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newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
Cristine Petitfrere, 30, of Miramar, Florida, pleaded guilty to laundering $2.7 million obtained through romance scams, in which she and co-conspirators created fake online personas to defraud vulnerable victims, many elderly, and transferred funds through bank accounts to associates abroad while retaining hundreds of thousands for herself. She faces up to 10 years in prison at her December 11 sentencing. Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion last year, with victims often deceived by fabricated stories and fake professional identities designed to extract money through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
bankrate.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers employ multiple tactics to steal credit card information, particularly capitalizing on economic changes like potential Federal Reserve rate cuts. Common scams include interest rate reduction schemes, student loan forgiveness offers, grandparent emergencies, and fake charity websites—all designed to pressure victims into providing payment information. To protect yourself, contact your lender or issuer directly rather than responding to unsolicited offers, verify website URLs carefully, and be skeptical of guaranteed results and limited-time offers.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five men were indicted in federal court in Brooklyn for defrauding approximately $60 million from investors in Max Infinity Management LLC and related funds through false claims about fees, track record, and SEC registration, while diverting roughly $27 million for personal use including luxury purchases. The defendants—John Cangialosi, Peter Girgis, Gene Sarabella, Enrico Carini, and Caner Otar—charged undisclosed markups exceeding 95% on pre-IPO stock investments and lied about having no upfront fees and prior successful returns. The scheme involved misrepresentations about the fund's operations, fabricate
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Virginians lost $265 million to scams, with the FBI's Norfolk office receiving approximately 2,700 elder fraud complaints that year alone. Common schemes include investment scams targeting seniors, jury duty scams impersonating law enforcement, romance scams (the top locally reported type with 17,000 national incidents in 2023), and business email compromise attacks. The FBI advises victims and the public to verify suspicious requests, avoid clicking suspicious links, maintain open communication with vulnerable relatives, and report incidents to IC3.gov or local FBI offices.
miamivalleytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Since 2020, investment scams reported to the BBB Scam Tracker exceeded 4,000 reports, with 2023 marking a three-year high, as scammers increasingly blended romance and cryptocurrency schemes to defraud victims of large sums. Median losses surged from $1,000 in 2021 to nearly $6,000 in 2023, with scams often lasting months before detection and primarily originating from organized crime operations in Southeast Asia. The BBB advises victims to watch for red flags including unregistered investments, guaranteed returns, pressure tactics, unknown cryptocurrencies, and unsolicited friendship offers from strangers.
banking.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Sherrod Brown testified before the Senate Banking Committee on the escalating problem of scams and fraud targeting Americans, particularly seniors. In 2023, Americans lost at least $10 billion to reported fraud—an increase of over $1 billion from the previous year—with Ohio alone experiencing $126 million in losses; scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry, fake bank calls, and romance schemes to target retirees' savings. Brown emphasized that seniors, who represented more than half of fraud losses in Ohio, often hesitate to report crimes due to shame and self-blame, allowing criminals to continue victimizing others.
midislandtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County District Attorney's office are partnering to host educational seminars in fall 2024 to help seniors and caregivers recognize and combat fraud schemes, recognizing that elderly residents face heightened vulnerability to scams due to limited technology familiarity, loneliness, and other factors. The seminars, held at community centers throughout the town, will cover common scam tactics, identification strategies, protective measures, and reporting resources. Two scheduled sessions are September 20 at Syosset-Woodbury Community Center and September 27 at Marjorie Post Park Community Center in Massapequa.
miningjournal.net
· 2025-12-08
This article describes three common scams targeting elderly people: grandparent scams (where callers pose as distressed relatives or law enforcement to solicit wire transfers), IRS scams (where fraudsters impersonate tax agents to steal money or personal information), and sweepstakes scams (where victims are promised prizes to encourage purchases or payments). The article emphasizes that geographic location offers no protection against these schemes and advises seniors and their families to recognize warning signs such as urgent requests for wire transfers, threats of arrest, and demands for sensitive personal information.
