Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
3,505 results
in Identity Theft
amac.us
Scams are widespread dishonest schemes used by bad actors to defraud victims through various channels including text, phone, email, and in-person contact, with the goal of stealing money or personal information for identity theft. According to 2023 Gallup data, 15% of Americans reported being scam victims in the past year, with nationwide fraud losses exceeding $10 billion, including $4.6 billion from investment scams and $2.7 billion from imposter scams. The FTC monitors scam trends and urges consumers to protect themselves by safeguarding sensitive information, remaining vigilant against impersonators, and reporting fraud at reportfraud.ftc
tillamookheadlightherald.com
A 2023 study analyzing Federal Trade Commission data found Oregon ranked 13th most defrauded state in the US, with $97.5 million lost across 29,002 fraud reports. Imposter scams were the most common fraud type in Oregon at 23% of all reports, followed by identity theft (15%) and online shopping scams (9%). The analysis provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding these common scam categories, emphasizing the importance of never sharing personal information with unknown callers and verifying legitimacy through official channels.
hermoney.com
Contrary to common stereotypes, younger adults (ages 18-59) are 34% more likely than older adults to report losing money to fraud, with particular vulnerability to online shopping and investment scams. Financial columnist Charlotte Cowles fell victim to an elaborate scam involving fake Amazon and FTC calls that threatened arrest and her child's safety, ultimately resulting in her handing over $50,000 in cash from her emergency fund. The key takeaway is that victims should speak with a trusted person before transferring money, as interruption by someone else is often what prevents financial loss rather than recognizing red flags.
fortune.com
Scammers impersonating FTC agents are increasingly successful in 2024, stealing an average of $7,000 per victim—more than double the $3,000 average from 2019. The FTC warns that legitimate agents never demand money transfers, direct victims to Bitcoin ATMs or gold purchases, or threaten arrest, and the agency received 228,282 complaints about government impersonation scams in 2023. Overall fraud losses reached a record $10 billion in 2023, with data showing that while younger adults are more susceptible to scams, those over 40 typically lose larger amounts.
finance.yahoo.com
Scammers impersonating FTC agents are stealing an average of $7,000 per victim in 2024, more than double the $3,000 average from 2019, according to FTC warnings. The scheme typically involves fraudsters posing as government agents who pressure victims to move money to protect their accounts, often directing them to withdraw cash, purchase cryptocurrency or gold, or transfer funds—tactics the FTC explicitly states it never employs. The FTC received 228,282 complaints about government impersonation scams in 2023, highlighting a broader fraud crisis that cost Americans $10 billion in losses last year.
techradar.com
Scammers are impersonating FTC and U.S. government workers to defraud victims, particularly elderly people, by claiming accounts are compromised and directing them to purchase gold bars or withdraw cash to send to couriers. The FTC has issued a warning clarifying it never demands money, threatens arrest/deportation, or directs consumers to Bitcoin ATMs or gold purchases; the FBI received over 14,000 government impersonation reports in the past year, with median losses increasing from $3,000 in 2019 to $7,000 in 2024.
actionnews5.com
The FTC and U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned of a significant increase in "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages impersonating shipping companies and USPS—with Americans receiving 78 billion robotexts in the first half of 2023 alone. Scammers use these messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or providing personal information for identity theft, malware installation, or fraudulent payment collection. Consumers are advised to ignore suspicious texts, avoid sharing personal information, report suspected smishing to USPS, and note that the postal service only sends texts from five-digit numbers to those who have opted in and never includes clickable links.
wafb.com
Smishing scams—fraudulent text messages impersonating delivery services like USPS, FedEx, and UPS—have increased significantly, with Americans receiving 78 billion robotexts in the first half of 2023 alone and 1.1 billion delivery-related texts in December 2023. Scammers use these messages to trick recipients into clicking malicious links to steal personal information, install malware, or collect fake delivery fees. The FTC and USPS recommend ignoring suspicious texts, never clicking links from unknown senders, using text-blocking apps, and reporting suspected smishing by emailing screenshots to USPS without clicking the link.
