Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
5,340 results
in Financial Crime
kttn.com
· 2025-12-08
Dongyi Guo, 28, a Chinese national, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison and ordered to repay $95,000 for defrauding a 79-year-old Missouri woman through a coordinated phone and text scam in March 2024. Guo and co-conspirators falsely posed as financial institution and Social Security officials, claiming the victim's accounts were compromised, and collected $95,000 in cash during three visits to her home. The victim died seven months after the fraud, with her daughter stating the crime "unquestionably contributed" to her death, as the traumatized woman subsequently refused medication, food, and social
almanacnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Two separate elder fraud cases were arrested in the San Francisco Bay Area in April: a 22-year-old San Jose man was arrested for allegedly scamming a 77-year-old Menlo Park resident out of $35,000 through a text message impersonating an online retailer and federal agency that threatened prison time, and a 57-year-old woman was arrested in Atherton for attempting to impersonate a PayPal representative to extract $15,000 from an elderly resident (though cash was intercepted before being handed over). Both suspects were booked on charges including theft by false pretenses and elder abuse, with authorities advising residents to avoid clicking unknown links,
newstalkkzrg.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old Chinese national, Dongyi Guo, was sentenced to 21 months in prison and ordered to repay $95,000 after stealing cash from a 79-year-old Missouri woman as part of a conspiracy targeting elderly victims. The scammers posed as financial institution and Social Security officials, claiming her accounts were compromised and instructing her to withdraw cash for an FDIC employee to collect; Guo made three pickups totaling $95,000 in March 2024 before his arrest. The victim's family reported that the trauma from the fraud contributed to her death seven months later, as she stopped eating, taking medication, and engaging in
fox10phoenix.com
· 2025-12-08
Apache Junction police arrested two men accused of defrauding an 86-year-old woman of $82,000 through an email scam that began in March. The suspects posed as customer service representatives, claiming the victim had accidentally received a refund and pressured her to withdraw cash to repay them, eventually collecting money in person until police intervened. Both suspects were booked for conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud, with investigators indicating they may have been part of a larger operation based in California and suspecting additional victims exist.
kenyans.co.ke
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old British man lost his life savings of £85,000 (Ksh14.5 million) to a romance scam involving a fake Kenyan woman named "Anita" whom he met online and agreed to marry. After traveling to Kenya to meet her, he found she did not exist, and upon returning to the UK, he spent six weeks homeless before eventually securing housing dependent on his pension. The case highlights rising romance fraud cases, which increased over 60 percent between 2019 and 2023 in England and Wales, with the victim criticizing his banks for insufficient fraud protections despite acknowledging his own vulnerability to the scheme.
vicksburgnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost an estimated $470 million to text message scams in 2024, a five-fold increase from 2020, according to FTC data, with scammers becoming more sophisticated despite fewer overall reports. The most common scams involve fake delivery notifications and job scams that trick victims into clicking malicious links or investing money, though fake bank alerts, toll notices, and messages from wrong numbers can also escalate into fraudulent schemes. The FTC recommends ignoring unsolicited texts and links, contacting companies directly using verified contact information, and forwarding suspicious messages to 7726 to help block similar scams.
nltimes.nl
· 2025-12-08
Bank helpdesk fraud in the Netherlands declined significantly in 2024, with reported victims dropping 30% to approximately 6,900 people and total losses falling 20% to €23 million. Despite this improvement, the Dutch Banking Association warned that scammers continue evolving their tactics—including coaching victims to ignore legitimate bank warnings and exploiting social media platforms—and stressed the need for ongoing consumer vigilance and stronger identity verification measures by digital service providers.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 59-year-old educational institution director, Raju Meshram, was arrested in Nagpur as part of a widening education scam investigation involving the creation of fake Shalarth IDs used to fraudulently obtain government salaries for teachers and staff across multiple schools. The scam involved at least seven arrests including a clerk and deputy director of education; fake credentials were created for Rs 2.50 lakh, with perpetrators receiving commissions, and investigators discovered 25 fake teacher proposals and documents for approximately 50 teachers. Additional arrests are expected as the probe expands across Nagpur, Bhandara, and Gondia districts.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are increasingly using AI to conduct scams, which cost over $1 trillion globally last year, with more than 50% of consumers reporting at least weekly scam encounters. Mastercard and Feedzai partnered to deploy a Consumer Fraud Risk solution that detects and prevents scams in real time, reducing authorized push payment scams by over 12% in the U.K. since 2023, while financial institutions are adopting AI and machine learning technologies (now used by 71% of FIs) to identify fraudulent transactions before completion.