wamc.org
· 2025-12-08
Educational efforts are underway in the Capital Region to teach seniors about artificial intelligence and online safety, with computer science professor Dr. Andrew Hurd explaining how to identify AI-generated images and protect themselves from scams. Multiple attendees shared personal experiences of fraud, including unauthorized charges to savings accounts and impersonation schemes, highlighting the importance of security measures like multi-factor authentication and family code words to prevent future victimization. The FTC reported Americans lost $10 billion to scams and fraud in 2023.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified AI-driven healthcare scams as their Medicare Fraud of the Month for September 2024, highlighting how artificial intelligence enables fraudsters to generate fake medical claims, steal identities, and create deepfake audio/video to commit healthcare fraud. The organization recommends seniors verify caller identity through trusted numbers, limit personal information shared online, and exercise caution with financial data, noting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually. Seniors can report suspected fraud by calling 800-333-4374 or visiting nysenior.org.
siliconvalley.com
· 2025-12-08
California experienced a slight 2 percent decline in elder fraud complaints from 2022 to 2023, dropping from 145 to 142 complaints per 100,000 adults aged 60 and older, according to FBI data analyzed by All About Cookies. However, California remains among the top 10 U.S. states for elder fraud complaints per capita, ranking tied for ninth place with Maryland at 142 complaints per 100,000 seniors, while the nationwide rate of elder fraud reports increased 14 percent in 2023 with associated losses rising 11 percent.
sunstar.com.ph
· 2025-12-08
Approximately 500 individuals in Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines were defrauded by an unlicensed real estate company selling non-existent or untitled land parcels since 2016, with victims paying between ₱3,000-₱5,500 monthly (one victim paid ₱450,000 over five years). The company lacked proper registration and licensing, and some purported lots were actually fish ponds that cannot be legally titled or sold. The city government is providing free legal assistance and coordinating with criminal investigators to recover victims' funds and prevent similar scams.
pictongazette.ca
· 2025-12-08
Sandra Goldie was scammed out of approximately $200 after posting her 1991 Mazda Miata for sale on Kijiji; a buyer directed her to a fraudulent VIN report website (vinfax.com) claiming to need a vehicle history check, but the "report" was worthless and the buyer then disappeared with a fabricated excuse. The scam is particularly concerning because scammers obtained Goldie's credit card information and personal data that could be used for identity fraud, and police later discovered similar incidents affecting other sellers across Canada.
sandiegouniontribune.com
· 2025-12-08
California's elder fraud complaints fell 2 percent from 2022 to 2023 (from 145 to 142 complaints per 100,000 adults aged 60+), yet the state remains in the top 10 nationally for elder fraud complaint rates. The FBI reported that nationwide, elder fraud complaints increased 14 percent in 2023 with associated losses rising 11 percent, though complaint rates likely underrepresent actual fraud incidents.
smdailyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A California man lost over $300,000 in a cryptocurrency "pig butchering" scam that began in 2022 when a woman posing as a Taiwanese trader named Anna convinced him to invest in a fraudulent platform called BankCEX, using fake trading statements to build trust before demanding an additional $115,000 in taxes and fees. The victim's stolen funds—consisting of USD Coin, Tether, and Ethereum—were traced to major exchanges including Binance, Crypto.com, and OKX, and he has filed suit against these platforms. The case highlights the need for better cryptocurrency investor education and law enforcement expertise as crypto scams continue to prolif
newswest9.com
· 2025-12-08
An Alpine, Texas woman lost over $2,500 after receiving a fraudulent mail letter disguised as a CVS/Walgreens "customer service evaluation" that included a fake $3,050 check and requested she purchase gift cards and provide banking information via text message. When she attempted to deposit the check, her bank identified it as fraudulent, confirming she had been scammed. The Alpine Police Department warns residents that requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency are typical scam indicators and advise reporting suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission.
