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The FBI warns that online romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often perpetrated by organized crime rings exploiting dating app users. A victim named Carina lost $150,000 after being manipulated by a fake profile into investing in cryptocurrency over a three-month period, and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware alone, 970 people reported romance scam losses totaling $33.5 million last year. Experts emphasize that victims experience significant emotional damage beyond financial loss and recommend approaching suspected victims with empathy rather than judgment, while noting that many scammers operate overseas, making recovery difficult.

The FBI issued a warning about a "smishing" scam active since March 2024 that uses fake SMS text messages claiming recipients have unpaid toll fees, directing them to fraudulent websites to steal payment information or malware. Over 2,000 complaints were received across three states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, with scammers impersonating legitimate toll services and threatening late fees. Victims are advised to verify toll balances through official channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, delete fraudulent messages, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a political interview with a Pennsylvania District Attorney candidate discussing his qualifications and priorities for Attorney General, which include mentions of protecting elders and children alongside fentanyl, mental health, and violent crime initiatives. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.

A Senate report reveals that retirees across multiple states have been targeted by scams resulting in both significant financial losses and substantial IRS tax bills, with victims unable to deduct theft losses under current tax law. The report profiles cases such as a Pennsylvania retiree who lost $765,000 to a cryptocurrency scam and subsequently faced a $220,000 tax bill, highlighting how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act narrowed the theft loss deduction for individuals to only federally declared disasters. Senator Bob Casey calls for reversing these tax limitations to protect fraud victims from bearing additional tax burdens on their stolen retirement savings.

A Tallmadge police sergeant investigated a 2019 online dating scam that defrauded a local woman of $60,000 and uncovered a multi-state money-laundering operation involving victims across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, including one couple who lost $375,000. The investigation led to the arrest of six people in Rhode Island who were processing fraudulent funds through compromised bank accounts and money orders. The FBI reported 19,000 romance scam complaints nationally in 2022 with losses exceeding $739 million, typically targeting women over 40.

Jackie Lynn Neubauer, a 41-year-old car rental manager in Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft after processing over 140 fraudulent car rentals using stolen credit card numbers provided by conspirators, resulting in losses exceeding $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2024, with potential penalties ranging from two to 12 years in prison and fines up to $500,000. The U.S. Secret Service investigation led to the prosecution of this case involving coordinated identity theft and fraud.

**Summary:** Fraudsters targeted Pennsylvania Turnpike E-ZPass customers with phishing text messages and emails impersonating "PA Toll Services," claiming they had outstanding toll balances requiring immediate payment to avoid late fees. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advised customers to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and instead check accounts through the official PA Turnpike website or PA Toll Pay app, with an option to report fraudulent texts to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike warned E-ZPass account holders of a phishing scam using text messages falsely claiming to be from "PA Toll Services" and threatening late fees to pressure victims into clicking malicious links and providing personal financial information. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide, and the Turnpike advised customers to verify account information only through official channels like the PA Turnpike website or PA Toll Pay app, with fraud reports directed to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is warning E-ZPass users of a phishing scam in which fraudsters send texts or emails impersonating "PA Turnpike Services" to request personal financial information for allegedly outstanding toll balances and late fees. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide, with scammers directing victims to fake PA Turnpike websites; the legitimate way to check accounts is through paturnpike.com, and fraudulent messages should be reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

AARP Pennsylvania is launching an educational campaign to combat Social Security fraud, which affected approximately 360,000 people through impersonation scams in 2021. The organization recommends protective measures including robocall-blocking applications, online account monitoring, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities, emphasizing that genuine unsolicited Social Security Administration contact is extremely rare. Victims of these scams face risks including identity theft, financial loss, and long-term challenges accessing credit and services.

