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Canada's Public Pension Investment Board lost over $500 million on investments in Orpea, a major European for-profit long-term care company that collapsed amid allegations of systemic elder abuse, financial mismanagement, fraud, and embezzlement by executives (including a former CEO and CFO who were jailed). Despite holding two board seats, the CPPIB failed to prevent or address the criminal conduct affecting vulnerable residents and ultimately impacting the retirement savings of 22 million Canadian workers. The report and subsequent recommendations advocate for prohibiting pension funds from investing in for-profit long-term care and returning such facilities to public sector control.

The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers impersonate Medicare representatives during the October 15-December 7 open enrollment period, using unsolicited calls and texts to trick consumers into divulging personal information like Social Security numbers under the guise of offering better coverage or threatening service discontinuation. One Westlake woman received a fraudulent call from someone claiming to be with Medicare who had partial personal information, but she recognized the scam and reported it. The BBB recommends avoiding unsolicited contacts, never sharing Medicare or Social Security information with unknown callers, using only official websites like Medicare.gov for enrollment, and reporting suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE.

AARP warns of a significant rise in Medicare fraud during the 2024 open enrollment period (October 15 - December 7), with the FTC reporting a 30% increase in scams during this time. Fraudsters impersonate insurance representatives and Medicare officials via unsolicited calls, phishing emails, and fake websites to steal personal information, with older adults losing approximately $121 million to such schemes in 2021 alone. AARP recommends protecting yourself by verifying identities directly with Medicare, never sharing personal information unsolicited, and reporting suspicious activity to the AARP Fraud Watch Network or FTC.

Four residents of Sirsa lost a combined Rs 25 lakh to various online scams: a government employee transferred Rs 5.84 lakh after being promised easy money on Telegram, a dermatologist lost Rs 1.9 lakh to a fake Army officer posing as a medical contractor, a cement store owner was defrauded of Rs 15.23 lakh through a fraudulent stock trading app, and another man lost Rs 2.31 lakh in a fake job scam. Police have launched investigations into all four cases.

The Better Business Bureau warns of increased healthcare scams during Medicare and Affordable Care Act open enrollment periods (October 15-December 7 and November 1-January 15, respectively). Scammers pose as government officials or healthcare advocates and contact consumers via unsolicited phone calls, emails, or in-person visits requesting personal information like Social Security numbers and medical IDs in exchange for gifts or better deals. Consumers should verify contact legitimacy by checking official websites ending in ".gov," remembering that legitimate navigators never charge for assistance, and hanging up on unexpected calls.

The Oregon Department of Human Services' Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is offering free help during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 29 - December 7, 2025) to assist beneficiaries in comparing and changing plans, understanding new 2025 Medicare benefits like lower drug cost maximums ($2,000) and expanded coverage for weight loss drugs and mental health services, and detecting Medicare scams. SHIBA certified counselors provide assistance via phone (800-722-4134), virtual, and in-person appointments and can help report common scams that target seniors seeking free medical equipment or genetic testing by attempting to obtain Medicare numbers for billing fraud.

Research from WEALTH at Work found that 13% of UK adults fell victim to pension scams in the past year, part of a total 6.2 million people affected by financial fraud overall, with victims losing an average of £1,000. Pension scams typically involved fake promises of guaranteed returns or early access to pensions, while other prevalent scams included purchase scams (27%), investment scams (19%), romance scams (14%), and tax refund scams (10%). The research emphasizes that fraudsters use professional-looking materials and multiple contact methods to appear legitimate, and recommends that people verify company registration with the Financial Conduct Authority, never rush financial decisions, and follow the

Following hurricanes Helene and Milton, federal agencies and NGOs warn of a surge in disaster-related fraud targeting victims during rebuilding efforts. Common scams include fraudulent contractors requesting upfront payments, fake charities soliciting donations, and scammers claiming to help secure FEMA funding for fees, with an estimated $9.3 billion lost annually to post-disaster fraud. Experts recommend homeowners verify contractors are licensed and bonded, review all insurance documents before signing agreements, avoid pressure tactics, and never sign blank contracts to protect themselves from fraudsters.

During Medicare open enrollment season, scam artists target seniors through unsolicited emails, texts, and calls impersonating government agencies to steal personal information for identity theft or fraudulent medical billing. The Better Business Bureau advises seniors to be cautious of such contacts and directs them to bbb.org for resources on avoiding and reporting healthcare scams.

