Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 22,013 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
11,667 results
in Scam Awareness
shu.edu
· 2025-12-08
National Slam the Scam Day (March 6, 2025) is an awareness initiative by Social Security's Office of the Inspector General to combat government imposter scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials from trusted agencies like the SSA and IRS to steal money and personal information. The advisory highlights the "4 P's" of scams—pretend, problem, pressure, and payment demand—and emphasizes that legitimate government agencies never request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods. Individuals are urged to stay alert, hang up on suspicious contacts, guard personal information, and report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A new book by cybersecurity expert Alex East provides guidance on recognizing scams that target seniors, addressing the billions of dollars lost to fraud in recent years. The resource aims to help seniors identify warning signs and protect themselves from becoming victims of scams.
radio.wpsu.org
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadians, mostly based in Quebec, were charged with operating an elaborate "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans across 46 states of more than $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. The scheme involved call centers in the Montreal area using spoofed technology to impersonate relatives in distress, claiming bail money was needed, with victims often targeted multiple times and referred to as "whales" if they provided substantial funds. All 25 defendants face conspiracy to defraud charges carrying up to 20 years in prison, with five also charged with money laundering conspiracy.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
A cooperative U.S.-Canadian law enforcement effort resulted in the indictment of more than two dozen Quebec men accused of stealing over $21 million through "grandparent scams," in which they impersonated grandchildren in distress to manipulate seniors into sending money. Experts emphasize that scams targeting seniors have become increasingly sophisticated and difficult to combat across borders, and recommend that families establish code words to verify callers' identities and report suspicious contacts immediately to authorities. Vermont officials note that red flags include requests for urgent payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and encourage victims to report incidents without shame to help law enforcement understand the scope of fraud affecting their communities.
business-standard.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old man named Priyesh Giri was arrested by Delhi Police for defrauding multiple senior citizens by posing as a health insurance agent and collecting renewal fees under false pretenses. A 74-year-old victim lost Rs 95,000 after receiving a fake insurance policy, prompting her complaint that led to Giri's arrest through online tracking; he confessed to cheating more than five seniors over the past year and reportedly had an accomplice still being sought. The case reflects India's broader surge in fraud, with cybercrime cases increasing by over 100% in early 2024, including investment and trading scams affecting thousands of victims.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Darien, Connecticut resident lost $25,000 in a tech support scam on February 26 after scammers impersonating Apple security and Bank of America representatives displayed a fraudulent notification claiming unauthorized access to their accounts. The victim was convinced to withdraw $25,000 in cash and hand it to an unidentified individual at their home; no arrests have been made and an investigation is underway. The FTC warns against responding to pop-up messages about computer problems or calling numbers provided in such notifications, as unsolicited tech support calls are always scams.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Makayla Crumedy of Huntsville, Alabama, fell victim to a text message scam claiming she owed unpaid toll fees after visiting Florida; after entering her banking information through a suspicious link, she was charged over $1,000 to her account but successfully recovered the funds through fraud claims. The scam, which also targeted her grandmother, involved a text from an email address with random letters—a red flag that legitimate toll offices never use text messages with links to demand payment and may threaten license suspension. The Better Business Bureau advises recipients to delete and block such messages, as reputable agencies will never text toll payment demands.
drydenwire.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Barron County residents lost a combined $50,000 to scammers, prompting Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald to issue a public warning urging vigilance against unsolicited calls requesting financial information. Sheriff Fitzgerald advised residents to verify suspicious requests before taking action and remain cautious of potential fraud attempts.
thelogicalindian.com
· 2025-12-08
Meenu Rani from Greater Noida lost ₹51.5 lakh in a stock trading scam that began with a ₹1,000 Amazon gift voucher used to build trust before scammers lured her into investments through a fake trading app displaying fabricated profits. When she demanded her money back, the scammers stopped responding; police have registered a case under the IT Act and recovered ₹4.8 lakh so far. The incident exemplifies the growing threat of cyber scams in India targeting individuals through social media and messaging platforms, with authorities advising victims to verify investment opportunities through regulatory bodies like SEBI and avoid sharing financial details online.
digit.in
· 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old man in Bengaluru lost Rs 1.7 lakh after clicking a malicious link in a fake traffic challan WhatsApp message that downloaded an APK file and compromised his phone, leading to unauthorized transactions on e-commerce platforms and his credit cards. By acting quickly to contact Flipkart, Amazon, and his banks before orders were dispatched, he recovered Rs 80,000 of the stolen amount. The article advises avoiding unknown links, refusing APK downloads, verifying messages through official channels, enabling transaction alerts, and reporting fraud immediately to banks and platforms.
arabtimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kuwaiti woman lost her entire bank balance of 1,710 dinars and 835 fils after a fraudster posing as a bank employee called claiming her card was blocked and obtained her card number, PIN, and one-time password. Kuwait's Ministry of Interior warned the public about rising phone scams perpetrated by individuals outside the country, emphasizing that citizens should never share banking credentials with unknown callers, and highlighted emerging WhatsApp scams where fraudsters request money transfers through malicious links.
dailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An "anti-poverty advocate" named Joseph Sanberg was arrested by federal prosecutors in connection with an alleged fraud scheme that cost investors $145 million. The article indicates charges were filed against Sanberg and at least one other person, though specific details about the fraud mechanism are not provided in the excerpt.
ocregister.com
· 2025-12-08
An anti-poverty advocate named Joseph Sanberg was arrested in connection with an alleged investment fraud scheme that cost investors $145 million, according to federal prosecutors. The charges were announced in March 2025, though specific details about the fraud mechanism and victim demographics were not included in the available excerpt.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reported that the state's Consumer Protection Team received over 10,000 written complaints and 20,000 phone calls in 2024, recovering $1.9 million for consumers through mediation, settlements, and refunds. The top complaint categories were internet/online purchases, retail delivery issues, motor vehicle sales, credit/financial concerns, personal services, health services, landlord/tenant disputes, utilities, contractors, and telecommunications billing problems.
longreads.com
· 2025-12-08
CRA impersonation scammers, primarily operating from call centers in India on a commission basis, have targeted nearly every Canadian adult through phone calls demanding payment of fake tax debts or threatening legal action. The scam involved thousands of offshore perpetrators working scheduled shifts alongside dozens of Canadian recruiters, many of whom were new immigrants, and operated on a massive scale with relative impunity due to Canada's under-resourced fraud investigations and cross-border enforcement challenges.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
The US Postal Service issued warnings during Consumer Protection Week about imposter scams targeting older adults, where scammers pose as banks, government agencies, or family members to steal identities and money. Key prevention tips include verifying unexpected requests for money by contacting family directly, avoiding unsolicited USPS text messages about delivery problems, and confirming the legitimacy of bank communications before responding. Victims are urged to report suspected fraud to the Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Report ranks investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest fraud type, followed by employment scams (averaging $1,500 in losses) and romance/friendship scams (with a median loss of $6,099—the highest among all scam types). Both investment and romance scams involve "financial grooming," where fraudsters build trust over weeks or months before encouraging victims to invest money, often in cryptocurrency, with experts warning that online investment offers are major red flags.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and U.S. Postal Service warned the public about impostor scams where fraudsters impersonate family members, friends, banks, or government agencies to steal money and sensitive information. The scammers typically use urgent messaging such as "I'm in trouble," "You've won," or "I have a great offer," and Inspector Eric Shen recommends avoiding rushed financial decisions, verifying caller identity independently, not clicking suspicious links, and being especially cautious about grandparent scams and online romance fraud.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, 53% of men and 47% of women experienced romance scams in online dating environments, with scammers impersonating military personnel or celebrities to build trust before requesting money or personal information from victims. The FBI reported that over 64,000 romance scams were reported in 2023 alone, resulting in $1.14 billion in losses. Veterans are advised to verify identities of new online contacts, protect sensitive information, be cautious of financial requests, trust their instincts, and report suspicious activity to relevant authorities including the FTC or VA benefits hotline.
bostonglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary for this content. The text provided appears to be only a navigation menu and section headers from a news website, not an actual article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
To help you, please provide the full article text or content that discusses a specific incident or topic related to elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
investmentnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 survey found that over one-third of Americans were targeted by financial scams, with Baby Boomers experiencing the highest rate of fraud attempts (39%) but being least likely to lose money (26% loss rate), while younger generations reported significantly higher financial losses despite lower targeting rates. The most common scams involved attempted or successful theft of personal information like credit cards, bank accounts, or social security numbers, though 57% of these attempts were unsuccessful. Most respondents (89%) have implemented protective measures such as avoiding suspicious links, monitoring accounts, and enabling two-factor authentication, yet experts caution that fraud can still occur even with proper precautions.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines key strategies for retirees to protect themselves from AI-powered banking scams that increasingly target seniors. The recommended preventive measures include staying informed about current scam tactics, using strong mixed-character passwords with two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, verifying claims directly with financial institutions before sharing information, avoiding sharing personal details online, and installing antivirus software on devices.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Virgin Islands reports that 65% of residents aged 45 and older have encountered fraudulent schemes, with 40% experiencing financial losses, prompting the organization to intensify anti-fraud efforts through its Fraud Watch Network and educational initiatives. The organization is conducting workshops, webinars, and community events to educate residents about scam prevention, and is advocating for legislative measures including a proposed elder abuse amendment that would establish an adult abuse registry, require law enforcement fraud prevention training, and create a multi-disciplinary adult protection team.
storyboard18.com
· 2025-12-08
**Cybercrimes against India's elderly population surged 86% between 2020 and 2022 as seniors increasingly adopted digital platforms, with phishing scams, fraudulent advertisements, and privacy breaches being the primary threats.** Nearly half of surveyed seniors struggle to identify scams, and 45% of those over 70 now use mobile phones, making them vulnerable to messaging app and email-based fraud. Experts recommend enhanced digital literacy campaigns, user-friendly interfaces, and stronger cybersecurity frameworks to protect this growing demographic, as India's senior population is projected to reach 193 million by 2031.
mulletwrapper.net
· 2025-12-08
The Baldwin County Extension office is hosting a free educational class on March 7 designed to help seniors recognize and avoid common scams. The session covers "The Dirty Dozen"—the top 12 scams frequently targeting older adults, including fraudulent calls, phishing emails, investment schemes, and fake lotteries.
pasadenanow.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a National Consumer Protection Week warning about imposter scams where fraudsters pose as friends, relatives, or organizations using urgent messages ("I'm in trouble," "You've won!") to steal personal information and money. The advisory recommends verifying unexpected financial requests through direct contact, avoiding clicking suspicious links, ignoring unsolicited postal service communications, and registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, with victims able to report scams at (877) 876-2455.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines 11 common tax scams expected in 2025, including phishing emails, IRS impersonation phone calls, fake tax preparation services, social media fraud, and stimulus payment scams. Key protective measures include verifying sender authenticity before clicking links, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, confirming tax preparers are IRS-registered, and remembering that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or charge fees for assistance. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics targeting vulnerable taxpayers, making awareness and verification critical during tax-filing season.
news3lv.com
· 2025-12-08
Facebook users fell victim to a phishing scam featuring fake Meta messages claiming policy violations and threatening account deletion, which redirected victims to sites where hackers seized their Facebook and Instagram accounts. Small business owner Laura Nowlan's experience demonstrated how the scam extended further when fraudsters posing as Meta support representatives attempted to gain remote access to victims' devices through screen sharing. Users are advised to avoid clicking suspicious links and never provide access or personal information to unverified sources.
foxsanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
A USAA customer was targeted by scammers who spoofed the bank's caller ID and posed as the fraud department to warn her about unauthorized charges. The scammers manipulated her into transferring $3,400 through Apple Cash by claiming to help secure her compromised account, ultimately stealing the funds before disappearing when she discovered the deception. The case highlights a growing imposter scam trend affecting bank customers nationwide, with such scams resulting in $2.7 billion in annual losses, and demonstrates how criminals exploit familiar bank names and personal information to build false trust.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Multiple women, including an American who lost $375,000, fell victim to romance scams using the likeness and identity of actor Martin Henderson over an extended period, with victims spanning the United States, Britain, and Ireland. After one victim's story was publicized, four additional women came forward, and scammers subsequently attempted secondary extortion by posing as private investigators offering money recovery services. Henderson has issued public warnings that he does not initiate contact through messaging apps and expressed concern that advancing deepfake technology could make such scams increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect.