actionnews5.com
This educational piece features a Google technology expert discussing how to recognize and prevent online scams during tax season, when identity theft targeting tax refunds increases. The article notes that Americans spend over 8 hours daily online and face various scam types including fear-based fraud and romance scams, with the IRS reporting the second-highest number of identity theft complaints in history last year. The expert provides guidance on identifying scams and protecting personal information.
lex18.com
Tax season invites cybercriminals to exploit the chaos of online tax forms through phishing emails impersonating TurboTax or H&R Block, fake IRS calls claiming money is owed, and fraudulent links directing victims to fake sites to harvest login credentials. The IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, with cases taking an average of 19 months to resolve. To protect against these scams, individuals should avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or texts, go directly to official websites through a browser, and remember that the IRS never initiates digital contact to request personal information.
nij.ojp.gov
The U.S. population of adults age 60 and older grew 33% from 2010 to 2020, yet research on fraud victimization in this demographic remains limited despite older adults losing over $36 billion annually to financial fraud. Older adults face heightened vulnerability to fraud due to cognitive decline, reduced financial literacy, social isolation, and greater trustfulness, with 34.8% of those age 50+ targeted by scams in a five-year period and 2.7-6.6% experiencing fraud annually, though actual numbers are likely higher due to significant underreporting.
observerlocalnews.com
A 19-year-old Palm Coast man was indicted in January 2025 for federal wire fraud involving over $800,000, following a separate incident in October 2024 where Flagler Schools lost $719,000 to fraudulent transfer. Elderly residents are increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes including tech support scams, investment fraud, and impersonation of government officials, with FBI data showing that victims over 60 reported $3.1 billion in losses in 2022—an 84% increase—and cryptocurrency-related losses among seniors jumping 350%. Law enforcement officials note that most cases go unsolved due to funds being transferred overseas or through multiple accounts
nwestiowa.com
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers a free research-based workshop called "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" designed for adults 60 and older to help them identify and prevent financial scams. The workshop addresses why seniors are targeted by scammers, reviews common fraud schemes in Iowa, and provides strategies to protect finances, as elder financial fraud is the most prevalent form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans age 62 and older. Interested participants can contact their local ISU Extension county office to request the workshop in their community.
irs.gov
A Spring Hill, Florida couple, Wendy and Samuel Bunner, defrauded an elderly Berkeley County man with dementia of over $1.9 million by fraudulently obtaining cashier's checks, emptying bank and investment accounts, and opening credit cards in his name. The couple used the stolen funds to purchase homes, vehicles, campers, and consumer goods for their personal benefit, with Wendy pleading guilty to money laundering and Samuel previously pleading guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft; they face up to 10 and 30 years in prison respectively.
techradar.com
In 2023, the FBI reported that cryptocurrency scams cost victims $4.57 billion—a 38% increase from $3.31 billion in 2022—surpassing ransomware losses of $59.6 million. Romance scammers typically impersonate attractive individuals to build weeks-long relationships before convincing victims to "invest" in fake cryptocurrency platforms, displaying false gains until withdrawal attempts trigger additional "fees." The FBI acknowledged its ransomware figures likely underrepresent actual losses since they exclude business downtime costs and only count reported incidents.
yourvalley.net
Over 100 Sun City residents attended a March 20 scam prevention seminar hosted by Chase Bank and the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, where officials reported that fraud and scams are rising nationally and particularly in retirement communities. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Captain Brian Stutsman noted that Arizona ranked 10th nationally for fraud in 2022, with losses reaching over $10 billion in 2023, and that a nine-month period in the Sun Cities resulted in $2.7 million in losses, though actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting caused by shame and embarrassment.