Pennsylvania Turnpike officials identified a phishing scam targeting E-ZPass account holders through fraudulent text messages impersonating toll services and threatening late fees to pressure victims into clicking malicious links. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide in recent days. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises account holders to verify account information only through official websites and to report suspicious communications to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Scammers have been selling counterfeit solar-viewing glasses ahead of the April 8 solar eclipse, capitalizing on consumer demand for eye protection during the event. Fake glasses lack the special filters needed to protect eyes from the sun's intense energy, unlike legitimate ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. Pennsylvania authorities urge consumers to verify glasses are marked with the ISO 12312-2 certification number and to report suspected fake products to the Attorney General's office.

This is not an article about fraud or elder abuse. Rather, it is informational content from the official Pennsylvania government website describing legitimate state services and resources, including guidance on verifying official .gov websites to avoid phishing scams. It does not contain a specific scam incident, fraud case, or elder abuse situation to summarize.

West Chester, Pennsylvania police received over 25 calls over a weekend from residents targeted by scammers posing as police officers claiming they had warrants or felonies pending, an international scam that is difficult to trace. Authorities warn that scammers are attempting to obtain personal information from victims, with past cases showing that people who provide information believing it will resolve legal issues often experience additional fraud problems. Imposter scams reported to the FTC increased 12% year-over-year, and while no confirmed victims were reported in this particular incident, residents are advised to contact police if they receive such calls.

A 67-year-old New Castle, Pennsylvania man lost $18,600 ($15,000 in cash plus $3,600 in gift card codes) in October after clicking on a malware pop-up that mimicked Microsoft or the FBI and prompted him to call a scammer for technical support. Pennsylvania State Police warn the public to avoid calling numbers on suspicious pop-ups, never allow remote computer access to unknown parties, and remember that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards or cash; victims should contact their bank, change passwords, and consider a credit freeze.

State Representative Mike Cabell hosted an educational seminar at Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dallas, Pennsylvania, where approximately 50 seniors learned how to protect their personal information and identify identity theft scams. The seminar focused on online safety and everyday fraud prevention, with Cabell emphasizing that education is the key tool to combat scams targeting vulnerable seniors.

Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Blair, is partnering with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office to host a free Senior Scam Prevention Seminar on March 21 in Altoona, addressing the problem of scammers targeting senior citizens and stealing their money. The seminar will cover identity theft prevention, protecting personal information online, and recognizing identity theft scams, with attendees encouraged to RSVP by calling 814-946-7218 or visiting RepSchmitt.com/events.

Pennsylvania residents lost more than $158 million to scams in the first nine months of 2023, a 22% increase from the previous year, with over 126,000 fraud reports filed averaging $1,250 per incident. While people ages 30-39 reported the most fraud cases, those ages 60-69 lost the most money at $744 million, and one in seven fraud victims experienced losses exceeding $10,000. The FTC advises consumers to avoid unsolicited requests for personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, and be wary of scammers demanding cryptocurrency or gift card payments.

Pennsylvania residents lost at least $158 million to scammers in the first nine months of 2023, a $28 million increase from the same period in 2022, based on Federal Trade Commission data showing 126,576 fraud reports with an average loss of $1,250 per victim. Remote contact methods—particularly social media—were the most common and profitable scam techniques, with social media accounting for $1 billion of the $7 billion stolen nationwide in 2023.

Josiah DeJesus, a 22-year-old from the Bronx, was sentenced to 80 months in prison for serving as the lead courier in a "grandparents" fraud scheme operating from the Dominican Republic from June to October 2020. The scam targeted elderly Americans nationwide by using phone calls from overseas co-conspirators posing as grandchildren or attorneys to convince victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed immediate bail money, with DeJesus and his recruits collecting thousands of dollars from UPS and FedEx packages across Pennsylvania. DeJesus was ordered to pay $366,303.28 in restitution to victims.

Ashley Donnelly of Peckville, Pennsylvania discovered fraudulent transactions on her bank account at Rite Aid and Sheetz locations in South Abington Township, despite having her physical card in her possession; the thief had obtained her banking information including her PIN. Local police identified a suspect through surveillance footage and note these card-skimming cases are increasingly common as society becomes more cashless, with criminals exploiting the difficulty law enforcement faces in tracing how and when personal financial data is stolen. Donnelly's bank replaced the stolen funds, but authorities are seeking public information to identify the suspect.