1043wowcountry.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement in North Central Washington is warning residents about three prevalent scams: fake prize claims (where a woman lost thousands after being told she won a truck), grandparent scams claiming a relative needs bail money, and jury duty scams threatening arrest for failure to report unless a fine is paid. Authorities advise victims to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal information or sending money, and contact their local county court with any questions rather than engaging with callers.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, a 45% increase from 2022, with investment scams accounting for $4 billion of those losses, according to an FBI report. Fraudsters typically build trust with victims through dating apps and social media before directing them to fake websites that display false investment growth, then prevent withdrawals or demand fees. The FBI recommends verifying messages independently, scrutinizing websites for misspellings or character substitutions in domain names, and remaining skeptical of promises to earn quick profits with minimal risk.
mynewstouse.com
· 2025-12-08
Hispanic communities are disproportionately targeted by phone scams and election-related misinformation, with Hispanics twice as likely to lose money to phone scams and three times more likely to be victimized by robocall scams compared to non-Hispanics, according to a 2024 Truecaller/Harris Poll report. Scammers use targeted misinformation tailored to specific Hispanic subgroups' political sensitivities, such as immigration policies for Mexican Americans and statehood debates for Puerto Ricans. The article recommends using spam-blocking apps with caller identification features to protect vulnerable voters from fraudulent calls and misleading information, particularly during election cycles.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message phishing scams (smishing) affect approximately one in three Americans, with about one-third of those falling victim without immediate awareness; the FBI reported 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 resulting in nearly $19 million in losses, with scams becoming more sophisticated through AI-generated messages. To protect yourself, verify that you've opted into bank text alerts through your account settings, and never respond to messages requesting personal information, urgent action, suspicious links, or money transfers—instead, contact your bank directly using the number on your card.
hrdive.com
· 2025-12-08
Online job scams are proliferating through fake listings, fraudulent recruiter profiles, and deceptive messages often powered by AI tools, with the FTC reporting $491 million in losses during 2023—a 25% increase from 2022, with a median loss of $2,000 per victim. Red flags include requests for personal information (Social Security numbers), upfront payment for training or equipment, unrealistically high pay offers, suspiciously quick hiring processes, and communication limited to email or chat rather than phone or video calls. Legitimate employers can distinguish themselves by using established job sites, protecting applicant privacy, offering transparent pay information, and conducting in-person or video interviews.
witl.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan residents are being warned about three Amazon Prime Day scams: fake text messages impersonating Amazon to steal personal information, phishing messages falsely claiming Prime membership cancellation requiring payment, and account suspension scams using fraudulent links to compromise account access. Experts advise verifying any Amazon communications directly through the official app or website and never sharing personal details via unsolicited texts or calls.
chronicleonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses to seniors in 2023, with an average loss of $34,000 per victim, and Florida had the second-highest number of complaints that year. The most common scams include tech support fraud, personal data breaches, romance scams, non-delivery scams, and investment scams (which cause the largest financial losses). To protect against fraud, seniors should never share personal information with unknown callers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, be skeptical of unsolicited offers, and report suspected fraud to authorities as soon as possible.
siliconvalley.com
· 2025-12-08
California's reported elder fraud complaints decreased slightly by 2 percent from 2022 to 2023 (from 145 to 142 complaints per 100,000 adults aged 60+), but the state remains among the top 10 most affected states in the nation. The FBI data shows significant variation across states, with Arizona leading at 289 complaints per 100,000 elders compared to Mississippi's lowest rate of 64, while nine states experienced increases of 19-36 percent in elder fraud complaints during the same period.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia's federal government proposed legislation that would impose fines of up to $50 million on banks, telecommunications companies, and social media platforms for failing to protect consumers from scammers. The laws would require these businesses to implement codes of conduct, combat fraud at the source (such as by preventing fraudulent advertisements), establish internal dispute resolution mechanisms, and share scammer information across industries. An external dispute resolution scheme operated by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority would provide a clear pathway for victims to seek redress if they are not at fault.
northeastnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scotiabank in Nipawin launched educational sessions to help residents, particularly seniors, recognize, reject, and report fraud. The bank presented to 60 members at the Nipawin Seniors Hall on September 11, with presentations from branch staff and a technology advisor, and additional sessions were planned to follow.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old man from Queens was convicted of grand larceny for defrauding a senior woman on Staten Island of $35,000 in August 2023. The scam involved a fake phone call claiming the victim's bank account was compromised, after which a person (the defendant) posed as a bank employee and collected cash from her home. Om Parkash pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced in October to one to three years in prison with a restitution order to repay the victim.
cuyahogacounty.gov
· 2025-12-08
Director of Consumer Affairs Sheryl Harris testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs about sophisticated scams targeting Ohio residents, particularly older adults who comprise the majority of scam reports in Cuyahoga County. Harris described how scammers use psychological manipulation tactics—creating false urgency through threats of arrest or asset seizure, isolating victims from help, and establishing false authority—to route victims' money to fraudsters. The hearing highlighted the need for stronger regulations and corporate accountability from tech and financial companies to protect consumers from increasingly complex fraud schemes.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Losses in Cuyahoga County, Ohio More Than Double; Nationwide Fraud Crisis Escalates**
Reported scam losses in Cuyahoga County jumped from $1.2 million in 2023 to $2.7 million in 2024, with fraudsters using spoofed caller IDs, stolen personal data, and cryptocurrency to steal larger amounts in shorter timeframes. A particularly dangerous trend involves scammers posing as federal agents claiming victims' bank accounts are involved in drug trafficking, convincing them to move savings to crypto "wallets" and in some cases obtaining house sale proceeds—with national fraud losses reaching $
thesun.ng
· 2025-12-08
Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Miramar, Florida, pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy after funneling over $2.7 million from romance scam victims to an overseas co-conspirator, keeping hundreds of thousands in fees for herself. Romance scams—where fraudsters create fake online personas to exploit victims financially and emotionally—cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, often targeting elderly individuals. Petitfrere faces up to 10 years in prison at her December 11 sentencing.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cambodian senator and entrepreneur, Ly Yong Phat, was sanctioned by the US Treasury for operating O Smach Resort as a forced labor camp where trafficked workers were coerced into promoting cryptocurrency and foreign exchange scams that defrauded victims globally. Workers at the resort reported being lured with false job offers, having their documents confiscated, and enduring beatings, electric shocks, ransoms, and threats; two victims reportedly died by suicide. The sanctions prohibit US persons from conducting business with Ly without permission and require reporting of his US-based assets.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers stole $1.14 billion from Americans in one year according to the FTC, though experts believe the actual amount is higher due to underreporting by embarrassed victims. A Philadelphia-area widow lost approximately $39,000 to a romance scam orchestrated by a man posing as a surgeon, who built an emotional relationship with her over months before requesting money for various fabricated needs, ultimately disappearing when they were supposed to meet in person. The victim has since recovered and now volunteers with the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline to help prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
cw34.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old Miramar woman, was convicted of laundering over $2.7 million in stolen money from romance scams orchestrated by overseas conspirators, keeping hundreds of thousands of dollars for herself. Romance scams typically involve criminals creating fake online accounts to build trust with victims—often elderly—before stealing their money, with victims losing approximately $1.14 million in a single year. Petitfrere faces up to 10 years in prison at her December sentencing.
newsmeter.in
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old Hyderabad woman lost Rs 2 lakhs after a fraudster posing as an official called claiming her parcel from Mumbai to Taiwan had been seized and contained illegal items including drugs and cash, then threatened her with legal action by the Narcotics Department to extract her bank details. The victim subsequently filed a cybercrime complaint, and police warned the public to disconnect suspicious calls, avoid sharing financial information, and recognize that legitimate authorities do not demand money transfers via Skype or threaten legal action to resolve alleged issues.
