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Florida Power and Light provided tips for National Senior Fraud Awareness Day on avoiding utility scams, which commonly occur through fake websites, suspicious phone calls, and door-to-door solicitors. Key advice includes using only official communication channels, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers or visitors, ignoring demands for immediate payment via gift cards or banking apps, and verifying caller identity by calling the number on your FPL bill rather than searching online. Victims should report suspected scams to FPL, local law enforcement, and the Federal Trade Commission.

Law enforcement agencies in Miami-Dade are warning of an increasing number of AI-powered scams targeting residents, particularly elderly individuals, using sophisticated deepfakes and spoofed calls impersonating police and other authorities to demand money. Florida ranks third nationally for investment fraud, with cryptocurrency scams being the most common type, and authorities caution that as AI technology advances, criminals will exploit it further. Victims are advised to question unsolicited demands for money, verify caller identity independently by calling back through official channels, and avoid sharing personal information without thorough research.

In 2024, Florida's elderly adults lost over $180 million to increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes, with scammers using phone calls, texts, emails, social engineering, artificial intelligence, and identity theft as primary tactics. The most common scams targeting seniors include romance scams, fake investment opportunities (particularly cryptocurrency), and the "grandparent scam" where victims are pressured to send money urgently based on false emergencies. Authorities recommend never answering unknown calls, never providing personal information or money over the phone, and contacting institutions directly through official channels to verify any suspicious requests.

A former Florida financial adviser admitted to defrauding elderly clients of $8.4 million through unauthorized transactions and misappropriation of their funds. The case resulted in criminal charges and demonstrates the breach of fiduciary duty by a trusted financial professional against vulnerable seniors.

I cannot provide a summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be a navigation menu and homepage layout from a news website (WFTV), not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. To summarize content for the Elderus database, please provide the actual article text or transcript that discusses a specific fraud case, scam scheme, or elder abuse incident.

Two Florida congressional members introduced the "Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams and Disasters Act," which would expand tax deductions for victims of fraud, cybercrime, theft, and natural disasters—particularly benefiting seniors who have suffered financial losses. The measure, supported by AARP and the Elder Justice Coalition, seeks to reinstate personal casualty loss deductions and extend filing deadlines for affected taxpayers to help them recover from their losses.

A Florida woman lost $160,000 to a scammer who used AI technology to impersonate actor Keanu Reeves over a two-and-a-half-year period. The scammer gained her trust through video calls and phone conversations using deepfake technology, then convinced her he needed money for legal troubles and froze assets, leading her to take out a home equity loan and sell her car to send cryptocurrency. This case reflects a broader trend of AI-enabled celebrity imposter scams, with the FTC reporting over 64,000 romance scams in 2023 causing $1.14 billion in losses, and research showing 33% of people contacted by fake celebrities

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida hosted an elder fraud prevention forum on May 15, 2025, in partnership with AARP and multiple law enforcement agencies to educate seniors about common scams including investment fraud, lottery fraud, and inheritance schemes. The program featured local law enforcement examples and resources, with information available through the Justice Department's Elder Justice Initiative and multiple reporting channels including the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

Miami-Dade County's Tax Collector office warned residents of a widespread phishing scam using fake text messages impersonating the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, threatening license suspension and demanding immediate payment through fraudulent links to steal personal and financial information. The scam messages have surged in recent weeks and use fake web addresses closely mimicking official state domains to deceive recipients. Authorities advise residents not to click suspicious links, to mark messages as spam, and to remember that legitimate state agencies never collect fees via text.

Floridians have received fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles threatening enforcement penalties for unpaid traffic citations and requesting payment via a link. The scam, which references a real but unrelated Florida administrative code, uses high-pressure tactics and has also been reported in other states; recipients should report it to the Federal Trade Commission and contact FLHSMV directly through trusted channels if they have concerns about legitimate violations.