A 71-year-old woman in Longswamp Township, Pennsylvania was defrauded of $20,000 in February after receiving a call from someone impersonating "Agent Garcia" from the Federal Trade Commission, who falsely claimed her Amazon and bank accounts were compromised. The scammer directed her to move her money to a Bitcoin ATM, where the funds were stolen. Police warn residents not to share account numbers or sensitive information over the phone.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple educational presentations throughout March 2024 to help seniors and the public protect themselves from financial fraud and identity theft. Topics include recognizing elder financial abuse (which is the #1 reported issue to Adult Protective Services), avoiding identity theft, cybersecurity best practices, investment fraud awareness, and common scam tactics, with sessions offered both in-person and virtually across the state.

Online scams in the United States reached record losses of $6.9 billion in 2021, nearly doubling since 2019, with Pennsylvania ranking fifth among most-scammed states at $207 million in losses affecting 17,262 victims who lost an average of $11,991 each. Romance, cryptocurrency, and investment scams are increasingly sophisticated and affecting educated individuals across all socioeconomic levels, with teens experiencing the highest percentage increase in losses (1,125% over five years) and seniors seeing a 390% increase. The article recommends avoiding money transfers to strangers met online, refusing requests for personal information, performing reverse image searches to verify identities,

Kate Kleinert, an AARP Pennsylvania volunteer, lost her entire life savings of $39,000, her home, and her six dogs to a romance scam involving a man posing as a surgeon in Iraq who she met on Facebook. After the scammer failed to appear as promised and a subsequent house fire destroyed her remaining possessions, Kleinert rebuilt her life and now volunteers as a Fraud Watch Network Speaker, educating seniors and community groups about recognizing and avoiding romance scams. Her advocacy work demonstrates how victims can transform their experience into meaningful action to protect others from similar financial and emotional devastation.

**Summary:** A 65-year-old Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania woman was indicted on federal theft of government funds charges for unlawfully obtaining approximately $91,300 in Social Security benefits between May 2016 and January 2022. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and if convicted, Merlo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

State Representative Liz Hanbidge organized a free educational session on March 1, 2024, in Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania, featuring experts from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, and AARP Pennsylvania to educate residents about current scam trends and protective measures. The event aimed to help community members identify scam tactics and safeguard themselves against evolving fraud schemes.

A 29-year-old California man, Jiahao Xiao, was arrested in Archbald, Pennsylvania after conspiring to defraud a 59-year-old local resident, Ferdinando Santarelli, of $361,000 through a romance and investment scam. Xiao and unknown co-conspirators posed as an online romantic interest named "Jennie" on Telegram and falsely promised Santarelli access to millions in investments, convincing him to wire funds for fabricated tax payments. Xiao was caught attempting to collect a final $175,000 payment in cash and is being held on $500,000

# Medicare Fraud Summary Scammers are bombarding seniors with 50-60 fraudulent phone calls daily during Medicare's open enrollment period, using spoofed numbers and impersonation to steal personal information, commit identity theft, and bill the government for fake medical equipment. Complaints about these scams have surged 40 percent this year, leaving victims like an 80-year-old Pennsylvania man receiving calls every 14 minutes and experiencing severe harassment. To protect yourself, never verify Medicare information over the phone, hang up on unsolicited callers claiming to be from healthcare providers, and report suspicious calls to the Federal Communications Commission or Better Business Bureau.

Two men from Florida and Virginia have been indicted for operating a major elder fraud scheme that stole approximately $26 million from seniors across Western Pennsylvania and beyond between January 2024 and August 2025, using deceptive emails to trick victims into sending cash or depositing funds into Bitcoin ATMs. The perpetrators, Amit Kumar Jain and Trevaughn J. Yearwood, allegedly laundered the stolen money through fake business entities and bank accounts in Virginia. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited emails requesting money transfers, verify requests by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers, and report suspicious activity to local authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

An 82-year-old in Northern Virginia nearly lost over $20,000 to a fake lawyer scam in October, where a caller claimed the victim's son needed legal representation and used emotional manipulation (including recorded crying) to pressure payment. Quick intervention by a family member and coordinated law enforcement stopped the fraud; investigators identified the scammer as Yordanys Rodriguez, 33, of New York, who used the name of a deceased attorney and was arrested in Pennsylvania on charges of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretenses, and was also found to be impersonating a law enforcement officer.

