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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

**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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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