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swlexledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning of a widespread fraud scheme targeting elderly residents where scammers impersonate cybersecurity representatives, bank officials, and government officers to trick victims into converting their assets into physical gold and surrendering it to couriers. During 2024, 11 South Carolina elderly victims lost approximately $4.2 million to this scam, which typically begins with fake device compromise warnings and involves creating false urgency to move assets out of financial accounts. The FBI advises victims to verify identities independently, avoid using provided contact numbers, and report suspicious activity to the FBI IC3 website, with elder victims able to seek assistance through the DOJ Elder Justice Hotline.
wpde.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, 11 elderly South Carolinians lost an estimated $4.2 million in a fake hacking scam in which fraudsters used fake pop-up alerts claiming their financial accounts were compromised, then instructed victims to purchase physical gold and hand it over to couriers posing as security officials. The FBI warns that scammers use fake authority figures and manufactured urgency to convince victims to liquidate assets, with the scheme continuing until victims run out of funds or discover the fraud. This scam is part of a broader trend: scams targeting people aged 60 and older caused over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, an 11% increase from
knoxtntoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are increasing in prevalence and exploit victims' emotional trust to extract money and personal information. The article advises never sending money or sharing personal details with individuals met only online, and recommends learning strategies to identify and avoid romantic deception.
springfieldnewssun.com
· 2025-12-08
CTC cybersecurity instructor Angela Yake and 32 students visited Oakwood Village to provide technology safety training to 15 seniors, helping them identify potential scams and resolve computer issues. The initiative allowed students to apply classroom learning while addressing real-world cybersecurity concerns among elderly residents, with instructor Yake emphasizing the importance of proactive education to help seniors stay safe online before scams occur.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino are hosting educational seminars to help seniors and caregivers recognize and combat fraud schemes. The spring seminars will cover common scam tactics, identification methods, reporting procedures, and personal information protection strategies, with sessions scheduled for March 13 in Hicksville and March 31 in Massapequa.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
The Marin County Sheriff's Office issued a warning about a surge in phone and internet scams targeting elderly residents, with scammers impersonating bank employees or law enforcement through fake pop-ups and bail scam calls. Common tactics include convincing victims to withdraw cash or purchase gold for collection, or claiming a loved one needs bail money. Authorities advise residents to contact financial institutions directly and verify suspicious claims with official sources rather than calling provided numbers.
ossoff.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Jon Ossoff pressed the Trump Administration's FTC to strengthen protections for Georgia's 1.2 million seniors, citing alarming increases in financial scams affecting the state's senior population. According to FBI data, losses from scams targeting Georgia seniors surged from $25 million in 2020 to $92 million in 2023, placing Georgia among the top five states for senior financial fraud. The senator emphasized the substantial financial and emotional toll on seniors and their caregivers, demanding stronger FTC action to restore confidence in the financial system.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
As AI-driven scams surge during tax season 2025, taxpayers face three major threats: W-2 phishing scams using AI-generated emails and deepfakes to steal employee tax documents, disaster relief fund scams exploiting tax extensions for disaster victims, and fake Offer in Compromise scams promising debt relief through robocalls and deepfake videos. According to LifeLock research, 56% of individuals have encountered AI-powered tax scams with realistic voices, and the IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud in 2024, with 81% of scam victims reporting financial losses. Taxpayers are advised to verify
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam victims are petitioning Congress to change a 2017 tax law that requires them to pay taxes on funds lost to fraud, compounding their financial devastation. Debbie Fox lost $58,000 to a romance scam and faced an additional $7,000 tax bill on withdrawn retirement funds, exemplifying how the law eliminates fraud loss deductions that previously existed. Annual fraud losses have surged from $1.5 billion to $12.5 billion since the tax law change, and advocates argue the approximately $100 million cost to the government should not be recovered from crime victims.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Illinois Senator Dick Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to regulate cryptocurrency ATMs, which have been used in scams targeting seniors and other vulnerable adults. The bill would limit new users to $2,000 daily or $10,000 over 14 days, require verbal customer service interaction for transactions over $500, and mandate refunds within 30 days of police reports; this legislation follows reports of at least $114 million in crypto ATM scam losses to the FTC in 2023, including a case where a 67-year-old man lost $7,000 to a jury duty scam.
