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A Suamico, Wisconsin woman was targeted by an elaborate phone scam in which scammers impersonating Medicare, pharmacies, and her doctors convinced her that her Medicare benefits had been terminated and coerced her into providing her Medicare number. The scammers then instructed her to accept unnecessary medical equipment (back braces, knee braces, and wrist braces), which were subsequently mailed to her; she refused the packages and obtained a new Medicare number after contacting the real Medicare to verify the fraud. The Wisconsin Senior Medical Patrol warns that Medicare never contacts people unsolicited to request personal information or Medicare numbers and does not terminate benefits in this manner.

This Reddit discussion highlights various modern scams and exploitative industries that users identified, including: time-share presentations using high-pressure sales tactics; designer furniture brands that purchase mass-produced items and resell them at 5x markup; predatory towing schemes targeting ATM users; health insurance price disparities for medications like insulin; multi-level marketing (MLM) schemes that use deceptive recruitment tactics; mobile gaming designed with addictive mechanics and hidden paywalls; and cryptocurrency projects involving "rug pulls" and casino-like gambling structures. The common thread across these examples is that they exploit consumers through opacity, psychological manipulation, or artificial markup rather than offering genuine value.

Minnesota lawmakers are proposing to expand the state's Medicaid fraud control unit from 32 to 41 investigators and increase penalties for health and elder-care providers who defraud Medicaid, with fines up to $100,000 and prison sentences up to 20 years for thefts exceeding $35,000. The $390,000 annual expansion is justified by the fraud unit's track record of recovering $53 million in civil penalties and criminal restitution over six years while costing the state $6 million. Attorney General Keith Ellison argues the expansion is critical to protect Medicaid's integrity and preserve public support for the program serving 1.4

**Summary:** Oleg Beretsky was arrested and indicted in Brooklyn federal court for operating a healthcare fraud scheme from January 2017 to April 2024, in which he exploited elderly Medicare patients—particularly immigrants from the former Soviet Union—by referring them to doctors in exchange for kickbacks and bribes totaling over $12 million. Beretsky, owner of Obest, Inc., conspired with healthcare providers to bill Medicare for unnecessary or non-performed services while pocketing the proceeds through his fraudulent referral operation. He faces charges including healthcare fraud conspiracy, Anti-Kickback Statute violations, and money laundering conspiracy.

Scammers target Medicare beneficiaries by offering free genetic testing (for conditions like cancer, dementia, and autoimmune diseases) without doctor orders, then bill Medicare for unnecessary tests or use stolen Medicare information for medical identity theft. Seniors should verify any genetic testing with their primary care doctor before proceeding, review their Medicare Summary Notices and Explanations of Benefits for unauthorized charges, and report suspected fraud to the New York Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374, as these scams can result in costs of $9,000 to $11,000 per test.

In 2023, over 4,300 New Yorkers age 60 and older lost more than $203 million to financial scams, averaging $47,000 per victim, prompting AARP New York and state legislators to call for enhanced consumer protections including bank teller training to identify exploitation signs. Common scams targeting seniors include the "grandparent scam," where fraudsters pose as relatives requesting emergency money via untraceable payment methods like cash or gift cards. Governor Hochul's proposed budget includes measures to equip financial institutions to recognize and prevent elder financial fraud through employee training and transaction monitoring.

California's Attorney General filed felony charges against the owner and facility manager of Granite Bay Residential Care Home for defrauding Medi-Cal of over $500,000 between January 2020 and September 2022. The defendants billed for services not provided, misappropriated funds for personal luxury purchases, and stole electronics purchased with program money. The charges include false claims, conspiracy, and grand theft by embezzlement.

The Senior LinkAge Line offered a free virtual presentation on April 9 covering health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for older adults, featuring information from the Senior Medicare Patrol federal education program. The presentation provided guidance on detecting, preventing, and reporting fraud and scams to protect personal information and safety.

