Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,397 results
in Robocall / Phone Scam
▶ VIDEO
ABC News
· 2025-10-09
An 85-year-old woman, Fran Bates, lost tens of thousands of dollars of her life savings to a cryptocurrency scam over two days when a scammer convinced her that her bank account had been hacked and instructed her to deposit money into a Bitcoin ATM for safety. The scam was caught on camera at the ATM, where the victim deposited at least $23,000 before intervention occurred, highlighting how sophisticated criminal networks are increasingly exploiting Bitcoin ATMs—of which over 45,000 operate across the country—to defraud Americans.
▶ VIDEO
Good Morning America
· 2025-10-09
An 85-year-old woman named Fran Bates was scammed over two days by criminals who convinced her that her bank account had been hacked and persuaded her to deposit tens of thousands of dollars of her life savings into a Bitcoin ATM for "safety." This scam is part of a larger trend in which sophisticated criminal networks are increasingly exploiting the over 45,000 Bitcoin ATMs across the country to separate Americans from their money.
▶ VIDEO
CBC News
· 2025-10-10
**Scam Type:** Romance/Investment Fraud
**Victim:** Marcel Desan (Ontario, Canada)
**Perpetrator:** Mariam Chan (operating under fake identity "Mary")
**Amount Lost:** $3,500
A scammer using a fake identity and stolen photos defrauded Marcel Desan of $3,500 through an online romance scheme. When Desan discovered the fraud and confronted the perpetrator (identified as Mariam Chan on social media), recorded calls captured the scammer's abusive responses and threats. The investigation traced the stolen funds being used by the fraudster to finance a lavish lifestyle while the
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
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.
lafocusnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported nationwide fraud losses reached an all-time high of $10 billion—14% more than 2022—driven primarily by larger per-victim losses rather than increased report volume, with a median loss of $500 per consumer. The top scam categories were imposter schemes (particularly business and government imposters), online shopping fraud, prizes/lotteries, investment fraud, and job opportunities, with investment scams generating the highest total losses at $4.6 billion despite being ranked fourth in frequency. The FTC warned that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence for voice cloning and deepfakes to impersonate trusted contacts, and advised consumers to be
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.
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.
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.
ktre.com
· 2025-12-08
Homeland Security Investigations raised awareness about the growing threat of romance scams, which targeted approximately 70,000 victims in the U.S. in 2023, with 90% being adults over 60. Scammers typically initiate contact online, build trust over 1-3 months, then request money, often operating from overseas locations where law enforcement has limited recourse. The agency recommends protecting personal information, verifying identities through image searches, and reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement.
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
cbs2iowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Steve Deines of Marion, Iowa lost thousands of dollars to overseas scammers who used phone harassment and pressure tactics to convince him to send money via gift cards and grant remote computer access. Local police emphasize that recovered funds are virtually impossible once transferred overseas, and they stress public education as the best prevention, advising people to avoid paying anyone with gift cards, ignore scare tactics and urgency demands, and verify requests through trusted contacts before taking action.
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.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
In October, the author—a financially literate journalist and New York Times columnist—fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam that cost her $50,000 in savings. After an initial fraudulent Amazon customer service call, she was transferred to a scammer posing as a federal agent who claimed her identity had been compromised and her home was being monitored, pressuring her to withdraw cash and leave it on the street in a shoebox without telling anyone. The article challenges common stereotypes about scam victims, noting that younger adults are actually 34% more likely to report fraud losses than seniors, and that intelligence, education, and financial literacy provide no protection against sophisticated psychological manipulation tactics.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a fraud alert after scammers sent phishing emails impersonating her, claiming to help recipients whose tax refunds were being stolen but actually attempting to collect personal information. The fraudulent emails, sent from fake Gmail accounts with broken English and poor grammar, falsely claimed to address tax refund complaints and asked recipients for sensitive details. Nessel reminded consumers that government agencies do not collect federal tax debt via email or phone, and the IRS never demands immediate payment, threatens arrest, or requests personal information electronically.
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.
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.