foxsportsradionewjersey.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman working in cybersecurity fell victim to an elaborate phone scam impersonating a Homeland Security officer who claimed she was involved in drug smuggling and threatened her with up to 9 years in prison, though she avoided revealing personal identifying information. The scammer obtained her phone number, home address, thirty-year address history, and banking information, leaving her vulnerable to follow-up fraud attempts; the article also warns that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and commonly target seniors and other vulnerable populations through impersonating government agencies like the IRS and Homeland Security.
wrex.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is warning families about fake emergency scams where scammers use advanced voice-cloning technology to impersonate relatives and convince victims to wire money. To combat this threat, the BBB recommends families establish a private code word to verify callers' identities and secure their social media accounts to prevent scammers from obtaining voice samples. Victims or potential targets of this scam are encouraged to report incidents to the BBB Scam Tracker.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
I apologize, but the content provided appears to be a website navigation menu and section listing from a news station (WFTV), rather than an actual article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the full text of an actual article discussing a specific fraud case, scam scheme, or elder abuse incident. Could you please provide the article content itself?
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
At a September 2024 Senate Banking Committee hearing, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the severe impact of romance and cryptocurrency investment scams on older Americans, noting that Massachusetts residents alone lost over $85 million to these schemes in 2023. Testimony revealed that scammers use extended emotional manipulation through dating apps before gradually coercing victims to deposit funds into fake trading accounts that show false profits, ultimately draining their entire savings; crypto scam losses nationally increased tenfold from 2020-2023 to over $110 million, with adults over 60 being three times more likely to lose money in such schemes. Senator Warren advocated for her bipartisan Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering
publishedreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Cristine Petitfrere, 30, of Miramar, Florida, pleaded guilty to money laundering approximately $2.7 million obtained from elderly victims of romance scams, earning hundreds of thousands in fees by routing victim funds to foreign co-conspirators. Romance scams, which involve fraudsters creating fake online personas to manipulate victims into sending money, cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023 according to the Federal Trade Commission. Petitfrere faces up to ten years in prison at her December 11 sentencing in the Southern District of Florida.
coingape.com
· 2025-12-08
The CFTC has partnered with federal agencies including the SEC, FBI, and IRS to combat "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, which cost Americans billions annually and exploit victims through fake romantic relationships to lure them into fraudulent crypto investments. These collaborative efforts include developing educational infographics and investor alerts designed to help consumers—including experienced investors—identify and avoid such schemes. The CFTC advises the public to ignore unsolicited messages, report suspicious activity, and provide detailed information to law enforcement to assist investigations.
longisland.com
· 2025-12-08
A 51-year-old New Jersey man was arrested on September 13, 2024, for defrauding a 69-year-old woman in New Hyde Park through an elder scam in which he posed as a Walmart employee and convinced her that her social security number had been compromised. The victim withdrew $20,000 and handed it to the suspect in a parking lot on September 9, 2024, believing he would safeguard the funds; the suspect was apprehended when he attempted to solicit additional money from the victim days later. Tejas Kapur was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Attempted Grand Larceny 3
keysnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A California financial advisor, Paul Horton Smith, was convicted in January for operating a $24 million Ponzi scheme called "Northstar" from 2000 to 2020, defrauding hundreds of elderly victims who believed they were investing in annuities or real estate. The case exemplifies a broader trend of rising elder fraud nationally, with FBI data showing a 14% increase in reported elder fraud cases in 2023 and losses exceeding $3 billion annually, exploited through scams ranging from fake prizes and romance schemes to AI-generated voice impersonations. Financial experts recommend victims verify advisor credentials through free tools like BrokerCheck and the IAPD
businessday.ng
· 2025-12-08
Remote job scams have increased alongside the growing popularity of work-from-home opportunities, with scammers using fake job postings to steal personal information or upfront payments from job seekers. Red flags include upfront payment requests, unrealistic salaries for simple work, poor job descriptions, lack of interviews, requests for sensitive personal data, suspicious email domains, pressure to decide quickly, minimal company information, unspecified pay, and unusual payment systems. Job seekers should verify company legitimacy, conduct thorough research before applying, and only use established payment platforms to protect themselves.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP warns that peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App are vulnerable to multiple scam tactics, including impersonation scams (fake emergencies), marketplace discounts requiring P2P payment, and spoofed payment reversals where scammers request refunds that leave victims short funds. Unlike credit cards, P2P transactions lack consumer protections and are typically irreversible, making it critical to only use these apps with trusted contacts and to report unexpected payments to the app provider.
