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A Toronto-Dominion Bank employee in New York used her access to customer data to distribute sensitive information to criminals on Telegram, a pattern that reflects a broader vulnerability in US banking where low-paid staff members are selling customer details to fraudsters. The scheme is particularly concerning given that US retirees face over $28 billion in estimated annual elder fraud losses, and con artists with insider information about wealthy customers can more effectively target victims. Banks have resisted stronger regulatory requirements to protect customers despite years of warnings about insider data breaches, with some cases involving sophisticated fraud rings operating on the dark web and social media platforms.

A Toronto-Dominion Bank employee in New York used her access to customer data to distribute sensitive information to criminals via Telegram, a case that exemplifies a broader pattern of low-paid bank employees selling customer details to fraudsters across the United States. Detectives found images of 255 customer cheques and personal information on approximately 70 others on her phone, with similar schemes documented at major financial institutions and credit unions. This insider vulnerability is particularly concerning given that US retirees face record elder fraud losses exceeding $28 billion annually, as scammers with inside knowledge of customers' finances can target victims more effectively.

Two New York men, Sun Tong Lin and Xueliang Chen, were indicted in December 2024 on wire fraud and conspiracy charges for a scheme targeting elderly victims by convincing them their bank accounts were insecure and persuading them to withdraw cash that was then stolen. The defendants allegedly defrauded at least nine victims of approximately $288,000 and attempted to steal an additional $50,000 from a victim in Tioga County during June and July 2024.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) sued Wells Fargo, JP Morgan Chase, and Bank of America in December 2024 for allegedly failing to implement adequate fraud safeguards on the Zelle payment app, resulting in over $870 million in fraud losses over seven years. The lawsuit claims the three banks rushed to launch Zelle in 2017 without proper consumer protections and subsequently denied relief to hundreds of thousands of defrauded customers, sometimes directing them to contact the fraudsters directly. The CFPB is seeking injunctions and monetary restitution in the case.

Violent crime against seniors in the United States increased 331% over the past decade, prompting a shift in retirement planning toward safety considerations. Seniorly's analysis of FBI data and federal statistics identified New Jersey as the safest state for older adults to retire, followed by New York and Mississippi, while Colorado and Western states (Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico) ranked as the most dangerous due to high rates of elder fraud, property crime, and violent crime. The safest states were characterized by strong police presence, lower elder fraud rates, and better healthcare access, with East Coast states dominating the top 10.

The U.S. Secret Service and NYPD's Cyber Fraud Task Force are warning New York consumers about holiday season scams, which cost millions of dollars annually and continue to evolve. Common schemes include email account hacking leading to gift card requests mimicked from loved ones, fake donation links, and phishing texts about package deliveries. The agencies advise consumers to use strong passwords, shop only with trusted retailers, verify charitable organizations through Charity Navigator, trust their instincts when requests seem suspicious, and report fraud to local authorities without shame.

Twin brothers Alon and Oren Alexander, prominent US-Israeli real estate developers, were denied release on bail after a Miami judge rejected a $115 million bail package proposal in December 2024, keeping them in custody pending trial in New York City. The brothers face unspecified charges related to their real estate operations.

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.

Violent crime against seniors has surged 331% over the past decade, with property crime up 79% between 2013 and 2023, while seniors collectively lost a record $3.4 billion to scams in 2023. A comprehensive safety analysis examining crime rates, healthcare access, falls, traffic fatalities, and fraud across all 50 states found New Jersey to be the safest retirement destination, followed by New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Nebraska, while western states dominated the least safe rankings.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a Bronx-based Social Security Administration employee, pleaded guilty in December for his role in a "grandparent scam" targeting elderly New Yorkers and New Jerseyans, in which he collected cash payments from victims who had been deceived by Dominican Republic-based call centers posing as distressed grandchildren or their representatives. The scheme defrauded vulnerable seniors of thousands of dollars each through false claims of arrest or legal troubles. Authorities recommend that older adults verify caller identities through personal questions, keep social media private, avoid transferring money or buying gift cards, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the National Elder Fraud Hotline at

Robert Giuliano, a multi-state romance scammer operating under the alias "Rob Scotto," defrauded an Arizona woman of $30,000 over several months by posing as a romantic interest on a dating site and requesting money for trips he claimed he couldn't afford. Giuliano, who was wanted by New York authorities for forgery, grand larceny, and identity theft, was arrested by Scottsdale Police in December after investigators received a tip from New York and discovered he was living in the area. He remains in custody awaiting extradition to New York.