Margaret Noy fell victim to a phishing scam after clicking on a fraudulent email impersonating Centrelink and providing her account details, resulting in a $1,600 fraudulent application and unauthorized bank account change within an hour. Services Australia reported a sharp rise in government impersonation scams, with 10,060 unique scams observed in 2023-24 compared to 3,936 the previous year, and calls to their scams helpline increased from 18,412 to 22,451. The agency recommends using strong security measures such as passpasses, Digital ID, and two-factor authentication to protect accounts.

During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (October 15–December 7), scammers target seniors with fraudulent schemes involving impersonation of Medicare representatives, unsolicited calls, pressure to enroll in prescription drug plans, requests for personal information like Medicare and Social Security numbers, and offers of illegal gifts. New York's Senior Medicare Patrol warns that Medicare never cold calls beneficiaries and enrollment in Part D prescription plans is voluntary, with seniors having the entire enrollment period to decide. Seniors who suspect compromise of their personal information or unauthorized enrollment can contact the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374 to report fraud.

During Medicare open enrollment (October 15 - December 7), seniors face increased scam threats including fraudulent calls claiming to be from Medicare offering new cards and misleading mail marketing unnecessary items like braces and testing kits. Scammers who obtain a beneficiary's Medicare number can alter coverage and access benefits, costing Medicare billions annually, so seniors are advised to guard their Medicare numbers as carefully as Social Security numbers and report suspicious communications. The Pima Council on Aging offers free, bi-monthly Medicare counseling and workshops to help beneficiaries navigate coverage options and identify fraud.

Maureen Gunn, 66, from East Lothian, Scotland, lost approximately £50,000 in a romance scam involving a fake UN Navy captain she met on Facebook, then stole nearly £15,000 from her 89-year-old mother's bank account to continue funding the scam. As her mother's primary carer with power of attorney, Gunn made unauthorized withdrawals and transfers over three years before family members discovered the theft and contacted police. She pleaded guilty to embezzlement and received a three-year supervision order, 140 hours of community service, and was ordered to repay £14,521.60 at £150

A 37-year-old man from Georgia was arrested for financially exploiting an elderly Fairhope woman who lost over $100,000 after he gained access to her banking information, installed malicious software on her devices, and used fear tactics to pressure her into payments following a vehicle purchase. The case highlights how seniors are vulnerable to various online scams including tech support fraud, Medicare schemes, and grandparent scams, particularly during Medicare's open enrollment period. Resources like the Senior Medicare Patrol and Better Business Bureau can help verify legitimacy of communications and prevent elder fraud.

Fraudsters in India are impersonating Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) officials and targeting pensioners through WhatsApp, sending fake forms and threatening to halt pension payments to extract sensitive information including bank account details and Pension Payment Order numbers. Pensioners can protect themselves by remembering that government agencies never request such personal information via WhatsApp or phone calls, and should verify any suspicious communications by contacting official agencies directly using verified contact numbers. Reporting these scams to authorities is critical to prevent further victimization of vulnerable senior citizens.

Pensioners are increasingly targeted by scammers impersonating Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) officials who send fraudulent WhatsApp messages and fake forms, threatening to suspend pension payments if recipients do not comply. To protect themselves, pensioners should verify the authenticity of any government communications and remember that legitimate government offices do not request personal details through informal channels like WhatsApp.

Two individuals—Darryl Lamont Young and Aqeelah Ngiesha Williams—were indicted for defrauding seriously ill veterans between December 2021 and April 2023. Young, calling from correctional facilities, posed as a VA employee to obtain personal and banking information from patients at medical facilities, which he and Williams then used to steal approximately $8,000 from over 60 victims across more than 30 facilities through 130 fraudulent transactions. Both defendants face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Co-operative Bank experienced a widespread outage of its mobile app and online banking services beginning around 1:30pm, preventing customers from accessing their accounts and prompting complaints on social media; the bank apologized and stated it was working to resolve the issue. The article also covers unrelated banking news including proposed government measures to extend fraud investigation time for suspicious transactions to 72 hours to better protect consumers from scams like romance fraud.

Tonya Denise Brown, a 48-year-old licensed practical nurse at Tangipahoa Parish Jail, was indicted on nine federal counts in September 2024 for defrauding vulnerable populations. Her schemes included soliciting money under false promises of assistance with criminal cases and disaster benefits (targeting hurricane victims), misusing a notary's identity to defraud FEMA rental assistance and HUD's Restore Louisiana programs, and illegally selling controlled substances including oxycodone online. Additionally, she was charged with making false statements to the FBI and lying to a judge, with potential sentences ranging from 5 to 30 years depending on the charges.