DMVs across multiple states (New York, Florida, California) are warning drivers about phishing text messages ("smishing") falsely claiming unpaid traffic violations and threatening penalties to steal personal and financial information. These scams are part of a growing trend; Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts in April alone, and the FTC reported Americans lost over $12 billion to fraud in 2024. Experts recommend not clicking links from unknown numbers, registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, and remaining skeptical of unsolicited requests for personal information.

DMVs in multiple states are warning drivers of phishing text messages ("smishing") falsely claiming unpaid traffic violations and threatening penalties to trick recipients into revealing personal and financial information. This scam is part of a larger trend of SMS phishing attacks, with Americans receiving 19.2 billion spam texts in April alone, and fraud losses exceeding $12 billion in 2024. Experts recommend registering with the National Do Not Call Registry, avoiding links from unknown numbers, and remaining skeptical of requests for personal information.

Dianne Ringstaff, a Florida woman, lost approximately $160,000 in an AI-powered romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated actor Keanu Reeves using deepfake videos and cloned voice technology. Over two and a half years, the scammer cultivated trust with Ringstaff before claiming financial legal troubles and convincing her to take out a home equity loan and sell her car to help. Her bank account was also used to funnel money from other victims, and Ringstaff is now speaking publicly to warn others about the growing threat of celebrity impersonation scams using artificial intelligence.

Toll fee smishing scams—fraudulent text messages claiming users owe payment for tolls—have surged in waves since 2024, with the FBI and FTC issuing warnings and state DMVs in New York, Florida, and California recently alerting residents to the threat. In April 2025 alone, Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts, and text-based fraud attempts generated approximately $470 million in criminal revenue according to the FTC's 2024 data. The article advises consumers to verify sender phone numbers and domain names, check official toll agency websites, avoid engaging with messages, use mobile security features, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's Internet Crime

In July 2023, Priscilla Presley, then 77, filed a lawsuit claiming she was defrauded of over $1 million by Florida memorabilia dealer Brigitte Kruse through a "meticulously planned" elder-abuse scheme involving unconscionable contracts that gave Kruse control of her finances and publicity rights. A newly surfaced video from a January 2023 document-signing session shows Presley stating she had not read the contracts and appeared to trust Kruse, though she also confirmed signing of her own free will—evidence that complicates both sides' legal arguments in this ongoing contentious dispute.

Florida law enforcement launched a coordinated crackdown on scams perpetrated by incarcerated individuals using contraband technology to defraud seniors. Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that recent correctional facility inspections confiscated "dozens and dozens of devices" and revealed victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one 92-year-old who lost over $800,000 over two years. Law enforcement urged seniors to monitor their finances closely and avoid trusting unsolicited callers, while pledging to work with the Department of Corrections to prevent criminal activity from continuing behind bars.

I cannot provide a summary of this content. The material provided appears to be a website navigation menu and section listing from WFTV (a news station), not an article about a specific scam or fraud incident. However, I did notice one relevant headline in the "Top Local Stories" section: "Scammer uses online pop-up to steal $50,000 from elderly woman in Volusia County." If you can provide the full article text for this story, I would be happy to summarize it for the Elderus database.

A 92-year-old Florida man lost approximately $800,000 in life savings over two years to a scam orchestrated by a suspect operating from within state prison. Florida law enforcement officials are intensifying efforts to hold perpetrators accountable and address the growing problem of elder fraud, which is facilitated by technological advances and cryptocurrency that enable criminals to target seniors while evading detection.

Police across multiple states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey are warning of a DMV text scam impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles and threatening to suspend vehicle registration unless victims click malicious links to pay alleged fines immediately. The scam is designed to steal personal and financial information by creating panic and urgency. Authorities recommend not clicking links or responding to such messages, instead reporting them to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, contacting your state DMV directly through official channels, and forwarding suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to help wireless providers block similar messages.