Older New Yorkers lost over $203 million to scams in 2023, with more than 4,300 victims age 60 and older experiencing an average loss of $47,000 each, prompting AARP New York and state legislators to call for consumer protection measures in the state budget. Governor Hochul's proposed safeguards include training bank employees to identify signs of financial exploitation and place holds on suspicious transactions, with the "grandparent scam" identified as one of the most common schemes targeting seniors. The coalition is urging financial institutions to work with state leadership to implement fraud prevention measures that would help protect older New Yorkers' retirement savings from increasingly sophisticated sc

A former pastor in Crofton, Kentucky, Marvin Upton, was sentenced to 2 years and 3 months in prison for defrauding an elderly parishioner with dementia between 2013 and 2016 through bank fraud, and for filing false tax returns that concealed the fraudulent income. Upton was ordered to pay $500,000 in restitution to the victim's estate and $222,037 to the IRS. The case was prosecuted under the Department of Justice's National Elder Justice Task Force as part of broader efforts to combat financial exploitation of seniors.

The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified genetic testing scams as its March Fraud of the Month, in which scammers offer free cheek swabs to Medicare beneficiaries, then use their Medicare information to bill for unnecessary genetic tests or commit medical identity theft. Seniors are advised to consult their primary care doctor before agreeing to any screening, verify that tests were ordered by their physician, review Medicare statements for unauthorized charges (averaging $4,000-$11,000 per test), and report suspected fraud to the NY Senior Medicare Patrol. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion annually nationwide.

Scammers are targeting Medicare seniors with free genetic testing offers that are billed to Medicare, with potential out-of-pocket costs ranging from $9,000 to $11,000 if Medicare denies coverage. Red flags include unsolicited offers at public venues, telemedicine consultations with unfamiliar doctors, and charges on Medicare statements for tests never requested. Seniors are advised to consult with their personal doctor, review their Medicare Summary Notice and Explanation of Benefits for unauthorized charges, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.

Scammers are targeting Medicare seniors with fraudulent genetic testing offers, claiming tests are "free" but billing Medicare for expensive tests seniors never requested, potentially costing victims $9,000-$11,000 out-of-pocket when Medicare denies payment. Red flags include unsolicited telemedicine consultations with unfamiliar doctors, requests for Medicare numbers at public venues, and unexpected charges on Medicare statements for genetic or pharmacogenetics tests. Seniors are advised to consult only with their personal doctor, review their Medicare Summary Notice and Explanation of Benefits for unauthorized charges, and report suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.

Regina Henaku, 33, of Leominster was indicted on nine counts including larceny and identity fraud for allegedly stealing approximately $28,000 from at least 16 elderly victims over 60 years old between August and November 2024. Henaku posed as a professional caregiver at multiple health care facilities and assisted living homes across Worcester and Middlesex counties, fraudulently using stolen credentials to gain employment and then stealing the bank cards of victims. She worked at five different facilities including Fairview Estates in Hopkinton, and was also charged with obstructing justice by misleading police about her identity during the investigation.

Candice Trees, a 71-year-old Illinois retiree, lost $12,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with a man claiming to work abroad who eventually asked to borrow money. In 2024, over 71,000 Illinois consumers reported fraud cases totaling $318.1 million, prompting AARP Illinois to expand prevention efforts through monthly educational programs and advocacy for stricter cryptocurrency ATM regulations, as losses from crypto-related scams topped $65 million nationally in the first half of 2024 with seniors disproportionately affected.

A 36-year-old Florida woman pleaded guilty to wire fraud for embezzling approximately $535,751 in customer cash down payments and deposits from a New Orleans car dealership where she worked as a senior accountant between November 2018 and May 2023. She concealed the theft by creating fake journal entries in the dealership's records and agreed to pay full restitution as part of her plea agreement. She faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing scheduled for June 25, 2025.

