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**Summary:** United States Attorney Nikolas Kerest announced his resignation effective January 20, 2025, after serving as U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont since December 2021. During his tenure, Kerest's office prioritized violent crime prosecution, civil rights enforcement, and elder financial fraud prevention, including successful prosecutions of elder fraud perpetrators Nicholas Melanson and Nasir Hussain, and educational outreach events in partnership with federal agencies to help Vermont's elder community avoid fraud victimization.

Bridget C. O'Brien was sentenced to 2 years in prison plus 3 years probation and ordered to pay $1,273,794.95 in restitution for defrauding the federal Small Business Administration of approximately $2.9 million between March 2020 and January 2021. O'Brien submitted twenty-three fraudulent loan applications containing material misrepresentations and used the funds for personal expenses including a $1.9 million luxury home purchase, dining, travel, clothing, and her child's tuition and volleyball lessons. The Arizona Attorney General's office prosecuted the case as part of efforts to hold fraudsters accountable and protect taxpayer interests.

Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Miramar, Florida, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiring to launder over $2.7 million stolen from romance scam victims. She helped funnel money from these schemes to international criminals and kept $203,815.59 for herself, which she was ordered to forfeit as part of her sentence. Romance scams—where fraudsters create fake online personas to deceive victims into sending money—disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including the elderly who lose savings and retirement funds.

The Senior LinkAge Line will host a virtual presentation on February 12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to address health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for seniors. The educational event aims to help older adults recognize and prevent fraudulent health care schemes.

This article compiles multiple elder fraud alerts and prevention tips: A Wyoming resident received an extortion email falsely claiming malware access (a common scare tactic), while another fell victim to a phishing email impersonating Microsoft to steal account credentials. The Identity Theft Resource Center predicts cybercrime will surge in 2025 due to reduced government resources and increased AI exploitation, while identity fraud cost Americans $43 billion in 2023—with veterans particularly vulnerable, losing $477 million that year to service-focused scams. Key prevention measures include verifying sender identities, avoiding suspicious attachments and links, using strong passwords with multi-factor authentication, and monitoring credit reports regularly.

A Slidell, Louisiana chiropractor, Dennis Michael Peyroux, pled guilty in January 2025 to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud after billing Medicare approximately $3.3 million (reimbursed $3.2 million) for over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits that were not requested or eligible for reimbursement. The scheme involved purchasing Medicare beneficiary information and fabricated recordings, misusing a former nurse practitioner's credentials as the referring provider, and billing for thousands of false claims over a six-month period starting in November 2022. Peyroux agreed to pay $3.2 million in restitution, with over $

Lincare Inc., an oxygen equipment provider, overbilled Washington state's Medicaid program more than 15,000 times between January 2017 and March 2023 by charging rental fees beyond the legally allowed three-year period, in some cases billing for up to six years. The fraudulent billing affected 565 Washington patients and resulted in over $500,000 in overbilling, for which Lincare paid the state $1.15 million in restitution. The company has agreed to implement billing reforms and retain independent experts to ensure compliance with Washington's oxygen leasing laws.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare Prescription Drug Cap Scams as its January fraud alert, warning seniors about schemes exploiting the new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket prescription drug limit that began January 1, 2025. Common tactics include unsolicited calls requesting personal information, demands for upfront "processing fees" to access benefits, and claims that beneficiaries need additional cards or documentation. The council advises seniors to never share personal information with unsolicited callers, verify Medicare statements, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800-333-4374.

As of January 1, 2025, Medicare implemented a $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap for prescription drugs under Part D, but scammers are exploiting this new benefit through fraudulent schemes including unsolicited calls requesting personal information, demands for upfront "processing fees" to qualify for the cap, and false claims requiring extra documentation or cards. The New York StateWide Senior Action Council warns seniors not to share personal information with unsolicited contacts, to verify Medicare statements, and to report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800-333-4374, noting that Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually.

Lincare Inc., an oxygen equipment rental provider, paid Washington state $1.15 million to settle Medicaid fraud charges after overbilling the state's Medicaid program more than 15,000 times between January 2017 and March 2023. The company illegally charged rental fees beyond the three-year legal limit allowed under Washington law, in some cases billing for up to six years, affecting 565 patients and causing over $500,000 in fraudulent charges. As part of the settlement, Lincare must implement billing reforms and comply with Washington's oxygen leasing laws.

