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in Scam Awareness
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial experts identify seven prevalent money scams targeting Gen Z, including phishing schemes, fake job offers, scholarship scams, online marketplace fraud, student loan forgiveness scams, and "get rich quick" investment schemes. Gen Z faces particular vulnerability due to their digital integration and inexperience with financial matters. Experts recommend verifying legitimacy of offers, avoiding unsolicited links, researching opportunities thoroughly, consulting certified financial advisors, and using strong passwords to protect against fraud.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
A security researcher discovered a massive smishing campaign impersonating the USPS to steal credit card information, tracking down a Chinese-language group operating 1,133 fraudulent domains that collected 438,669 unique credit cards and over 1.2 million pieces of personal information from U.S. victims. The researcher hacked into the scammers' systems, gathered evidence, and provided victim data to USPS investigators and banks to prevent fraudulent charges, though he estimates the actual scale of the operation is significantly larger as the same group has conducted similar scams in multiple countries. The campaign demonstrates the widespread nature of smishing fraud, with some fraudulent websites collecting thousands of victims' personal details
sixthtone.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated antique fraud scheme targeting China's elderly through livestream shopping channels has cost victims hundreds of thousands of yuan by promising high returns on counterfeit collectibles like coins, stamps, and pottery. One victim in Shandong province lost nearly 300,000 yuan ($42,000) since March after being persuaded by livestream hosts who guaranteed buyback programs and claimed items could resell for millions. The scams have proliferated on platforms like Kuaishou, damaged family relationships as victims hide purchases and resist loved ones' warnings, and created legal challenges for authorities to recover funds, though victim support groups and legal experts are advocating for stronger platform regulations.
reviewjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration legitimately notified recipients that accounts created before September 18, 2021 must migrate to Login.gov for continued access to online services. However, scammers may send fraudulent emails mimicking this notification with fake websites designed to steal personal information, so seniors should verify they're on the official ssa.gov or ssa.gov/myaccount before updating their accounts, and report suspicious emails to the SSA's fraud hotline at 800-269-0271.
wtap.com
· 2025-12-08
A consumer advocate from the West Virginia Attorney General's office visited the Vienna Senior and Wellness Center to provide seniors with education on scam prevention, elder abuse awareness, and general consumer protection issues. The advocate offers monthly visits on the second Thursday of each month to answer questions and help seniors address fraud concerns and other consumer protection matters.
transylvaniatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Transylvania County Library will host two free educational programs in partnership with Pisgah Legal Services to help seniors protect themselves from fraud and plan their legal affairs. On August 14, attorney Casey Steen will present "The Elder Fraud Industry: Spotting and Reporting Scams," addressing how scammers defraud seniors of billions annually and why older adults are particularly vulnerable. A second session on August 21 will cover estate planning topics including wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, with no registration required for either event.
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Fraud and Scam Summit in Huntsville, Alabama brought together experts from the Better Business Bureau and local police to educate seniors on protecting themselves from fraud and identity theft, following a 14 percent nationwide increase in elder fraud reports during 2023. Speakers emphasized that victims should immediately report scams to police and local authorities rather than remaining silent, as doing so helps prevent fraudsters from targeting additional seniors. The summit provided resources and practical tips designed to help older adults safeguard their finances and identities.
itweb.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Authorised payment fraud, including romance and investment scams, is increasing globally through sophisticated scam centres that generate billions in revenue annually, according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions' 2023 Cybercrime Report. Romance scams targeting lonely individuals generated £92.8 million in losses in London alone between 2022-2023, with fraudsters using money mule networks to quickly move stolen funds across multiple accounts before detection. These well-organized scam centres, often located in border regions of Southeast Asia and concealed as legitimate businesses, exploit instant payment systems and emerging technologies like generative AI to conduct fraud at scale.
hamlethub.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational event announcement rather than a news report about a specific scam or fraud case. Detective Victoria Ryan of the Ridgefield Police Department will present information to seniors on how to protect themselves from common scams including romance, grandparent, pop-up, phone, email, and text scams, as well as utility scams and local crimes such as mail theft and pickpocketing. The free hybrid event is scheduled for September 10, 2024, and will include information on reporting scams.
