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in Government Impersonation
eyeonannapolis.net
· 2025-12-08
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warns of increasingly sophisticated imposter scams that use AI-generated voices to mimic trusted figures such as government officials, banks, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening legal action, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams, which typically involve unsolicited contact, urgency tactics, requests for sensitive data, or payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Consumers can protect themselves by hanging up on suspicious calls, independently verifying caller identity through official contact numbers, never sharing personal information, and reporting suspected scams to the Attorney General, FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network,
themonroetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scam reports to the Better Business Bureau nearly doubled in 2023, reaching over 9,000 reports—a record high—with scammers increasingly using text-based (SMS) phishing tactics alongside traditional email and phone-based methods to trick victims into sharing personal information or downloading malicious software. The BBB documented phishing techniques used across multiple scam types including government impersonation, tech support fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes, with victims losing billions of dollars over the past three years. Common red flags include urgent language, requests to confirm financial information, suspicious login alerts, and messages impersonating authority figures or well-known companies.
clareherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Irish police issued a warning about evolving fraud tactics following recent incidents in Clare, including CEO fraud where an employee received a fraudulent email appearing to be from their supervisor requesting voucher purchases, and phone fraud where a victim provided security codes to someone posing as a financial institution representative, resulting in account theft. Police recommend companies implement employee training, clear verification procedures, and mandatory additional confirmation methods such as direct phone calls to senior management to prevent these scams.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A woman named Tracy Hall lost $317,000 to her boyfriend of nearly two years, who she knew as "Max Tavita" but was actually conman Hamish McLaren, after he convinced her to withdraw her savings, superannuation, and shares to establish a self-managed super fund that he secretly diverted to himself. McLaren was arrested in July 2017 and was later revealed to have defrauded over $7 million from 15 victims using relationship-building tactics, false credentials, and financial manipulation. Hall subsequently wrote a book detailing her experience to warn others about romance scam warning signs, including lack of social media presence, resistance to identification verification, and uns
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kolkata resident who fell victim to sextortion via Skype in January—where scammers posed as police after obtaining a compromising screenshot—transferred Rs 10 lakh to the fraudsters before police recovered the stolen funds five months later. Though the money was traced and accounts were frozen, the investigation to identify and arrest the perpetrators remains ongoing.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $10 billion to scams last year, with organized criminal networks operating from India and Nigeria using US "cash mules" to launder money through untraceable Bitcoin accounts. Seniors with landlines are particularly targeted through various schemes including romance scams (with victims losing up to $2.5 million), fake emergency calls from supposed grandchildren, phishing emails, suspicious text messages, and fake billing notifications. The article advises never sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, texts, or emails, and recommends blocking suspicious contacts, verifying charges directly with banks, and reporting fraud to email service abuse addresses.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Research found that travelers aged 18-35 are nearly 20 times more likely to fall victim to holiday scams than those over 55, with 35% of younger travelers reporting scams compared to only 2% of older travelers in the past year. Common holiday scams include booking fraud, social media promotions, ATM skimming, fake pre-paid card schemes, and fraudulent activities. However, experts warn that 22% of older travelers are not taking protective measures, leaving them vulnerable as scams become more sophisticated.
dailymontanan.com
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, stole over $700,000 from her elderly mother while serving as her primary caretaker through forged checks, identity theft, and intercepting bank statements, forcing her mother to sell her home and enter assisted living. Lewis-Stella pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to four years in prison; she also misused her deceased father's credit cards and stole a life insurance check, spending the stolen funds on personal expenses including travel, clothing, and cosmetic procedures. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals dependent on family caregivers and was noted as particularly eg
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for forging approximately 70 checks and stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella also stole other assets including a silver bar, used her deceased father's credit cards, and forged a life insurance check, concealing her crimes by impersonating her mother to banks and intercepting statements. The theft forced her mother to sell her home and move into assisted living, and Lewis-Stella was ordered to pay $725,145 in restitution
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud victims, particularly older adults, face a "double whammy" of financial losses when they liquidate retirement accounts to pay scammers, as they incur both the theft and unexpected IRS tax liabilities on the withdrawn funds. In the past year, 880,418 fraud complaints reported losses exceeding $12.5 billion, with current tax law treating stolen funds as taxable income rather than deductible losses. Lawmakers and advocacy groups like AARP are pushing for legislative changes to allow defrauded taxpayers greater tax deductions, and experts urge brokers and banks to better screen for unusual withdrawal requests that may indicate scam activity.