A 28-year-old caregiver in North Little Rock, Arkansas pleaded guilty to elder abuse after striking an 82-year-old dementia and Alzheimer's patient at a senior living facility, leaving her with facial and forearm bruises. McClendon was sentenced to five years of probation and a $1,000 fine in Pulaski County Circuit Court.

This educational piece highlights the growing threat of digital-age scams targeting older adults, noting that adults aged 60+ filed over 100,000 complaints in 2023 resulting in losses exceeding $3.4 billion. The article identifies common scams including phishing, Medicare and health insurance fraud, and tech support scams, and recommends protective measures such as staying skeptical of unsolicited communications, never sharing personal information online, monitoring finances, and reporting suspected fraud to appropriate authorities including the FBI, FTC, and Medicare watchdog agency.

This article discusses elder abuse protections across the United States, highlighting that the elderly population is projected to nearly double from 49 million to 95 million by 2060, making protective measures increasingly urgent. States like Wisconsin, Vermont, and Massachusetts rank highest in elder abuse prevention due to strong funding and robust regulations, while rural states such as South Carolina, Utah, and South Dakota lag significantly due to policy gaps and insufficient resources. Financial fraud is identified as a prevalent form of elder abuse affecting elderly individuals, with states offering stronger safeguards—such as ombudsman services and elder care organizations—demonstrating lower average financial losses per fraud case.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare Prescription Drug Cap Scams as January 2025's fraud alert, warning seniors about potential exploitation of the new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket drug cost cap that took effect January 1, 2025. Scammers may use unsolicited calls, fake upfront fees, or requests for personal information to defraud beneficiaries, and the council advises seniors not to share personal data, verify Medicare statements carefully, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Helpline at 800-333-4114.

**Title:** Get Ready for Scams in the Digital Age Adults aged 60 and older reported over 100,000 complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022. Common scams targeting seniors include phishing, Medicare and health insurance fraud, and tech support scams. Protection strategies include staying skeptical of unexpected communications, avoiding sharing personal information online, monitoring finances for unauthorized activity, and reporting suspected fraud immediately to relevant authorities including the FTC, Medicare, or financial institutions.

**Summary:** Kauai County's Agency on Elderly Affairs and Kupuna Alert Partners will host a fraud and scam prevention presentation on February 12 at Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall, covering Medicare fraud, securities fraud, prescription drug misuse, and identity theft prevention. The free event welcomes walk-ins but encourages preregistration by calling 808-241-4470 or emailing [email protected], with in-person registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. and community resource tables available following the presentation.

Kaua'i County's Agency on Elderly Affairs organized an educational event on February 12 featuring Kupuna Alert Partners to teach seniors about fraud and scam prevention, including Medicare fraud, identity theft, securities fraud, and prescription drug misuse. The free community event included presentations and resource tables from multiple government agencies, with pre-registration encouraged and accessibility accommodations available upon request.

The Temple Police Department is hosting a free Senior Scam Awareness Session on February 5 to educate community members about common scams targeting seniors, including Microsoft scams, IRS tax scams, Social Security/Medicare scams, and phishing schemes that typically request payment via prepaid cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers. The session provides practical advice such as never sharing financial information with unverified callers, verifying contacts directly with banks, and checking official government websites for scam alerts. The event is open to all community members and aims to increase awareness of prevalent online and phone fraud tactics in Central Texas.

KBWB Operations LLC (doing business as Atrium Health and Senior Living) and its former CEO Kevin Breslin pleaded guilty to health care fraud and tax conspiracy for operating 23 skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan from 2015-2018. The defendants unlawfully diverted Medicare and Medicaid funds intended for resident care to personal expenses and owner distributions, failed to pay vendors and employee insurance premiums, and directed withheld employee taxes not to be paid to the IRS. Breslin faces up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud and five years for tax conspiracy, with both defendants subject to restitution and sentencing scheduled for May 7

**Summary:** Scammers are targeting older adults through calls, texts, emails, and door-to-door visits, falsely offering free in-home services like cooking and cleaning while actually attempting to fraudulently enroll them in Medicare hospice care to bill for unnecessary services. Legitimate hospice care requires doctor certification that a patient has six months or less to live, and improper enrollment can negatively affect future Medicare coverage. Consumers should never share their Medicare number for "free" services, agree to hospice enrollment for gifts or money, or provide information to anyone claiming to be from Medicare at their door.

