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in Scam Awareness
azag.gov
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau launched an educational campaign warning consumers about AI voice cloning scams, where fraudsters use synthesized voices to impersonate loved ones, celebrities, or officials to extort money or solicit fake donations. Common targets include grandparents receiving calls about grandchildren in distress and parents receiving calls about injured children needing bail money. The agencies recommend verifying unexpected emergency calls by hanging up and calling the person directly through a trusted number, establishing code words with loved ones, avoiding unknown callers, and refusing requests for gift card or app-based payments.
timesnewsgroup.com.au
The Bellarine Police Station's Community Engagement Unit is conducting educational presentations to help seniors identify and resist scams, with over 50 sessions delivered to local groups and aged care communities. The program addresses the shame and intimidation victims feel, particularly when scammers impersonate tax authorities, and aims to build confidence in recognizing common scams like phishing. Data shows Australians lost $13.7 million to scams in the first four months of 2025, with phishing scams causing the largest losses, prompting warnings for seniors to scrutinize suspicious emails and text messages claiming to be from the ATO.
bakersfieldnow.com
Bear Valley Police Department is investigating a surge in romance scams targeting residents, in which criminals create fake dating or social media profiles, build trust with victims, and then request money for fabricated emergencies, medical expenses, travel, or cryptocurrency investments using untraceable payment methods. The department advises victims to stop communication immediately, perform reverse image searches on profile pictures, search online for red flags, and consult trusted friends or family, while recommending residents never send money to online-only contacts and be suspicious of individuals who avoid meeting in person or rush to leave dating platforms.
justice.gov
Emmanuel Ugbaja, a 56-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 5 years probation with 2 years home confinement for money laundering in connection with internet scams that defrauded two victims of $60,000 in 2018—one through a romance scam and one through an inheritance scam. Ugbaja received the fraudulent funds into his bank account, kept a portion for himself, and sent the remainder to a maritime broker as a vessel down payment. In addition to probation, he was ordered to pay over $97,000 in restitution to the fraud victims and over $135,000 to the Small Business Administration
yesweekly.com
An increasing wave of AI-generated celebrity romance scams has defrauded Americans of millions of dollars, with victims including a 73-year-old who lost over $100,000 to a fake Kevin Costner on Facebook and an elderly woman scammed by a deepfake Liam Neeson voice. According to FBI data, Americans reported $672 million in losses to romance and confidence scams in 2024 alone, with elderly victims averaging $83,000 per person, though many cases go unreported due to embarrassment. The article emphasizes that while scammers continue to evolve their tactics using new technology and platforms, vigilance and skepticism—particularly about uns
tribnow.com
Romance scams are among the costliest fraud schemes, with victims reporting over $1.3 billion in losses in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers use emotional manipulation through online dating platforms to steal money, personal information, and identities from victims seeking romantic relationships.
patriotledger.com
The FBI Boston Division is warning New Englanders of an increasing surge in scam calls from fraudsters impersonating federal agents and law enforcement officials who use intimidation tactics—threatening arrest, property confiscation, or bank account freezes—to pressure victims into sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, 778 complaints were filed across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, resulting in total losses of $12.9 million. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call threatening arrest or demanding payment, and victims should hang up immediately, contact their financial institutions, and report the scam to local police
moodys.com
Job scams emerged as one of the fastest-growing fraud threats in 2025, with reported losses skyrocketing from $90 million in 2020 to over $501 million in 2024, according to FTC data. These scams lure victims through fake job postings with promises of high pay and remote work, then harvest sensitive personal information for identity theft and synthetic identity fraud rather than seeking quick financial gains. The use of artificial intelligence to create convincing fake interviews and resumes, combined with AI-driven data manipulation and fraud detection bypass, is making job scams increasingly difficult to detect and enforce against.
ironmountaindailynews.com
Michigan State Police warn of an imposter scam where callers falsely claim to represent MSP and tell residents they have missed court dates or committed violations to pressure them into providing personal information. MSP clarified they never call to request sensitive data or payments, and legitimate law enforcement makes in-person contact for official matters. The advisory recommends never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, hanging up on suspected scams, and reporting incidents to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.
njcourts.gov
Scammers are impersonating courts and law enforcement agencies to demand bail payments or threaten enforcement action via unsolicited texts and emails, targeting people with claims of missed court appearances or traffic fines. Legitimate courts and law enforcement never demand payment through mobile payment apps (Apple Pay, Zelle, Cash App) or request personal information via unsolicited contact. Victims should hang up and independently call official court or law enforcement numbers to verify any claims, and report suspicious communications to the FTC.