Artificial intelligence is enabling more sophisticated scams targeting older adults, with Pennsylvania residents projected to lose more money in fraud this year than last, according to the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center. Pennsylvanians lost approximately $400 million to fraud scams last year and were eighth in the nation for fraud losses, with common scams including "grandparent scams" and increasingly AI-driven impersonation schemes that are difficult to investigate when originating from networks outside the U.S. The NEFCC, launched this year, is working to address AI-driven fraud by collecting data on elder fraud and coordinating among private and public sector organizations to combat these evolving threats.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned of a growing Medicare scam targeting seniors in which scammers ship unsolicited durable medical equipment (wheelchairs, oxygen tanks) that were never prescribed by doctors, then attempt to bill patients or the state Medicare program for the expensive gear. The Attorney General's office advises seniors to regularly review Medicare claims, report unsolicited medical items, verify unfamiliar bills with their doctor before paying, protect personal information, and avoid providing details or making enrollment changes over the phone.

This article highlights six prevalent scams currently targeting people through their digital footprints: romance scammers exploiting grief to steal life savings (a Pennsylvania widow lost $200,000+ and her home; a 63-year-old lost $80,000); vacation booking hijacking (one woman lost $15,000); AI deepfakes of social media users to commit fraud (one TikTok user's identity was cloned to sell counterfeit diet pills); online marketplace robbery ($3,000+ stolen during a PlayStation sale); and location tracking via fitness apps to identify when homes are unoccupied for burglaries. The article provides practical prevention tips including removing relationship status from dating apps,

Pennsylvania residents are on track to lose more money to fraud in the current year than in the previous year, with Pennsylvanians having lost approximately $400 million to scams last year and ranking eighth nationally in total fraud losses. Artificial intelligence is enabling increasingly sophisticated scams—including the "grandparent scam" where criminals use AI voice technology to impersonate family members—making traditional detection methods like spotting typos ineffective, and most scams originate from organized networks outside the U.S., making investigation and prosecution difficult. The National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, launched this year with analysts based in Pittsburgh, is working to address this growing epidemic through coordination between private and public sector partners.

Pennsylvanians are on track to lose more money to fraud scams in the current year compared to last year, with AI-powered scams becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect, according to the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center. Last year, Pennsylvania residents lost approximately $600 million to fraud and ranked eighth nationally in fraud losses, with Allegheny County being a major target due to its large population of vulnerable older adults; common scams include "grandparent scams" and AI-driven impersonation schemes. The newly launched National Elder Fraud Coordination Center is prioritizing how to address AI-driven scams and is working to improve coordination between private and public sector law enforcement to combat

Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities is conducting free public presentations throughout October to educate seniors and the general public about avoiding scams, recognizing fraud, and preventing identity theft. Programs include interactive "Fraud BINGO" sessions, senior expos with consumer protection resources, "$camJam" events featuring law enforcement experts, and financial planning presentations held at senior centers and community facilities across the state.

State Rep. Joe Ciresi hosted an educational event in Royersford, Pennsylvania on October 3rd to help seniors recognize and avoid common fraud schemes, noting that seniors lose approximately $3 billion annually to scams nationwide. The event featured presentations on property fraud alerts, check washing and business scams, and romance scams targeting older adults, delivered by local officials and financial experts to equip seniors with protective strategies.

State Rep. Nikki Rivera partnered with AARP Pennsylvania to host a "$CAM JAM" educational event on October 9, 2025, in Lancaster to help residents, particularly seniors, learn how to identify and avoid financial scams and fraud. The event will feature representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities providing interactive education on safeguarding finances, with Fraud BINGO activities and prizes, as seniors are targeted by scammers at high rates resulting in an estimated $3 billion in annual losses nationally.