aol.com
Identity theft targeting children under 19 has become increasingly common, with the FTC reporting 22,229 claims in a recent year resulting in over $15 million in losses, often going undiscovered for years. Perpetrators—ranging from online criminals to family members—use children's clean credit histories and Social Security numbers to obtain loans, credit cards, and government benefits, with victims like a 28-year-old experiencing wage garnishment and long-term financial damage into adulthood. Parents can protect their children by freezing credit reports, monitoring for warning signs such as debt collection calls or IRS notices, and safeguarding personal information from data breaches and social media exposure.
oilcity.news
In 2023, Wyoming residents and companies lost $13.7 million to scams, with investment fraud being the costliest at $5.7 million, followed by business email compromise ($2.3 million) and data breaches ($1.5 million), according to the CyberWyoming Alliance's annual report. Extortion, tech support, and non-payment scams affected the most victims, while impersonation of companies like PayPal, Geek Squad, and Kohl's and spoofing of individuals were common tactics. The report recommends that business leaders educate employees to verify unusual requests through alternative channels before acting on them.
securityboulevard.com
QR code scams exploit users' trust in this ubiquitous technology by disguising malicious URLs, phishing links, or malware within QR codes that direct victims to fraudulent payment sites, credential-harvesting pages, or malware downloads. Criminals use these codes in phishing emails, fake payment systems, and by tampering with legitimate codes to steal financial data, login credentials, and personal information for identity theft or ransomware installation. Users can protect themselves by remaining vigilant for warning signs such as poor code quality, unfamiliar domain names, and suspicious requests for personal information, and by following cybersecurity best practices.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
Older adults in Modesto lost thousands of dollars to fraud in 2022, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting a 30% increase in fraud losses nationwide and 3,500 reported incidents in the county. Three prevalent scams targeting seniors locally are romance scams (exploiting social isolation), banking scams (where fraudsters pose as bank IT to gain phone access), and solar scams (linked to the unregulated PACE program). The average loss for victims age 80 and over is $1,500, more than six times the average loss for younger victims, with scammers specifically targeting vulnerable populations including the recently widowed, lonely, or isolated.
electronicpaymentsinternational.com
According to global verification platform Sumsub's 2023 research, approximately 1 in 100 digital platform users belonged to organized fraud networks that collectively engaged in multi-accounting, money laundering, and account takeovers. Fraud ring activity varied significantly by region, with Bangladesh (10.2%), Thailand (6.6%), and Vietnam (3.7%) showing elevated rates, while the US and UK reported only 0.2% each; detected networks ranged from 3 to over 750 coordinated members, including a case of Estonian cryptocurrency exchange applicants using identical fraudulent documents. Sumsub warns that fraud rings cause significantly greater damage than individual sc
ca.style.yahoo.com
During the holiday season, cybercriminals exploit increased smartphone use and online shopping to perpetrate various scams including malicious mobile apps, SMS phishing, counterfeit gift deals, fake travel offers, malware-laden e-cards, deceptive games, and fraudulent shipping notifications. These scams aim to steal personal information, credit card details, and compromise accounts through malware downloads or social engineering tactics. Consumers are advised to download apps only from official stores, be suspicious of unrealistically low prices, verify sender information, and monitor bills for unauthorized charges.
justice.gov
Wendy Renee Bunner, 48, of Florida pleaded guilty to money laundering for her role in defrauding a Berkeley County man with dementia alongside her husband Samuel, who previously pleaded guilty to bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Together, the couple stole over $2.1 million from the elderly victim, using the funds to purchase homes, vehicles, campers, and consumer goods for their personal use. Wendy Bunner faces up to 10 years in prison while Samuel faces up to 30 years, with sentencing hearings scheduled for later in 2024.
fox5atlanta.com
Johnna Hannah, a 28-year-old former business manager at Countryside Health Center in Buchanan, Georgia, faces 86 total felony charges (78 initial plus 8 additional) for embezzling over $60,000 from nearly 40 elderly patients over 18 months, including forging signatures and closing out bank accounts. The investigation, prompted by a forensic audit and subpoena of her personal bank records, revealed a pattern of financial exploitation of vulnerable residents, some of whom were deceased. The nursing home is working to repay victims' families as police indicate more charges are likely.