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.

Abilash Kurien, Vice President of International Cargo Airline Polar Air Cargo Worldwide, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for his role in a decade-long fraud scheme that defrauded the company of more than $32 million in revenue. Kurien personally received over $7 million in kickbacks from vendors in exchange for ensuring they received favorable business arrangements, and was ordered to forfeit $7.2 million and pay $23 million in restitution. The scheme involved at least 10 senior executives and employees at Polar and its vendors and operated from 2009 through July 2021.

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.

India's digital transformation has increased online scam targeting, with cybercriminals particularly exploiting elderly pensioners through impersonation schemes. The Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) warned that fraudsters are impersonating government officials and contacting pensioners via WhatsApp, email, and SMS, falsely claiming pension payments will be stopped unless they complete forms and share personal information like PPO numbers and bank details. Authorities advise pensioners to verify communications directly with relevant agencies, resist artificial urgency tactics, and report suspicious activity to prevent financial fraud.

More than 50 seniors attended a Scam Jam educational seminar in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, presented by state and local officials to teach fraud prevention and recognition of common scams targeting elders. Presenters highlighted increasingly sophisticated scams including voice cloning via AI, fake tech support calls requesting gift card payments, and impersonation schemes, emphasizing that victims should contact police immediately when suspicious and never provide personal information or payment via non-traditional means like gift cards. A recent local case was cited where timely police contact prevented a $30,000 loss to a potential victim.

Moira Stuart, a 75-year-old BBC News presenter, fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam where fraudsters impersonated her bank and instructed her to transfer money to catch an alleged "inside job" at her branch. A vigilant bank cashier prevented her from losing thousands of pounds by questioning the transaction and alerting the bank's anti-fraud team. Stuart publicly shared her experience to combat the shame surrounding fraud victimization and to raise awareness, noting that nearly three million instances of bank fraud costing £1.2 billion were recorded the previous year, with authorized fraud victims losing an average of nearly £2,000.

The Russellville Police Department warns that elderly individuals are increasingly targeted for financial crimes, with an estimated 37 percent of telemarketing fraud victims being seniors. The article attributes this trend to the growing aging population and seniors' accumulated resources, while advising elders to report crimes, remember that "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is," and contact local police before committing to suspicious offers.

In 2023, the FTC reported $10 billion in total consumer fraud losses (up $1 billion from 2022), with older adults losing $3.4 billion according to FBI data, driven primarily by imposter scams, investment fraud (up 400% since 2021), and tech support scams despite scam types remaining largely consistent with previous years. The Senate Special Committee on Aging released its ninth annual fraud book highlighting that common scams targeting seniors include imposter, sweepstakes, lottery, cryptocurrency, and AI-enabled schemes, with tech support scams causing nearly $590 million in losses and investment scams topping $1.2 billion. Between June

The 2024 NICE Actimize Fraud Insights Report reveals a significant shift in fraud tactics, with fraudsters increasingly targeting investment and romance scams while moving away from account takeover fraud toward authorized fraud schemes. Investment and romance scams pose heightened consumer risk, while authorized fraud and domestic wire fraud continue to rise globally, though attempted fraud increased 6% in volume but decreased 26% in value. The report, based on analysis of billions of transactions, highlights the need for sophisticated fraud prevention technologies, particularly for web-based P2P transactions which show fraud rates 5 times higher than mobile-based transactions.

Michigan residents are being warned about three Amazon Prime Day scams: fake text messages impersonating Amazon to steal personal information, phishing messages falsely claiming Prime membership cancellation requiring payment, and account suspension scams using fraudulent links to compromise account access. Experts advise verifying any Amazon communications directly through the official app or website and never sharing personal details via unsolicited texts or calls.

More than $500,000 was stolen from North Carolina's Food and Nutrition Services program in late August and early September 2024 through phishing scams and credit card fraud targeting EBT cards, with over $2.7 million reported stolen through similar schemes since October 2022. The theft particularly impacts vulnerable families with children and seniors who depend on these benefits for grocery purchases. Authorities recommend FNS participants check balances frequently, use strong PINs, monitor accounts for suspicious activity, and contact their local county social services to request replacement benefits if compromised.