ia.acs.org.au
· 2025-12-08
Sarah's father lost over $1 million to a sophisticated impersonation scam involving a fake Standard Chartered bank website and fraudsters posing as legitimate employees, only realizing the fraud a month after the transfer when he could no longer contact them. The case is one of an estimated 600,000 scams affecting Australians annually, resulting in $2.74 billion in reported losses in 2023. Sarah has joined other victims in lobbying for scam reform, including mandatory victim reimbursement and stronger regulatory powers, expressing frustration that the recently passed Scams Prevention Framework lacks mandatory compensation provisions unlike similar legislation in the UK.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Kerala men fell victim to a visa agency scam that promised Israeli work visas but provided Jordanian tourist visas instead, directing them to illegally cross the Jordan-Israel border; during the February 10 crossing, 47-year-old Thomas Gabriel Pereira was shot dead by Jordanian soldiers, one man (Edison, 43) was deported to India with leg injuries, and two others remain jailed in Jordan. The unauthorized agency's fraudulent scheme resulted in one death, severe injuries, deportation, and imprisonment, highlighting the dangers of unlicensed visa recruitment operations that prey on vulnerable workers from coastal communities in Kerala.
wxow.com
· 2025-12-08
The La Crescent Police Department reported five scam calls in one day targeting residents with a "grandchild in jail" premise, where callers falsely claimed relatives were arrested after vehicle accidents and demanded money for bail. Two families nearly lost $9,000 and $18,000 respectively before recognizing the fraud; scammers instructed victims to lie to banks about withdrawal purposes and used spoofed local phone numbers and computer-generated voices to appear legitimate. Police advised community members to verify incidents directly with family, noting that scammers specifically target elders with landlines using fear tactics, and emphasized that government agencies like the IRS and Social Security do not initiate arrest-related calls.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service issued a warning during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025) about imposter scams, where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts or legitimate organizations to steal personally identifiable information and drain financial accounts. The agency provided protective measures including: avoiding rushed financial decisions, verifying bank communications directly, confirming grandchild emergencies through known contacts, recognizing romance scams, ignoring fraudulent USPS texts, registering with the Do Not Call Registry, and reporting suspected fraud to the Inspection Service.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI's 2024 Elder Fraud Report, elder fraud complaints increased 46% with losses rising 43%, while New York ranked fourth nationally in complaints and monetary losses among seniors over 60. The median loss for victims aged 60+ exceeded $83,000, with investment scams causing the highest losses at $6.6 billion overall and New York seniors losing $257.7 million in 2024. AARP warns that holiday season scams are escalating, particularly gift card fraud, phishing, and delivery scams, and recommends shopping directly from official websites, purchasing gift cards only from authorized locations, and being wary of urgent requests for payment via gift cards or
murrayledger.com
· 2025-12-08
A resurgence of toll-charge texting scams is circulating, where recipients receive messages claiming unpaid tolls in states they may or may not have visited, with links directing them to fake websites requesting payment. Law enforcement officials note that scammers increasingly replicate legitimate toll company messaging (like FastTrak or EZ Pass) and create sophisticated fake websites, making scams harder to identify, though legitimate toll agencies never request payment via text and instead send physical mail with license plate photos. Police advise recipients to verify they actually visited the state in question and to research any suspicious requests before responding, as scammers are becoming increasingly skilled at mimicking legitimate communications across multiple platforms including email and phone calls.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Bankers Association launched the #BanksNeverAskThat campaign during National Consumer Protection Week to educate consumers about phishing scams, which are on the rise. The campaign advises that legitimate banks never request confidential information via unsolicited calls, emails, or texts, and provides guidance on how to identify suspicious communications and report them to the FTC, Anti-Phishing Working Group, and state authorities. Resources include an interactive website at BanksNeverAskThat.com with videos, quizzes, and a video game, plus Spanish-language materials.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A Bankrate Financial Fraud Survey found that 34% of U.S. adults experienced financial fraud or scams in the past 12 months, with 37% of victims losing money to schemes ranging from fake prize claims to job recruitment and investment scams. Of Americans scammed in the past year, 90% had their personal financial information accessed or targeted, though 57% of those attempts were unsuccessful; baby boomers and Generation X experienced the highest lifetime fraud rates at 73% and 71% respectively, and experts warn that economic stress and the pending wealth transfer of baby boomers may embolden scammers.
edmontonjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
edmonton.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Edmonton residents lost over $48 million to fraud, with investment scams leading at $14.1 million, followed by romance scams at $1.7 million and employment fraud at $1.3 million. Police highlighted the emotional toll of these crimes, featuring the case of Heather Robicheau, who lost money to a year-long romance scam involving a fake cheque and false emergencies. During fraud prevention month, Edmonton Police and community partners urged residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information and to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for money, particularly those involving emotional manipulation or crisis scenarios.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 Better Business Bureau report reveals that investment and romance scams are increasingly sophisticated, employing "financial grooming" tactics where scammers build trust over weeks or months before defrauding victims. Investment/cryptocurrency scams ranked as the riskiest scam type with an $5,000 median loss, while romance scams had the highest median loss at $6,099; people ages 65+ reported the highest median dollar loss ($160), and overall median losses rose 30% from 2023 to 2024. The report warns that victims often experience significant emotional impacts, with 60% reporting anger, 54% loss of trust, and 53.5%
viconsortium.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned of rising imposter scams in which fraudsters pose as trusted entities like family members, banks, or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or sending money. The USPIS advises consumers to avoid responding to pressure tactics, verify contacts independently before sharing information, be cautious of grandparent and romance scams, ignore unsolicited USPS messages, and register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Suspected fraud can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Investment/cryptocurrency scams topped the list of fraud affecting Canadians and Americans in 2024, with over 80% of targeted victims losing money at a median loss of $5,000, according to a Better Business Bureau report. Employment scams ranked second, primarily targeting 18-34-year-olds with fake job offers requiring upfront equipment purchases that employers never reimburse. Romance and online purchasing scams also remained prevalent, with victims over 65 most susceptible, and nearly 30% of scam victims reporting negative mental health impacts.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about four types of imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2–8, 2025): investment scams using "get rich quick" schemes, grandparent scams requesting urgent bail or medical fees, romance scams exploiting isolated individuals, and other fraudulent schemes that manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. The agency recommends verifying information independently, being suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics and urgent requests, and contacting relatives directly before sending funds.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A man was sentenced to over eight years in prison for his role in an international fraud scheme originating from India that targeted older Americans, including a Georgetown woman who lost $300,000, with 21 identified victims losing nearly $6 million total. The scheme involved impersonating U.S. government officials to convince victims to transfer money from retirement and savings accounts, part of a growing problem highlighted by FBI data showing an 11% increase in financial losses for people over 60 in 2023. AARP Texas is advocating for increased law enforcement funding and expansion of the Texas Financial Crimes Intelligence Center to combat online fraud schemes that disproportionately impact older adults who have accumulated significant lifetime savings
eastidahonews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Rexburg was scammed out of $35,000 after receiving a fraudulent email impersonating PayPal's fraud department, which directed them to withdraw cash from multiple bank branches under the pretense of investigating unauthorized Bitcoin purchases. The scammers instructed the victims to lie to bank employees about the withdrawal reason and later sent two men to the home to physically collect the cash in an envelope. The Rexburg Police Department is investigating and warns that scammers often keep victims on the phone for extended periods to exploit their emotional vulnerability and lack of technological knowledge.
localnews8.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly couple in Rexburg, Idaho lost $35,000 after being targeted by scammers who impersonated PayPal's fraud department and their local bank, convincing them to make large cash withdrawals under the false pretense of investigating fraudulent Bitcoin purchases. The victims were instructed to lie to bank tellers about the withdrawals and later deposit the cash into a Bitcoin ATM, after which two men arrived at their home to collect the money in person. Rexburg Police warn seniors to verify requests directly with their financial institutions and note that legitimate banks never conduct fraud investigations through individual customers.
montgomery.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
The Upper Merion Township Police Department encouraged residents to use National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8) as an opportunity to educate themselves on fraud prevention. The department recommended consulting the Social Security Administration's website for resources including social media toolkits and fraud prevention tips to reduce scam victimization risk.
bctv.org
· 2025-12-08
The IRS released its 2025 "Dirty Dozen" list of common tax scams to warn taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals about prevalent fraud schemes that peak during filing season but occur year-round. The list highlights 12 pervasive threats including email phishing scams, text message scams (smishing), and misleading social media tax advice, which can lead to identity theft, unauthorized tax credit claims, and financial loss. The IRS has maintained this educational awareness campaign since 2002 and works with state agencies, tax software companies, and financial institutions to protect taxpayers from evolving scams and refund fraud.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns retired Americans about task scams, a rapidly growing job fraud scheme that cost victims over $220 million in 2024 and accounted for 40% of all job scam reports to the FTC. The scams target economically insecure retirees seeking side income by advertising easy online work but ultimately pressuring victims to invest their own money or use cryptocurrency. The article advises retirees to recognize red flags such as unsolicited job offers via text, vague job descriptions, and requests for personal investment, while recommending data removal services to reduce the risk of scammers obtaining their contact information from public data brokers.