A 92-year-old man in Sun City Center, Florida, lost $800,000 in a romance and bank scam orchestrated by Otiz Swinton Jr., a 37-year-old who was incarcerated at the time and had previously been convicted seven years earlier of stealing over $1 million from more than 50 seniors. The victim, isolated in an assisted living facility, was targeted beginning in June 2022, with funds transferred through cryptocurrency, peer-to-peer platforms, counterfeit checks, and ATM withdrawals between March and April of the scam year.

Florida law enforcement officers disclosed that state prisoners using contraband phones, cryptocurrency, and drones are scamming senior citizens, with one documented case involving a 92-year-old man defrauded of over $800,000 over two years. "Operation Triple Threat," a coordinated search across three correctional facilities, confiscated 400 illegal cellphones, and authorities confirmed at least three known cases of inmates exploiting seniors, though formal charges have not yet been filed.

Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier held a press conference in Tampa addressing senior fraud, revealing that over two years a 92-year-old victim lost $800,000 to a perpetrator operating from state prison, and that Brevard County seniors lost $13 million since 2021 with only $1.4 million recovered. Officials announced the "Triple Threat Operation" that confiscated 40 cellphones from over 3,000 inmates and warned seniors about common scams including bank impersonation, jury duty, shipping service, and romance scams.

During Operation Triple Threat, Florida law enforcement confiscated approximately 40 smuggled cellphones from three state prisons and identified inmates using them to perpetrate romance scams, jury duty/toll violation schemes, and service payment frauds against seniors statewide. At least three confirmed cases resulted in losses, including a 92-year-old man defrauded of over $800,000 by inmate Otiz Swinton Jr., who used prison cellphones to pose as a romantic interest. Authorities urged seniors to protect themselves by refusing to share financial information with unknown callers and reporting suspicious contact to local law enforcement.

A multi-state text scam impersonating the North Carolina DMV claimed recipients had unpaid traffic tickets or toll charges and threatened vehicle registration suspension or required payment of $6.99 within hours. The fraudulent texts included links to fake websites mimicking official DMV sites, designed to steal personal information or payment card details from drivers across North Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and Florida. The NC DMV advises recipients not to respond, to block the sender, and to report the messages to the FTC via text to 7726.

Christie Edwards, a 47-year-old Florida bookkeeper, was indicted in Glynn County, Georgia on charges of Racketeering and Theft by Taking for allegedly stealing over $380,000 from an elderly client through fraudulent ATM withdrawals, point-of-sale transactions, checks, and credit card payments while employed at a local accounting firm. The case was investigated by the Attorney General's White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit and highlights the vulnerability of seniors to financial exploitation by trusted individuals with direct access to their finances.

Scammers in Wisconsin are impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation DMV by sending text messages claiming unpaid traffic violations or final notices, attempting to trick recipients into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. The Wisconsin DMV received a large volume of complaints on June 2 and noted similar scams had recently targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. The DMV advises residents not to respond to unsolicited texts, avoid clicking links, and warns to be suspicious of communications requesting money or creating urgency.

A 92-year-old man lost over $800,000 in a cryptocurrency and Bitcoin scam operated by Florida prison inmates who used smuggled phones and drones to contact seniors and solicit money. Nearly $13 million has been stolen from multiple victims through these schemes, with only $1.4 million recovered, prompting law enforcement officials to call for legislation to block drone signals and eliminate contraband communications in prisons.

DMV officials across multiple U.S. states issued advisories in May warning citizens about text message scams impersonating the DMV and demanding payment for fake "outstanding tolls" or traffic violations, with messages threatening license suspension, penalties, or legal action. The fraudulent texts use official-looking ".gov" links and domain variations (such as "ezpassnj") to appear legitimate, targeting unsuspected victims in at least ten states including New York, New Jersey, Florida, and California. Authorities recommend recipients delete the messages immediately, avoid clicking links or providing information, and report the scams to the FTC or their service provider via the SPAM hotline (7726).

