impersonate trusted contacts and request money, making fraud harder to detect and investigate. To protect yourself and your network, verify suspicious requests through alternative contact methods, report fraud promptly, and share alerts with your community, as most fraud goes unpunished and victims rarely recover their money.

A Cary woman was approached by a young man outside a Schaumburg retail store who posed as a high school basketball team fundraiser and used a portable card machine to attempt charging $4,000 to her credit card in two separate $2,000 transactions, though both were declined. A similar donation scam occurred in Elmhurst in October, where suspects charged a large unauthorized amount to a victim's credit card before fleeing; those suspects were later found and taken into custody pending investigation.

The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using generative AI and deepfakes to exploit victims through 17 common techniques, including voice cloning, fake video calls impersonating authority figures, and phishing emails designed to manipulate people into revealing personal information or transferring funds. These tactics exploit emotional manipulation during crises and use AI-generated content that mimics trusted individuals and public figures. Individuals should remain vigilant by verifying identities through independent contact methods and remaining skeptical of unsolicited urgent requests for money or sensitive information.

Rural Americans face unique vulnerabilities to fraud due to geographic isolation, limited access to resources, and higher concentrations of older adults who report larger financial losses to scams. Rural residents are more reliant on online services for shopping, may turn to online dating platforms due to limited in-person social opportunities, and often encounter barriers to reporting scams including decreased government trust, lack of support services, and social stigma. Scammers exploit these vulnerabilities through various schemes including online shopping fraud, romance scams, and disaster relief impersonation, yet rural fraud trends remain largely undocumented because most consumer protection agencies do not differentiate data by population density.

Scammers are exploiting generosity during the California Wildfires (which began January 7th and displaced 200,000 people with $135 billion in damages) by posing as legitimate charities and FEMA officials to steal donations and charge fees for disaster assistance. Fraudsters use techniques including caller ID spoofing, AI-generated content, deepfakes, and fake charity websites to appear legitimate, making it difficult for donors to verify authenticity through phone, email, text, or social media contact. To protect themselves, donors should verify charities through Charity Navigator before giving, never provide payment information to unsolicited contacts, and avoid charities that use more than 25

A woman from Wilkes-Barre was scammed out of $58,400 after receiving a fake Microsoft security alert on her computer; she granted the scammer remote access to her device, which allowed them to view her bank balance and convince her to transfer funds to a Bitcoin account. Wilkes-Barre Police used the incident to issue public awareness about common scams including phishing, romance, job offer, and tech support schemes, advising residents to verify the legitimacy of contacts before sharing personal information or clicking links.

Scammers are exploiting the California wildfires by creating fake donation pages and impersonating charities and government agencies to steal money from people wanting to help and to target disaster victims seeking assistance. People should verify organizations through legitimate channels (such as Give.org), watch for red flags like misspelled URLs and phishing emails, and avoid clicking links from unverified social media ads or unsolicited contacts, as AI-enhanced scams are becoming increasingly difficult to detect.

The Better Business Bureau warned of donation scams targeting both disaster relief donors and Southern California wildfire victims, noting that fraudulent charities typically emerge after major disasters and often initiate contact rather than waiting for donors to find them. To avoid scams, donors should verify charities through trustworthy resources like Give.org, avoid clicking suspicious links, look for specific program descriptions, and check state charity registration records. Reporting suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center is recommended, though recovering money from fake charities—often operating outside the United States—is unlikely.

The Kern County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a phone scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement (claiming to be "Sergeant Youngblood") and demand electronic payments via gift cards or bitcoin to resolve alleged warrants, missed court appearances, or jury duty violations, threatening arrest if payment is not made. The scammers use spoofing technology to display the Sheriff's Office callback number and may pressure victims to visit the Sheriff's Office afterward. The Sheriff's Office clarified that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment over the phone and that warrant arrests are made in person, not via phone calls.