Penny Mashburn signed up for magazine subscriptions thinking she was supporting a school fundraiser, but the scam led to years of telemarketer harassment and charges that escalated from $39 to $199 per subscription across multiple companies, ultimately costing her much of her savings. Penny and her sister Nancy's investigation into the fraud helped expose a 20-year conspiracy that defrauded over 150,000 victims nationwide of millions of dollars, ultimately leading them to testify in federal court to help shut down the operation.

Lise Frappier, a 62-year-old Ottawa resident on disability benefits, lost nearly $70,000 to a romance scam and subsequent recovery scams between 2022 and 2024. A scammer posing as a U.S. Army worker gained her trust via Facebook and manipulated her into sending money through gift cards and Bitcoin; after the initial fraud ended, a second scammer exploited her desperation by offering fake recovery services and extracting an additional $20,000+ before disappearing. The case illustrates a broader trend in Canada where romance scams caused over $59 million in losses in 2022 alone, with vulnerable seniors particularly targeted,

This educational podcast features AARP's Kathy Stokes discussing how to protect oneself from investment fraud, with particular focus on growing threats from cryptocurrency-related scams and the use of artificial intelligence by fraudsters. The piece emphasizes identifying warning signs of investment fraud and provides resources including AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) and guidance on recognizing common scam tactics targeting investors of all ages, though older adults face heightened risk.

Investment fraud targeting older adults is growing significantly, driven by emerging technologies like cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence that make scams increasingly sophisticated and convincing. According to Kathy Stokes, AARP's director of fraud prevention, Americans lost a record $10 billion to scams and fraud in 2023, with crypto-related schemes and AI-enabled fraud posing particular threats to financial security. Stokes emphasizes the importance of education and awareness as key protective measures for older adults vulnerable to these evolving fraud schemes.

Bryce Gray, a 74-year-old retired engineer in New Zealand, lost $22,500 in June to a NZ Post phishing scam while selling a bedside clock on Facebook Marketplace. A scammer posing as a buyer provided a fraudulent link claiming to be from NZ Post, and when Gray clicked it, scammers gained access to his banking credentials and made two large unauthorized withdrawals. After 10 weeks of dealing with fraud recovery, his bank (BNZ) initially recovered $3,000 and later provided a full reimbursement through a goodwill payment.

The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection released fraud prevention guidance for older adults, noting that financial exploitation is the most prevalent form of elder abuse. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Report, adults aged 60 and older lost at least $3.4 billion annually to fraud, with investment scams accounting for over $1 billion of those losses—a 38% increase from 2022. The agency advises seniors to recognize red flags in investment and reverse mortgage scams, conduct independent research before committing funds, and avoid unsolicited financial contacts.

This educational guide from Community Care Inform Adults outlines best practices for social workers protecting vulnerable adults from scams, which are recognized as financial abuse under the Care Act 2014. Key recommendations include treating scams as safeguarding concerns, working multi-agency with police and trading standards, acting quickly to prevent escalation, assessing mental capacity, and developing comprehensive risk assessment and protection plans in partnership with clients. The guide notes that 73% of UK adults have been targeted by scams, with 35% (19 million people) losing money, yet fewer than one-third report the crime to authorities.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued an alert about cryptocurrency scams targeting consumers through investment schemes, impersonation fraud, and blackmail extortion. Scammers use phone calls, emails, social media, and dating apps to pose as investment managers, government officials, or love interests to trick victims into buying and transferring cryptocurrency. The Attorney General recommends verifying caller information independently, remaining skeptical of unsolicited requests for cryptocurrency payments, never sharing personal information with unknown callers, consulting trusted individuals before major financial decisions, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.

This educational piece identifies six common scams targeting Iowa storm victims: FEMA impersonation scams, contractor fraud (storm chasers), fake charities, insurance claim scams, phishing communications, and identity theft. The article provides preventative measures for each scam type, including verifying credentials, obtaining multiple estimates, researching charities through watchdog organizations, contacting insurance companies directly, and freezing credit. Resources provided include the Iowa Attorney General's Office, Iowa Insurance Division, and FEMA fraud hotline for reporting suspected fraud.