kulr8.com
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella forged approximately 70 checks, impersonated her mother to banks, intercepted statements, and also stole jewelry and misused her deceased father's credit cards to fund personal expenses including travel, cosmetic procedures, and shopping. The victim was forced to sell her home and move into an assisted living facility after the thefts were discovered, and Lewis-
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, partnering with federal law enforcement agencies, conducted outreach events at senior centers in advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) to educate older adults about financial fraud and elder abuse. The outreach highlighted prevalent scams targeting seniors including government imposter schemes, tech support fraud, romance scams, grandparent scams, and lottery schemes, while emphasizing that elder abuse remains often overlooked and underreported.
fncu.org
· 2025-12-08
Spoofed websites are fraudulent sites mimicking legitimate ones to steal personal information, financial details, and payment credentials from unsuspecting users. Key risks include identity theft, financial loss, and malware infection; these fake sites appear through social media ads, search results, and phishing emails. To stay safe, verify URLs for correct spelling and "https://", check for contact information, and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Joe John, an Ontario business owner and TD Bank customer, lost $38,300 after checks from his account were duplicated and fraudulently deposited through a mobile account in September 2023. Although the bank initially withdrew $60,800 and launched an investigation, it refunded only two of eight fraudulent checks and refused to reimburse the remaining amount, citing a 48-hour reporting deadline that John claims he was not aware of. The unresolved fraud has forced John to consider shutting down his business.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Digital payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal are increasingly targeted by scammers, with customers at three banks losing over $870 million to Zelle fraud since 2017. Common scams include cash flipping schemes, phishing attacks, fake item sales, counterfeit tickets, software update tricks, and rental deposit frauds—all designed to trick users into sending irretrievable payments to criminals. To protect yourself, never click links from unsolicited emails, avoid paying sight unseen, use official app stores for updates, and verify requests directly through the payment app's customer service.
elkhornmediagroup.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Portland Division reported an increase in government impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as FBI or other federal agents and demand payment via cash, gold, or courier pickups, using intimidation tactics and threatening arrest. In 2023, 14,190 people nationally reported being victims of these scams with losses exceeding $394 million, with the Portland Division alone losing $1.7 million; adults over 60 accounted for 40% of victims but suffered 58% of national losses, with some experiencing home foreclosures, emptied retirement accounts, and suicides due to financial devastation. The FBI advises that legitimate federal agencies never call demanding money or threatening arrest, an
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** New York Department of State Warns of Elder Fraud Epidemic
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud following the FBI's 2023 report showing that scams targeting adults over 60 resulted in $3.4 billion in losses (an 11% increase from 2022), with the average victim losing $33,915. The advisory describes eight common scams affecting older adults—including medical device, grandparent, ghosting, jury duty, funeral notification, sweepstakes, IRS imposter, and free grant scams—and provides prevention tips such as resisting immediate action, verifying caller identity, an
troyrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
New York's Department of State Division of Consumer Protection released guidance on scams targeting older adults, noting that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, with the average victim losing $33,915. The advisory outlines common scams including medical device, grandparent, jury duty, funeral notification, and IRS imposter schemes, and recommends that seniors hang up on unrecognizable numbers, avoid unsolicited links, and verify requests through trusted phone numbers. Officials emphasized that elder abuse is widely underreported and urged anyone suspecting abuse to contact the New York State Adult Services Helpline at 1-844-697-3505.
messenger-inquirer.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP's Scam Prevention Guide addresses the growing threat of fraud targeting seniors through increasingly sophisticated schemes including fake pop-up warnings, romance scams on social media, grandparent scams involving multiple perpetrators, home repair fraud, and impersonation of government agencies like the IRS. The guide emphasizes that seniors are vulnerable to these scams because scammers exploit emotions like fear, loneliness, and the desire to help family members, with perpetrators using personal information and legitimate-sounding tactics to build trust. Protection strategies include not answering calls from unknown numbers, verifying social media profiles before accepting requests, and remembering that legitimate agencies like the IRS contact people by mail, not phone
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Two emerging scams exploit people's willingness to help others: the "borrow your phone" scam, where strangers ask to use your phone and secretly transfer money from payment apps to their accounts (stealing $150-$200 or more), and the "accidental deposit" scam, where scammers claim they mistakenly sent you money via Venmo and request you send it back, potentially involving fraudulent transactions. Experts recommend never handing phones to strangers and verifying overpayment claims directly with payment app customer support rather than trusting unsolicited requests.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a public service announcement warning of a surge in fraudulent work-from-home scams that pose as legitimate job opportunities, luring victims with promises of easy tasks and using tactics like impersonating reputable companies, requesting cryptocurrency payments, and displaying fake earnings on phony interfaces. Red flags include unsolicited job offers with simplistic descriptions, demands for upfront cryptocurrency payments, and no reference checks, while the FBI advises people to avoid sending money to unfamiliar entities and protect personal financial information. Experts emphasize trusting one's instincts about suspicious job offers and recognizing warning signs like confusing payment structures, particularly as remote work becomes more normalized.
