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Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
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in Robocall / Phone Scam
krcrtv.com
· 2025-12-08
A Redding woman discovered gift card scams after purchasing a $50 Olive Garden card at Walmart and a $40 In-N-Out Burger card at Walgreens, both of which failed to activate or were empty when used. According to the Better Business Bureau, scammers tamper with gift cards in-store to obtain card information, then clone the numbers and divert funds to counterfeit cards, leaving buyers with unusable cards. Both retailers stated they have anti-tampering measures and fraud prevention training in place for employees.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals known as "title pirates" are forging property deeds and notary stamps to fraudulently transfer home ownership, exploiting weaknesses in county recording systems that rely on an "honor system" with minimal verification. Victims like Capital Bridge Partners faced months or years of costly litigation (estimated $50,000-$100,000+ in attorney fees) and 15-18 months minimum to reclaim their properties through the courts. Property owners can protect themselves by enrolling in the Los Angeles County Assessor's Homeowner Alert system, which notifies them within 48 hours when documents are recorded against their property, allowing them to quickly detect and address fraudulent activity.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed suit against Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo, alleging they rushed the Zelle peer-to-peer payment network to market without adequate fraud protections, resulting in over $870 million in customer losses across seven years of operation. According to the complaint, hundreds of thousands of customers filed fraud complaints and were denied assistance, with JPMorgan Chase alone receiving 420,000 complaints involving $360 million in losses. The banks and Zelle disputed the allegations, with the companies claiming the CFPB's figures are misleading and that they maintain strong fraud prevention measures.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Two former Cincinnati high school football players, Andrew Kerobo and Deonta Belser, both 25, have been indicted on 40 counts including aggravated theft, money laundering, and tampering with records in a $6.8 million COVID-19 unemployment fraud scheme. Kerobo, who worked for a state contractor processing unemployment claims, used his credentials to fraudulently release benefits even after being fired, while Belser recruited co-conspirators to file false claims; the two men and 15 other co-conspirators received portions of the fraudulent funds, with Kerobo personally obtaining nearly $119,000 in fraudulent benefits.
lakeonews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams targeting adults aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses during 2023, with fraud incidents typically increasing during the holiday season when older adults engage in more online shopping and charitable giving. The Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida launched the "Home for the Holidays" campaign to educate seniors, caregivers, and families about common scams and prevention strategies, particularly targeting isolated or lonely seniors who face heightened vulnerability.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Matthew Ramos-Soto, 27, from Hartford, Wisconsin, was sentenced to three years and five months for his role in a grandparent scam network that defrauded elderly victims nationwide. Between October 2022 and June 2023, Ramos-Soto and other conspirators posed as bail bondsmen collecting over $250,000 from victims in at least 18 U.S. locations by falsely claiming their relatives had been arrested in serious accidents. The sentencing judge described the scheme as "cruel and devastating," emphasizing the severe financial and emotional trauma inflicted on elderly victims.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
**Tech Support Scam with Banking Resolution**
John Beagle lost approximately $9,506 after falling victim to a fake Microsoft tech support pop-up scam that convinced him to transfer funds to trap the scammer. When his bank provided poor customer service during the fraud investigation, Beagle escalated his complaint to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority, which intervened and prompted the bank to reimburse 50 percent of his losses based on his 80-year customer relationship. The article provides guidance on steps scam victims should take, including contacting their bank immediately, reporting to relevant agencies like ReportCyber and Scamwatch, and accessing support services
waylandstudentpress.com
· 2025-12-08
The Wayland Police Department issued a holiday season warning about rising scam activity, identifying the "Grandparent" scam—where perpetrators impersonate family members in distress requiring bail money—as particularly prevalent among elderly residents. Common scam tactics include impersonation of police or family members via phone, text, email, or social media, with scammers using personal background information to create urgency and fear; police also flagged pet scams, noting one family lost $3,600 before discovering a fake Corgi listing was fraudulent. Chief Edward Burman recommends residents immediately report suspected scams to police if personal information or money has been exchanged, and advises that
kens5.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers are targeting seniors with fraudulent Facebook advertisements for "senior grocery cards" supposedly containing $3,400, often falsely claiming connection to Medicare or government programs. The Better Business Bureau confirms these are scams, noting that Medicare does not issue food allowance cards and legitimate programs do not distribute open prepaid cards with loaded money. Seniors are urged to be cautious of such offers, as they may be used to steal personal information or facilitate identity theft.