An educational presentation at the Adair County Extension Office by Shellie A. May from Kentucky's Office of Senior Protection addressed identity theft prevention for seniors. The presentation explained how identity theft occurs (through data breaches, phishing, and physical theft), identified common tactics (dumpster diving, mail theft, password compromise), and provided protective measures including regular credit monitoring, strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and statement review. Consumers can report scams to the Kentucky Attorney General's office at ag.ky.gov/scams or 1-888-432-9257.

Washington's Attorney General's Office warned residents to watch for charity scams exploiting donations for California wildfire relief efforts. The advisory urged donors to research charities before giving, verify tax-exempt status, avoid high-pressure tactics, and report suspicious solicitations to protect themselves from fraudulent organizations using deceptive names and websites.

In 2023, adults aged 60 and older filed over 100,000 fraud complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, losing more than $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from the previous year. Oklahoma's Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready outlines common scams targeting older adults, including phishing, Medicare and health insurance fraud, and tech support scams, and recommends protection strategies such as staying skeptical of unsolicited communications, avoiding sharing personal information online, and immediately reporting suspected fraud to relevant authorities including the FTC, Social Security Administration, or financial institutions.

This is an educational awareness program hosted by RWJ Hamilton featuring Sergeant Michael Rosati from New Jersey's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, who discusses the rising trend of fraud and scams targeting older adults and teaches strategies for recognizing and preventing fraudulent schemes. The program aims to help attendees protect their finances and personal information through education on how deceptive tactics work.

This educational article defines elder abuse (including neglect, theft, abandonment, physical harm, and financial exploitation) and outlines support resources available to seniors. Multiple assistance options exist at local, state, and federal levels, including Adult Protective Services, legal aid, ombudsmen in care facilities, and online searches through justice.gov/elderjustice, with the article emphasizing that thousands of seniors over 60 are affected annually and that victims should not self-blame. The article notes that those with disabilities or memory problems are most frequently targeted, though anyone requiring assistance with daily activities can be vulnerable.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $47 million settlement with pharmaceutical manufacturer QOL Medical and CEO Frederick E. Cooper for operating a kickback scheme between 2018 and 2022. QOL distributed over 75,000 free Carbon-13 test kits to healthcare providers to identify patients for its drug Sucraid, then used positive test results to target sales calls to providers, resulting in unnecessary prescriptions and false claims submitted to Medicaid and Medicare. California received $384,406 from the settlement to resolve violations of federal and state fraud and kickback statutes.

Scammers are exploiting the national rollout of new Medicare cards (being distributed to 58 million beneficiaries starting this month) to defraud seniors by impersonating telemarketers and Medicare agents in phone calls requesting Social Security numbers, bank account information, and credit card details. Fraudsters are targeting older adults urgently, claiming they need personal information before Social Security numbers are removed from the new cards, though Medicare never initiates contact by phone. Authorities warn seniors to hang up on such calls and never share personal information over the phone.

The Senior LinkAge Line is offering a free virtual presentation on March 12 to educate older adults about health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, recognizing that scams targeting seniors are on the rise. The 90-minute session, in partnership with the Senior Medicare Patrol federal program, will cover fraud detection, reporting mechanisms, and personal information protection strategies. The Minnesota Board on Aging's Senior LinkAge Line provides free statewide support to help older Minnesotans and caregivers access services and resources.

The Middleboro Senior Center is hosting an educational program on February 20 where Police Elder Affairs Officer Steve Valerio will teach seniors about common scams targeting them, including fake package delivery alerts, online romance schemes, Medicare/government impersonations, and fraudulent tech support calls, with advice on how to avoid scammers. The center is also offering other February activities including a Valentine's Day entertainment event on February 13 and a historical presentation about the Blizzard of 1978 on February 27.

Rep. Raul Ruiz introduced the Protecting Seniors from Healthcare Fraud Act of 2013 to combat health care scams targeting seniors during the Affordable Care Act rollout, requiring the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services to develop policy recommendations and educate seniors about common fraud schemes. Common scams included callers pressuring seniors to update Medicare information or provide Social Security numbers and bank account details, with fake Covered California websites also fraudulently imitating the legitimate insurance marketplace. The bipartisan bill had support from AARP and aimed to help seniors recognize warning signs and report fraudulent activity to law enforcement.

