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in General Elder Fraud
▶ VIDEO
Forbes Breaking News
· 2025-09-22
Congressman Warren Davidson emphasizes that elder fraud represents a pressing threat to American families and calls for stronger legal protections against these schemes, which he characterizes as particularly deceptive and now operating as global enterprises. He advocates for bipartisan action to address the issue and references the Guard Act as an example of bipartisan legislation designed to better protect seniors from financial fraud.
▶ VIDEO
ABC News
· 2025-09-25
**Grandparent Scam - Voice Technology Fraud**
Scammers are using advanced voice technology to impersonate grandchildren in what the FBI identifies as an escalating problem targeting older adults. A 91-year-old victim (Shirley Morrow) was convinced by a call mimicking her grandson's voice that he was in legal trouble and needed $9,000; older adults collectively lost $4.9 billion to these scams, which typically involve fraudsters posing as family members in supposed emergencies to pressure immediate payment.
▶ VIDEO
ABC News
· 2025-09-25
A 91-year-old woman named Shirley Morrow lost $9,000 in a "grandparent scam" after receiving a phone call from someone posing as her grandson, claiming he was in jail following a car accident and needed bail money. The scam involves fraudsters impersonating a grandchild in distress and requesting immediate payment, with tens of thousands of cases reported nationwide targeting senior citizens. Scammers use voice mimicking technology and social engineering tactics to convince victims to withdraw cash before they realize they've been deceived.
▶ VIDEO
FOX31 Denver
· 2025-10-03
During a federal government shutdown, scammers rapidly launched imposter schemes targeting vulnerable populations relying on Medicare, Medicaid, and SNAP benefits, exploiting public confusion and fear about the shutdown's impact. Law enforcement monitored these scams, which originated from both domestic and overseas sources, as perpetrators capitalized on uncertainty about government services and benefits.
▶ VIDEO
Yahoo Finance
· 2025-10-04
An educational alert reports that 73% of US adults have experienced online scams, with reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in 2024 according to FTC data. The article highlights common scam types, including dating scams where fraudsters pose as romantic interests and trick victims into clicking malicious "verification" links that capture payment information and enroll them in unauthorized recurring billing services.
▶ VIDEO
Arizona’s Family (3TV / CBS 5)
· 2025-10-06
This podcast segment from "On Your Side" features hosts Gary Harper and Susan Campbell discussing the evolving nature of scams targeting vulnerable populations. The hosts highlight how scams have become increasingly sophisticated and believable over time, using technology to deceive victims—exemplified by Susan's personal anecdote about her grandmother falling for a classic Microsoft pop-up scam that prompted her to call a fraudulent number and potentially compromise her financial accounts. The hosts emphasize that scams are becoming more prevalent and convincing, affecting even intelligent and vigilant people, and stress the importance of family awareness and intervention to protect loved ones from fraud.
▶ VIDEO
KGW News
· 2025-10-10
Oregon is experiencing a growing crisis affecting its expanding senior population, with scams and housing insecurity among the pressing issues. AARP estimates that within five years, one in five Oregonians will be 65 or older, and seniors already outnumber those 18 and younger in the state. The discussion highlights how many elders are overlooked, isolated, and in need of community support and solutions to help them thrive safely.
▶ VIDEO
FOX 32 Chicago
· 2025-10-14
The FTC warns of increasingly sophisticated scams targeting older Americans, with criminals impersonating officials like IRS agents and stealing thousands via phone calls and online fraud. In response, AARP launched a program called Senior Planet to teach seniors how to recognize red flags and avoid scams, exemplified by one case where a victim lost over $2,500 in gift cards to a grandparent impersonation scam.
itbrief.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Netsafe, a New Zealand charitable organization, launched Get Set Up for Safety, a nationwide educational program designed to help senior citizens protect themselves from online fraud and shopping scams through free guides, videos, and practical resources. The program, developed with partner Chorus and senior sector organizations, addresses a significant need identified in surveys showing nearly half of New Zealanders over 70 want to learn more about online safety and many require assistance with digital devices. Resources will be freely available through the Netsafe website, public libraries, community groups, and other public organizations.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Connecticut Attorney General William Tong held an elder justice forum at West Hartford's Bishops Corner Senior Center on February 20 to address issues affecting older adults, including elder abuse, neglect, fraud, and exploitation. The event promoted Tong's Elder Justice Hotline (1-860-808-5555), a resource operated in cooperation with the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut to help seniors report and address elder abuse and fraud concerns.
capecodtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Robert Tobey, a Connecticut man with early-stage dementia, lost at least $5,000 to phone scammers between late 2018 and early 2019 who posed as friends, manipulating him into sending gift cards and money transfers and compromising his Social Security account. The article reports that scams affecting Cape Cod residents include romance scams, government impersonation schemes, sweepstakes scams, and grandchild-in-jail scams, with the National Council on Aging estimating five million older Americans lose $36.5 billion annually to fraud. Law enforcement warns that scams are constantly evolving and advise victims to hang up on suspicious calls
nclawyersweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys held a three-day training conference in February 2024 titled "Break the Silence: The Abuse and Exploitation of Older Adults" to educate prosecutors, law enforcement, and allied professionals on recognizing and prosecuting elder abuse and exploitation cases. Participants gained knowledge of exploitation and abuse warning signs, prosecution skills, and strategies to protect vulnerable older adults in their communities. The conference underscored the importance of collaborative justice efforts given North Carolina's aging population.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Four California men have been indicted for operating a nationwide tech support fraud scam targeting elderly victims, with one indictment originating from a case involving a 78-year-old Missouri man and his 76-year-old wife who were defrauded of $88,000. The scheme involved scammers posing as tech support workers who convinced victims their computers were infected or compromised, then used recruited couriers to collect cash payments; approximately $7 million in fraudulent transactions occurred between March 2020 and July 2023. Two defendants have been arrested, one remains in custody, and one is still being sought.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting frustrated travelers on social media by posing as airline representatives, requesting personal and financial information through direct messages under the guise of helping rebook flights. Major airlines including JetBlue, United, and Southwest have acknowledged the problem and recommend customers verify account authenticity (looking for official checkmarks), use private messaging when contacting airlines, and report fraudulent accounts to social media platforms. Common travel scams also include "free" vacation offers requiring upfront fees and illegal robocalls promoting discounted travel deals.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud, with imposter scams being the most prevalent, affecting nearly 854,000 people and resulting in $2.7 billion in losses at an average of $800 per victim. Imposter scams involve criminals posing as trusted entities (government agencies, companies, relatives, or romantic interests) via email, phone, text, or social media to steal money or personal information, with emerging technologies like AI and voice cloning making these frauds increasingly convincing. Older adults, particularly those 80 and over, experience significantly higher median losses ($1,450) and are particularly vulnerable to "phantom hacker" tech-
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
A journalist who lost $50,000 to an imposter scam in October shares lessons learned about sophisticated fraud tactics, interviewing victims and experts to understand how scams work. The article explains that anyone can be vulnerable to scams regardless of prior caution, and details how scammers use tactics like spoofed calls from government agencies, appeals to authority, and publicly available personal information to establish credibility and manipulate victims. Key prevention strategies include not answering calls from unknown numbers, recognizing fear-based and opportunity-based scam categories, and understanding that scammers exploit hardwired instincts to trust authority figures.
yakimaherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have increasingly targeted younger age groups (people in their 20s and 30s) across dating apps and social media platforms, with reported losses reaching $469.9 million in 2023—a 104% increase from 2019. Scammers use fake profiles and AI-generated photos to build romantic connections before requesting money or personal information, exploiting victims' emotional vulnerability. To avoid romance scams, people should be wary of requests for money or banking details, watch for requests to switch communication platforms, and verify suspicious requests before responding.
timesleaderonline.com
· 2025-12-08
St. Clairsville city leaders and police conducted a Valentine's Day outreach event at senior living facilities to distribute flowers and candy while educating seniors about current scams. Officer Greg Clark warned about prevalent IRS tax scams and utility payment fraud targeting seniors, noting that scammers often impersonate government agencies and threaten prosecution, and recommended that residents contact their local police department with questions.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Four California men were indicted in a nationwide tech support scam targeting elderly victims, with one serving as a courier collecting cash from victims under false pretenses of criminal prosecution. The scheme defrauded victims of millions of dollars between 2020-2023, including an $88,000 loss from a Missouri couple who became suspicious and alerted police; Yu-Chieh Huang (the courier) has been arrested, Liang Jin and Tsz Yin Kan have been apprehended, and Kaiyu Wen remains at large.
reverejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Revere police officers Kenan Resic and Pheachey Chhom prevented a $6,500 theft targeting a senior citizen couple through a "grandparent scam" where the perpetrator impersonated their grandson, claimed to be in jail, and requested bail money. The officers successfully identified and apprehended the courier (a hired Lyft driver) and recovered the stolen funds after the elderly couple provided vehicle information and surveillance video. The incident highlights the rising threat of elder fraud in the region, prompting the Suffolk County District Attorney's office to launch the Suffolk County Fraud Fighters program, a multi-agency initiative designed to educate and protect vulnerable residents across Boston,
middleburgheights.com
· 2025-12-08
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley addressed Middleburg Heights Community Seniors about financial scams targeting elderly residents in Northeast Ohio, providing information on warning signs and protective measures. The presentation included a brochure detailing prominent scams affecting the region's senior population and resources for recognizing elder financial fraud and abuse.
gcsynod.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported 680 Arizona victims lost over $25.4 million to romance scams, with senior citizens accounting for 379 victims and $17.7 million in losses. Romance scams involve fraudsters building fake relationships to trick victims into sending money, personal information, or valuables. The FBI recommends verifying online suitors' identities, never sharing financial information or money with people met online, and watching for red flags such as reluctance to meet in person, requests to go offline quickly, or pressure to share inappropriate content.
starherald.net
· 2025-12-08
Kate Kleinart, a 70-year-old victim, lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam, reporting that the emotional loss of the fabricated relationship hurt more than the financial loss. The FTC received over 64,000 romance scam reports in the past year totaling $1.14 billion in losses, with scammers typically targeting lonely individuals by building false romantic connections before requesting money under false pretenses. Experts recommend protecting against these scams by: identifying red flags (exceptionally attractive profiles, quick romantic escalation, requests to use private messaging apps), using reverse image searches to verify photos, maintaining open family conversations about scams using an informative rather than authoritative
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to an elaborate scam that began with a fake Amazon customer service call in October 2023, escalating through impersonation of FTC and CIA officials who convinced her that her identity had been stolen and she faced arrest warrants. The scammers persuaded her to withdraw cash from her savings account and hand it to an undercover "agent" by creating an increasingly elaborate false narrative with fabricated evidence. Cowles' experience serves as a cautionary tale that fraud targets people across all demographics and education levels, countering the stereotype that only vulnerable populations fall victim to such schemes.
kttn.com
· 2025-12-08
Zella Rives, 57, of St. Louis County, Missouri pleaded guilty to helping her son fraudulently claim Social Security disability benefits for over 13 years by submitting false reports and concealing his income, assets, and employment. The scheme resulted in the Social Security Administration disbursing more than $91,000 in fraudulent benefits between 2010 and 2023. Rives was charged with four counts of theft of government funds and one count of making a false statement, facing up to 10 years in prison and potential $250,000 fines at sentencing scheduled for June 18, 2024.
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating utility company employees contact victims by phone or door-to-door, threatening to cut off services for unpaid bills and demanding immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Door-to-door scammers often work in pairs—one distracting the victim while the other steals valuables—and may falsely claim to replace faulty meters. To protect yourself, verify any service termination threat by calling your utility directly using a number you find independently, and report suspicious door-to-door visitors to police immediately.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Port Moody police reported three "grandparent" scams in a single day in February 2024, resulting in $12,000 in losses, where callers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need money for car repairs or legal fees. Victims were instructed to withdraw cash from banks and meet the suspects in person to exchange money, with police noting an additional incident the previous week where an elderly couple lost $21,000 under similar circumstances. Law enforcement warned that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using artificial intelligence to alter voices and impersonate family members more convincingly.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A 40-year-old man from Roseville was arrested in Novato after scamming an elderly resident by impersonating a data breach investigator and convincing the victim to withdraw large sums of cash. Police staked out the victim's home and arrested Volodymyr Pipskyy on February 9 when he arrived to collect additional money, and evidence suggests he conducted similar scams across Northern California. Pipskyy was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of conspiracy and theft by false pretenses and is being held without bail.
hometownsource.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aging With Clarity Seminar Series is hosting a free educational presentation on homeowner scams targeting older adults on February 26 at the Burnsville Public Library, led by Burnsville Police Sergeant Brent Murray and Home Title Advisor Heidi Fuhrman. The seminar aims to equip attendees with knowledge to identify, report, and prevent scams while protecting their homes and finances. The monthly series, organized by Certified Senior Housing Professional Katie Ashland, continues with an estate planning presentation on March 25.
scdemocratonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Jeff Bank leaders discussed the rising prevalence of fraud and scams targeting their customers, particularly elderly individuals who are being defrauded of substantial sums of money. The bank has increased staff training on scam detection and conducted community outreach to vulnerable populations, while noting that scams often go undetected until money has already been sent. Common scams include the Microsoft pop-up scam, lottery fee schemes, the "grandma scam" involving emergency situations, and unsolicited requests for money through electronic channels or phone calls.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Novato police arrested 40-year-old Volodymyr Pipskyy after he allegedly defrauded an elderly resident in a phone scam involving a fake "data breach" that convinced the victim to withdraw large sums of cash. When the victim's family alerted police and detectives learned a pickup was planned, they conducted surveillance and arrested Pipskyy at the victim's home on February 9. Seized electronics linked Pipskyy to scams throughout Northern California, and he is being held without bail on suspicion of conspiracy and theft by pretenses.
emissourian.com
· 2025-12-08
Three suspects were indicted in federal court in St. Louis for operating a nationwide tech support fraud scam targeting elderly victims, including a scheme where a 69-year-old Missouri couple was deceived into believing their computer was infected and coerced into paying $99,000 to prevent criminal prosecution. A related case involved a man posing as an FBI agent who defrauded an elderly Union man out of nearly $50,000 in gold by claiming his identity had been stolen, with similar scams occurring across Colorado and Oregon.
kttn.com
· 2025-12-08
Four California men have been indicted for operating a nationwide tech support fraud scheme targeting elderly victims, with Yu-Chieh Huang arrested as a courier after attempting to pick up $88,000 from a Missouri couple who were told their computer contained evidence of a crime. The scam, which operated from 2020 to 2023, involved Liang Jin and Kaiyu Wen directing couriers and recruiting individuals to fraudulently open bank accounts, resulting in approximately $7 million in fraudulent transactions before authorities intervened. One suspect, Kaiyu Wen, remains at large.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven people were indicted on federal charges for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme, primarily operated by a Nigerian group known as the "Yahoo boys," involved creating fake online personas to build trust with victims—many of them elderly—before requesting money under false pretenses; the defendants in the U.S. (located in Texas, Canada, and Nigeria) and a group of "Utah Money Transmitters" facilitated money laundering by opening financial institution accounts to collect victim funds and distribute proceeds to the scammers overseas. Many victims lost their life savings and retirement funds in the scheme.
gazettengr.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven defendants across the United States and Nigeria were indicted for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme involved Nigerian operators creating fake online personas to build trust with victims before requesting money under false pretenses, with many elderly victims losing their life savings and retirement funds. The defendants facilitated money laundering by establishing U.S. bank accounts to collect and distribute fraud proceeds while concealing the funds' destination and the scammers' identities.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office warned of scam calls primarily targeting senior citizens as of February 16, 2024. The notice did not specify the exact nature of the scams or any reported losses, but advised residents to be cautious of unsolicited phone calls.
ny1.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orange County Sheriff's Office warned residents about scammers impersonating the sheriff's department to sell T-shirts, clarifying that neither the Sheriff's Office nor its association conducts such sales or fundraising. Sheriff Paul Arteta advised the public to ignore unsolicited calls, emails, and requests for payment, emphasizing that legitimate communications arrive by mail or are pre-solicited, and recommended contacting local law enforcement if victimized. The office has established a white-collar task force and is conducting fraud awareness presentations at senior centers to prevent scams.
thespec.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Three seniors in Port Moody, B.C., were targeted by "grandparent" scammers on the same day in February 2024, with two victims losing a combined $12,000 in cash. The scammers called elderly residents claiming to be grandchildren in legal trouble and arranged for accomplices to collect money in person from their homes, often impersonating authority figures like bailiffs or lawyers. Police suspected the cases may be linked and were investigating by canvassing neighborhoods and reviewing surveillance footage.
gulfcoastmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and Better Business Bureau are hosting a free "Protect Yourself Against Scammers Summit" on March 7 for senior citizens in Bay Minette, Alabama. The educational event will cover major fraud schemes including government impostor scams, romance scams, identity theft, investment fraud, cryptocurrency scams, and Medicare fraud to help seniors recognize and avoid becoming victims.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Three seniors in Port Moody, B.C., were targeted by "grandparent" scams on the same day, with two victims losing a combined $12,000 in cash. The scammers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need money for legal emergencies like bail or car accidents, then arranged for unknown individuals to collect cash in person from the victims' homes. Police are investigating whether the cases are connected and are reviewing surveillance footage and canvassing neighborhoods for leads.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Howell Township police warned residents of a surge in telephone scams targeting senior citizens, with scammers using common stories about unpaid bills (IRS or utilities) or relatives in legal or medical trouble to pressure victims into sending money via gift cards or arranging in-person cash pickups. Police emphasized that funds lost to these scams are typically unrecoverable and urged residents to be cautious and contact law enforcement if suspicious.
seattletimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Cowles, a finance advice columnist at New York Magazine, fell victim to a $50,000 scam involving fraudsters impersonating Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and the CIA who convinced her to withdraw money for "safekeeping" due to alleged identity theft and fraudulent accounts. The article debunks the scammers' tactics by confirming that Amazon never transfers customers to the FTC, the FTC never provides badge numbers or asks for financial information, and the CIA does not conduct domestic fraud investigations. The piece serves as an educational guide highlighting red flags and advising consumers to hang up on suspicious calls and contact companies directly through official channels.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Singapore reported a record high of 46,563 scam cases with victims losing $651.8 million, marking a 46.8 percent increase in cases from 2022 despite public warnings. Job scams were the most prevalent fraud type, followed by e-commerce scams (which more than doubled), with 73 percent of victims aged below 50, contrary to assumptions that elderly people are most vulnerable. The police attributed most scams to organized criminal groups operating transnationally and noted that 19 scam syndicates were dismantled in 2023 through international cooperation.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
India's government think tank Niti Aayog proposed comprehensive senior care reforms including reverse mortgage system improvements, tax and GST reforms on senior care products, and increased financial literacy to protect elderly citizens from fraud. The paper addressed four key areas—health, social, financial, and digital inclusion—with recommendations to strengthen geriatric insurance, expand digital access, and involve the private sector in elder care, as India's senior population is projected to grow from 10% to 19.5% by 2050 and the senior care industry is expected to expand significantly from its current $7 billion value.
yaledailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Yale Law School's Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy hosted a panel discussion on February 16 addressing elder fraud and abuse in America, where one in ten Americans over 60 have experienced some form of exploitation. The event featured lawyers, medical experts, and Senator Richard Blumenthal discussing innovative prevention mechanisms, including screening tools, domestic violence initiatives, and financial monitoring apps, while emphasizing the need for bipartisan federal action, stronger nursing home oversight, and AI regulation to protect seniors from online exploitation.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
**Grandparent Scam Alert from Winkler Police**
Winkler Police Service reports an increasing number of scams over the past five years, with the grandparent scam emerging as a recent variation targeting elderly residents. Scammers pose as grandchildren or their representatives claiming to be in trouble (car accidents, arrests) and requesting money for bail or emergencies, often using spoofed local phone numbers and information gathered from social media to appear credible. Police recommend hanging up, verifying the claim with family members or local police, and contacting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center if targeted—noting that legitimate police requests differ significantly from scammer tactics.
businesstimes.com.sg
· 2025-12-08
DBS Foundation launched educational getai (traditional street performances) events to teach seniors about digital literacy and scam prevention, drawing approximately 2,800 participants across seven events since the initiative's pilot in August. The effort responds to rising scam incidents in Singapore, where over 46,000 scam cases were reported in 2023 with malware scams alone resulting in S$34.1 million in losses; DBS plans to expand anti-scam education through TikTok campaigns and an interactive quiz targeting 30,000 people over the next year in partnership with government agencies.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and state Rep. Jasper Martus hosted an educational presentation in Mt. Morris Township designed to teach senior citizens how to identify and avoid scams targeting older adults. The event, held on February 23 at the Krapohl Senior Center, was part of Nessel's broader Elder Abuse Task Force initiative launched in 2019, which comprises over 55 public, private, and nonprofit organizations working to protect Michigan seniors from fraud and deception.
nbc16.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Eugene couple nearly lost $4,500 after scammers posing as a Lane County Sheriff threatened arrest, claiming the husband had ignored a jury duty summons, and directed the wife to deposit cash at a Coinstar machine. A Safeway manager's intervention prevented the transaction, and the couple escaped financial loss. The incident highlights key prevention tactics: verify caller information by contacting law enforcement directly, understand that seniors are exempt from jury duty, and avoid responding to unsolicited calls from unknown numbers.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Donna Kendall from Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, lost over $1 million to a romance scam after becoming lonely following her husband's dementia diagnosis in 2022. She was deceived by someone claiming to be a wealthy businessman named Martin Erickson who posed as a romantic interest and requested money for shipping equipment, leading her to make multiple wire transfers and eventually sell her home. The scam strained her relationship with her son Ken Martasin, who was unable to convince her of the fraud despite intervention from specialists and authorities, and she died at a hotel shortly after the incident.