NARCOG is hosting a Fraud Summit on April 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Moulton Senior Center to educate older adults on protecting themselves from scams, health insurance fraud, and financial exploitation. The event will feature expert speakers from the Better Business Bureau and Alabama Securities Commission, as well as representatives from Senior Medical Patrol and the State Health Insurance Program. Seating is limited and registration is required by calling Julie Campbell at 256-355-4515.

This educational article provides guidance on protecting seniors from tax season scams, particularly IRS impersonation schemes and Medicare fraud. Key protective strategies are offered to help family members and caregivers safeguard seniors during tax time.

Hawaii consumers lost $61.6 million to scams in 2024, a 32 percent increase from the prior year, with the most common frauds involving imposters, identity theft, and investment scams conducted via social media and cryptocurrency. AARP Hawaii is hosting a series of webinars in April featuring FBI agents and fraud prevention experts to help residents, particularly older adults (kupuna), recognize and report fraud including business imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and Medicare-related schemes. The webinars aim to educate consumers on protecting themselves and their families while encouraging fraud reporting despite the stigma surrounding victimization.

Medical Identity Theft occurs when fraudsters use seniors' personal health information, such as names or Medicare numbers, to bill for medical services or supplies never received, potentially affecting both finances and health through inaccurate medical records. The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identifies warning signs including unexpected medical bills, insurance coverage denials for non-existent conditions, and debt collection contacts for unrecognized expenses. Seniors should protect themselves by keeping Medicare numbers confidential, avoiding unsolicited medical offers, regularly reviewing billing statements, and reporting suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374.

Washington Trust Bank employees launched a Senior Fraud Awareness workshop series in April 2023 to combat rising scams targeting older adults, after branch staff witnessed seniors being pressured to withdraw cash while on phone calls with scammers. The trio of bank managers has conducted five workshops in Spokane senior living communities and plans to expand regionally, providing FTC data, practical fraud prevention tips, and resources for reporting elder fraud. According to federal data, older adults lost over $1.9 billion to fraud in 2023 alone, with estimates suggesting actual losses could reach $61.5 billion.

**Summary:** Medical identity theft occurs when scammers use a senior's personal health information, such as their name or Medicare number, to fraudulently bill for medical services or supplies never received, potentially affecting both their finances and health through inaccurate medical records. Warning signs include unexpected bills for services not received, insurance coverage denials due to non-existent conditions, and debt collection agency contacts about unrecognized medical expenses. Seniors can protect themselves by safeguarding their Medicare numbers, avoiding unsolicited medical offers, purchasing supplies only from verified sources, and regularly reviewing their Medicare Summary Notices and Explanation of Benefits statements.

Medical Identity Theft occurs when fraudsters use seniors' personal health information, such as their name or Medicare number, to bill for medical services or supplies never received, potentially affecting both their finances and health through inaccurate medical records. Warning signs include unexpected bills for services never performed, insurance denials due to non-existing conditions, and debt collection contacts for unrecognized expenses. The New York StateWide Senior Action Council advises seniors to protect themselves by safeguarding Medicare cards, avoiding "free" offers from unknown sources, monitoring Medicare statements regularly, and reporting suspected fraud to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol helpline at 800-333-4374.

This article compiles multiple fraud and cybersecurity alerts: a Wyoming resident received a fake PayPal email demanding $379.99 in Bitcoin with artificial urgency, and another resident fell for a suspicious University of Wyoming impersonation email containing a QR code. The piece also highlights that 40 million Americans lost $47 billion to identity fraud in 2024, recommends protective measures like automatic updates and document shredding, and reports on a ChatGPT security vulnerability (CVE-2024-27564) that enabled over 10,000 attack attempts in one week targeting financial institutions, plus a separate Oracle data breach exposing 6 million records including usernames, emails,

San Ramon student Adya Gupta founded Impactt Kids, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that provides scam education training to seniors and caregivers to help them recognize and avoid phone and internet fraud. The initiative, inspired by Gupta's grandmother who frequently receives scam calls, has trained seniors at local living centers on identifying scam calls, phishing emails, and fraudulent IRS, Medicare, and lottery schemes, with participants reporting successful fraud prevention as a result. The program plans to expand by integrating AI-powered scam detection tools and establishing a hotline for seniors to verify suspicious calls.