A 73-year-old California woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars by someone posing as MSNBC host Ari Melber on a fake Facebook profile over a four-month period. The scammer manipulated the victim by initially requesting money for his "sick dog," then claiming to be in love with her and promising marriage, and eventually sending an AI-generated voice message impersonating Melber before the victim attempted to fly to New York to meet him—an intervention by family members prevented the trip. The incident highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to romance and impersonation scams, with the FBI reporting over 101,000 people aged 60+ reporting fraud in the prior year.

A 73-year-old Seattle-area grandmother was defrauded of at least $20,000 by a scammer posing as MSNBC host Ari Melber through a months-long Facebook dialogue that included romantic manipulation and requests for money for a sick dog. The victim was intercepted at Portland airport by family members who tracked her cell phone before she could meet the impostor in New York, where relatives feared she would be taken hostage and held for ransom. The scam involved fake engagement ring, AI-generated voice messages mimicking Melber, and the Marysville Police Department has launched an investigation.

A 73-year-old California woman was defrauded of thousands of dollars over four months by a scammer who impersonated MSNBC host Ari Melber on a fake Facebook profile, initially requesting money for a supposed sick dog and later claiming romantic interest and plans to marry her. The scammer used an AI-generated voice message to strengthen the deception and nearly convinced the victim to travel to New York City to meet in person, though a family member intercepted her during a layover and brought her home. The FBI reports that such scams targeting older adults are increasingly common, with over 101,000 people age 60 and older reporting fraud in the previous year.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Durable Medical Equipment (DME) fraud as its December fraud alert, warning seniors about scammers offering unsolicited calls or ads for free or low-cost braces and other unnecessary medical equipment to steal Medicare information and submit fraudulent claims. The organization advises seniors to guard their Medicare numbers like credit card numbers, avoid responding to unsolicited offers, ensure a doctor has personally assessed their condition before receiving equipment, and report suspicious activity to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) fraud, identified as December's Medicare fraud concern by the New York StateWide Senior Action Council, involves scammers making unsolicited calls to Medicare beneficiaries offering free or discounted braces and other unnecessary medical equipment to fraudulently bill Medicare. Seniors are advised to guard their Medicare numbers, avoid responding to unsolicited offers, ensure a doctor has personally assessed their condition before obtaining equipment, and report suspicious charges to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, as such fraud costs taxpayers an estimated $60 billion nationally per year.

A 73-year-old Marysville, Washington woman lost at least $20,000 to a romance scam involving an imposter posing as MSNBC anchor Ari Melber on a fake Facebook profile. Over four months, the scammer convinced Patricia that they were in love and would marry, sent her a counterfeit ring, and manipulated her into sending money by claiming his dog was dying and he lacked access to funds; the situation escalated when she boarded a plane to New York to meet him, prompting her family to intercept her during a layover. The case highlights a broader problem: the FBI reported over 101,000 people aged

Multiple residents at NYC Housing Authority's New Lane complex in Staten Island have fallen victim to scams targeting electronic benefit transfer (EBT) accounts, with scammers exploiting seniors' difficulty navigating smartphone EBT apps. Local officials held a press conference to raise awareness and call for stronger law enforcement action, noting that underreporting is common because victims can recoup funds through a lengthy process, and state legislators indicated they would pursue harsher penalties for crimes targeting seniors. Victims are urged to file police reports and contact the relevant scam hotline for assistance.

A 73-year-old Marysville, Washington grandmother was defrauded of at least $20,000 by a scammer impersonating MSNBC anchor Ari Melber through a fake Facebook profile, who convinced her to send money for his sick dog and later claimed to be in love with her, even sending a fake engagement ring and AI-generated voice messages. The scammer had manipulated Patricia over four months and nearly convinced her to travel to New York to meet him in person before her family intercepted her during a layover in Portland. The case reflects a broader trend, with the FBI reporting over 101,000 people age 60 and older fell victim

Romance scams increase during the holiday season when scammers target vulnerable individuals, particularly older adults, through online dating sites and social media by exploiting feelings of loneliness and generosity. The webinar features experts from Homeland Security Investigations and AARP New York providing tools and knowledge to recognize and avoid romance scams.