beacononlinenews.com
· 2025-12-08
A three-county search was underway for Orlando-based contractor Ryan Matthew Paul, 39, who allegedly defrauded a senior citizen of $310,000. An arrest warrant was issued on April 11 with charges including organized scheme to defraud, exploitation of the elderly, and three counts of grand theft, with a $233,500 bond set for nationwide pickup.
wyomingnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
In 2025, Sheridan County law enforcement has received 91 combined fraud reports, with scammers increasingly impersonating law enforcement and medical officers using scare tactics to coerce victims into sending money, and exploiting Facebook Marketplace. The elderly and people over 50 are disproportionately targeted, with at least two victims losing over $150,000 each, though recovered funds are rare since money is typically sent electronically to overseas servers beyond law enforcement jurisdiction.
globalinitiative.net
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses the growing threat of online fraud and cybercrime involving India and the United States, highlighting how scammers exploit weak data security and leverage generative AI. India serves as both a hub for scam operations targeting Western victims through fake tech support and loan schemes, and increasingly, a source of victims itself, with Indian nationals being trafficked to scam compounds in Cambodia and exploited to defraud others. The article calls for the US and India to strengthen cooperation against these transnational fraud networks, particularly regarding data breaches—such as the 2023 theft of 815 million Indian citizens' personal information—that provide scammers with the databases they need to target vulnerable populations
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlie Javice, founder of the fintech startup Frank, was convicted in March of fraud and conspiracy for deceiving JPMorgan Chase into acquiring her company for $175 million by falsifying user data. Javice fabricated millions of fake user accounts (paying a data scientist $18,000 to generate them) to inflate Frank's actual customer base of less than 10% of the claimed 4 million users, which JPMorgan failed to independently verify during due diligence. The case has drawn comparisons to the Elizabeth Holmes/Theranos fraud scandal and highlights critical lessons about investor due diligence and the dangers of over-reliance on company-provided data without independent cor
oag.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Shekira Thompson, a former nursing assistant at Sutter Roseville Medical Center, was sentenced to 200 days in jail for stealing credit cards and cash from three elderly patients between November and December 2022, and fraudulently charging over $2,000 on the stolen credit cards at various retailers. Thompson pleaded guilty to two felony counts and one misdemeanor count of theft from an elder or dependent adult, plus felony identity theft, and was ordered to pay restitution to victims and banned from working as a caregiver for elder or dependent adults.
buffalobulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
In 2025, Sheridan County continues to experience rising internet scams with increasingly sophisticated tactics, particularly impersonation of law enforcement and medical officers using scare tactics to demand payment. As of the reporting date, the Sheridan Police Department received 65 fraud reports and the Sheriff's Office reported 26 scams, with victims over age 50 disproportionately affected; at least two victims lost over $150,000 each. Law enforcement recommends reporting suspected scams immediately, using IC3.gov to document losses, and remembering that legitimate law enforcement never demands payment over the phone.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
This is an educational awareness piece from Larimer County Sheriff's Office highlighting current scam trends affecting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors. Chief Scambuster Barbara Bennett presents 20+ active scams including romance schemes, impersonation frauds (bank, IRS, law enforcement), tech-based scams (DocuSign phishing, hacked Facebook accounts), and marketplace fraud, while proposing a confidential support group for scam victims and their families to address shame and isolation barriers to reporting.