Highmark's Financial Investigations and Provider Review department partnered with the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office in 2024 to launch an elder fraud awareness campaign, reaching over 650,000 seniors with information about common scams (romance, tech support, grandparent, and lottery schemes) that cost Americans over 60 approximately $3.1 billion annually. The initiative earned the 2024 Excellence in Public Awareness Award and complemented Highmark's broader anti-fraud efforts, which have saved over $2 billion since 2017 through billing error corrections and programs addressing prescription fraud and substance use disorder.

The County of Kauaʻi Agency on Elderly Affairs, in partnership with multiple state agencies through Kupuna Alert Partners, is hosting a free fraud and scam prevention presentation to address a rising tide of scams targeting seniors, particularly romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day. Romance scams involve criminals creating fake online identities to build trust with victims over weeks or months before soliciting money through fabricated emergencies, often requesting payment via mail, wire transfers, or gift cards. The presentation will cover Medicare fraud, securities fraud, identity theft, and prescription drug misuse prevention, with the U.S. Postal Service emphasizing caution against online relationships that escalate quickly and recommending victims never

This educational piece identifies nursing home residents as vulnerable targets for fraud due to limited technology familiarity and describes common scam tactics including phishing, Medicare fraud, prize scams, and investment schemes. According to LA County District Attorney data, one in five older adults experiences financial fraud, with California seniors over 60 filing over 11,000 fraud complaints in 2023 totaling $620 million in losses (averaging $57,000 per victim). The article emphasizes that education is the primary prevention method and recommends immediate legal action if a loved one becomes victimized.

New York's StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as their February fraud alert, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue new cards annually and scammers exploit this by calling to collect personal medical information or promoting fraudulent "upgraded" cards. Seniors should verify suspicious calls directly with Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE) and protect their Medicare and Social Security numbers like credit cards, reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified "new" Medicare card scams as its February fraud of the month, targeting Medicare beneficiaries with fraudulent schemes involving their Medicare cards. Medicare does not issue new cards annually, and scammers trick seniors by claiming they need updated cards or requesting personal information like doctors' names, medical conditions, and medications. Seniors are advised to protect their Medicare card number like other personal information, ignore unsolicited calls requesting personal details, and report suspected fraud to Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or the NY SMP Fraud Helpline at 800-333-4636.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified new Medicare card scams as its February fraud alert, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue replacement cards and cautioning against calls requesting personal medical information or offers for upgraded card formats. Scammers use tactics like impersonating Medicare representatives and falsely claiming cards need replacement to trick beneficiaries into divulging sensitive data; seniors should verify callers independently and report suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374. Medicare fraud nationally costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually, making awareness and prevention critical for protecting seniors' personal information and benefits.

Central Montana seniors face increasingly sophisticated scams at a rate of 5-10 reports weekly to the Council on Aging, with Montana experiencing disproportionately high fraud rates due to its elderly population (sixth-highest percentage age 65+ nationally) and rural vulnerabilities. Common scams include healthcare-related fraud, Medicare enrollment threats, grandparent impersonations using AI technology, fake donation solicitations, and mail-based schemes involving insurance lapses and fraudulent medical equipment billing to Medicare. The Council on Aging recommends seniors speak up about suspicious communications, verify caller identity through independent contact, and avoid providing personal information unsolicited.

Scammers are impersonating Medicare officials and calling New York seniors claiming they need to replace their Medicare cards with plastic or chip versions, then requesting personal and medical information. Medicare cards never expire and the agency never initiates calls to beneficiaries; victims who fall for the scam may find Medicare denies legitimate claims if fraudsters have already used their information. Seniors are advised to hang up on unsolicited calls requesting personal information and contact the official Medicare hotline or NYS Senior Action Council for legitimate inquiries.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified New Medicare Card Scams as its February Medicare Fraud of the Month, warning seniors that Medicare does not issue new cards annually and scammers use fraudulent card offers to steal personal information like doctor names, medical conditions, and medications. The organization provided guidance on protecting oneself, including verifying caller legitimacy, not sharing personal details, and reporting suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol Helpline at 800-333-4374.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare card scams as its February Fraud of the Month, warning seniors against calls and offers claiming Medicare is issuing new cards or special upgraded versions. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually, and scammers typically pose as Medicare representatives to solicit personal health information or trick beneficiaries into requesting replacement cards that do not actually exist. Seniors can protect themselves by remembering that Medicare cards do not expire and only issue standard paper cards, and they should report suspected fraud to the NYS Medicare Fraud Helpline at 800/333-4374.