kroc.com
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about a prevalent romance scam targeting local residents. The scam typically begins with a fraudster contacting victims on Facebook or Instagram, then moving conversations to private messaging apps, building a rapid romantic relationship through love bombing, and eventually requesting money from the victim while claiming to have reasons (such as a distant job) to avoid meeting in person. Scammers use AI-generated photos and fake social media profiles to appear legitimate, making it crucial for people to avoid sending money to anyone they have not met in person.
guitarworld.com
Fraudulent websites impersonating Guitar Center have emerged as a growing scam targeting musicians, with one victim, Daren Maas, losing $1,231.56 after clicking a Facebook ad for a Gibson Les Paul and unknowingly purchasing from a fake site. Guitar Center's CEO has issued warnings about red flags including unrealistic deals, suspicious URLs (fake sites don't use guitarcenter.com), and fraudulent social media accounts with few followers promoting these scams. Consumers are advised to verify website URLs and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true when shopping online for musical equipment.
fox5vegas.com
Investment scams, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, remained the top cybercrime reported to the Better Business Bureau, with over 80% of reported scams falling into this category and victims losing an average of $5,000. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media, ads, or email, then build trust over weeks or months before offering fake investment opportunities that show false returns until the scammer and funds disappear. The BBB recommends never investing with unknown individuals and verifying investment opportunities through the SEC or FINRA before committing money.
tradingview.com
A woman lost approximately $250,000 in Bitcoin after purchasing a preloaded hardware wallet from a third-party marketplace, which had been compromised by scammers who retained access via the original seed phrase. The victim failed to reset the wallet or generate a new seed phrase before use, allowing the fraudster to drain all her holdings within two days of transfer. The article recommends five prevention steps: purchase wallets only from official brand websites, generate new seed phrases, reset wallets before use, test with small transfers first, and educate yourself on how hardware wallets function.
inkl.com
A guitar enthusiast in Orlando fell victim to a fake Guitar Center website after clicking on a Facebook ad, losing $1,231.56 when attempting to purchase a Gibson Les Paul. The fraudulent site used a deceptive URL and collected his payment information before sending it to a scammer named Shane Griffin. Guitar Center's CEO has issued public warnings about increasingly common fake websites and social media accounts, advising customers to watch for red flags including unrealistic deals, suspicious URLs, and accounts with few followers.
ket.org
This educational forum features elder fraud experts discussing common scams targeting seniors, including email, social media, tech support, and phone-based schemes. Elderly individuals are frequent targets because they have more free time, may be lonely or financially worried, and scammers exploit urgency and fear to manipulate them. The panel shares real victim experiences—including a woman who lost over $400,000 to an imposter federal agent scam and now owes $100,000 in taxes—and emphasizes that scams use multiple layers of deception designed to be difficult to trace before funds are depleted.
ket.org
This educational forum featuring experts and fraud victims discusses common scams targeting elderly people, including email/social media schemes, tech support scams, and impersonation of law enforcement or government officials. Seniors are frequent targets because they may be lonely, vulnerable, or less technologically savvy, and scammers exploit urgency and fear to manipulate victims; real victims lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, including one woman who lost over $400,000 and now owes the IRS $100,000 in additional taxes. The discussion emphasizes that fraudsters use sophisticated, multi-layered schemes designed to be difficult to trace and recommends awareness and verification of unexpected contacts as prevention strategies.
journal-news.net
Scammers increasingly target seniors in the Eastern Panhandle and across the country through phone calls, emails, texts, and in-person visits, impersonating government agencies, tech companies, or family members to trick victims into revealing personal information or sending money. Common schemes include fake arrest/bail demands, Medicare card warnings, and suspicious transaction alerts that create artificial urgency. Experts recommend verifying caller identity independently, never sharing personal information unsolicited, avoiding gift cards and wire transfers, and reporting suspicious activity, while family members can support prevention through regular communication and vigilance.
foxnews.com
PayPal and Venmo have launched AI-powered scam alerts for Friends and Family payments that use machine learning to detect fraud risks in real time and escalate warnings based on transaction likelihood of fraud, with the system now live globally on PayPal and across the United States on Venmo. The dynamic alerts adapt to current scam patterns and recipient behavior rather than using generic warnings, and may automatically block high-risk payments. Beyond these new protections, users should strengthen security by using unique passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, keeping devices updated, avoiding public Wi-Fi for financial transactions, and staying vigilant against phishing attempts.
consumer.ftc.gov
**Job Scams Targeting Military Veterans and Job Seekers**
FTC reports on job scams have tripled from 2020 to 2024, with reported losses increasing from $90 million to $501 million, as scammers target transitioning military personnel and job seekers through online job sites, social media, and direct unsolicited messages requesting personal information or payment. The article provides preventive guidance including using trusted job search platforms, researching companies thoroughly, consulting trusted contacts before applying, and never paying fees to secure employment.