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
ANZ has launched a new scams awareness module within its MoneyMinded financial education program to help over 8,000 accredited coaches educate community members on identifying and preventing scams. The module covers multiple scam types including investment, romance, phishing, remote access, and employment scams through animations, coaching guides, and participant materials. ANZ's fraud prevention systems blocked over $100 million in fraudulent transactions in the 12 months to March 2024.
independent.com
· 2025-12-08
Kristina Perkins, Santa Barbara County's first female chief investigator, has taken over the Scam Squad podcast to combat rising internet fraud affecting the region's large elderly population. The podcast highlights common scams including pop-up fraud (which defrauded one victim of $200,000) and romance fraud, where scammers build fake relationships with older adults on social media before requesting money under false pretenses. Perkins emphasizes that anyone can be victimized and encourages reporting through the DA's scam hotline at (805) 568-2442.
theindependent.sg
· 2025-12-08
A Singapore-based commodity firm lost $42.3 million in a July 2024 Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam when fraudsters sent a spoofed email redirecting payment to a fake account in Timor-Leste. INTERPOL's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism recovered $39 million within one day and led to the recovery of an additional $2 million following the arrest of seven suspects, marking the largest-ever BEC fund recovery. The article also highlights related cybercrime enforcement actions, including the indictment of Cryptonator's founder for processing $1.4 billion in criminal proceeds through cryptocurrency
chinadaily.com.cn
· 2025-12-08
A woman in Daye, Hubei province lost nearly 280,000 yuan ($39,000) after receiving an unsolicited parcel containing laundry detergent with a QR code that led her to a fraudulent investment app called "FLYSONG." After being lured by promises of free gifts and small initial commissions, she was manipulated into making progressively larger payments totaling 278,967 yuan under the pretense of account repair fees and investment tasks. The case was reported to police and remains under investigation.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
An 88-year-old man in Dalton lost $10,000 in a "grandparents scam" where a caller posed as a lawyer claiming his grandson needed bail money, with a courier arriving at his home to collect cash; the scammer later demanded an additional $12,000, but the family alerted police who arrested the courier on attempted larceny charges. The Berkshire District Attorney's Office is educating residents on scam prevention, advising them to never give banking information or send money to unknown callers, to verify calls by requesting callback numbers and contacting family or police, and noting that official agencies never request money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency over the phone.
journalrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Fake tax scams impersonating IRS and other government agencies increasingly target older adults by using caller ID manipulation and creating false urgency to pressure victims into providing personal information or making payments via gift cards or wire transfers. Legitimate tax authorities initiate contact by mail, not phone or email, and victims can verify claims by calling the IRS directly at (800) 829-1040 or reporting scams to the Treasury Inspector General at (800) 366-4484. Those who have fallen victim to elder fraud can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at (833) 372-8311.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program educates Medicare beneficiaries on preventing health care fraud, with particular focus on medical identity theft schemes involving unauthorized use of names and Medicare numbers to bill for services or supplies. In 2023, the SMP program reached 1.2 million people through outreach events, assisted over 270,000 beneficiaries with fraud complaints, identified 26 emerging fraud schemes, and helped Medicare recoup over $111 million in fraudulent billings.
grundycountyherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder scams exploited advancing technology in 2023, with banks reporting over $27 billion in suspicious activity and FBI reports indicating average losses exceeding $33,000 per case. Common scams targeting seniors employ two main tactics: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). Experts recommend pausing when rushed, verifying identities through alternative contact channels, and consulting trusted contacts before making financial or romantic commitments to prevent fraud.
fortune.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder real estate fraud is rising with 1,500 Americans ages 60+ reporting $65 million in losses last year, while seniors overall lost over $1.6 billion to all scams. The fraud takes multiple forms—including deed theft, forged signatures, and exploitation of Power of Attorney—often perpetrated by trusted relatives or advisors, leaving victims to lose their homes and life savings. To combat this trend, state and federal governments must implement stronger legislation, consumer education, and enforcement mechanisms in collaboration with industry groups and Adult Protective Services.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
The PCMag security team covered highlights from the Black Hat cybersecurity conference in Las Vegas, featuring discussions on election security threats, cyberattacks exploiting Windows Update and EV chargers, and hackers using PR tactics to publicize crimes and pressure victims. Researchers also linked popular gambling websites to human trafficking via DNS analysis, and demonstrated how home routers can be tracked through positioning databases owned by major tech companies. These presentations highlighted emerging cybersecurity vulnerabilities across software, hardware, and IoT devices that require community vigilance and faster corporate response protocols.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A financial planner identifies four prevalent scams targeting baby boomers: government impersonation scams (which increased 32% last year), voice impersonation scams using AI technology to impersonate family members, phantom hacker scams where fraudsters pose as tech support to gain computer access and steal funds, and email phishing scams that have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. The FBI reported a 14% increase in complaints and 11% increase in losses from those over 60 in 2023, with boomers particularly vulnerable due to less digital experience and reliance on retirement income that may be targeted by scammers.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Facebook Marketplace hosts common scams including seller fraud (fake or non-existent listings), buyer fraud (posers with no intent to pay), verification code phishing, and payment/identity theft schemes. Users can protect themselves by verifying identities, meeting in person before payment, using secure payment methods like PayPal, never sharing verification codes or personal information, and reporting suspicious activity. The article emphasizes avoiding unusually low prices, unconventional payment methods, and requests to complete transactions outside Facebook's integrated tools.
knoxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with recent examples including attacks exploiting Microsoft365's "First Contact Safety Tip" feature through CSS manipulation and fake Amazon verification links embedded in Google Drawings graphics that steal personal information. These scams trick users into revealing passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data by impersonating legitimate companies. Victims should verify breach alerts, contact financial institutions to freeze accounts, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, monitor statements, and change all passwords immediately.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article Title:** Scott Hermann on AI-Powered Scams
This educational piece identifies the top AI-enabled scams targeting consumers, including deepfakes (AI-generated videos and images impersonating real people) and AI-generated voice phishing (realistic synthetic voices used in fraudulent calls). The article provides protective measures such as verifying unsolicited video calls through trusted channels, approaching shocking online content with skepticism, and being cautious of urgent messages demanding money or personal information.
thesnaponline.com
· 2025-12-08
This Better Business Bureau alert identifies seven scams targeting college students during the back-to-school season, including phishing emails impersonating school financial departments, fake credit card offers, fraudulent rental listings, identity theft, scholarship scams, online shopping scams, and test preparation blackmail schemes. The BBB recommends students verify offers through official sources, check credit reports regularly, view apartments in person before paying, and research companies on BBB.org before providing personal information or funds. College students should remain vigilant about sharing personal data online and monitor BBB's ScamTracker for reports of current fraud schemes.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Master Deputy Jeffery Merry Jr. of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received the AARP Florida Fraud Fighter Award for his extensive work protecting seniors from scams over the past nine years through community education, fraud prevention programming, and legislative advocacy. Merry collaborated on the "Protection of Specified Adults" bill, passed in March, which gives financial institutions tools to pause potentially fraudulent transactions for seniors, while also conducting fraud awareness presentations throughout Hillsborough County and providing community alerts. According to the FTC, Floridians lost $654 million to scams in 2023, with an average victim loss of $600 per incident.
midhudsonnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Dutchess County officials launched the "Don't Get Burned By Fraud" initiative to educate residents about scams targeting seniors and immigrants, particularly the grandparent scam where callers impersonate friends of grandchildren and claim an emergency requiring immediate wire transfers. County Comptroller Gregg Pulver, District Attorney Anthony Parisi, and Sheriff Kirk Imperati partnered to develop community forums and educational materials, noting that victims typically cannot recover lost money and that the DA's office will establish a Consumer Fraud Unit to investigate and prosecute fraud cases.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 1,500 Americans ages 60 and older reported losing $65 million to real estate scams last year, with overall elder fraud losses exceeding $1.6 billion across all scam types—a problem exacerbated by an aging population and AI-enhanced scammer tactics. Elder real estate fraud and financial exploitation often involve document forgery, coercion, or misuse of power of attorney, frequently perpetrated by trusted relatives or advisors, leaving victims losing life savings, retirement funds, and homes. Industry and advocacy groups are calling for coordinated state and federal government action, combined with private sector collaboration, to implement legislative, educational, and enforcement measures to combat this rising threat.
cloverdalereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be a website's navigation menu and homepage layout rather than an actual article about fraud, scams, or elder abuse. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide the full text of an article or transcript that discusses a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case.
gvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans 60 and over lost $3.4 billion to scammers in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year, with wire transfer scams being the most common type reported among nearly 114,000 elderly fraud complaints to the FBI. The top five elder fraud types included personal data breaches, confidence scams, romance scams, non-payment/non-delivery scams, and investment scams, with specific cases highlighting victims losing tens of thousands of dollars through computer pop-ups and social engineering tactics. Banks and law enforcement recommend verifying caller identities, questioning unusual account activity, refusing to wire money, and avoiding clicking links or calling numbers in uns
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies 11 common Instagram scams in 2024, with a focus on fake brand accounts and fake follower schemes. The FTC reported that $2.7 billion was lost to social media scams between 2021 and mid-2023, with online shopping scams comprising 44% of fraud reports; scammers use imposter accounts for luxury brands like Gucci and Nike to sell counterfeit goods or steal funds. The article advises users to verify accounts are officially verified, check URLs carefully, and avoid purchasing from sellers offering unrealistic discounts or unusual payment methods, while also warning against buying fake followers or likes as it violates Instagram's terms and harms
vpd.ca
· 2025-12-08
Vancouver Police warned the Chinese community about three scams that defrauded victims of nearly $6 million since January of that year, with 26 reported cases under investigation. The scams included impersonation of Chinese police officers demanding payment to Hong Kong banks, "blessing scams" targeting elderly victims through spiritual manipulation to extract cash and jewelry, and fake job postings in traditional Chinese that escalate into romance or investment schemes. Police urged community members to alert vulnerable family and friends and report suspected fraud to the VPD non-emergency line.
vancouversun.com
· 2025-12-08
Vancouver police are investigating 26 reports of three distinct scams targeting the Chinese Canadian community, resulting in nearly $6 million in losses since January. The scams include: impersonation of Chinese police officers demanding payment to Hong Kong to resolve fake legal troubles, "blessing scams" preying on elderly victims' spiritual beliefs through threats of misfortune unless they surrender cash or jewelry, and fake job postings in traditional Chinese that escalate into romance or investment schemes. Police urge community members to warn vulnerable friends and family and report suspected scam contact to Vancouver police.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse suitable for summarization in the Elderus database. "Orchids and Onions" is an opinion column that celebrates local achievements and criticizes various issues in a community. While one brief section mentions elder fraud statistics, it is not the focus of the piece and contains no specific incident, victim information, or detailed scam details relevant to elder fraud research.
antiochherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services (CCSLS), a nonprofit providing free legal aid to seniors 60+ for over 40 years, hosted a Summer Soirée & Symposium fundraiser on August 22nd featuring panel discussions on aging, entertainment, and refreshments. The organization presented the inaugural Elder Justice Award to Judge Virginia George in recognition of her advocacy for elder law and older adults' rights in the county. CCSLS assists over 1,000 seniors annually with legal issues including preventing evictions, combating elder abuse and fraud, and estate planning.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
The Boynton Beach Police Department reported a rise in pickpocket distraction scams targeting elderly residents, primarily at store checkout points. Scammers place money on the floor to distract victims while stealing their credit or debit cards. Police advise the public to remain vigilant and keep payment cards secured and attended at all times.
abc12.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Davison, Michigan man lost nearly $130,000 in a sweepstakes scam that exploited his long-term relationship with Publishers Clearing House. Scammers contacted him claiming he had won $2.5 million and instructed him to wire over $58,000 to cover processing fees, then continued demanding additional payments and fraudulently obtained a loan against his checking account when funds ran low. The victim's family is warning others about the scheme and notes that similar issues persist despite the FTC's 2023 settlement requiring Publishers Clearing House to pay $18.5 million to defrauded consumers.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and other major banks over their handling of fraud and scams on the Zelle instant payments platform. A Senate subcommittee found that these three banks reimbursed victims only 38% of the time in 2023 (down from 62% in 2019) and collectively refused to reimburse $880 million in disputed transactions between 2021-2023, though Zelle began requiring selective reimbursements in certain scam scenarios over the summer.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
McAfee research reveals a 380% increase in suspicious links targeting back-to-school shoppers this year. The advisory recommends consumers shop only at legitimate retailers with HTTPS security, avoid deals on social media and unsolicited messages, and use caution when sharing personal information online or shopping on public Wi-Fi.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminal scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities online, creating realistic videos and fake social media profiles to defraud fans through fraudulent investment opportunities, product endorsements, and ticket sales. Consumers should be skeptical of any personal connection or financial opportunity presented by celebrities on social media, as these are likely scams. AARP recommends reporting suspected scams to the Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360 or visiting aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
deccanchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Medical experts at INASL 2024 in Kochi warned against fraudulent liver detox products and social media remedies, emphasizing that the liver naturally detoxifies itself and that lifestyle changes—such as avoiding alcohol, maintaining healthy weight, controlling sugar intake, and exercising—are the evidence-based approach to liver health. The convention debunked claims about homemade detox recipes circulating on social media as ineffective, with Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan specifically highlighting that such "detox scams" lack scientific validity.