deeside.com
In 2023, over 22,500 people in the UK had their social media or email accounts hacked, resulting in £1.3 million in financial losses, according to Action Fraud data. The attacks employed methods such as on-platform chain hacking (where fraudsters impersonate account owners to trick contacts into sharing authentication codes) and phishing/leaked password schemes that exploit users' tendency to reuse passwords across multiple accounts. Action Fraud advises protecting accounts by using strong, unique passwords, enabling two-step verification, and never sharing passwords or verification codes.
nvdaily.com
Virginians lost $205 million to scammers in 2023, with 54,602 fraud reports filed to the FTC, making Virginia the 12th most defrauded state. Identity theft and imposter scams are the most common fraud types, often involving criminals stealing personal information from social media profiles to create fake accounts, impersonate victims, or execute romance scams requesting money and gifts. Law enforcement recommends making social media accounts private, avoiding profile pictures, monitoring credit scores regularly, and reporting suspected scams to local police immediately.
stories.td.com
New Canadians face heightened vulnerability to financial fraud, with 90% of surveyed newcomers worried about becoming victims and 73% feeling particularly susceptible. Common scams targeting this population include phishing (stealing personal/financial information via fake emails or texts), job scams (fraudsters posing as employers to extract money for fake training or supplies), and romance scams, with 28% of affected new Canadians unsure how to respond if victimized. The best defense is awareness of warning signs, understanding common fraud tactics, and knowing how to report fraudulent activity.
thetimes.co.uk
**Summary:**
Maria Woodhouse, a 34-year-old job seeker, lost £2,655 to a recruitment scam after being contacted via WhatsApp by a fake recruiter offering remote work for £13 per hour. The scammer created a false job using a cryptocurrency platform (OKX) as a payment method, tricking Woodhouse into depositing money for each "task" while the scammer redirected her funds out of the wallet. Recruitment scams are the third most commonly reported fraud type, with cases rising 156% year-over-year and averaging £3,000 in losses per victim.
citizen.co.za
Financial predators exploit vulnerable individuals by gaining their trust, then isolating them from friends and family before extracting money through romance scams, predatory lending, or identity theft. The three most common types are romantic predators who establish fake relationships to manipulate victims, predatory lenders who trap borrowers in debt cycles, and identity predators who steal personal information for fraud. To protect yourself, maintain strong relationships with trusted friends and family who can spot suspicious behavior, and immediately cut all communication if you suspect someone is a financial predator.
cantonrep.com
IRS impersonation scams reappear annually in various forms, with scammers posing as tax agents via phone calls, emails, and mail to either demand immediate payment for back taxes (threatening arrest) or request personal information under the guise of issuing refunds. The IRS will only initiate contact by mail and never demands immediate payment, specific payment methods, or personal financial information over the phone or email. To protect yourself, file taxes early, obtain an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS, and remember that any urgent contact via phone, email, text, or social media claiming to be from the IRS is fraudulent.
nbcmiami.com
Tax season attracts scammers seeking to steal refunds through three common schemes: fraudulent tax returns using stolen personal information, phishing emails impersonating IRS agents (particularly targeting recent immigrants with deportation threats), and illegitimate tax relief companies charging high fees without delivering results. The IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints last year, the second-highest on record, and taxpayers can protect themselves by filing early, never providing personal information to unsolicited IRS contacts, researching companies before hiring them, and monitoring their credit and tax records.