abcnews.go.com
· 2025-12-08
A growing "gold bar courier scam" defrauded Americans of $126 million in 2024, with scammers posing as federal agents convincing victims to purchase gold bars and hand them over to couriers in public locations. Kris Owen, a 79-year-old Indiana resident, lost $80,000 after being told his personal information was compromised and instructed to buy gold for safekeeping; he later worked with the FBI in a sting operation to catch one of the couriers. The scheme, which exploits rising gold prices and targets vulnerable individuals nationwide, has become increasingly sophisticated and widespread.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam victims in Singapore lost a record $1.1 billion in 2024, representing a 70% increase from 2023, with 51,501 cases reported—the highest number ever. The most common scams were e-commerce fraud (particularly concert ticket scams), job scams ($156.2 million lost), and phishing scams ($59.4 million lost), with nearly 25% of losses involving cryptocurrency; victims under 50 were most vulnerable to e-commerce scams while older victims predominantly fell victim to phishing schemes.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore reported at least S$1.1 billion in scam losses in 2024, a 70.6% increase from 2023, with one victim losing S$125 million in cryptocurrency through a malware-enabled scam involving fake interview links. E-commerce scams were the most common type, followed by job and phishing scams, with 51,501 total cases reported; however, the police's Anti-Scam Command recovered over S$182 million and averted S$483 million in potential losses through proactive interventions.
manhattanda.org
· 2025-12-08
Alan Burak, 40, was indicted for operating Never Alone Capital, LLC, a fraudulent investment scheme that stole over $4 million from dozens of investors, primarily targeting friends and family in Mexico and Latino community members between April 2018 and May 2023. Burak falsely claimed the firm had been profitable since 2006 with $157 million in assets under management, sent fake account statements showing false growth, guaranteed high returns (up to 50%), and diverted investor funds to his personal use while blocking withdrawal requests. He faces 26 charges including grand larceny in the first degree and securities fraud.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
Five Florida residents, including Ronald Vargas of Osteen who worked for the retirement fund company, were convicted or pleaded guilty to stealing over $1.1 million from 401(k) retirement accounts belonging to 25 elderly retired school district employees between January and March 2022. The scheme involved submitting fraudulent withdrawal forms to transfer victims' funds to accounts controlled by the conspirators, with charges including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. All five defendants face sentencing on April 28, 2024, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Rebecca Fields, 70, of Kokomo, Indiana, pleaded guilty to falsely claiming her deceased husband continued to live with her in order to illegally receive his Social Security benefits for over 16 years after his death in April 2006. Fields completed at least 13 fraudulent Representative Payee Reports between 2007 and 2022, fraudulently obtaining approximately $231,203.10 in benefits, and was sentenced to three years' probation with orders to pay full restitution.
news.va.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, romance scams affected 53% of men and 47% of women in online dating environments, with scammers creating fake personas to build trust with victims—often impersonating military personnel or celebrities—before requesting money or personal information. The FTC reported over 64,000 romance scams in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, avoid sharing financial information, be cautious of unsolicited messages and monetary requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to the FTC or relevant authorities.
kmvt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 17-year-old cancer patient in Twin Falls, Idaho had donations meant for her chemotherapy treatment stolen by scammers who created fake Venmo accounts impersonating Gem State Infusions, the medical facility providing her IV infusions, and used her photos to solicit funds. The scammers stole hundreds of dollars that would have covered critical vitamin C infusions costing approximately $200 each, with the patient needing two per week to maintain strength for chemotherapy. The Twin Falls Police Department is investigating the Venmo fraud scheme.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Texas man lost $5,000 in a Bitcoin ATM scam after a fraudulent call claiming his son was in jail prompted him to send money through a cryptocurrency machine. U.S. Senators introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to combat these scams through federal regulations, including transaction limits for new users, live verbal confirmation for large transactions, and mandatory anti-fraud policies from operators. According to the FTC, reported losses from Bitcoin ATM scams surged tenfold to $114 million between 2020 and 2023, with the actual amount likely much higher.
amlintelligence.com
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN issued a formal warning to financial institutions to combat rising romance scam fraud, which caused losses exceeding $650 million in 2023 and frequently targets older adults. The alert highlights how scammers use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build false relationships, then exploit victims through investment schemes, virtual currency fraud, and by recruiting them as money mules for stolen funds. FinCEN urges institutions to file Suspicious Activity Reports using specific protocols to help law enforcement dismantle these organized crime operations.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kelowna, B.C. has experienced a spike in scams targeting seniors, with at least 14 reported incidents since January resulting in over $36,000 in losses, according to RCMP. The majority of scams involve the "Grandparent Scam," where perpetrators impersonate family members in distress and request immediate financial help, sometimes arranging in-person pickups by posing as couriers, police officers, or lawyers, while secondary scams involve phishing emails requesting computer repairs followed by extortion demands. Police urge seniors to avoid sharing personal information, never send cash to unknown individuals, and report all scam attempts to authorities.