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.
staysafeonline.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common election-related scams and fraud tactics targeting voters, including phishing emails impersonating campaigns or election authorities, spoofed government websites designed to steal data or collect fraudulent donations, voter suppression schemes spreading misinformation about polling locations and voting dates, fake voter registration drives collecting personal information, and robocalls spreading false election information or soliciting unauthorized donations. The article provides protective measures such as verifying sender legitimacy, using only official government websites with secure connections, consulting federal resources for voter registration and election information, and reporting suspicious activities to election authorities.
statescoop.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission finalized a rule prohibiting the use of artificial intelligence to impersonate governments and businesses, giving the agency stronger enforcement tools including the ability to directly file federal court cases and force scammers to return fraudulently obtained money. The FTC simultaneously proposed extending this rule to cover AI impersonation of individuals, citing the rising threat of voice cloning and deepfake scams being deployed at scale to defraud consumers. The new government and business impersonation rule takes effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scam victims lost over $10 billion—a 14% increase from 2022 and a new record—with the FTC receiving 2.6 million fraud reports where one in four people lost money (median loss of $500). Investment scams caused the largest losses at $4.6 billion (21% increase), followed by imposter scams at $2.7 billion, with the FTC advising consumers never to share private information with unsolicited callers and to be skeptical of unrealistic financial promises.
ncdoj.gov
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams, where criminals pose as government agencies, law enforcement, or companies to threaten victims with arrest or legal consequences, cost Americans $2.7 billion last year. The article provides protective measures against these scams, emphasizing that legitimate government officials never contact people via phone or text demanding money or personal information, and warns that requests for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are clear red flags indicating fraud.
kens5.com
· 2025-12-08
Business impersonation scams have surged since the pandemic, with scammers creating fake customer service numbers that appear at the top of Google search results, costing consumers $670 million in reported losses between 2022-2023 (a 48% increase). The author's 90-year-old mother nearly became a victim when the author called what they thought was her cable provider's legitimate customer service number found through Google and provided a credit card number to a scammer posing as a representative. To protect yourself, go directly to a company's official website to find verified contact information rather than relying on internet search results, and report any fraud to your bank, the FTC, the BBB
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned of rising "sugar dating" scams on Valentine's Day 2024, in which scammers pose as wealthy individuals on dating sites and social media to target younger people with financial difficulties, promising money in exchange for calls, photos, or dates. Victims of these romance scams may lose hundreds or thousands of dollars and experience significant emotional harm alongside financial loss. The BBB recommends six safety measures including meeting in public, vetting profiles, maintaining separate dating and social media accounts, and avoiding dependence on sugar dating as primary income.
ntd.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned Americans to exercise caution when scanning QR codes, as cybercriminals tamper with them to steal login credentials, financial information, and device access through malware. Scammers use malicious QR codes to direct victims to fake websites, redirect payments, or compromise personal devices, with no guarantee of fund recovery once stolen. The FBI recommends verifying URLs after scanning, checking for physical tampering on codes, avoiding app downloads via QR codes, and manually entering trusted URLs for payments instead of scanning unfamiliar codes.
whec.com
· 2025-12-08
A consumer investigation found that Google search results for "keto gummies" were heavily infiltrated with scam ads and fraudulent content, including fake articles attributed to non-existent doctors (actually stock photo models), fake endorsements from "Shark Tank" and legitimate organizations like the American Heart Association and University of Pittsburgh, and websites registered through privacy services with addresses in Iceland. Despite Google's stated policies against scam ads and removal of billions of violating ads annually, scammers quickly replaced removed ads with new ones, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish legitimate information from fraud in search results.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
A freelance finance writer fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in which scammers posing as an Amazon employee, FTC official, and CIA agent convinced her to withdraw and hand over $50,000 in cash to a stranger, using threats of arrest warrants and asset freezes to manipulate her into isolation and compliance. Security experts note that professional scammers use sophisticated social engineering tactics—including fear for family safety, appeals to emotion, and knowledge of personal details like Social Security numbers—to override victims' skepticism, and that anyone, regardless of sophistication, can be targeted by such schemes.
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.
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.