A scam artist impersonated an employee of the Philadelphia Eagles Autism Foundation and defrauded multiple victims across Pennsylvania counties by selling fake Eagles tickets via Apple Pay, with one victim reporting a $750 loss in September 2025. The foundation clarified that legitimate purchases are only conducted through their "Haku" auction platform and payment via check or online submission, not third-party money transfer apps. Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the incidents across Montgomery, Philadelphia, Chester, and Lancaster counties.

"Phantom hacker" scams targeting seniors have surged nationwide, with Americans losing over $1 billion to these multiphase social engineering attacks that often drain entire retirement accounts. Nearly half of victims are over 60, with seniors representing two-thirds of total losses, as scammers use spoofed numbers and multiple impersonators (posing as tech support, bank representatives, and government officials) to create convincing narratives that manipulate victims into transferring funds. The Cybersecurity Association of Pennsylvania urges families to educate seniors on red flags—such as requests for wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or prepaid cards—and to report suspicious contact to the FBI or Internet Crime Complaint Center

This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. This appears to be a navigation page for finding Pennsylvania state representatives by address, district, or name. It contains no information relevant to the Elderus research database and cannot be summarized as requested.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warns seniors of a rising Medicare scam involving unsolicited shipments of durable medical equipment (such as oxygen machines and wheelchairs) that scammers bill to patients or Medicare without legitimate prescriptions. The scam is used as a pretext to collect fraudulent payments and reimbursements from both individuals and the state Medicare program. Seniors are advised to review Medicare claims regularly, refuse to share personal information with unknown callers, verify questionable medical bills with their doctors, and report suspected scams to Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) or the Attorney General's office.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned the public about potential scams exploiting donations for three Northern York County Regional Police officers killed in a recent shooting and two injured officers. The alert advises donors to verify fundraising legitimacy by checking official police department and Sheriff's Office social media pages and confirming endorsements from police associations before contributing. Individuals who suspect they've been scammed can report it to the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Following a tragic shooting in York County, Pennsylvania that killed three police officers and injured two sheriff deputies, scammers exploited the tragedy by creating fraudulent donation drives. Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned the public to verify donation legitimacy by checking official Facebook pages of the Northern York County Regional Police Department and York County Sheriff's Office before contributing.

The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office warned residents about potential scams involving fraudulent donation drives for families of police officers injured and killed in a shooting incident in Northern York County. The Bureau of Consumer Protection advised potential donors to verify legitimacy through official Facebook pages of the Northern York County Regional Police Department and York County Sheriff's Office before contributing. Residents who suspect they were victimized by such scams are encouraged to file complaints with the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned the public about potential donation scams following the deaths of three Northern York County Regional Police officers. He advised potential donors to verify legitimate donation channels through official police department and sheriff's office Facebook pages before contributing, and encouraged fraud victims to report incidents to the state's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

Pennsylvania's Attorney General issued a warning that scammers may exploit donations intended for families of Northern York County Regional Police officers killed in a recent shooting incident. The advisory recommends potential donors verify fundraising legitimacy by checking official police department and sheriff's office social media pages, or confirming endorsement from police associations before contributing. Victims of donation scams can report fraud to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.

A 68-year-old Blairsville, Pennsylvania man pleaded guilty to Supplemental Security Income (SSI) fraud and theft of government property after fraudulently obtaining over $34,000 in benefits between January 2020 and June 2025 by failing to report income from nine different employers. Foster concealed his employment and wages from the Social Security Administration, making him ineligible for the needs-based SSI benefits designed for disabled and elderly individuals with little or no income. He faces sentencing on January 21, 2026, with a potential maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

This is an educational event announcement rather than a news article about a specific scam. **Summary:** The Wayne Senior Center is hosting a free fraud awareness program on September 25, 2025, featuring experts from Pennsylvania's Department of Banking and Securities, District Attorney's Office, and other agencies to educate seniors on identifying and avoiding scams. The event includes interactive elements like Fraud Bingo, snacks, and prizes, with registration recommended through Representative Lisa Borowski's office.