Police are warning the public about a widespread DMV text message scam that threatens to suspend vehicle registration unless victims click malicious links and pay fake fines, with reports across multiple states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, and New Jersey. The scam is part of a broader wave of "smishing" (SMS phishing) attacks designed to steal personal and financial information by creating panic and prompting immediate action. To protect yourself, do not click links in unsolicited DMV texts, report suspicious messages to the FTC and your wireless provider, and verify any requests directly through your state's official DMV website or phone number.

A 92-year-old Florida man lost over $800,000 in a cryptocurrency and romance scam operated by inmates using smuggled cellphones, representing one of several victims in a scheme orchestrated from within state prisons. Florida law enforcement officials reported that nearly $13 million has been stolen through these coordinated scams with only $1.4 million recovered, and are calling for legislation to block drone signals and eliminate contraband communications in prisons.

This is a media advisory announcing a U.S. Postal Service press briefing scheduled for June 12, 2025, in Tampa, Florida, where postal officials will discuss best practices for protecting consumers from mail-related scams and fraud. The briefing will also highlight results from Project Safe Delivery, a national initiative targeting mail-based crime.

DMV text message scams, known as "smishing," are expanding across multiple states including Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, California, Michigan, and North Carolina, with earlier warnings issued in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York. These fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets or outstanding bills and threaten consequences like vehicle registration loss, driving privilege suspension, or credit score damage unless they click a link and pay. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients not to click links or respond, instead contacting their state DMV directly through official channels and reporting the messages to their wireless provider, the FTC, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

In 2024, Americans over 60 reported a 46% increase in financial scams compared to 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $4.8 billion, with nearly 12,000 victims in Florida alone. Common schemes include phone and mail scams, Medicare fraud, internet scams, and power-of-attorney abuse. The article provides prevention strategies including learning to identify common scams, understanding IRS communication practices, registering on Do Not Call lists, seeking reputable financial services, and reporting suspected fraud to consumer protection agencies.

State Departments of Transportation in Idaho, Iowa, and Wisconsin issued warnings about phishing text scams impersonating state agencies and demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations, with threats of legal action. The scams have already targeted Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Jersey, Georgia, and New York, and are becoming more sophisticated by using fear tactics to trick victims into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. State agencies advise recipients to ignore urgency demands, avoid clicking links or sharing information, block senders, and report scams to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Pranav Patel, a 33-year-old New Jersey man, was sentenced to six years and three months in federal prison for his role as a money mule in an elder fraud scheme that defrauded senior citizens of approximately $1.79 million between October and December 2023. Fraudsters operating from overseas call centers impersonated government agents, falsely claiming victims had outstanding arrest warrants or needed to surrender money and gold for safekeeping, while Patel collected the proceeds from victims across the East Coast. One victim was forced to sell his house and rely on Social Security after losing his savings to the scam.

Pranav Patel, a 33-year-old Indian-origin man, was sentenced to 75 months (over 6 years) in federal prison for his role in a nearly $2 million scheme that targeted senior citizens through overseas call centers. The sentencing was handed down by a federal judge in Tampa, Florida.

Pranav Patel, 33, from New Jersey, was sentenced to 75 months in prison and ordered to forfeit nearly $2 million for his role as a money mule in a government impersonation scam targeting senior citizens between October and December 2023. Patel picked up cash and gold from victims across the East Coast who had been fraudulently told by overseas call center operators posing as Treasury Department officials that they faced arrest warrants or needed to surrender assets for safekeeping. One victim was forced to sell his house and rely on Social Security after losing his savings in the scheme, which resulted in approximately $1.79 million in laundered fraud proceeds.

Thousands of Minnesotans received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, threatening legal consequences and demanding payment for fictitious traffic violations. This scam, which has also affected residents in Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, puts victims at financial risk and creates anxiety about message authenticity. Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to take action against the widespread scheme.

Senator Tina Smith is urging the Trump Administration to address a widespread text message scam targeting Minnesotans, in which fake DMV messages claim recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threaten arrest to coerce online payments. The scam has been reported across multiple states including Georgia, New York, Indiana, Florida, New Jersey, and Colorado, and Smith has requested intervention from the Department of Justice to combat the scheme's scale and sophistication.