stormlake.com
· 2025-12-08
This appears to be a truncated article preview rather than full content. The article discusses why senior adults are targeted by scammers and offers protective measures against fraud, identity theft, and scams, but the full text is behind a subscription paywall and cannot be summarized in detail.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN issued a statement urging financial institutions to monitor for suspicious activity related to relationship investment scams, coordinating with the CFTC's #DatingOrDefrauding awareness campaign. The advisory highlights that Suspicious Activity Reports and Bank Secrecy Act compliance are essential tools for law enforcement to detect and prosecute relationship scams, including those targeting elderly individuals and involving check fraud.
heraldmailmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Two New York men pleaded guilty to a conspiracy that defrauded a 75-year-old Hagerstown-area woman of $90,600; as part of their plea deals, they agreed to reimburse $70,000 of the stolen funds. The victim cooperated with law enforcement throughout the case with the goal of raising awareness and preventing similar scams targeting other seniors.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Naomi Mitchell, an 84-year-old Surrey, B.C. resident, lost $20,000 of her life savings in a tech support scam on January 30 when scammers convinced her via a fake pop-up and phone call that her computer and bank accounts were hacked, instructing her to withdraw funds and drop them off in a parking lot. After a neighbor recognized the fraud following her second drop-off, Mitchell's son launched a fundraiser that raised over $20,000, helping her recover financially and restore her faith in community support. Police are investigating the case and advise residents to hang up on unsolicited calls and consult family members or bank staff before
euronews.com
· 2025-12-08
As tax filing season approaches, phishing, smishing, and other tax scams are expected to increase, with the US IRS reporting $9.1 billion in fraud from financial and tax crimes in 2024. Common scams include fake refund offers requesting upfront fees, "ghost" tax preparers who inflate deductions and disappear after payment, and fake tax advisors who steal personal information and refunds. Taxpayers can protect themselves by filing early, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, verifying tax preparer credentials through official IRS directories, and avoiding suspicious emails or pressure to act quickly.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Tax Scams and Prevention Strategies**
The IRS reported $9.1 billion in fraud from financial and tax crimes in 2024, with scammers targeting stressed taxpayers during tax season through schemes including inflated refund offers, ghost tax preparers who disappear after payment, and fake charities. Key protective measures include filing early, using strong passwords and two-factor authentication, verifying tax preparer credentials through official IRS registries, avoiding unsolicited emails and links, and remaining skeptical of pressure to act quickly, as legitimate tax authorities do not demand immediate payment via phone or text.
fincen.gov
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN is alerting financial institutions to monitor for relationship investment scams as part of the multiagency #DatingOrDefrauding campaign, noting that romance and confidence scams resulted in over $650 million in losses reported to the FBI in 2023. The agency highlights that scammers use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build fake relationships and deceive victims into cryptocurrency and investment schemes, with particular vulnerability among older adults. FinCEN provides guidance on identifying "pig butchering" scams and other romance fraud patterns so financial institutions can file Suspicious Activity Reports to aid law enforcement investigations.
americanbar.org
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece for estate planning practitioners on protecting vulnerable clients from elder financial exploitation. The article advises practitioners to first ensure their own cybersecurity and document security measures are adequate, then implement firm-wide policies to recognize and prevent elder exploitation, including staff training to identify "procurement" schemes where beneficiaries control client access and educating aging clients about securing sensitive documents through digitization and secure storage. Key recommendations include developing protocols for suspected exploitation, obtaining trusted contact information, and incorporating security discussions into estate planning conversations to address risks from identity theft, document loss, and abuse.