caixinglobal.com
· 2025-12-08
A livestream shopping scam targeting elderly Chinese citizens has defrauded victims of substantial sums by selling counterfeit antiques and collectibles with false promises of high returns and buyback guarantees. Kou Shoule, a senior in Shandong province, lost nearly 300,000 yuan ($42,000) since March on fake antique livestreams, and despite his daughter's intervention efforts, he refused to cooperate with authorities to recover losses, damaging their family relationship. The scam operates on platforms like Kuaishou using dramatic narratives and manipulative language to exploit older users, with scammers continuously creating new accounts to evade detection while platforms face criticism for
etvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational piece advising seniors on a legitimate Social Security Administration email notifying users to migrate old "my Social Security" accounts created before September 18, 2021 to new Login.gov accounts for improved security and simpler access. The article warns readers to verify they are visiting the official SSA website (ssa.gov) rather than fraudulent scam sites mimicking the legitimate portal, and provides the SSA's fraud hotline (800-269-0271) for reporting suspicious emails or links.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Since the beginning of 2024, Vancouver police have opened 26 files related to three separate scams targeting the local Chinese community, with victims losing a total of $6 million. The scams involve: strangers exploiting spiritual beliefs to extort cash and jewelry; fraudsters impersonating Chinese police officers via spoofed phone calls and directing victims to send money to Hong Kong; and fake job postings in traditional Chinese that pivot to romance or investment schemes. Police suspect many more victims have not yet come forward and are urging community members to report incidents and warn vulnerable friends and family members.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Since January 2024, scammers have defrauded Vancouver's Chinese Canadian community of nearly $6 million through three primary schemes: impersonating Chinese police officers to redirect victims to Hong Kong banks, exploiting spiritual beliefs to extort cash and jewelry from elderly victims, and recruiting victims via fake job postings before switching to romance or investment scams. The Vancouver Police Department is investigating 26 cases and expects more victims to come forward, with community leaders noting that seniors and newcomers face heightened vulnerability due to language and cultural barriers.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Vancouver police are investigating 26 cases of scams targeting the Chinese Canadian community that have netted scammers nearly $6 million since the start of the year, with authorities believing more victims have yet to come forward. Three primary scam types are being used: spoofed calls impersonating Chinese police demanding money transfers to Hong Kong, "blessing scams" exploiting spiritual beliefs to extort cash and jewelry from victims (especially elderly), and fake job postings that pivot to romance or investment scams once victims engage. Vulnerable populations including seniors and newcomers are particularly susceptible due to cultural and language barriers, and police are urging community members to report incidents and warn family and friends.
wild941.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranks as the 47th safest state for online dating, according to a PrivacyJournal.net study analyzing romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. The state ranks second-worst nationally for both identity theft and fraud, and seventh-worst for romance scams, though it performs better on violent crime and sex offender statistics. The study identifies Nevada as the most dangerous state and Vermont as the safest, recommending that online daters take common sense precautions regardless of location.
lokmattimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old woman in Mumbai lost Rs 44 lakh (approximately $5,280 USD) in an online share trading scam after responding to a Facebook advertisement and being directed through multiple WhatsApp groups by scammers posing as investment facilitators. The fraudsters used a fake trading app called Jambin and promised guaranteed 100% profits, eventually demanding an additional 30% deposit before allowing any withdrawals. The woman filed a First Information Report with the Central Cyber Police Station after discovering the scam when she attempted to withdraw funds in June 2024.
rawstory.com
· 2025-12-08
Donald Trump's political campaign reported being compromised through a phishing email scam, resulting in internal campaign documents, including a dossier on running mate J.D. Vance, being sent to Politico by an anonymous individual. The campaign blamed "foreign sources" for the breach, though the incident drew widespread mockery and skepticism on social media, with observers questioning the campaign's cybersecurity practices and credibility.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old national serviceman's suicide in 2021 after losing $10,000 to a scam prompted Singapore's Government Technology Agency (GovTech) to intensify anti-scam efforts. GovTech's Scam Analytics and Tactical Intervention System (Satis) has taken down over 42,000 scam websites since July 2023, including fraudulent sites impersonating government agencies, banks, and concert ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster, which victimized at least 2,000 people of $1 million from January to May alone. GovTech warns that scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence an
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
A Connecticut resident lost over $68,000 in a phishing scam involving unsolicited cryptocurrency token offers in April, but state police recovered more than $60,000 using blockchain analytics to trace the stolen funds to the suspect's wallet. The investigation identified multiple victims across the country in this ongoing scheme. Connecticut State Police advise residents to avoid unsolicited investment offers and never share personal or financial information with unknown contacts via text, phone, email, or social media.