safetydetectives.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC warned of a new scam targeting elderly people in which fraudsters pose as legitimate services, offering free perks like cooking or cleaning in exchange for Medicare information, then fraudulently enroll victims in expensive hospice care without proper medical justification. The scammers contact victims through calls, texts, emails, flyers, advertisements, and door-to-door visits, potentially leading to devastating financial consequences, disrupted Medicare coverage, and identity theft. The FTC emphasizes that Medicare never initiates home visits for service enrollment and advises elderly people to verify any coverage questions directly with healthcare professionals.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
Holiday shopping scams cost Americans over $309 million in non-payment and non-delivery fraud last year, with nearly 80% of consumers falling victim to scams—a 10% increase from the prior year. The FBI warned consumers against unrealistic deals during peak shopping periods, as scammers exploit holiday distractions and increased transaction volumes through tactics including counterfeit in-demand items, fake charities (affecting nearly 1 in 3 people), phishing emails and texts, fraudulent gift card offers, and fake employment opportunities. Common advice includes avoiding unsolicited links, verifying charity legitimacy, and purchasing only from authorized retailers.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Brushing scams involve third-party sellers sending unsolicited packages to consumers' doorsteps to create fake positive reviews and artificially boost their ratings on platforms like Amazon. While recipients often keep inexpensive items like ping pong balls or flashlights without direct financial loss, the scams can be harmful if scammers have created accounts in the recipient's name or compromised their personal information, particularly if packages include malicious QR codes leading to phishing sites or malware. Consumers should verify unexpected packages with the retailer, check their accounts for unauthorized activity, change passwords, and report suspicious packages to the FTC and Better Business Bureau.
lowenstein.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Task scams—sophisticated schemes where scammers pose as legitimate companies and lure job seekers to perform simple fake tasks with promises of payment—caused victims to lose over $220 million in the first half of 2024 alone. Scammers typically send unsolicited job offers, request deposits or fees to access supposed earnings, and often use cryptocurrency to make recovery impossible. Businesses face significant risks including reputation damage, legal liability, and hiring disruption when their brands are impersonated in these schemes.
wbng.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York State Police issued a warning about phone scams in which perpetrators falsely claim money has been mistakenly deposited in victims' accounts or unauthorized charges have been made, often sending malicious links to gain computer access and steal funds. The scammers may also trick victims into withdrawing cash to hand over directly; authorities advise never withdrawing money on a caller's behalf and to immediately contact State Police if contacted with such requests.
southernstar.ie
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide defines scams as illegal schemes designed to steal money or personal information, and describes current fraud methods including "quishing" (fake QR codes at parking meters), fraudulent text messages impersonating government energy credit schemes, and spoofed business emails requesting payment. The article provides protective measures such as avoiding QR code payments, using multi-factor authentication, verifying websites through cybersecurity tools, recognizing warning signs (unsolicited contacts, pressure to act quickly, grammatical errors), and safeguarding personal information by only sharing details in initiated communications and checking website security features.
wdef.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, and Zelle's parent company Early Warning Services, alleging they rushed to launch the peer-to-peer payment network without adequate fraud protections, resulting in over $870 million in losses to customers since 2017. According to the suit, the three banks received hundreds of thousands of fraud complaints totaling more than $870 million collectively and often denied assistance to victims, while Zelle has been slow to implement anti-fraud measures and close fraudulent accounts. The lawsuit claims the banks prioritized competing with rival payment apps like Venmo and CashApp over customer safety.
grandrapidsmn.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines how digital scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread across all age groups. Key tactics include phishing emails and texts impersonating banks or employers, phone scams posing as government agencies or tech support, and online shopping fraud, all enabled by advances in technology like AI-generated messages and deepfakes. The article emphasizes that staying informed about these evolving fraud methods is essential for protecting personal finances and information in an increasingly digital world.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Eyeyah!, a Singapore-based educational platform, partnered with Meta, Singapore Police Force, and other agencies to create a 44-page illustrated magazine teaching students to recognize and resist scams through interactive activities like spotting fake websites and deepfakes. The initiative, which has reached 35 primary schools and multiple secondary institutions, uses art and animation to encourage students to slow down and think critically rather than panic, countering the artificial urgency that scammers create. Singapore's scam cases surged to 26,587 in the first half of 2024 with losses reaching $385.6 million, making such educational efforts increasingly important for protecting young people.
bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Bengaluru experienced severe cybercrime losses in 2024, with criminals stealing an average of ₹5.4 crore daily through digital arrest scams, fake investment schemes, and part-time job frauds, totaling ₹1,806 crore through November with individual losses ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹9 crore. The city recorded 16,357 cybercrime cases by year-end, with police successfully freezing ₹611.29 crore in fraudulent transactions and recovering ₹122.87 crore for victims. Authorities emphasize the critical "golden hour" immediately after fraud is reporte
fox13now.com
· 2025-12-08
Several people were scammed while attempting to purchase tickets to Ballet West's The Nutcracker in Salt Lake City through fraudulent third-party ticket websites like gotickets.com. Ballet West and the Better Business Bureau recommend purchasing tickets directly from balletwest.org and verifying website security features (https) to avoid sophisticated-looking counterfeit sites that appear in search results.