The Brooklyn District Attorney's office launched an investigation into fraudulent NFT platforms after an 85-year-old artist lost his life savings to a fake OpenSea website, uncovering 40 similar phishing sites targeting artists across the country. Scammers accessed victims' digital assets and laundered stolen funds through Nigeria, affecting at least three artists from New York, Georgia, and California. The DA's office shut down the fraudulent websites and advised NFT artists to verify site legitimacy and protect their crypto wallet seed phrases to prevent asset theft.

An elderly Montgomery County resident lost $40,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam where the suspect posed as customer service and falsely claimed the victim's activity was being monitored. When the suspect, Zixiong Wang, 27, of Flushing, attempted to collect additional funds at a predetermined location in Amsterdam, New York State Police arrested him on charges of third-degree attempted grand larceny and criminal possession of cocaine; investigators also discovered he was wanted in Delaware for similar crimes against an elderly victim.

Romance scams surge during the holiday season as fraudsters exploit loneliness and generosity, particularly targeting vulnerable populations including older adults through online dating platforms and social media. In 2022, older Americans lost nearly $240 million to romance scams according to the FTC, and a free educational webinar on December 10 featuring Homeland Security Investigations and AARP New York will provide tools to recognize scam tactics, verify identities, and access victim support resources.

Bashiru Ganiyu, 39, of the Bronx, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for operating romance scams targeting primarily elderly victims from 2020 to 2022 as part of a Ghana-based criminal enterprise; he defrauded over 40 victims of nearly $12 million and was ordered to forfeit $11.7 million and pay $7.6 million in restitution. Ganiyu used fraudulent online personas to gain victims' trust before convincing them to wire money to bank accounts he controlled, then funneled the stolen funds to co-conspirators domestically and abroad.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 40-year-old New York man and Social Security Administration employee, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for serving as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly American victims by falsely claiming their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez and other couriers collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine at his April 2025 sentencing.

The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection warned consumers ahead of Giving Tuesday to be cautious of charity scams, which increase during the holiday season when donors are motivated by generosity and tax deductions. Fraudsters often impersonate legitimate organizations or government agencies to solicit donations, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting 9,808 charitable solicitation fraud reports nationwide in 2022, though many scams go unreported. The department provided guidance including verifying charity legitimacy, avoiding third-party fundraisers, resisting high-pressure tactics, never disclosing personal information, and never giving cash.

A survey by Investor Loss Center using FTC data identified the top fraud types affecting New Yorkers in the first three quarters of the year, with imposter scams leading at 27,191 reports, followed by online shopping scams (14,019 reports), internet service scams (6,589 reports), healthcare scams (4,570 reports), and fake job opportunities (4,369 reports). The report emphasizes that residents should be skeptical of unsolicited offers, verify caller identity by calling official numbers, and trust their instincts when something feels suspicious.

Robert Giuliano, a New York man with a history of fraud convictions, is wanted as a fugitive for romance scams targeting women in multiple states. Previously convicted in 2014 for scamming dozens of travelers out of thousands of dollars through his fake concierge company between 2008-2012, Giuliano is now among New York State's 17 Most Wanted and is believed to be operating in New York, Miami, and Scottsdale, Arizona. He uses false credentials and social media profiles to perpetrate his schemes.

Robert Giuliano, a New York fugitive with a history of fraud, is wanted for romance scams targeting women and is listed among New York State's 17 Most Wanted Fugitives. Previously convicted in 2014 of scamming dozens of victims across multiple states out of thousands of dollars through a fake concierge company ("Giuliano Group Concierge"), he has continued criminal activity through dating scams and maintains false online profiles on LinkedIn and Instagram to deceive victims. Law enforcement believes he may be in New York, Miami, or Scottsdale, Arizona.

A 24-year-old Bengali national living in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with conspiracy and wire fraud for operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam targeting elderly victims in Orange County and Ohio. In the first case, Islam posed as a courier and collected $35,000 in cash from a 73-year-old Warwick man who was tricked into believing he had accidentally authorized a $41,999 charge; police arrested Islam during a subsequent sting operation involving a decoy $22,000 payment. Islam admitted to working as a courier for an operation based in India, earning $2,000 per

A 24-year-old Bengali student in New York on a student visa, Mazharul Islam, was arrested and charged with operating a Geek Squad auto-renewal scam that defrauded elderly victims of significant sums. Islam posed as a Best Buy employee, sending phishing emails to trick victims into believing they needed to renew service contracts, then directed them to fake refund links and convinced them they had overpaid, coercing them to withdraw cash; he personally served as the courier in at least two cases, collecting $35,000 from a 73-year-old Warwick man and $20,000 from an Ohio victim before being caught by police. Islam pleade