Identity theft and consumer fraud are growing significantly in the digital age, with the FTC receiving over 5.7 million fraud reports in 2021 and the ITRC documenting a 68 percent increase in data compromises compared to 2020. Common scams targeting North Americans include phone scams impersonating government agencies, phishing emails with malware, text message links requesting personal information, Medicare card verification schemes targeting seniors, and large-scale data breaches at major companies. Consumers should never share personal information over the phone unless they've verified legitimacy, avoid clicking suspicious links, be cautious of emails from apparent legitimate sources, and monitor credit regularly for unauthorized activity.

This article alerts seniors to the rising threat of Medicare card scams, noting that Medicare experienced over $100 billion in fraudulent claims during one calendar year. The piece advises readers to be aware of various Medicare-related scams as part of broader fraud prevention awareness.

The Senior LinkAge Line is offering a free virtual presentation on April 9 from 10-11:30 a.m. focused on health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for older adults. The presentation, developed in partnership with the Senior Medicare Patrol, provides information on fraud prevention, detection, and reporting to help seniors protect their personal information. The Senior LinkAge Line is a statewide Minnesota service designed to help older adults and caregivers access resources and support.

Nancy Marshall, a 58-year-old Las Cruces therapist and owner of Equine Assisted Programs of Southern New Mexico, was indicted on 18 felonies for submitting fraudulent Medicaid claims totaling $970,000 over two and a half years. The charges include fraud, Medicaid fraud, falsification of documents, and identity theft, with allegations that she billed for services never provided, billed for treatment of children who were in school at the time, and used other therapists' identification numbers for improper billing. The investigation was initiated by two employees who reported improper practices to authorities and could result in a prison sentence of up to 82.5 years

Medicare fraud exceeded $100 billion in fraudulent claims during one calendar year, with additional losses from identity theft and stolen financial information. Scammers employ multiple tactics to obtain Medicare card numbers and personal information, including impersonating Medicare employees, falsely claiming cards have expired (they don't), offering cheaper coverage, threatening benefit cancellation, and promising refunds or free services. Seniors should never share their Medicare card number or personal information via phone, email, or text, and should report suspected scams immediately to 1-800-MEDICARE.

This is an opinion piece about political messaging rather than an elder fraud article. It critiques claims made by Trump and Elon Musk about Social Security fraud involving deceased beneficiaries, clarifying that while 18.9 million outdated records exist in the Social Security database, only about 101,000 Americans are actually aged 100 or older, and the Social Security Administration automatically ends payments for those 115 and older. The author argues these exaggerated claims are being used to justify cuts to Social Security and other programs that would disproportionately harm vulnerable populations including Native American elders.

Elon Musk claimed he could cut up to $700 billion in fraud and waste from Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, but independent evidence does not support this assertion. Social Security's Office of Inspector General reported approximately $72 billion in improper payments between 2015-2022 (about 1% of total benefits), while Medicare and Medicaid combined made roughly $100 billion in incorrect payments in 2023, totaling approximately $170 billion across all three programs—far below Musk's claims. Achieving Musk's stated goals would likely require slashing benefits for recipients rather than eliminating fraud alone, as most program spending goes directly to benefici

**Not Eligible for Elderus Database** This is an opinion piece about political messaging and policy proposals, not a report of actual elder fraud, scams, or abuse. While it discusses Social Security and mentions vulnerable elders, it does not document a specific scam incident, fraud scheme, or elder abuse case. It would not fit the Elderus database criteria, which focuses on documented fraud events and scams affecting seniors.

This is an informational resource from the Insurance Fraud Unit describing three main types of insurance fraud: workers' compensation fraud (fabricating injuries, exaggerating disabilities, employer misstatements), automobile insurance fraud (staged accidents, claim padding, theft rings), and organized automobile fraud. Auto insurance fraud alone costs consumers $15-20 billion annually, with an estimated one-third of all bodily injury claims containing some element of fraud; those suspecting fraud can report it to the unit via phone, fax, email, or online complaint form.

This article summarizes predictions about DOJ enforcement priorities under the second Trump Administration discussed at the ABA's 40th White Collar Crime Institute in March 2025, notably in the absence of DOJ representatives due to travel restrictions. Panelists predicted the DOJ would continue pursuing elder fraud, opioid diversion, and healthcare fraud while likely decreasing efforts on public corruption, securities fraud, and corporate misconduct cases. The future of voluntary disclosure programs was also debated, with speakers theorizing these initiatives would likely survive and potentially be amended to provide greater incentives for self-reporting.