caswellmessenger.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey warned residents about door-to-door scammers impersonating N.C. Department of Insurance agents to sell fake insurance policies. At least two recent incidents were reported, marking the fourth occurrence since 2020, with fraudsters sometimes presenting fake business cards bearing the department's logo. The department clarified that it does not sell insurance and urged consumers to report such impersonation attempts to law enforcement.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Summer months see an increase in fraud targeting popular activities, with young adults ages 18-24 particularly vulnerable to scams involving fake concert tickets, vacation rentals, and travel websites. Common schemes include fraudsters offering discounted tickets through fake sites, spoofed travel websites requesting payment via gift cards or wire transfers, and fake vacation rental listings on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. To protect themselves, consumers should verify website authenticity, book directly from official providers, use credit cards instead of peer-to-peer payment apps, and exercise caution with QR codes.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Portland Division reported an increase in scammers impersonating federal agents and government officials to extort cash and gold from victims, with couriers collecting payments directly from homes. Seniors over 60 are the primary targets, and in 2023, government impersonation scams resulted in over 14,190 victim reports nationally with losses exceeding $394 million, including $1.7 million in Oregon alone. The FBI emphasized that legitimate federal agencies never call or email threatening arrest or demanding money, and encouraged victims to report suspicious contacts to local law enforcement and the IC3 at ic3.gov.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints are rising significantly, with the FBI reporting 101,000 victims who lost $3.4 billion in 2023, though AARP estimates actual losses exceed $28 billion annually due to underreporting driven by victim shame and embarrassment. Common scams targeting seniors include AI voice cloning, romance scams, tech support fraud, impersonations of banks and government agencies, and investment schemes. Key protective measures include establishing code words with family to verify identity, never sending money to unknown contacts, ignoring unsolicited pop-up and email messages, hanging up and calling back known numbers to verify callers, and remembering that legitimate government agencies contact by mail rather than
purplesneakers.tv
· 2025-12-08
This article documents scams targeting musicians by fraudulent PR representatives who take upfront fees ($800-$8,000) without delivering promised services, then disappear with no accountability or evidence of work performed. The scammers exploit artists' insecurities and lack of industry knowledge, often discouraging them from seeking legitimate representation and causing some to abandon music careers entirely. The article provides guidance on vetting PR representatives by asking specific questions about their client load, their genuine interest in the artist's work, their pitch strategy, and requesting references from recent clients.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with Age-Friendly Mecklenburg and AARP-Charlotte, hosted a Walk for Awareness event on June 15, 2024, to highlight World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and increase community recognition of elder exploitation, neglect, and abuse. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from online fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, and romance scams being particularly prevalent threats to older adults.
gobankingrates.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines 11 common scams expected in 2025 and protective measures for consumers. Key scams include AI-powered fraud (voice cloning, deepfakes, phishing, and fake job postings), check fraud through digital alteration, debt relief scams, and fake package delivery schemes, with seniors particularly targeted through "grandparent scams." The article advises consumers to verify identities before sharing information, use secure payment methods instead of checks, contact legitimate financial institutions directly, and remain vigilant as scammers use advancing technology to make frauds harder to detect.
wbiw.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud incidents rose 14% in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing over $724 million to scams in 2022—more than all other age groups combined. The article identifies five prevalent fraud types targeting seniors: impersonation scams (using AI voice technology), robocalls and phishing, the grandparent scam, sweepstakes scams (costing victims nearly $70 million in 2022), and investment/charity scams (causing $1.2 billion in losses in 2023). Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through alternative channels, hanging up on suspicious calls, confirming situations with family members, and researching
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection issued guidance on elder fraud awareness, reporting that scams targeting adults over 60 caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with average victim losses of $33,915. The advisory outlined common scams affecting older adults including medical device scams, grandparent scams, identity theft targeting deceased persons, jury duty scams, and sweepstakes scams, while recommending protective measures such as avoiding unsolicited calls, not clicking unknown links, and verifying requests through trusted phone numbers.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Oklahoma's elderly population lost over $19.4 million to fraud, affecting 790 victims aged 60 and older with an average loss of $24,627 per victim. Investment scams were the costliest fraud type nationally ($404 million), followed by business and romance scams, with online platforms being the most common fraud method for seniors compared to text-based scams.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Best Buy/Geek Squad, Amazon, and PayPal were the most frequently impersonated companies in scams, with 52,000, 34,000, and 10,000 reported instances respectively, though Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams caused the highest losses at $60 million and $49 million. Scammers commonly demanded payment through cryptocurrency, bank transfers, PayPal, CashApp, Zelle, and gift cards. The FTC has finalized new rules to strengthen enforcement against scammers impersonating businesses and government agencies, and urges consumers to report suspicious activity.