theatlantic.com
In March 2019, investigators uncovered a fraud scheme at the Professional Career Training Institute in Houston, where the school recruited homeless and vulnerable individuals, fabricated their high school diplomas, and secretly took out federal student loans on their behalf, stealing from taxpayers. The article notes that the U.S. Department of Education's fraud-prevention team, which numbered approximately 220 people at the start of 2025, has been largely dismantled following Secretary Linda McMahon's firing of over 80 percent of the fraud-prevention and quality-assurance staff, eliminating ongoing investigations despite the federal government administering $1.7 trillion in student loans annually. The cuts to anti-fraud oversight
williamsmullen.com
Email payment scams involving last-minute changes to payment methods and destinations cost parties significant sums, including a $475,000 settlement in Thomas v. Corbyn Rest. Dev. Corp where defendants' attorney wired funds to an imposter's account after receiving a fraudulent email requesting a change from check to wire transfer. Courts have held the party in the best position to prevent fraud—typically through verifying requests via independent phone contact and scrutinizing suspicious email addresses and sudden payment term changes—liable for losses. The key defense against these schemes is to assume the worst when receiving unexpected payment modification requests and verify all changes through established, verified communication channels rather than relying on email alone.
wltx.com
"Quishing" scams use fake QR codes to direct victims to malicious websites or steal personal information, with over 26 million Americans already having scanned compromised codes. To protect yourself, avoid scanning random QR codes in public places like parking meters and package labels, and verify that website addresses appear legitimate before clicking through.
wknofm.org
**Summary:**
The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South warns of a rising trend in online vehicle scams that accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and persists today. Fraudulent websites impersonate legitimate vehicle and equipment dealerships, prompting the Tennessee Attorney General to issue a public warning with guidance on identifying red flags to protect consumers.
spectrumlocalnews.com
Scammers stole $390 million from consumers nationwide last year using digital payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App, with schemes becoming increasingly sophisticated through fake profiles, sweepstakes, and fraudulent "accidental transfers," according to a New York Department of State alert. The alert recommends users limit funds held in payment apps, send money only to trusted contacts, avoid linking entire bank accounts, use maximum security settings, and report suspected fraud to the payment app, bank, FTC, and FBI.
jacksonvilleprogress.com
Romance scams are among the costliest fraud schemes, with victims losing over $1.3 billion in 2022, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers typically create fake profiles on dating apps and social media, build emotional trust, then exploit victims by requesting money, gift cards, wire transfers, or personal financial information under the guise of emergencies. To protect against romance fraud, individuals should be cautious of online dating contacts who quickly establish intimacy, avoid sharing personal or financial details, and verify identities before sending money.
shreveporttimes.com
Kenneth G. Akpieyi, 44, from Georgia, was convicted in July 2025 on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud conspiracy, and money laundering for operating a "fake Romeo" romance scam that defrauded multiple women of over $3 million. Operating under the alias "Phillip Anderson," Akpieyi used social media platforms to build fake romantic relationships with victims, then convinced them to send money for fabricated reasons such as charitable work or family emergencies, funneling the funds through his auto brokerage company to obscure their movement. Eight victims testified during trial, with sentencing scheduled for November 2025.
irishpost.com
Police reported a surge in romance scams conducted through online dating platforms and social media, where fraudsters build trust with victims over weeks or months before fabricating emergencies and requesting money. Victims, often left emotionally distressed and financially devastated after losing significant savings, are manipulated into sending funds via fabricated medical crises, travel expenses, or personal emergencies. Police warn against key red flags including avoidance of in-person meetings, claims of overseas locations, rapid expressions of love, and requests for money or cryptocurrency, emphasizing that legitimate relationships should never begin with financial requests.
b105country.com
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin issued a warning about romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, rapidly build emotional connections through love-bombing, and request money from victims who have never met them in person. The scammers use AI-generated photos and fake profiles to appear legitimate while claiming to work far away and asking victims to keep the relationship secret.
kdhlradio.com
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin is warning residents about a rise in romance scams, which are among the most frequently reported scams to their office. Scammers initiate contact via social media (Facebook or Instagram), move conversations to private messaging apps, and quickly establish emotional relationships through "love bombing" while claiming to work far away to avoid in-person meetings. The scams rely on AI-generated fake profiles and pictures, and victims are eventually asked to send money to someone they've never actually met.
pennlive.com
Rosemary Grogan, an 82-year-old Pennsylvania resident, discovered $50,000 missing from her bank account due to fraud in 2024, a experience shared by growing numbers of elderly victims targeted by sophisticated scammers. U.S. cybercrime losses have surged from $4.2 billion in 2020 to $16.6 billion in 2024, yet small police departments lack resources to pursue international criminal networks, leaving most victims unable to recover stolen funds. Community leaders are calling for a coordinated federal response, including better data sharing and a national cybercrime task force, as current state-level and FBI resources address only large-scale patterns
donalds.house.gov
Congressman Byron Donalds' office co-hosted a free scam awareness workshop at the Bonita Springs Library in partnership with regional FBI representatives, providing attendees with guidance on elder fraud prevention and strategies to avoid common scams. The workshop was the third event in the congressman's Community Workshop Summer Series and emphasized that while scams can be life-altering, they are largely preventable.