Willie D. Watts, 42, of Clarksville, was sentenced to eighteen months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining $125,753.90 in federal benefits from 2014 to 2021 by falsely claiming her three children lived with her and were eligible for Section 8 housing vouchers, SNAP, Social Security Survivors benefits, and Medicaid. Watts also concealed ownership of a house and rental income, and had previously committed nearly identical fraud in Kentucky (2011-2013), stealing over $30,000 before continuing the scheme in Indiana despite her Kentucky conviction.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes issued a warning about cryptocurrency scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens, which exploit victims' unfamiliarity with digital currencies. Common scams include investment schemes promising high returns with zero risk, impersonation scams claiming account fraud or legal issues that can only be resolved via cryptocurrency transfer, and blackmail scams threatening to release compromising information unless paid in Bitcoin. The Attorney General advises Arizonans to verify caller information independently, remain skeptical of unsolicited requests, recognize that legitimate businesses never demand cryptocurrency payment, protect personal information, consult trusted family members before financial decisions, and report suspicious activity to law enforcement or the Arizona Attorney General's Office.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a methodology and informational guide from Forbes Advisor explaining how they evaluate and rank credit cards, including their criteria for assessing over 400 cards across categories and their process for selecting top offers based on annual fees, rewards rates, welcome bonuses, and consumer protections. This content is financial product comparison material and falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on fraud and elder abuse research.

The Department of Veterans Affairs launched VSAFE.gov, a new website and call center platform designed to help veterans and their families identify, avoid, and report scams targeting benefits, identity theft, and education fraud. The initiative was spurred by a surge in predatory schemes targeting veterans following the 2022 PACT Act expansion of benefits and healthcare services, with lawmakers pressing the VA to strengthen its anti-fraud protections. The platform consolidates resources from multiple federal agencies including the FTC, FCC, and Social Security Administration to provide veterans with fraud prevention tools and reporting assistance.

Scammers are exploiting vulnerabilities in EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards used for SNAP benefits by tampering with card readers to skim account information, targeting vulnerable government assistance recipients whose cards lack modern security features like EMV chips. The article provides protective measures including shopping at larger retailers with better security, safeguarding PIN information, inspecting card readers for tampering, using online shopping options, monitoring account balances regularly, and reporting suspected fraud to state authorities promptly.

In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission received over 192,000 fraud reports from military consumers (active service members, veterans, retirees, and families), resulting in $477 million in total losses, with nearly one-third of reports involving actual financial loss. The most common scams targeting this population included imposter scams, online shopping fraud, investment schemes ($147 million from under 4,000 reports), identity theft (over 39,000 reports), housing scams, and fake government benefits schemes. Wisconsin officials emphasized that military consumers are disproportionately targeted by scammers and highlighted July as Military Consumer Protection Month to raise awareness.

This educational resource from DISB (District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking) provides information on common scam types to help consumers protect themselves during financial transactions. The tracker includes detailed examples of advance fee scams, affinity scams by licensed professionals, and credit card phishing scams, with specific case narratives and protective strategies such as verifying information directly with legitimate agencies and being cautious of unsolicited financial offers.

A Louisiana physician, Adrian Dexter Talbot, was convicted of illegally distributing over 1.8 million doses of Schedule II opioids and defrauding health care programs of more than $5.4 million. Talbot operated a clinic that dispensed prescriptions for cash without proper patient examinations, pre-signed prescriptions while working elsewhere, falsified patient records, and allowed individuals to bill Medicare, Medicaid, and Blue Cross Blue Shield for prescriptions written without medical necessity. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each count and sentencing is scheduled for October 23.

The Hamlet Senior Center hosted a fraud prevention symposium led by North Carolina Attorney General's Office investigator Luke Perrin to educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding scams. Perrin addressed common misconceptions—such as the false belief that only elderly people are targeted—and provided practical advice including how to identify suspicious emails and phone calls, the importance of using credit cards over debit cards for online purchases, and warnings about social media scams that use fake surveys to steal security question answers. The event drew a standing-room-only crowd, prompting the Senior Center Director to plan additional fraud prevention programs for the broader community.

**Not an Elder Fraud Summary** This article does not contain information about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. It is an opinion piece advocating for minimal regulation of peer-to-peer payment platforms like Zelle, arguing that proposed Senate oversight would harm small businesses and community banks. While the piece mentions fraud investigations on these platforms, it does not describe specific scams, victims, or cases relevant to the Elderus database.

Seniors lost over $3 billion to scams in 2023, with losses reaching $1.6 billion in just the first five months of 2024, representing a significant increase year-over-year. Older adults are particularly vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, have financial savings, and good credit, making them attractive to con artists. Common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (where scammers pose as romantic partners to extract money) and tech support scams (where fake pop-ups trick victims into calling numbers and granting remote computer access).