wfmynews2.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending increasingly convincing text messages impersonating USPS, claiming packages cannot be delivered and requesting action within 12 hours, often including fake links and polite language like "We wish you a wonderful day" to appear legitimate. Red flags include the sender being a .com address or regular phone number rather than an official source, and requests for payment to complete delivery. The actual USPS does not send text messages about packages, so recipients should verify delivery status by logging directly into their carrier's account rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
which.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This Which? article provides consumer awareness about common scams rather than reporting a specific fraud incident. The piece highlights three prevalent scam types: hotel booking fraud where hackers gain access to hotel systems to send phishing messages requesting card details (with 40 reported Booking.com scams in early 2024); phone/broadband provider impersonation calls offering refunds or upgrades while tricking victims into sharing remote access or making unauthorized payments; and hidden subscription scams where victims are charged recurring fees (up to £50/month) through misleading ads and fake QR codes. The article emphasizes that all consumers are vulnerable to sophisticated fraud and recommends awareness and protective measures.
biometricupdate.com
· 2025-12-08
First-party fraud—using one's own identity to commit dishonest acts like requesting false refunds or disputing legitimate transactions—costs U.S. financial institutions and merchants over $100 billion annually, with over one-third of Americans admitting to engaging in this behavior. The fraud is difficult to detect because it lacks obvious signals and appears less malicious than other fraud types, making it particularly prevalent in online gaming, Buy Now Pay Later services, and marketplace lending. Socure recommends cross-industry data sharing and analytics tools to combat the problem, noting that consumers with multiple closed accounts linked to first-party fraud are 189 times more likely to reoffend.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert warning residents of AI-powered scams that impersonate government officials and family members, particularly targeting parents and grandparents with deepfake voice calls claiming a child needs help. The FBI reported grandparent scams alone resulted in nearly $2 million in losses last year, with imposter scams being the most commonly reported fraud type in 2023. Bonta's office provided prevention tips including using family code words, limiting personal audio/video on social media, checking privacy settings, letting unknown calls go to voicemail, and using call-blocking technology.
cjonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, pleaded guilty to embezzling $47 million in bank funds through a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where he was lured by an unidentified scammer via WhatsApp into making fraudulent cryptocurrency investments with false promises of returns. Hanes made 11 wire transfers to cryptocurrency accounts while lying to bank employees and investors, resulting in shareholder losses of $9-13 million and leading to the bank's insolvency in July 2023. He faces up to 30 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and $60.5 million in restit
berkshireeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud reports exceeded $10 billion in the United States last year, representing a 14% increase from the previous year, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics including phishing, fake urgency, and AI-enhanced schemes. Key prevention strategies include never sharing personal information or online banking credentials with anyone claiming to be from a financial institution or government agency, avoiding unknown callers, and immediately contacting your bank using numbers from official statements rather than online searches if fraud is suspected. A local couple nearly lost $46,000 in a Microsoft impersonation scam but was protected when a bank manager intervened, highlighting the importance of quick action and institutional fraud prevention measures.
sungazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania lawmakers are advancing House Bill 2064, which would allow banks to flag suspicious transactions, delay potentially fraudulent transfers, and share information with law enforcement and aging agencies to combat elder financial abuse. The legislation addresses a growing national problem—the National Council on Aging reported nearly 90,000 fraud complaints in 2022 totaling over $3 billion in losses, with common scams including grandparent fraud, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes. The bill aims to protect the state's aging population by giving financial institutions liability protections when they voluntarily report suspected exploitation and providing guardrails against high-pressure scams.