abc13.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are using AI-generated images and deepfake videos to defraud vulnerable victims seeking online relationships, with one man losing nearly $60,000 after being convinced to make an investment by a fake AI woman. Experts recommend detecting AI-generated scammers by asking personalized follow-up questions, looking for unnaturally smooth speech patterns, paying attention to inconsistencies in appearance (too-perfect skin, looping backgrounds), and noting reluctance to engage in real-time video calls or off-the-cuff conversations. If suspicions arise, victims should disengage gradually using vague language rather than directly calling out the scammer, to avoid providing feedback that could help frau
theautopian.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to a sophisticated phone scam in which callers impersonated Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and the CIA, using personal information to convince her to withdraw cash and hand it to an undercover "CIA agent." The scammers obtained her Social Security number and family details, and instructed her not to tell anyone, ultimately leading her to place $50,000 in a shoebox and hand it through a car window. Cowles publicly shared her experience to raise awareness about how scams can target anyone, regardless of financial literacy or expertise, and to help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams are rising sharply, with people losing $2.7 billion to this fraud type in 2022 (up 14% overall from the previous year), as exemplified by financial columnist Charlotte Cowles who was scammed out of $50,000 by imposters posing as Amazon and CIA officials. The FTC has proposed new protections against impersonation fraud and warned that AI-generated deepfakes are making these scams increasingly sophisticated and convincing. Consumers are advised to monitor accounts regularly, never confirm personal information over unsolicited calls, and report suspected scams to the FTC.
dailydot.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman fell victim to a jury duty scam in which a caller impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed she had missed jury duty and owed $750 in fines ($375 per misdemeanor), threatening arrest if she didn't pay immediately by phone. The victim stayed on the line for three hours while the scammer answered all her verification questions using information about a real local police station, ultimately pressuring her into nearly paying before she recognized the fraud. Court officials warn that legitimate jury summonses are sent only by U.S. Mail and courts never demand payment by phone, credit card, or wire transfer.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A New York Magazine personal finance writer fell victim to a phone scam in which she was deceived into believing she was speaking with the FBI and was a victim of identity fraud, ultimately withdrawing $50,000 in cash, placing it in a shoebox, and handing it to a stranger. The scam demonstrates how sophisticated fraud schemes can deceive even knowledgeable individuals about financial matters, and the incident generated significant social media discussion about the vulnerability of smart people to well-crafted scams.
menafn.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore recorded over 46,000 scam cases in 2023, resulting in losses of 651.8 million Singapore dollars (approximately 484 million U.S. dollars), a slight decrease from 2022. The most prevalent scam types were job scams, e-commerce scams, fake friend call scams, phishing scams, and investment scams. Police conducted 24 enforcement activities that led to the investigation of more than 9,600 money mules and scam suspects.
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.
ago.mo.gov
· 2025-12-08
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a tax season fraud warning, advising residents to protect their personal information from scammers posing as the IRS through unsolicited calls, emails, and phishing schemes. The advisory emphasizes that the IRS never initiates contact via phone or email requesting personal data, and recommends filing taxes early, using credentialed preparers, and securely handling sensitive information to prevent identity theft. Consumers who believe they are victims of scams can contact the Missouri Attorney General's consumer hotline at 800-392-8222 or ago.mo.gov.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a February 2024 awareness advisory warning residents about romance scams and various other fraud schemes, noting that scammers manipulate victims into believing they're in committed relationships to steal money and that criminal tactics evolve constantly. The advisory identified eight common scam types including text phishing, online employment fraud, tech support scams, and impersonation schemes (involving fake tax, utility, warrant, and arrest claims), and advised victims of financial fraud to immediately report incidents to their financial institutions and request new accounts.
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.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, approximately 1,899 Android malware scams affected Singaporean victims, resulting in losses of at least S$34.1 million (average S$17,960 per victim). The majority of victims were aged 30-49 and were targeted on Facebook and Instagram through fake service advertisements that prompted them to download malicious apps, which then compromised their banking credentials and enabled unauthorized fund transfers, including CPF savings withdrawals. After authorities and banks implemented anti-malware measures starting in August 2023, cases declined significantly from 933 in Q3 to 279 in Q4.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scam cases in Singapore surged 49.6 percent to 50,376 total cases, with Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram identified as the primary platforms used by scammers to contact victims. Job scams became the most prevalent type with 9,914 cases (up 52.7 percent from 2022), followed by investment scams, while adults aged 30-49 represented the largest victim demographic; notably, despite increased case numbers, total losses decreased slightly to S$651.8 million (down 1.3 percent) and average loss per case dropped 32.8 percent to S$13,999.
kttn.com
· 2025-12-08
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey issued a warning to residents about tax season scams, advising vigilance against fraudsters attempting to steal personal information, particularly Social Security numbers. The advisory highlights that scammers impersonate the IRS through fake phone calls and phishing emails, and recommends consumers file taxes early, use reputable preparers, protect sensitive documents, and verify credentials to prevent identity theft. Those who suspect fraud can contact the Missouri Attorney General's consumer hotline at 800-392-8222 or visit the office's website for assistance.