abc12.com
· 2025-12-08
The Flint Police Department is investigating multiple scams targeting senior citizens during the holiday season, with dozens of victims losing thousands of dollars to fraudsters impersonating FBI agents. The scammers use phone calls claiming bank account compromise to trick elderly victims into purchasing gift cards or using Bitcoin ATMs, where they are instructed to enter sensitive information and codes that grant scammers access to their accounts. Police recommend victims ask verification questions and hang up on suspicious calls, and several Bitcoin machines have been disabled in Flint stores in response to the fraud wave.
unfilteredwithkiran.com
· 2025-12-08
The USPS warned consumers during the holiday season about fraudulent text messages impersonating the postal service, requesting personal information or payment to resolve fake delivery issues such as invalid zip codes. USPS clarified it does not request personal information or payment through unsolicited messages and advised customers to verify suspicious messages directly through usps.com or the official app, avoid clicking links, watch for red flags like poor grammar and urgent demands, and report scams to 7726 (SPAM).
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Thailand recorded 739,000 cybercrime complaints between March and November, causing 77 billion baht in combined damage, with romance scams, friend impostor scams, fraudulent text messages with malicious links, and false government official calls identified as the most common tactics. These scams targeted victims by establishing fake relationships to solicit payments, impersonating friends or relatives to borrow money, sending phishing messages to steal banking information, and posing as officials demanding payment for alleged illegal activities. The Royal Thai Police advised vigilance and urged victims to report crimes via their online platform or the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau hotline.
curlytales.com
· 2025-12-08
Two men from Kolkata reported being targeted in online dating scams orchestrated at specific venues. The first man matched with a woman on Hinge who arranged a date at Riders Cafe, where he discovered it was a known scam location and left before ordering; the second man was taken to Atmosphere Café and presented with an inflated bill of ₹2,500 for drinks and food after his date ordered expensive items. Both men recognized the schemes in progress and left the establishments before significant financial loss, highlighting a pattern of women using dating apps to lure men to complicit venues with exorbitant pricing.
bangkokpost.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Thailand experienced a surge in cybercrime with 739,000 complaints filed between March and November, resulting in 77 billion baht (approximately 77 million baht daily) in damages. The four most prevalent scams were romance scams involving fake social media accounts and bogus investment schemes, friend impostor scams requesting loans, phishing text messages with fraudulent links, and false accusation calls impersonating government officials demanding money or app installations. Thai authorities urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspected fraud through the police online portal or the Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau's 24-hour hotline.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides six free strategies for protecting finances from fraud, particularly during high-risk periods like the holiday season. The recommended safeguards include staying informed about trending scams (adoption, romance, grandparent, and elder fraud), freezing credit with major bureaus when not applying for loans, enabling multi-factor authentication on accounts, using password managers to create strong unique passwords, avoiding clicking links or calling numbers in unsolicited communications, and monitoring accounts regularly for suspicious activity. These preventive measures require no financial investment but can significantly reduce vulnerability to identity theft and fraud year-round.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old woman lost her entire life savings to an elaborate scam involving impersonation, psychological manipulation, and coercion that drove her to withdraw funds via Bitcoin and max out credit cards, after which scammers posed as FBI agents claiming to "protect" her and later extracted an additional $20,000. The article outlines common elder fraud tactics—including impersonation, prize scams, tech support fraud, romance scams, and emergency schemes—and provides red flags such as unsolicited requests for sensitive information, urgent payment demands, and requests for untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency or gift cards.
nanaimobulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
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kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
An elder woman successfully identified and thwarted two "grandparent scam" calls by asking the caller which grandchild they were pretending to be, causing them to hang up. The article emphasizes that while older adults are often targeted by such scams, younger generations (Gen X, millennials, Gen Z) actually lose money to fraud at 34% higher rates than those over 60, typically through online shopping, investment, and job scams. The piece advises families to discuss financial safety during holiday gatherings and recommends being caller-aware, questioning suspicious calls, and verifying directly with the person or institution allegedly contacting you.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
During the holiday season, scammers are increasing phishing and "smishing" (SMS phishing) attacks targeting online shoppers by impersonating delivery services like USPS through fake emails and text messages requesting personal information for allegedly delayed packages. Law enforcement and security professionals warn consumers to verify sender information, avoid clicking unknown links, and be aware of "porch pirate" theft, recommending package tracking and alternative delivery methods to prevent losses. The scams exploit holiday shopping urgency and stress when consumers are more likely to panic and click malicious links.
lbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between December 25, 2023 and January 1, 2024, nearly £2 million was lost to authorized push payment (APP) scams during the festive period, with 596 scams reported to Santander bank including investment fraud, impersonation scams, and fake marketplace listings for goods and tickets. The scams exploited holiday distractions, with individual losses ranging from hundreds to over £600,000 in investment schemes. Santander advises consumers to verify payments carefully, avoid suspicious social media purchases, confirm identities through trusted contact methods, and research companies before sending money.
rappler.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scams across Asia surged dramatically in 2023, with Singapore reporting a 47% increase to over 46,000 cases, while young people and those with higher education have become primary targets through social media platforms and fake accounts promoting fraudulent investments and schemes. Scammers exploit young people's emotions and trust through influencers and gaming platforms, while also targeting older adults with more complex psychological narratives; traditional awareness campaigns struggle to keep pace with rapidly evolving scam tactics, particularly AI-generated content and deepfakes that make fraud increasingly difficult to detect.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in Huddersfield was defrauded of tens of thousands of pounds by a man who impersonated a police officer investigating financial fraud, obtaining her bank details through a cold call and later meeting her in person as part of the scheme. West Yorkshire Police released a photograph of the suspect, described as Asian, approximately 6ft tall, stocky build with dark curly hair, known to frequent Manchester city centre, Leeds city centre, and the Trafford Centre. Officers advised the public not to provide personal financial details to unsolicited callers and to hang up immediately.
parkrapidsenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
A WalletHub study ranking states on elder-abuse protections found Minnesota ranks 10th overall, excelling in financial crime legislation (1st) but lagging in abuse complaint reporting (27th). The article highlights a recent case in rural Douglas County where an elderly resident was defrauded of over $100,000 through a gold investment scam, and emphasizes that elder abuse—including physical, financial, emotional, and neglect—often goes unreported and can be perpetrated by family members or caregivers, requiring greater awareness and preventive measures.
giant.fm
· 2025-12-08
Criminal organizations are conducting imposter scams targeting older Americans by posing as representatives from legitimate companies (like PayPal) and then connecting victims to fraudsters claiming to be federal agents who convince them to drain their bank accounts for "security." An elderly couple in Williamson County, Illinois lost $121,000 in such a scam before three Chinese nationals were arrested attempting to pick up the cash; the defendants face federal wire fraud charges.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Matthew Ramos-Soto, a 27-year-old from Connecticut, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for his role in a multi-state grandparent scam targeting elderly victims. Operating as a courier posing as a bail bondsman, Ramos-Soto collected over $250,000 from victims across the United States between October 2022 and June 2023, as part of a larger fraud network that contacted elderly people claiming their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money. The scheme, which operated across multiple states including Wisconsin, Michigan, Vermont, Rhode Island, and California, resulted in restitution being ordered and prompted federal authorities to emphasize the importance of
radio.wpsu.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using artificial intelligence tools to create more sophisticated and convincing scams, particularly phishing attacks and voice-cloning schemes that target victims during the holiday season. Key vulnerabilities include AI-generated emails and texts that mimic legitimate communications, deepfake voice calls impersonating loved ones (especially "grandparent scams"), and fraudulent websites that appear authentic. Experts recommend creating family code words, securing social media accounts, carefully verifying web addresses and email domains, and screening unfamiliar calls to protect against these evolving AI-enabled frauds.
thearabtribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple senior citizens across Alabama counties received Medicare scam calls from fraudsters claiming to offer discounts on prescriptions and insurance payments while requesting Social Security numbers and bank account information to "verify." The scammers, who possessed some personal information like addresses and phone numbers, were unable to answer when victims asked them to recite the sensitive data they claimed to have, indicating the calls were part of a widespread fraud scheme targeting seniors.
mshale.com
· 2025-12-08
The Minnesota Department of Commerce is urging residents to become "scam spotters" in 2025 as the state reports an increase in fraudsters tricking people into sharing financial information and losing money. The department provides key prevention tips including verifying requests directly with the source, resisting emotional manipulation and urgency tactics, avoiding upfront payment demands, and not clicking suspicious links—and offers resources for reporting scams and checking business licenses.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Virginia woman lost tens of thousands of dollars in life savings to a bank imposter scam after receiving a fraudulent message claiming to be from Wells Fargo and providing a phone number to call. She unknowingly gave her account information to scammers posing as bank security, resulting in unauthorized withdrawals; Wells Fargo initially denied reimbursement citing that she willingly provided the information, though the bank is now investigating the case. The victim urged others to verify caller identity independently and never share account information in response to unsolicited contact.