Los Angeles officials are warning residents affected by recent wildfires that scammers are actively targeting vulnerable victims through false job postings, impersonation of government employees and FEMA agents, phone/text phishing attempts, unsolicited in-person solicitations, and fraudulent donation schemes. Law enforcement recommends verifying credentials through official channels, avoiding sharing personal information via social media or unsolicited contacts, never paying through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and trusting your instincts if something feels suspicious. County Sheriff Robert Luna pledged that perpetrators—including those impersonating firefighters to commit burglaries—will face prosecution.

During natural disasters like wildfires and floods, scammers impersonate FEMA officials, utility companies, and contractors to prey on vulnerable victims by requesting personal information, charging fraudulent fees for disaster aid, or demanding upfront cash payments for repairs. The FTC warns disaster victims to verify contact through official channels, avoid anyone creating urgency or requesting immediate payment, and conduct background checks on contractors before hiring. In 2023 alone, the FTC received reports of approximately 1 million identity theft cases, 2.6 million fraud cases, and 1.9 million other scam reports.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned wildfire victims and residents to be vigilant against price gouging and fraudulent scams following deadly wildfires that destroyed over 12,300 homes and buildings and killed at least 24 people. Bonta advised residents to verify licenses for contractors and charities, avoid paying large upfront sums, monitor financial accounts, and research organizations before donating by confirming their registration with the Attorney General's Registry of Charities. He emphasized that fraudsters often exploit disasters by creating fake charities and crowdfunding pages, and urged victims to report suspected scams to local law enforcement.

After natural disasters like wildfires and floods, scammers exploit vulnerable victims by impersonating government agencies (FEMA, utilities) and contractors to steal personal information or demand upfront payments for aid and repair services. People in heightened emotional states should verify callers directly with organizations, be skeptical of urgency tactics, and confirm contractor licenses and insurance before paying anything. The FTC advises that legitimate FEMA aid is always free, and recommends getting multiple estimates, reviewing online complaints, and monitoring credit reports for signs of identity theft or fraud.

During the Los Angeles wildfires, scammers exploited disaster victims and donors through fake relief fundraisers impersonating celebrities like Kim Kardashian, fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns using stolen photos, fake charity websites, phishing emails posing as FEMA and the Red Cross, fake contractor services, and animal rescue scams. Security experts note that disaster scams proliferate because they combine vulnerability, urgency, and the public's desire to help, with perpetrators ranging from local individuals to organized crime syndicates. Potential victims should verify charities through official channels, avoid clicking unsolicited donation links, and be wary of upfront payment requests or overly urgent appeals

This piece contains two separate letters: the first urges donations to California wildfire relief efforts through organizations like the California Community Foundation and American Red Cross; the second outlines characteristics of grandparent scams targeting elderly people, including frequent calls, fabricated emergencies, urgency tactics, and requests for wire transfers or gift cards, and recommends verifying claims directly with family members, reporting to law enforcement and the FTC, and establishing family code words as prevention.

The FBI warned that scammers exploit disasters and mass casualty events—such as the New Orleans terrorist attack and Los Angeles wildfires—by impersonating charitable organizations and celebrities to solicit fraudulent donations, sometimes using AI to increase legitimacy. In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 4,500 complaints reporting approximately $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts, and disaster relief campaigns. The FBI advises verifying charity legitimacy through official registries, being suspicious of urgent payment requests from unknown individuals, and avoiding unsolicited communications claiming to represent disaster victims.

**Summary:** Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb issued a consumer alert warning residents about charity scams targeting donations for California wildfire relief efforts. The alert provides guidance on verifying charities through independent sources (IRS, BBB, Charity Navigator, etc.), confirming proper licensing, and identifying red flags such as requests for immediate payment via non-refundable methods, demands for personal information, or pressure tactics. Donors are advised to research organizations before giving, request written documentation, and donate only to trusted charities with transparent information about how funds will be used.

"Brushing" scams involve criminals sending unexpected packages containing inexpensive items and QR codes to victims' addresses; when scanned, these codes direct recipients to fake websites designed to steal sensitive information like credit card numbers and Social Security numbers, or the packages are used to generate fake positive reviews for third-party sellers. Victims should avoid scanning QR codes, file fraud reports with retailers, monitor their credit reports, and update passwords if compromised. The scam puts recipients at risk of identity theft and reveals their personal information to criminals, even if they keep the free items.