ireland-live.ie
· 2025-12-08
Advice NI warns that thousands of scam victims across Northern Ireland remain unreported, with only an estimated 10% of fraud victims seeking debt support despite suffering average losses of nearly £10,000 per person. Recent police data showed 5,412 fraud reports totaling £23.1 million losses (December 2022–January 2023), though actual figures are believed to be significantly higher; criminals are now using AI-driven tactics to impersonate debt collectors and financial institutions with increasing sophistication. The organization advises victims to verify identities through official channels, watch for spelling errors and urgency tactics, and seek free confidential debt advice from local support services rather than suffer in shame.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Kochi residents, including a renowned music composer who nearly lost Rs 3 lakh, have been targeted by cyber fraudsters posing as Central agency officers who use video call "interrogations" and threats of virtual arrest to coerce victims into transferring money to private accounts. The scammers exploit fear and psychological manipulation, successfully defrauding even highly educated and tech-savvy individuals, with one software company owner losing Rs 7 crore in a foreign exchange scam. Police warn that government agencies never request money transfers to private accounts and urge victims to report fraud immediately to the toll-free number 1930 within two hours for potential fund recovery.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first half of 2024, 580 Singapore residents fell victim to government official impersonation scams, a 58 percent increase from 367 cases in the same period the previous year, with each victim losing an average of $116,534—the highest loss amount among all scam types. Scammers impersonate police officers, bank staff, and government officials (including China government officials) to accuse victims of money laundering or other crimes, using psychological manipulation, time pressure, and fake credentials to coerce victims into transferring money to designated accounts. Authorities recommend verifying caller identity before complying with requests and looking for legitimate government sender IDs (gov.sg)
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance cryptocurrency scams are rising significantly, with the FBI reporting over 70,000 complaints and $5.6 billion in losses in 2023, often targeting educated and affluent victims. A 68-year-old woman was defrauded of $58,000 after meeting a man posing as a wealthy businessman on an elite dating app who gradually manipulated her into sending funds for fake business emergencies, later revealing the money was funneled into cryptocurrency investments. Investment fraud is the most common type of cryptocurrency scam, accounting for 71 percent of complaints and $3.96 billion in losses in 2023.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, a 45% increase from 2022, with people over 60 suffering the most damage at $1.6 billion in losses across more than 16,000 reports. Investment fraud scams accounted for the majority of losses at $3.9 billion, and seniors were particularly vulnerable to crypto ATM scams, losing over $124 million through that method alone. The FBI recommends verifying caller phone numbers, scrutinizing website domains and emails, remembering that no legitimate government agency demands crypto payments, and seeking licensed financial advice before investing.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $5.6 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, a 45% increase from 2022, with crypto investment fraud accounting for $3.9 billion of those losses according to the FBI's 2023 report. Seniors over 60 were hit hardest, reporting over $1.6 billion in losses and making up the vast majority of victims using crypto ATMs, losing over $124 million through that method alone. The FBI recommends verifying caller phone numbers, checking for website inconsistencies, and remembering that legitimate agencies will never demand payment via cryptocurrency.