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
Scams targeting vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, are rising statewide through phone calls, social media, and online channels. Common scams include Social Security imposter schemes (threatening suspended benefits or arrest), gift card fraud (posing as government agencies), fake rental listings, and warrant payment demands, with scammers using fear, fake documents, and fraudulent letterhead to coerce victims into providing personal information or money. Authorities recommend verifying caller identity by hanging up and calling agencies directly, never sending gift cards or money to unknown callers, and reporting scams to relevant agencies like the SSA's Office of the Inspector General.
nzherald.co.nz
International scammers drain hundreds of millions of dollars annually from New Zealand victims, with fraud cases nearly doubling between 2020-2022 and now representing the most common crime type in the country. Only 15 percent of victims recover their lost funds, and a significant majority of fraud occurs online or by phone, yet only 6.5 percent of fraud crimes are reported to police. The Independent Police Conduct Authority found major deficiencies in police responses to scam complaints, with authorities failing to prioritize fraud investigations and adequately support victims.
govexec.com
This educational piece highlights warning signs of government imposter scams, particularly targeting Social Security beneficiaries and federal employees. The author shares a personal near-miss with a gift card scam impersonating a local NARFE president, then outlines four key red flags scammers use (impersonation, claiming problems/prizes, demanding immediate action, and requesting specific payment methods) and lists tactics Social Security will never employ, such as threatening arrest, demanding gift cards, or pressuring immediate payment. The article warns against a fraudulent phone number (888-353-9450) being used by scammers targeting federal employees and annuitants.
wltx.com
A New York Magazine financial columnist lost $50,000 to an elaborate con scheme, prompting the Federal Trade Commission to publicize ten common lies fraudsters use to manipulate victims into sending money, including creating false urgency, isolating victims from trusted advisors, making arrest threats, and directing victims to move funds via gift cards, cryptocurrency, precious metals, or cash transfers. The FTC warns that any pressure to act quickly, secrecy, threats of legal consequences, or instructions from strangers regarding financial transfers are reliable indicators of fraud, and recommends victims hang up, delete communications, and report suspected scams to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
altoonamirror.com
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.
goldrushcam.com
Two suspects were arrested in Moorpark, California on March 7, 2024, for identity theft and conspiracy charges after intercepting packages containing significant sums of cash mailed by elderly victims from Texas, South Dakota, and Florida who had fallen victim to scams. Detectives identified the scheme after the first victim's adult child reported their elderly mother had mailed currency to the suspects' address, leading investigators to surveil and apprehend the two men when they arrived to retrieve a third package from a Florida victim. The suspects face multiple felony charges including grand theft, conspiracy, theft by false pretenses, and identity theft from an elder or dependent adult.
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
Scammers are impersonating Amazon through spoofed phone calls and text messages claiming suspicious account activity, then using fabricated identity theft threats to pressure victims into transferring money from their bank and retirement accounts. The scam relies on psychological manipulation—creating urgency through false arrest threats and claims that someone opened fraudulent accounts using the victim's Social Security number. Victims should verify account issues directly through Amazon's website or app, never call back suspicious numbers, check their credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com, and remember that legitimate organizations will never demand secrecy or immediate money transfers.
cbsnews.com
The Federal Trade Commission identifies 10 common lies scammers use to defraud victims, including creating false urgency, isolating targets from trusted advisors, making arrest threats, and instructing victims to move money, buy gift cards or cryptocurrency, or withdraw cash. These tactics are increasingly sophisticated and sometimes aided by artificial intelligence, as exemplified by a recent $50,000 scam targeting a New York Magazine columnist. The FTC advises people to hang up, delete messages, and report suspicious contact to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
wcvb.com
This educational piece outlines five common tax scams affecting taxpayers, with $5.5 billion stolen in tax fraud last year. The scams include phishing emails and texts, imposters posing as IRS agents, fraudulent tax preparers, phishing attacks targeting tax preparation businesses, and "Offer in Compromise" schemes that falsely promise to settle IRS debts. The article provides protective measures for each scam type, such as verifying communications directly with companies, never clicking unsolicited links, using legitimate tax preparers with IRS credentials, and contacting the IRS directly regarding tax debts.
wfdd.org
The North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division received over 21,000 complaints in the past year, with scams being a major category. The top three scams in the Triad region included online purchase fraud (255 reports, ~$150,000 in losses), employment scams ($70,000 lost through fake job postings), and phishing schemes targeting personal and financial information via email, text, and phone. Police recommend caution with suspicious contacts and note that voluntarily sent funds to scammers are typically unrecoverable.