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men, Stanley Anyanwu, 41, and Vitalis Anyanwu, 42, were convicted of defrauding the City of Memphis of $773,695 through a business email compromise (BEC) scam in February 2022, in which funds intended for a contractor were redirected to their accounts and quickly laundered. The brothers were found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering, and were also identified as "money mules" processing funds from romance scams targeting individual victims. Both defendants are scheduled for sentencing on July 18, 2025.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Two Texas men, Stanley Anyanwu (41) and Vitalis Anyanwu (42), were convicted of wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering conspiracy for their roles as "money mules" in a scheme that defrauded the City of Memphis of $773,695.45 through a business email compromise (BEC) scam in February 2022, as well as romance scam victims. The conspiracy quickly laundered the stolen funds through a network before the city could recover them, and sentencing is scheduled for July 18, 2025.
amlintelligence.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK's Serious Fraud Office announced a new policy shift offering companies deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs) if they voluntarily report suspected financial crime, allowing firms to avoid criminal charges by paying financial penalties instead. Under Director Nick Ephgrave's initiative, companies coming forward can negotiate these agreements except in "exceptional" cases. This represents a major change in how the SFO handles corporate fraud investigations.
linknky.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters, posing as Norton antivirus support and her bank's fraud department, pressured her to withdraw cash and purchase cryptocurrency by falsely claiming hackers had downloaded illegal content to her computer and stolen $18,000. The scammer used emotional manipulation, urgency, and knowledge of her banking details to convince her, but she avoided the scheme after recalling a friend who lost $800,000 to a similar scam. Financial scams cost Americans between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion in 2023-2024, with AI, dark web data access, an
winchesterstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Dementia Friendly Blue Ridge, a new initiative led by regional nonprofit DementiaMatters, is launching in June 2024 to educate businesses, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations across the Northern Shenandoah Valley (Winchester and surrounding counties in Virginia and West Virginia) on how to better support and interact with people living with dementia. The program addresses the region's rising dementia prevalence, with approximately 164,000 Virginians currently living with Alzheimer's disease, and aims to help community members feel safe and welcome while providing caregivers with necessary support through training on communication strategies and dementia awareness.
newsmeter.in
· 2025-12-08
Former Vijayawada MP Kesineni Nani accused his brother, sitting MP Kesineni Chinni, of orchestrating a ₹5,728 crore fraudulent land allotment scheme involving Ursa Clusters Pvt Ltd, a newly formed company with no track record that allegedly received 60 acres of prime public land for a supposed data center project. Nani alleged the scheme is a benami arrangement involving frontmen and connected associates, and requested Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu cancel the allotment and investigate the company's ownership and funding sources.
**Note:** This article involves political and financial disputes rather than elder
newsmeter.in
· 2025-12-08
Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police arrested 23-year-old Prateek Shukla from Uttar Pradesh for defrauding a 68-year-old Hyderabad resident of Rs 52.29 lakh through a stock investment scam involving fake investment apps and WhatsApp groups. The accused posed as representatives of bogus companies (5paisa Capital Ltd, Barclays, and SHANDA Capital Group Ltd), lured the victim with fake profit screenshots and promises of high returns, and blocked withdrawals once larger amounts were invested. Shukla, involved in nine cases across India, had four cheque books and stamps of two shell companies seize
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Talisha Cooper, a 44-year-old tax preparer and manager of Tax Fusions in Florence, South Carolina, was indicted on 43 counts of tax fraud for knowingly filing false tax returns from 2019 through 2023. The fraudulent returns falsely claimed fuel tax credits, family and sick leave credits, employee business expenses, and Schedule C business profits or losses, resulting in a total loss of $374,349. Cooper faces up to three years in federal prison and fines upon conviction.