977wmoi.com
· 2025-12-08
Josh Kramer, an investigator with the Monmouth Police Department, provides guidance for victims of common scams including cash prize, grandparent, social media, and imposter fraud. He advises victims to immediately contact their bank to report the incident and allow financial institutions to monitor for fraudulent use of personal information, while also emphasizing the importance of keeping device software updated to protect against scam-related security vulnerabilities.
ad-hoc-news.de
· 2025-12-08
Globe Telecom in the Philippines implemented Mavenir's SpamShield messaging fraud prevention technology, which achieved a 67% year-on-year reduction in blocked spam and scam SMS messages (from 1.1 billion in Q1 2023 to 362.8 million in Q1 2024) and a 74% decline in bank-related scam messages. Customer-reported scam SMS incidents also fell 44% during the same period, demonstrating the technology's effectiveness in deterring fraudsters by raising technical barriers and reducing profit incentives for scammers.
katytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Members Choice Credit Union released awareness tips during Older Americans Month highlighting common scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, intimidation scams impersonating authorities, text message phishing, freebie schemes, and romance scams. The credit union recommends protective measures such as establishing family emergency passwords, verifying caller identities through separate communication channels, monitoring financial accounts for unusual activity, and utilizing resources like AARP's elder fraud guidelines.
ksdk.com
· 2025-12-08
A reformed Nigerian scammer named Chris Maxwell, who previously defrauded women of over $70,000 through romance scams, now works for an identity verification company exposing fraud networks to authorities. Missouri experienced approximately 58,250 impersonation scams in the first three months of the year resulting in millions in losses, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence to impersonate family members and government officials, often targeting older adults who may lose their life savings after multiple transactions. Experts recommend establishing trusted family contacts for verification, using reverse image search tools, insisting on video meetings before sending money, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement and the Missouri Attorney General's Office.
murrayledger.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans older than 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses across more than 100,000 complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, with losses increasing 11% from 2022. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support and call center fraud ($1.3 billion in losses), phony investment schemes ($1.2 billion), and fake romance scams, with the particularly devastating "Phantom Hacker" scam draining victims of their life savings through multiple fraudulent personas. In Kentucky specifically, seniors reported $12.8 million in losses across 908 complaints, and the FBI notes that some victims have rem
katytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Members Choice Credit Union released awareness tips for Older Americans Month highlighting common scams targeting seniors, including grandparent scams, intimidation scams impersonating authorities, text message scams, freebie scams, and romance scams. The organization provided prevention strategies for each scam type and recommended that family members monitor elderly relatives' financial activity, set up fraud alerts, encourage password changes, and utilize resources like AARP's elder fraud guidelines.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
According to an FTC report, scammers most frequently impersonate Best Buy's Geek Squad (52,000 reports in 2023), followed by Amazon, PayPal, Microsoft, and Publishers Clearing House, using methods including fraudulent emails, phone calls, and social media to pressure victims into urgent action. Microsoft impersonators caused the highest financial losses, exemplified by a Mesa resident who lost nearly her entire life savings after being directed to a fake support line and tricked into depositing $25,000 in Bitcoin. Consumers can protect themselves by recognizing red flags such as demands for cryptocurrency payments, pressure to act immediately, and unsolicited contact, and should verify company ident
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scammers impersonated well-known companies in fraud schemes that cost consumers over $600 million, with Best Buy/Geek Squad being the most frequently impersonated company (52,000 reports, $15 million in losses) and Microsoft impersonation scams causing the largest financial impact ($60 million lost). The Federal Trade Commission finalized a new rule in April 2024 that strengthens enforcement tools against business impersonation scams, including the ability to file federal court cases to recover money for victims and impose civil penalties on violators.
tristatealert.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warned consumers about the rising threat of imposter scams that use sophisticated technologies, including AI-generated voices, to impersonate trusted figures such as government officials, bank representatives, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening fines or arrest, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams demanding payment for unnecessary repairs. To protect yourself, verify callers' identities by contacting organizations directly using official numbers, establish code words with family members, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected scams to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, FTC, or AARP Fraud Watch
washingtonexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania's aging population faces growing elder fraud risk, prompting Rep. Joe Hogan to introduce House Bill 2064, which would allow banks to flag suspicious transactions, delay potentially fraudulent payments, and share information with law enforcement and area agencies on aging. The National Council on Aging reported nearly 90,000 fraud complaints in 2022 totaling over $3 billion in losses nationally, with common scams including government impersonation, grandparent schemes, and romantic fraud targeting vulnerable seniors. The legislation aims to protect elders through financial institution safeguards, public education, and coordination between banks and protective services.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Former Epsilon Data Management executives Robert Reger and David Lytle were convicted of conspiracy and mail/wire fraud for knowingly selling targeted consumer data lists to perpetrators of mass-mailing fraud schemes over a 10-year period. The defendants used Epsilon's algorithms to identify millions of consumers most vulnerable to fraud, including elderly people, and sold approximately 100 lists to fraudster clients who sent deceptive letters falsely promising cash prizes and wealth. The case demonstrates corporate accountability for facilitating consumer fraud through the misuse of personal data and targeting vulnerable populations.