South Florida FBI agents are warning seniors about rising elder fraud trends, with impersonation scams (including AI-generated voice calls mimicking grandchildren and tax/immigration-related schemes) and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment fraud among the most prevalent tactics. According to FBI Florida data, tech support scams affect the most victims (235 cases), while investment scams cause the highest financial losses at $13.3 million across 105 cases, with agents advising potential victims to stay calm, verify requests through third parties, and recognize urgency tactics as red flags.

Senior citizens in Baker County, Florida are being targeted by two related scams: one where fraudsters impersonate bank fraud department staff to convince victims to withdraw cash and deposit it into other accounts, and another where callers pose as sheriff's deputies claiming arrest warrants exist and demanding phone payment to avoid arrest. The Baker County Sheriff's Office warns that they never request payment over the phone and urges anyone affected to contact Detective Lieutenant David Mancini.

The Broward Sheriff's Office hosted a free Senior Safety Summit on June 21 in Tamarac, Florida, designed to educate seniors about prevalent scams and fraud threats. The event covered the latest scams targeting seniors, practical recognition and avoidance strategies, and steps for victims to take if defrauded.

The U.S. Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service warned of rising phishing, smishing, and brushing scams, noting that USPS will never text customers requesting addresses for package delivery. Florida residents lost over $1 billion to internet scams in 2024, and the agencies advise against clicking links in unsolicited messages and recommend reporting suspicious communications to combat mail-related fraud.

Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted of wire fraud for impersonating a flight attendant and fraudulently accessing airline employee portals to book over 120 free flights across five major carriers (American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Spirit) between 2018 and 2024. Alexander used fabricated badge numbers and false hire dates to exploit non-revenue travel benefits reserved for actual crew members, flying 34 times on one airline alone before his arrest in March 2024. He faces sentencing in August 2025 on charges of wire fraud and unauthorized airport access by deception.

**Summary:** Scammers are sending text messages impersonating Florida's Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency, claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threatening driver's license suspension. The texts contain malicious links designed to steal personal information, and law enforcement advises recipients not to click the links and to report the scams to local authorities.

Scammers are sending deceptive text messages to Florida drivers claiming they owe unpaid tolls or traffic tickets, using lookalike characters to impersonate the Department of Motor Vehicles and threatening license or registration suspension to pressure victims into clicking malicious links. State authorities warn that legitimate government agencies never contact residents by text for payment—official notices are sent by mail—and urge Floridians to delete such messages and report them to the Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division or FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Romance scams target vulnerable individuals by building false emotional relationships online, ultimately leading victims to send money to scammers under false pretenses. Spokeo's analysis of public data reveals patterns in who becomes victimized, the mechanics of how these scams develop, and protective measures people can take to avoid becoming targets.

Pranav Patel, a 33-year-old Indian national, was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in federal prison for operating as a money collector in a $1.79 million government impersonation scam that targeted elderly Americans, with co-conspirators posing as government agents and threatening victims with arrest to extort cash and gold. Patel traveled along the East Coast collecting packages from vulnerable seniors, including one victim who was forced to sell his home after losing his life savings. Law enforcement recovered most of the funds after arresting Patel during a planned collection operation, though overseas call center operators remain under investigation.

A 48-year-old Miami man was arrested in Standish, Maine after flying to New England to collect money from an elderly woman who had been victimized by a "grandparent scam." The woman had withdrawn $9,500 believing she was paying legal fees for her grandson's arrest, but Bighoro was the in-person collector for the fraud scheme. He faces charges of theft by deception and operating with a suspended license.

This article describes a traffic accident, not elder fraud or abuse. On June 23, 2025, a juvenile female on a scooter was struck by a black Chevrolet on South Woodland Boulevard in DeLand, Florida, and was transported to the hospital with suspected life-threatening injuries. This incident is outside the scope of the Elderus database, which focuses on scams, fraud, and elder abuse.