Since 2021, the BBB has tracked over 16,600 reported scams involving theft of passwords, social security numbers, and driver's license information. The BBB recommends protecting yourself by avoiding sharing personal information with unverified sources, enabling multi-factor authentication, conducting regular credit checks, being cautious of suspicious links and texts, and changing critical passwords frequently—especially for banking, government programs like Medicare, and housing assistance accounts. If an account is compromised, contact your provider immediately.

Dr. Neil Anand, a 48-year-old Indian-origin physician, was convicted in federal court in Pennsylvania for his role in a $2.3 million healthcare fraud and illegal controlled substance distribution scheme, along with money laundering charges. The Justice Department prosecution targeted Anand's involvement in unlawfully distributing controlled medications and defrauding the healthcare system.

**Genetic Testing Fraud - Expert Talk** Danielle Guillory from Senior Medicare Patrol discusses current genetic testing scams targeting Medicare beneficiaries and provides guidance on recognizing and reporting Medicare fraud. The expert talk addresses emerging schemes involving fraudulent genetic testing offers and outlines steps seniors can take if they suspect they have been victimized by this type of fraud.

Indian telecom companies Vodafone-Idea and Bharti Airtel are deploying AI-powered systems to combat the rising threat of cyber fraud, including digital arrest scams and AI voice-cloning calls. Vi's Spam SMS solution has flagged over 250 million suspicious messages using machine learning to detect phishing and scam attempts in real-time, while Airtel's spam detection network identified nearly one million spammers daily and flagged 8 billion spam calls and 0.8 billion spam SMS messages within 2.5 months, resulting in a 12% decline in suspicious contact attempts.

South Carolina seniors suffered disproportionately in 2024 cybercrime, with 2,295 victims over age 60 losing over $58.5 million—more than a third of the state's total $146 million in reported internet crime losses. The most costly scams targeting seniors were tech support scams, government impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, each accounting for nearly $10 million in losses, while confidence/romance scams cost seniors almost $3 million. The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report documented a 33% nationwide increase in cybercrime losses to over $16 billion, with extortion, phishing, and personal data breaches

Fraud and theft targeting seniors in Houston is increasingly prevalent, with impersonation fraud being the most common method, often targeting those posing as bank or Medicare representatives. Key protective measures include setting up bank transaction alerts, avoiding checks, building relationships with bank staff for verification calls, placing fraud alerts with credit bureaus, and involving family members in financial monitoring. Seniors are advised to hang up on suspicious calls and independently verify claims by contacting their bank directly, and victims of identity theft can seek guidance through IdentityTheft.gov.

This article describes an educational event held by AARP Virginia that presented information about six types of scams targeting older adults, paired with wine tastings. The scams covered included cryptocurrency fraud (where victims are tricked into depositing cash at crypto ATMs), jury duty scams (imposter calls claiming arrest is imminent unless fines are paid), and romance scams, with volunteers providing recognition strategies and prevention advice for each.

The Senior LinkAge Line, a free Minnesota state service, will host a virtual presentation on May 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. focused on health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention for older adults. The presentation, which includes information from the Senior Medicare Patrol federal program, will cover fraud detection, prevention strategies, and reporting procedures to help seniors protect their personal information. Individuals needing accommodations to participate can contact Dianne Kiser at [email protected] by May 9.