mynewsla.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Southern California men were arrested for operating a $10 million fraud and money laundering scheme targeting over 100 victims, primarily elderly individuals, using fake identities, shell companies, and bank accounts. The defendants impersonated law enforcement and company representatives via phone and email to convince victims their accounts were compromised, then redirected them to transfer funds into fraudulent accounts; they also posed as real estate sellers to solicit wire transfers and checks. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of money laundering conspiracy.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
Craig Case, a 76-year-old Santa Barbara security company owner and TV host, was convicted on 63 of 64 counts for embezzling approximately $690,000 from elderly arts patron Constance McCormick Fearing between 2018 and 2021, with the help of co-conspirator Nancy Coglizer who had power of attorney over the victim. Case was found guilty of multiple felonies including theft from an elder, money laundering, identity theft, and forgery, with the jury determining aggravating factors such as exploitation of trust and the victim's vulnerability. Sentencing is scheduled for April 8, 2025.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
Craig Case, a 76-year-old Santa Barbara security company owner and TV host, was found guilty on 63 of 64 counts for embezzling nearly $690,000 from Constance McCormick Fearing, a Montecito arts patron who died in 2022, between 2018 and April 2021. Working with Nancy Coglizer (who held power of attorney over Fearing), Case orchestrated the theft through small checks allegedly for security services, structured to avoid financial institution oversight, until trustees discovered the scheme in July 2021. The jury determined aggravating factors including victim vulnerability, significant financial loss, and Case's exploitation of a position of trust
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Southern California men were arrested on federal charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a sophisticated scheme that targeted over 100 elderly victims, resulting in more than $10 million in losses from November 2021 to present. The defendants created fake identities and shell companies to open numerous fraudulent bank accounts and mailboxes, then impersonated law enforcement and company employees via phone and email to convince victims their accounts were compromised and persuade them to transfer funds into accounts controlled by the criminals. The stolen money was then laundered through cash withdrawals and used for personal expenses.
loveballymena.online
· 2025-12-08
Mid & East Antrim Agewell Partnership is hosting "Challenging the Scamdemic," a free scam awareness conference on March 19, 2025, at The Braid Arts Centre in Ballymena to educate the public about recognizing, preventing, and reporting financial fraud. The event will feature industry experts, government representatives, and scam victims sharing insights, with a particular focus on protecting older and vulnerable individuals in the community who have been increasingly targeted by fraudsters.
haveagonews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
CyberWest Hub, supported by Edith Cowan University, launched "Scams and Scones," an educational program designed to help seniors understand and protect themselves from scams through accessible, jargon-free presentations and one-on-one support from cyber students. The program addresses seniors' unique vulnerabilities to scams by combining expert-led presentations on scam identification with informal conversations and practical tips, with pilot sessions showing positive outcomes including attendees gaining confidence in recognizing and preventing fraud.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
A PYMNTS Intelligence report reveals that approximately 30% of U.S. consumers (77 million people) lost money to scams in the past five years, with most losses exceeding $500. The research shows that scammers personalize their tactics by targeting different demographics through preferred communication channels—using social media for Gen Z, email and phone calls for older adults—and tailoring messaging to exploit specific vulnerabilities such as investment fears for high-income individuals and benefits fraud for lower-income groups. Key manipulation tactics include posing as trusted figures like employers (86% of job scam victims) or debt collectors (83% of victims), as well as using coercion through threats or financial incent
quickcountry.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Minnesota and Iowa are targeting elderly residents with a "bail scam" where they claim a family member has been arrested and demand immediate payment to secure their release. The scam escalates by claiming a gag order prevents victims from telling anyone and requesting in-person payment, making the money impossible to recover. Law enforcement urges residents to inform elderly family members and report any such calls.
fairmontsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
Fairmont Police report that seniors in their community face consistent threats from online scams, with tech support scams and romance/friendship scams being the most common types targeting the local older population. Scammers use various payment methods including gift cards and cryptocurrency to extract money, often directing victims to crypto ATMs or banks, and many cases originate outside the United States making recovery unlikely. Police Sergeant Beletti advises recognizing four warning signs: impersonation of trusted sources, claims of immediate danger or reward, pressure to decide quickly, and requests for specific payment methods.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Thousands of workers have been freed from scam compounds along the Thai-Myanmar border after Thailand cut power and telecommunications to the facilities, but many are now stranded in makeshift camps in Myanmar awaiting repatriation. An estimated 100,000 people have been lured to these compounds run primarily by Chinese operatives, where they were forced to commit online fraud targeting victims worldwide, subjected to beatings, electric shocks, and brutal working conditions while earning quotas of thousands of dollars weekly. The freed workers face delayed processing and poor camp conditions with insufficient food and sanitation, leaving them in physical and psychological distress as authorities slowly arrange flights home.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams on February 27, 2025, warning taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals about fraudulent schemes that peak during filing season but occur year-round. The list includes email phishing scams, text message scams (smishing), and misleading tax credit claims that can lead to identity theft and financial loss. The IRS has conducted this annual awareness campaign since 2002, working with state agencies and tax professionals to educate the public about evolving fraud threats.
wkyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Kentucky woman lost her entire life savings of $180,000 in a gold coin scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating a Social Security Administration employee who claimed she was under fraud investigation. The scammer convinced her to drain her savings, purchase gold coins, and hand them off to a courier in a bank parking lot; after realizing the fraud, the emotional trauma led her to attempt suicide, and she remains hospitalized in critical condition. The FBI confirms a rising trend of government impersonation and precious metals scams targeting seniors, with Kentucky alone reporting 908 elder fraud complaints totaling over $12 million in 2023.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Vipul Thakkar, 53, of Owings Mills, Maryland, pleaded guilty to theft and conspiracy after orchestrating a gold bar scam targeting elderly residents in Montgomery County that defrauded victims of over $1.1 million between March and June 2024. Thakkar convinced victims, including a 74-year-old Bethesda man and an 82-year-old woman, to convert their bank deposits into gold bars under the false pretense of protecting their assets, then arranged pickups by accomplices; he was arrested in July 2024 during an undercover operation and faces up to 60 years in prison at sentencing schedule
kbsi23.com
· 2025-12-08
The Marion Police Department reported a scam targeting seniors that resulted in a $40,000 loss in a single day, wherein victims received a fake McAfee Security pop-up warning of viruses and were instructed to call a number where a scammer impersonated a federal agent claiming their computer and phone were compromised. The victims were then coerced into withdrawing $40,000 from their bank accounts and depositing the funds into Bitcoin kiosks and purchasing gift cards. Marion police advise residents to never provide personal information, money, or computer access to unsolicited contacts, and to verify company authenticity by contacting the company directly using official account information rather than responding to pop-ups
oysterbaytown.com
· 2025-12-08
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino partnered to host educational seminars in spring to help seniors and caregivers recognize and combat fraud. The seminars, held at community centers in Oyster Bay, covered topics including common scam tactics, identification methods, personal information safeguarding, and fraud reporting resources, addressing seniors' heightened vulnerability due to limited technology familiarity, loneliness, and other risk factors.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Kentucky is hosting free "Scam Jam" educational events and document shredding in Bowling Green (September 30) and Henderson County (October 3) to combat rising fraud, which the FTC estimates affected $137.4 billion in 2022 compared to only $9 billion reported. The events aim to educate consumers about recognizing and avoiding scams, with research showing that knowing about specific scams reduces engagement risk by 80%, particularly important given that nearly two-thirds of fraud victims experience serious health or emotional impacts.
click2houston.com
· 2025-12-08
Darlington Akporugo, 47, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and conspiracy for operating a nationwide romance scam targeting elderly victims through fake social media profiles. The scheme defrauded more than 25 victims of approximately $3 million and included convincing victims to open credit lines and purchase luxury items in his name. Akporugo faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine upon sentencing.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old Houston man pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded over 25 victims, primarily elderly and retired individuals, of more than $3 million. The perpetrator used fake identities on social media to build relationships, then pressured victims to send money for fake business investments or personal emergencies, sometimes directing funds overseas and even obtaining credit lines in victims' names. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison at his June 6 sentencing.
cpapracticeadvisor.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS's annual Dirty Dozen campaign educates taxpayers about 12 prevalent tax scams and fraudulent schemes, with email phishing and smishing (text message fraud) being among the top threats. These scams, which peak during tax filing season but occur year-round, aim to steal personal information, financial data, and money through tactics like fake IRS communications, bogus refund promises, and false legal threats. The IRS has been running this awareness effort since 2002 and works with state agencies, tax software companies, and tax professionals to protect taxpayers from identity theft and refund fraud.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of top tax scams, warning that fraudsters use tax season to trick taxpayers into identity theft and fraudulent tax credit claims. The most prevalent scams include email phishing where criminals impersonate legitimate tax and financial organizations to steal personal information, and misleading tax advice on social media that leads victims toward bogus tax avoidance strategies. The IRS emphasizes avoiding unsolicited emails and texts requesting financial or personal information as part of broader taxpayer protection efforts.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Andrew Hood, a former caregiver at Charter Senior Living in Cobb County, Georgia, was accused of stealing four credit cards from an 81-year-old resident and using them to make unauthorized purchases including a Six Flags season pass, gas, and food in 2024. Hood faces nearly 20 felony charges, with the arrest warrant issued recently after a multi-month investigation involving multiple businesses. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to fraud by trusted caregivers, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of public awareness about elder fraud.