publicnewsservice.org
According to a recent Federal Trade Commission report, older adults in North Carolina and across the country lost $1.6 billion to scammers in the past year, with nearly half of those losses attributable to bogus investment schemes. Common tactics include impersonation scams initiated through text messages and AI-based schemes, which scammers use to build false relationships before requesting money or investments. Experts recommend that seniors and their financial caregivers monitor accounts for suspicious activity, report suspected fraud to their financial institution and police, use strong password practices, and stay informed through resources like the FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
arkansasbusiness.com
This opinion piece discusses the surprising vulnerability of intelligent people to sophisticated scams, using examples including a New York magazine columnist who lost $50,000 in a fake government agency scam and a Kansas bank CEO with 30 years of experience who fell victim to a "pig butchering" investment fraud scheme. The author argues that rather than assuming we are too smart to be scammed, we should approach such threats with humility and vigilance, and ensure our intelligent loved ones are similarly prepared to recognize sophisticated cons.
fox13seattle.com
A 74-year-old woman in Pierce County, Washington was targeted in a staged car accident scam where a man falsely claimed she hit his vehicle, showed her a fake mark on her bumper, and convinced her to let him inside her home. While the victim was distracted, the suspect stole $100 cash and her credit card from her purse, then attempted fraudulent purchases totaling at least $424. The Pierce County Sheriff's Office warns that this scam is becoming increasingly common and is deliberately targeting elderly victims.
wsmv.com
In 2023, Americans lost $10 billion to scams, with imposter scams being the leading fraud category at $2.7 billion in reported losses, followed by social media scams ($1.4 billion) and investment scams (with median losses rising to $7,700). Tennessee ranked 16th nationally for fraud reports, with email being the scammers' primary contact method and bank transfers and cryptocurrency the most common payment methods exploited.
irs.gov
Prince Oduro of Westerville was sentenced to 102 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering schemes spanning multiple years, including stealing bank customer information while employed at JPMorgan Chase Bank and operating online romance scams that defrauded victims of over $1.8 million. Oduro continued committing romance fraud even after his initial arrest, causing an additional $709,500 in losses, and was ordered to pay approximately $1.8 million in restitution. Victims were deceived by elaborate stories involving medical emergencies, military service, overseas construction projects, and inherited assets, with one victim alone losing $390,300.
yahoo.com
Scams in Colorado increased 34% year-over-year leading up to the April 15 tax deadline, with the FTC reporting that Coloradans lost $164 million to fraudsters in the previous year. Experts advise consumers not to respond to urgent money requests via messages and recommend freezing credit with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) to protect against identity theft, which can take years to recover from.
fox7austin.com
The Round Rock Police Department warned residents about scammers impersonating law enforcement officers and IRS representatives who contact victims via phone, email, or text to create urgency and extract personal or financial information using tactics like caller ID spoofing and threats of arrest. Police advised verifying caller identity through official agency numbers, never sharing personal information unsolicited, resisting intimidation tactics, and reporting suspected incidents to the Federal Trade Commission, while noting that legitimate government agencies never demand payment over the phone or via gift cards.
redhotcyber.com
Elena, a 35-year-old housewife, was targeted by a romance/advance-fee scam in which a fraudster posing as "Jean-Pierre," a terminally ill Italian-French man, promised her a $2.5 million inheritance donation. After she provided personal and banking information, a fake lawyer demanded a €5,000 upfront tax payment to release the funds, at which point Elena recognized the scam and reported it to police. The incident exposed her to potential identity theft and financial fraud, and authorities indicated she was one of many victims of this widespread international scheme.
siasat.com
A 43-year-old man in Hyderabad lost Rs 89.35 lakh in an investment scam after receiving a WhatsApp link promising high returns through online stock trading and IPOs. The fraudsters created fake trading accounts showing substantial profits, which motivated the victim to continue investing, but he was unable to withdraw any funds and was pressured for additional payments under various pretexts. The victim released a public video warning others to avoid suspicious investment offers on messaging platforms.