gbhackers.com
· 2025-12-08
Between December 2023 and February 2025, the FBI received over 100 reports of scams in which criminals impersonated Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) officials, contacting victims via email, phone, and social media to fraudulently obtain financial information by falsely promising to recover funds from previous scams. The scammers use elaborate tactics including fake female profiles on social media and fictional personas like "Jaime Quin," claiming to be IC3's Chief Director and communicating through Telegram to request sensitive data and payments. The FBI warns that the real IC3 never initiates contact directly and will not request payment or personal information for fund recovery, an
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Harrison County Sheriff's Office warned residents about a recurring phone scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement, falsely claiming victims have missed court dates, have arrest warrants, or owe fines, and demand immediate payment via Bitcoin or gift cards. Elderly residents are particularly targeted due to their respect for authority figures; between 20 and 30 complaints were reported with some victims losing significant amounts of money. Law enforcement emphasized they never request personal information, financial details, or payment over the phone, and urged residents to hang up and report such calls to 911.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three Chinese nationals were sentenced to federal prison (24-60 months) for their roles in a transnational gift card fraud conspiracy that laundered over $100 million obtained through romance scams, elder fraud, and hacking. The defendants purchased stolen gift cards and used them to buy Apple products for export to China, converting stolen funds into tangible goods as part of a larger criminal supply chain. All three face deportation to China upon completion of their sentences.
gottheimer.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced bipartisan legislation called the GUARD Act to combat financial fraud and "pig butchering" scams targeting older Americans by providing state and local law enforcement with federal grant funding and blockchain tracing tools. "Pig butchering" scams involve fraudsters convincing retirees to invest in fake opportunities, with victims over 70 suffering median losses of $9,000 compared to $2,400 for all age groups, and these scams causing over $1 billion in losses in 2022 alone. The bill is supported by multiple organizations including AARP and law enforcement associations.
abcnews4.com
· 2025-12-08
South Carolina seniors suffered disproportionately in 2024 cybercrime, with 2,295 victims over age 60 losing over $58.5 million—more than a third of the state's total $146 million in reported internet crime losses. The most costly scams targeting seniors were tech support scams, government impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, each accounting for nearly $10 million in losses, while confidence/romance scams cost seniors almost $3 million. The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report documented a 33% nationwide increase in cybercrime losses to over $16 billion, with extortion, phishing, and personal data breaches
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Chinese nationals—Naxin Wu, Mengying Jiang, and Mingdong Chen—were sentenced to at least two years in federal prison after pleading guilty to operating a gift card fraud scheme that targeted victims through romance scams and elder fraud. The defendants used stolen gift cards to purchase expensive electronics, particularly Apple products, which they then sold overseas; all three face deportation following their release.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Ray Baird was defrauded of over $230,000 by his son Peter over approximately 13 years, beginning in 2011 when Ray asked for help with banking matters. Peter gained access to Ray's MyGov account and Centrelink pension, redirecting $152,423 in pension payments to his own account and taking out $78,000 in loans in his father's name, supported by elaborate deception including fake letters from government officials and impersonated phone calls from politicians and ombudsmen. Peter was convicted of three counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception, highlighting the growing problem of family-perpetrated financial abuse against older Australians, particularly those with
planadviser.com
· 2025-12-08
Representative Zachary Nunn introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act, which would provide federal grant funding to local law enforcement agencies to investigate financial fraud against retirees, including tools for tracing blockchain technology and resources for specialized staff training. The legislation is prompted by significant elder fraud losses, including over $42.6 million in Iowa alone in 2023 and $3.4 billion nationally among those aged 60+ in that same year, with particular focus on "pig butchering" investment scams involving cryptocurrency. If passed, federal agencies would be required to report on fraud trends and enforcement efforts, and financial institutions would be encouraged to appoint liaisons to improve data sharing with law enforcement.