The FBI warns of discount medical insurance scams that promise reduced rates but provide no actual coverage, resulting in millions in annual losses and primarily targeting people seeking affordable healthcare through unsolicited contact. Washington state issued a cease-and-desist order against one fraudulent company after over 100 complaints, with victims reporting misrepresented coverage, denied refunds, and unauthorized charges; specific cases included Pennsylvania residents pressured into plans with no actual coverage, a Texas senior deceived into unwanted dental insurance, and a Maryland man left responsible for $7,000 in surgery costs after his purchased plan was not accepted by his hospital. To protect themselves, consumers should verify that insurance companies are licensed in their state through the state

A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen for a cryptocurrency investment scam on Facebook, where scammers posed as her offering "Expert Crypto Trader" services with falsified certificates. California has reported over 190,000 cases of alleged financial abuse against seniors from January 2022 to February 2025, with cryptocurrency, phishing, romance, and government impersonation scams being prevalent, particularly in Fresno and Madera counties. Experts recommend seniors avoid sending money to unknown individuals, verify claims through official sources, and report suspected fraud to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation.

Scammers are increasingly using AI-powered "realtime deepfakes" to commit fraud against elderly and younger users alike, altering their appearance and voices in live videos to impersonate trusted individuals or create convincing false identities. Common schemes include romance scams, Medicare fraud, and the "grandparent scam," in which criminals impersonate a loved one's voice to coerce money or sensitive information; one Canadian grandmother lost $9,000 CAD to such a scam. While elderly users are traditionally vulnerable, research shows younger generations (Gen Z, millennials, Gen X) are 34 percent more likely to lose money to fraud overall, though the growing sophist

A retired caregiver in Fresno, California discovered her identity had been stolen in a cryptocurrency investment scam when friends congratulated her on launching a crypto business; the fraudulent Facebook post falsely claimed she was a certified "Expert Crypto Trader" and garnered 160+ responses, though the actual number of victims who sent money remains unknown. California's Department of Social Services received over 190,000 reports of financial abuse against seniors between January 2022 and February 2025, with experts noting that older adults are particularly vulnerable to sophisticated scams involving cryptocurrency, phishing, impersonation, and romance fraud, especially as AI technology makes these schemes more convincing.

Wesley Pines Retirement Community is hosting its second annual Scam Jam awareness event on May 7, targeting seniors 60+ who are particularly vulnerable to fraud schemes including cryptocurrency, romance, and Medicare card scams. According to the National Council on Aging, individuals over 60 lost over $3 billion to fraud in 2023, affecting more than 100,000 people. The free event will feature educational speakers from financial institutions, Social Security, and law enforcement, along with a document shredding service to help attendees safely dispose of personal information.

Wesley Pines Retirement Community is hosting its second annual Scam Jam event on May 7 to educate seniors aged 60+ about common fraud schemes, including crypto, romance, and Medicare card scams. According to a 2025 National Council on Aging report, seniors lost over $3 billion to fraud in 2023, affecting more than 100,000 people. The free event will feature speakers from financial institutions and law enforcement, plus a document shredding service to help attendees safely dispose of personal information.

Six New Ulm financial institutions have formed a collaboration to combat the growing problem of financial fraud and scams in their area, which local law enforcement reports receive daily. The banks plan to share information about detected scams and educate the public through initiatives like a free "Let's Talk About Fraud" seminar scheduled for May 28, designed to help victims understand common schemes and encourage them to report fraud without shame or fear of judgment.

Helping Seniors of Brevard partnered with AARP Florida to present a free educational event called "Scam Jam" on May 16 in Melbourne designed to help seniors recognize and protect themselves from common fraud schemes. The event features workshops on prevalent scams including Nigerian lottery schemes, romance scams, government impersonation, tech support fraud, grandparent scams, and identity theft, with experts emphasizing warning signs such as pressure tactics, requests for gift cards or wire transfers, and poor grammar. The organization stresses that seniors should slow down, verify requests with others, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement to help prevent victimization.

The Better Business Bureau warns adults ages 55 and older that investment/cryptocurrency scams, online purchase scams, romance scams, and home improvement scams pose the greatest risks to this demographic. The BBB recommends protecting oneself by being skeptical of unsolicited calls (especially those impersonating government agencies), recognizing common scam red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for unusual payment methods, researching investments carefully, and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited emails or messages.