An 86-year-old Peckville man was scammed out of $9,500 in a "grandparent scam" when he received calls on May 31 from people impersonating his grandson claiming he needed money after a traffic accident. Iris Alvarez and Alfonso Camareno, both of Flushing, New York, are charged with operating a corrupt organization and theft; police used surveillance video, rental car tracking data, and Cash App records to link them to the crime, with evidence suggesting they led a crew that routinely targeted elderly victims. Both suspects remain at large, and the investigation is ongoing with potential for additional arrests.

Three New York residents—Rohan Lyttle (97 months), Caron Pitter (66 months), and Charlene Marshall (34 months)—were sentenced to prison for their roles in a Jamaican lottery scam targeting elderly Americans between 2017 and 2020. The defendants received and laundered funds from victims who were falsely told they had won Publisher's Clearing House prizes and needed to prepay taxes, with victims losing over $1.1 million collectively through cash packages, wire transfers, and fraudulent credit card and ATM withdrawals in Jamaica; each defendant was ordered to pay $245,147.98 in restitution.

A 30-year-old New York man, Xuejian Wu, was arrested after defrauding a North Reading, Massachusetts elderly resident of more than $10,000 through a sophisticated online scam involving remote computer access, threats, and Bitcoin transactions. Wu was apprehended when he appeared at the victim's home impersonating a federal agent to attempt collecting additional funds, and he was charged with multiple counts of larceny and conspiracy. The case highlights the targeting of seniors through technology-based fraud and the importance of reporting suspected scams to law enforcement promptly.

This article provides reporting resources for individuals who suspect or have experienced scam activity, particularly related to gift card fraud. It directs victims to contact the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-382-4357) and their state's Attorney General office, with specific contact numbers listed for Maryland, New York, and New Jersey. The piece emphasizes that reporting scams to these agencies enables law enforcement to investigate and prevent future fraud.

A California man lost $20,000 to a tech support scam after receiving a pop-up warning that his account was compromised and being instructed to withdraw cash and mail it to a New York City address. NYPD Detective Justin Guzman intervened quickly upon the victim's report, intercepting the package at a Bayside, Queens apartment before the scammers retrieved it and successfully returning the funds. The case illustrates how scammers evolve tactics—when gift card fraud failed, they pivoted to requesting actual cash—and highlights the importance of police responsiveness in combating these schemes.

A New Jersey resident lost $16,000 after responding to a fake Instagram advertisement from a fraudulent company called "D&J Auto Transportation," which deleted its ad and website after receiving payment via wire transfer. The scam affected at least three victims across New Jersey, California, and New York for a total of over $38,000 before New York resident Ariel Cruz was identified and charged with theft by deception and computer theft. Red flags for online car purchase scams include pressure to finalize quickly, inability to meet the seller or inspect the vehicle, and payment requests via wire transfer or gift cards.

This is an educational webinar on elder fraud prevention held on November 14th featuring experts from AARP, the New York County District Attorney's Office, and NYPD Crime Prevention. Participants learned about emerging scam tactics and protective measures against phone scams, internet fraud, and identity theft, with resources provided including the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, FTC fraud reporting, and the AARP Fraud Watch Network helpline.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council highlighted misleading marketing practices during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15–December 7) as its November 2024 Fraud of the Month, warning seniors to avoid scammers who request personal information, falsely claim Medicare affiliation, or use high-pressure enrollment tactics. The council advises seniors to verify that plan representatives explain coverage changes in writing, confirm doctors are in-network, and opt out of unsolicited communications, with resources available through the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.

Comerica Bank sued the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in November 2024, claiming its investigation into the bank's administration of the Direct Express federal prepaid card program—which serves over 3 million Americans receiving federal benefits—is unlawful and exceeds the agency's authority. The lawsuit comes after years of allegations against Comerica, including outsourcing fraud complaints to Pakistan, failing to adequately prevent fraud, and mishandling beneficiary refunds, which led to a $1.2 million settlement in June 2024. Comerica's current contract with the Treasury Department expires January 2, 2025, and the bank faces potential replacement by Bank of New York Mellon.