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Briauna Powell, a 24-year-old home health aide for Visiting Angels, was arrested and charged with identity theft, fraud, and elder exploitation after using elderly clients' personal and financial information to make unauthorized purchases totaling approximately $25,000, including a $16,000 vehicle, rent payments, and store purchases. Police confirmed she victimized at least four elderly residents across multiple Georgia counties and believe additional victims may exist. Powell is being held without bond, and authorities are urging anyone who employed her to check for fraudulent activity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Hardik Jayantilal Patel, a ringleader of an international telemarketing fraud scheme, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution to 85 elderly victims.** From 2019-2020, Patel coordinated a network of "money mules" across the United States who picked up hundreds of cash packages sent by victims responding to scams originating from call centers in India, where fraudsters impersonated government officials claiming victims were under investigation. The scheme victimized primarily elderly individuals nationwide and resulted in millions of dollars in losses, with seven total conspirators sentenced an
finra.org
· 2025-12-08
Pump-and-dump schemes are long-standing financial scams where fraudsters accumulate low-priced "penny stocks," artificially inflate their price through promotional tactics (including social media campaigns and encrypted messaging), then sell their shares at the peak, causing prices to collapse and leaving other investors with losses. These schemes exploit fear of missing out (FOMO) and take advantage of low-priced stocks with limited public information and illiquid markets where fraudsters can control available shares. Investors can protect themselves by avoiding unsolicited investment advice from strangers and being cautious of social media investment advertisements.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Pump-and-dump stock schemes, which have existed for centuries, involve fraudsters accumulating low-priced "penny stocks," artificially inflating their value through misleading promotional campaigns (via email, social media, or encrypted messaging), and then selling their shares at the peak, leaving other investors unable to sell as prices collapse. These schemes exploit fear of missing out (FOMO) and take advantage of low-priced stocks with minimal public information and limited trading liquidity. Investors can protect themselves by avoiding unsolicited investment advice from strangers and being cautious of social media investment promotions.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI in Miami warned of an increase in phone scams targeting South Florida residents in which callers impersonate federal officers and demand victims wire or mail money for fake "settlements" or law enforcement investigations. In 2024, Florida residents reported 1,579 impersonation scams resulting in over $12 million in losses; the FBI advises recipients to hang up immediately and report such calls to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
**Gold Bar Scam**
Scammers impersonating government officials convince senior citizens to withdraw their life savings and purchase gold bars, then pose as couriers to steal the gold and disappear. The FBI reported victims lost $219 million to gold bar scams in 2024, with increasing incidents reported in 2025, as record-high gold prices and gold's reputation as a trustworthy investment make it an attractive target for criminals who exploit the difficulty of tracing the precious metal.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Prince George's County police reported approximately $1 million in scams from county residents in a single year, with recent arrests including a case where a victim lost $700,000 and another who lost $40,000 after being deceived by pop-up warnings and impersonators claiming to be from Microsoft, banks, and federal agencies. The scammers used phony employee numbers and convincing rhetoric to build trust, isolating victims by instructing them not to discuss the situation or search for information about scams. Police advise victims to recognize red flags—unsolicited requests for money, passwords, or personal information, and manufactured urgency—and to verify claims by contacting banks directly or calling law
abccolumbia.com
· 2025-12-08
South Carolina seniors over 60 were disproportionately targeted by cybercriminals in 2024, with 2,295 victims losing over $58.5 million according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report—accounting for more than a third of the state's total $146 million in reported cyber losses. The most costly scams targeting seniors included tech support scams, government impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, each resulting in nearly $10 million in losses, while confidence/romance scams accounted for approximately $3 million. Business email compromises and investment fraud were among the most prevalent cyber crimes statewide, with losses totaling $40.8 million and $
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Antonio Jackson Jr., a 39-year-old from Manvel, Texas, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for multiple fraud schemes that defrauded victims of approximately $1,974,145.63 in total restitution ordered. Jackson exploited his military veteran status to perpetrate four Paycheck Protection Program loan frauds (resulting in ~$480,000 in losses), home improvement loan scams against a federal credit union, false VA-backed loan statements, and fraudulent disabled veteran property tax relief claims, using fabricated documents, forged government seals, and fake business records throughout his criminal conduct.