**Summary:** This article describes charitable donation scams in which fraudsters call with urgent appeals for donations to disaster relief or causes, using emotional manipulation and high-pressure tactics to rush victims into giving money. Red flags include demands for immediate payment via cash, gift cards, or wire transfers; refusal to provide written information; caller ID names similar to legitimate charities; and threats or guilt-based pressure. The FBI recommends donating only to established, verified charities through secure methods like checks or credit cards, researching organizations via the FTC website or Charity Navigator, and reporting suspected fraud to local authorities or ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

During natural disasters, scammers exploit vulnerable victims by impersonating utility companies, FEMA, and contractors to steal personal information or money through pressure tactics and upfront fees. Protection measures include verifying identities by contacting organizations directly, never paying upfront fees for disaster aid or repairs, researching contractors thoroughly, and getting multiple estimates before hiring. If identity theft occurs, victims should immediately report it to the FTC, credit bureaus, and financial institutions to prevent further damage.

State Rep. Chris Pielli and the Housing Authority of Chester County hosted an educational "Scam Jam" program featuring experts from law enforcement and banking agencies to inform residents about common fraud schemes targeting seniors. The program highlighted various scams including grandparent scams using emotional manipulation and AI voice mimicry, elder financial abuse by caregivers, romance scams, and phishing schemes like fake EZ Pass notifications, emphasizing that scammers exploit social media information and that even intelligent people can be deceived.

Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational presentation by DeMotte police on January 8 covering elder financial abuse, which costs seniors over $3 billion annually with more than 13% of American elders victimized yearly. The presentation outlined eleven common scam types targeting seniors (including grandparent scams, charity fraud, identity theft, and tech support scams), noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women living alone, face the highest risk and that underreporting remains severe due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Key protective measures include monthly financial monitoring, verifying requests by calling contacts directly, reporting fraud to the FTC, and consulting trusted advisors before financial decisions.

Following California wildfires, the Better Business Bureau warns of donation scams targeting well-meaning donors who want to help disaster victims. To protect themselves, donors should research charities for specific details about their aid efforts, verify organizations through official websites, and watch for red flags such as vague language and AI-generated images on charity sites.

State Rep. Chris Pielli and the Housing Authority of Chester County hosted a "Scam Jam" educational program featuring experts from state and local law enforcement to help residents identify and avoid fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly seniors. The program covered multiple scam types including grandparent scams using emotional triggers, caregiver fraud involving isolated victims, romance scams, and impersonation schemes that exploit technology and social media information.

In 2024, reports of fake policeman scams targeting elderly people in the Netherlands surged dramatically to over 8,000 incidents (compared to 544 in 2023), with approximately 1,600 victims losing valuables including money and jewelry. Scammers call victims claiming to protect their assets from burglars, use personal information obtained from dark web data trades to build trust, and send operatives to collect items; 357 arrests were made, though the organized scheme operates from call centers coordinating multiple robberies across different cities nightly.

Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational program featuring DeMotte police officials who presented information on elder financial abuse, which affects over 13% of American seniors annually and costs victims more than $3 billion yearly. The presentation covered eleven common scam types targeting seniors—including grandparent scams, charity fraud, phishing, and tax scams—while noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women and those living alone, are most vulnerable, and that only 1 in 44 incidents are reported due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Attendees learned protective strategies such as verifying requests before sending money, monitoring financial statements, and reporting scams to the FTC or calling

Members of Versailles Presbyterian Church in central Kentucky received fraudulent emails impersonating interim Pastor Katherine Redmond requesting gift cards for hospice patients. The scam targeted church congregants' charitable impulses, but the pastor quickly alerted attendees to block the scammer's email address, and no victims were reported. The Better Business Bureau warned that gift card requests—particularly those claiming emergency situations—are a common scam tactic because gift cards are non-recoverable.