statesman.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns consumers to remain vigilant against holiday shopping scams, particularly credit card skimming and smishing fraud. Card skimmers are illegally installed devices on ATMs and payment terminals that capture card data and PINs to enable unauthorized purchases; consumers can detect them using the SCAN method (checking for cameras, comparing components, assessing tampering, and nudging readers). Smishing scams use text messages impersonating legitimate institutions like banks or the USPS to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information—recipients should report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM) and relevant authorities without clicking links.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are using artificial intelligence tools to create increasingly convincing scams during the holiday season, with phishing attacks being the most common threat. To protect yourself, experts recommend: verifying suspicious emails for subtle red flags (misspellings in domain names, logo variations), establishing secret code words with family members to verify identity during emergency calls, securing social media accounts by setting them to private and limiting personal information, and carefully checking website URLs and encryption before entering sensitive information, as scammers can use AI to create fraudulent websites that appear legitimate.
kgw.com
· 2025-12-08
Clackamas County Sheriff's Office received nearly daily reports during the holiday season of phone scammers impersonating law enforcement and threatening victims with fines and arrest warrants to extort money. In one incident, scammers posing as corporate management convinced young employees at a Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Happy Valley to withdraw $1,000 and load it onto prepaid debit cards by falsely claiming the owner was under investigation for counterfeit money. Authorities advise residents to hang up on such calls, emphasizing that legitimate law enforcement agencies never solicit money by phone.
leadertelegram.com
· 2025-12-08
This overview article describes prevalent scams targeting individuals across Wisconsin and the region, including impersonation scams (fake DSPS, IRS, and Microsoft representatives), grandparent scams, and romance scams that exploit personal information and emotional manipulation to extract money from victims. Between January 2022 and June 2024, approximately $3.54 million in scam losses were reported to Wisconsin's Department of Financial Institutions, though law enforcement suspects the actual total is significantly higher due to underreporting. Scammers commonly target lonely individuals and elderly people, particularly widowed men, using emotional manipulation, personal details from public sources, and fabricated scenarios to convince victims to send money or gift cards
wjcl.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, the WJCL 22 News investigations team uncovered multiple fraud and crime stories, including a case where an elderly woman was scammed out of approximately $170,000 through five wire transfers before her death in September. The investigative series also covered fentanyl-related deaths, modified firearms in the community, prison violence, ticket resale fraud affecting consumers, and law enforcement's use of new AI-powered technology to combat crime.
gmtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The Mequon Police Department issued a warning about a spike in fraud cases in its community, noting that scams have become increasingly sophisticated and are targeting vulnerable populations through various methods including phishing, impersonation, tech support fraud, investment schemes, and cryptocurrency-related scams. Victims often lose thousands of dollars through wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency with little chance of recovery, and emotional distress frequently prevents reporting. The department recommends residents remain vigilant, verify unsolicited offers, protect personal information, and anticipate that scams will continue to evolve with advancing technology, including AI-driven schemes.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A cybersecurity expert warned of three common holiday scams targeting consumers during the Christmas season: fake sales on social media platforms (where scammers pose as sellers and demand gift card payments before disappearing), impersonation scams (where criminals hijack accounts to pose as family members requesting money or information, increasingly using AI voice cloning and deepfakes), and fake prize giveaways (which collect personal information or processing fees). These schemes exploit the holiday shopping rush and emotional vulnerabilities to quickly extract financial information and money from victims.
peoplesdefender.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns about "smishing" scams targeting drivers, where criminals send text messages impersonating toll road authorities like E-ZPass, requesting payment of small amounts (typically $11-$12) to avoid $50 late fees and including fraudulent payment links. The scam, which began in March according to the FBI, is increasingly state-specific and may target recent travelers. The article advises recipients to delete such messages, never click embedded links, contact toll authorities directly through official channels to verify charges, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's IC3.gov, the Better Business Bureau, or state attorneys general.
kttc.com
· 2025-12-08
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison warns that scammers posing as immigration attorneys target immigrant populations by promising legal services, collecting upfront payments, and then disappearing while potentially damaging victims' immigration cases through incorrect forms or missed deadlines. The advisory provides protective measures including verifying attorney credentials, obtaining free immigration forms from USCIS.gov, never signing blank documents, and getting receipts and copies of all work. Victims can report scams to the Minnesota Attorney General's Office, the Federal Trade Commission, or directly to social media platforms where fraudulent accounts operate.