thv11.com
· 2025-12-08
Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas woman employed as a customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to three years in prison for stealing $301,674.89 from at least 10 elderly customers by exploiting her access to their personal information and security questions. Brown used wire transfers, electronic debits, and Zelle to commit the fraud and had attempted to steal an additional $428,526.85 before her arrest; she pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges in January.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for wire fraud after stealing over $301,000 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown abused her authorized access to customer accounts to fraudulently transfer funds via wires, electronic debits, and Zelle, targeting elderly victims she knew were unfamiliar with electronic banking.
katv.com
· 2025-12-08
Tyra Brown, a 27-year-old Arkansas woman employed as a customer service representative at a New Hampshire credit union, was sentenced to 36 months in prison for stealing over $300,000 from at least 10 elderly customers. Brown exploited her authorized access to personal identifying information and account details to conduct wire fraud, transferring stolen funds via wire transfers, electronic debits, and Zelle payments, with attempted theft totaling $428,526.85. She pleaded guilty in January 2025 to one count of wire fraud and was specifically criticized for deliberately targeting elderly victims unfamiliar with electronic banking.
oig.ssa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Hardik Jayantilal Patel, 37, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for leading a money laundering operation that supported an international telemarketing fraud scheme targeting elderly Americans from March through November 2019. Operating from Kentucky, Patel coordinated with "runners" who picked up hundreds of cash-filled packages mailed by victims across multiple states after scammers impersonating government officials convinced them they were under investigation; Patel and his conspirators caused significant harm to 85 identified victims, with Patel ordered to pay $3,203,478 in restitution. The case involved seven total defendants sentenced, with co-conspirators receiving
coingeek.com
· 2025-12-08
A Brazilian judge sentenced Joel Ferreira de Souza to 128 years in prison for laundering proceeds from the Braiscompany Ponzi scheme, which defrauded approximately 20,000 investors of around $190 million between 2020-2023. Simultaneously, the U.S. SEC charged Ramil Palafox with operating a fraudulent crypto and foreign exchange scheme called PGI Global that raised $198 million from investors worldwide, with Palafox misappropriating over $57 million for personal luxury purchases while using remaining funds to pay earlier investors in a Ponzi-like structure.
middlebury.edu
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses how Middlebury Institute students conduct data analysis work for federal agencies to investigate trade-based financial crimes and support law enforcement efforts. The student-led analyses have assisted federal investigations while providing valuable job placement opportunities for participating students.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bay Area woman lost over $160,000 to a romance scammer who impersonated actor Keanu Reeves through video calls, audio messages, and fake cryptocurrency requests over two and a half years. The scammer claimed to be in legal trouble and needed money for various fabricated emergencies, leading the vulnerable victim—who had recently lost her boyfriend and dog—to take out a home equity loan and sell her car. The case highlights the increasing sophistication of romance scams using deepfakes and AI-generated content, with no arrests made as of the report.
ktbs.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, over 859,000 Americans reported internet scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, resulting in $16.6 billion in losses—a 33% increase from the previous year. Investment scams caused the largest losses at $6.5 billion, while seniors aged 60+ lost $2.5 billion, with tech support scams being particularly devastating for this group at nearly $1 billion. The report emphasizes that awareness and caution—avoiding suspicious links, refusing remote access requests, and verifying urgent requests—are essential defenses against these schemes.
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting older adults are increasingly common and exploit their trust, digital unfamiliarity, and desire for connection. Experts recommend protecting elderly loved ones through open communication about online risks, education on common scam tactics (romance scams, phishing, fake investment offers), establishing family safeguards like passwords to verify caller identity, and encouraging skepticism about unsolicited requests for money or personal information. Teaching seniors to authenticate suspicious messages through alternative contact methods and use verification tools like the Financial Conduct Authority's ScamSmart checker can significantly reduce their vulnerability to fraud.