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about health insurance scams targeting individuals during the open enrollment period (through December 15) for coverage starting January 1. Common scam tactics include threatening cancellation of Medicaid coverage, offering fake gifts to solicit personal information, using phishing emails offering discounted insurance, and impersonating official state agencies. The alert provides guidance to avoid scams, including free renewal services, verification that legitimate agencies never use the term "Obamacare" or ask for money, and resources available through the NY State of Health website.

**Summary:** New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning about health insurance scams targeting residents during open enrollment periods, which spike as New Yorkers seek coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace (open through January 31, 2025). Scammers use fear tactics threatening cancellation of Medicaid or other coverage unless payment is provided, phishing schemes offering gift cards to update accounts, and false claims that fees are required to enroll in state health programs—tactics that legitimate government agencies never employ. New Yorkers are advised to use only official channels like NY State of Health website or 1-855-355-5777 to enroll and to report suspected fraud to the Attorney

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council highlighted misleading marketing practices during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15-December 7) as its November Fraud of the Month, warning seniors to avoid scammers who request personal information, falsely claim Medicare endorsement, or use high-pressure enrollment tactics. The organization advises beneficiaries to request written information, verify doctor networks, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, noting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually nationwide.

**Summary:** New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning residents about health insurance scams during the 2024-2025 Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, which runs through January 31, 2025 (with December 15 deadline for January 1 coverage). Common scams include fraudsters threatening cancellation of Medicaid or coverage unless payment is provided, phishing scams offering gift cards to "update" accounts, and charging fees to enroll in marketplace insurance, none of which legitimate government agencies do. The Attorney General advises New Yorkers to use only official channels like NY State of Health (1-855-355-5777) for free enrollment assistance

Lawyers nationwide received phishing emails impersonating federal court notices of electronic filings, with scammers requesting replies that lead to malicious websites designed to compromise personal and firm data. Federal district courts and bankruptcy courts issued warnings urging attorneys to verify filings through official channels and avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unofficial sources. The scheme targeted legal professionals across multiple jurisdictions from California to New York to Texas, posing risks of ransomware attacks and data theft.

This article is not about fraud or elder abuse, but rather a policy issue affecting Medicare payment rates for home medical equipment providers in New York. Seniors are rallying for legislative support (H.R.5555 and S.1294) after Medicare slashed reimbursement rates, forcing two-thirds of providers to reduce services or close, threatening access to essential equipment like wheelchairs and oxygen tanks for the elderly population. **Note:** This article does not fit the Elderus database scope, which focuses on scams, fraud, and elder abuse rather than healthcare policy issues.

Two men, Roberto Munoz (29) of Florida and Jason Rhodes (34) of New York, were charged federally in November 2024 with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating as couriers in grandparent scams targeting elderly victims across multiple states. Operating in March 2024, Munoz and Rhodes collected approximately $230,000 from victims in over a dozen communities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts by posing as family members, attorneys, or law enforcement and directing seniors to pay fake bail or legal fees; they were arrested after police set up surveillance at a victim's home where one grandparent couple had already paid $18,000.

Two men from New York and Florida were arrested in March for their roles as couriers in grandparent scams targeting seniors across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and multiple other states. In early March, Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes allegedly collected approximately $230,000 from victims in over a dozen communities before police arrested them during a surveillance operation at a victim's home in Warwick, Rhode Island. The scams involved fraudsters posing as family members, attorneys, or law enforcement to convince elderly victims to send cash via couriers, with evidence suggesting the scheme targeted victims across at least nine additional states.

Two men from New York and Florida were arrested in March for serving as couriers in grandparent scams targeting seniors across multiple states, collecting approximately $230,000 from victims in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Iowa, and beyond. Roberto Munoz and Jason Rhodes allegedly received victim names and addresses from scam organizers and traveled to collect bail payments that victims believed were needed for arrested grandchildren, with one victim pair paying $18,000 before recognizing the scheme. Both men were released on unsecured bond with GPS monitoring while the investigation continues, with authorities believing numerous additional families across Rhode Island and Massachusetts were victimized.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council warned seniors about Medicare scams during the open enrollment period ending December 7, advising people to avoid sharing personal information with unsolicited callers claiming to represent Medicare, as the agency never cold-calls and Part D enrollment is voluntary, not mandatory. Seniors who suspect their Medicare or Social Security numbers have been compromised or were enrolled in plans without permission can contact the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800/333-4374.