The Better Business Bureau alerts adults 55 and older that investment/cryptocurrency scams, online purchase scams, and romance scams pose significant risks to this demographic. The BBB recommends protecting yourself by avoiding unsolicited calls and unverified callers, researching investments thoroughly, recognizing red flags like pressure tactics and requests for unusual payment methods, and being cautious of too-good-to-be-true offers for home improvement, medical equipment, and charities. Specific threats include phone fraud where scammers impersonate government agents or banks, Medicare fraud involving fake durable medical equipment, and malware from suspicious links in emails or social media.

**Educational Presentation on Elder Fraud Prevention** Sharon Creque of the Louisiana Attorney General's office presented to the Zachary Rotary Club on April 24 about the growing threat of elder fraud, which includes fake IRS calls, Medicare fraud, and identity theft targeting seniors through sophisticated scams. Key prevention measures include never sharing personal or financial information on unsolicited calls, hanging up on suspicious callers, using caller ID to block unknowns, and avoiding unfamiliar email links that may contain malware. The presentation emphasized that many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment or confusion, and encouraged community awareness and reporting through the state attorney general's office.

Scammers commonly target adults 55+ with investment/cryptocurrency scams, online purchase fraud, romance scams, and home improvement schemes. The article outlines key warning signs including unsolicited calls from those claiming to be government officials or bank employees, requests for unusual payment methods, pressure to act quickly, and too-good-to-be-true offers. Recommended protections include registering with the National Do-Not-Call Registry, hanging up on unsolicited callers, researching investments thoroughly, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and verifying unexpected claims by contacting official sources directly.

Medicare fraud involving durable medical equipment (DME) targets adults 55 and older through unsolicited telemarketing calls offering "free" items like knee braces or walkers, which scammers then bill to Medicare, costing the public over $6 billion. The BBB advises consumers to refuse such calls, never share their Medicare number, and report unsolicited DME offers, as accepting unrequested equipment could result in future Medicare claim denials for legitimately needed devices.

Mohammed Asif, a 34-year-old Indian national, was indicted for operating American Labworks LLC, a fraudulent diagnostic testing laboratory in Everett, Washington, that billed Medicare over $8.7 million for COVID-19 and respiratory tests that were never ordered or performed, resulting in $1.1 million in fraudulent payments. Medicare received over 200 complaints from beneficiaries reporting they were billed for tests they never received, with some billing records showing tests billed for deceased individuals or by deceased physicians. Asif was arrested in April 2025 while attempting to board an international flight after withdrawing $260,000 from the company account in May 2

The U.S. Department of Justice announced revised criminal enforcement priorities on May 12, 2025, continuing to prioritize prosecution of fraud and abuse of government programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and healthcare fraud, as well as complex frauds such as Ponzi schemes, investment fraud, elder fraud, and securities fraud. The new policy emphasizes three core tenets—focus, fairness, and efficiency—while balancing effective prosecution of corporate and white-collar crimes with minimizing unnecessary burdens on American businesses. The memorandum also reiterates the importance of corporate compliance programs in determining appropriate enforcement actions.

On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice released new white-collar crime enforcement priorities emphasizing three core principles: focus, fairness, and efficiency. The memo identifies healthcare fraud and federal program fraud as top priorities, with elder fraud and Ponzi schemes listed among the "high-impact areas" targeting vulnerable victims, while also directing prosecutors to prioritize prosecuting individuals over corporations and to conduct efficient investigations that minimize unnecessary burdens on businesses.

On May 12, 2025, the DOJ's Criminal Division announced updated white-collar enforcement priorities and policies, including a revised Corporate Enforcement Policy and expanded Corporate Whistleblower Awards Program. The Division's new focus areas include rooting out fraud against government programs (healthcare, procurement), trade fraud, elder fraud, investment fraud (Ponzi schemes, securities fraud), and crimes involving transnational criminal organizations and money laundering. Companies are advised to strengthen compliance programs, internal reporting mechanisms, and review hiring practices and government program participation to align with the Division's heightened enforcement priorities.