theguardian.com
An adult daughter in Australia discovered that her elderly father in California was being targeted by multiple romance and lottery scams, including a catfishing scheme involving a woman named "Bomba" who posed as a wealthy widow, and a subsequent lottery scam promising $580 million. The father, in his early 70s and struggling with physical disability, substance abuse issues, and financial decline, believed the scams were real despite his daughters' attempts to convince him otherwise and refused to admit whether he sent money to the fraudsters. The account illustrates how loneliness, past trauma, and the desire for financial recovery made the father vulnerable to elaborate deception schemes.
bhaskarenglish.in
A woman doctor in Gandhinagar, Gujarat lost ₹19.24 crore over three months in India's largest digital arrest scam, which began in March 2025 when fraudsters impersonated government officials and threatened her with fake FEMA and PMLA charges. Kept under psychological "digital arrest" with mandatory video call check-ins, the victim was coerced to liquidate assets including home gold, fixed deposits, and property, with funds transferred to 35 bank accounts; Gujarat CID registered a case against 35 people, with one suspect arrested in Surat and investigations revealing international cyber gang involvement.
newportri.com
Portsmouth Police Department launched the "Stop. Think. Verify." program after estimating that seniors in the town have lost approximately $1 million to phone and internet scams over the past five years. The color-coded education program uses a red-yellow-green octagon logo to teach seniors three simple steps—stop before reacting, think about requests, and verify sources—with police planning to visit senior centers and housing facilities in the fall to promote fraud awareness. The initiative, funded by a $500 legislative grant, aims to reach both seniors and their family members to prevent future victimization.
nbcnews.com
QR codes, once harmless novelties, have become targets for "quishing" scams where criminals place fake QR code stickers on parking meters, utility bills, and other public places to redirect users to malicious websites that steal personal information or download malware. The Federal Trade Commission and state agencies have issued warnings as 26% of malicious links are now sent via QR code, with over 26 million Americans already directed to fraudulent sites, and researchers note the scam is rising as traditional phishing safeguards improve. Security experts are developing solutions like authenticated QR codes and advise users to verify QR codes before scanning, particularly on unexpected packages or urgent-seeming
chieftain.com
Pueblo law enforcement warned residents of multiple scams in circulation: one involving phone calls impersonating bank officials requesting Bitcoin ATM payments (sometimes claiming child exploitation on the victim's computer), and another using fake UPS text messages with malicious links claiming failed delivery attempts. Authorities advised residents never to share personal or financial information via phone, email, or text, and to report suspicious communications to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or Federal Trade Commission.
wbbjtv.com
The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to research businesses before purchasing by verifying licenses with relevant agencies, confirming physical addresses, requesting references, and reviewing insurance information and refund policies. The bureau also warns against voice AI scams and recommends verifying requests with trusted contacts directly, noting that West Tennessee consumers have reported receiving items that did not match their expectations.
nypost.com
A TikTok user warned of a scam in which fraudsters pose as artists requesting permission to use people's photos for art projects, only to later request personal information (full name and email) under the pretense of sending an e-check commission. The scheme is a variant of the common fake check scam, where fraudsters send fraudulent checks that include excess funds and instruct victims to wire the overage back, allowing scammers to access victims' personal information for future fraud while the victim ultimately loses money.
wlrn.org
**Summary:**
This PolitiFact article fact-checks California Governor Gavin Newsom's claim that Florida ranks worst nationally in mental health care, home insurance costs, elder fraud, and rent increases. The analysis finds Newsom's accuracy is mixed: Florida consistently ranks among the lowest in mental health spending (lowest per capita at $36.05), but other mental health metrics place it 21st or 46th depending on the measure; the article excerpt does not provide conclusions on the remaining claims about insurance, elder fraud, and rent.
globenewswire.com
A class action lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare alleges the company systematically misled vulnerable seniors through deceptive advertising into abandoning Original Medicare for Medicare Advantage plans, misrepresenting them as supplements rather than replacements requiring surrender of existing benefits. The case, brought on behalf of seniors including a 96-year-old cancer patient who was denied coverage and faced collections suits after giving up her Medicare benefits, was dismissed on preemption grounds but is being appealed to the Ninth Circuit. The plaintiffs argue UnitedHealthcare's decade-long fraudulent campaign violated California consumer protection laws and exploited seniors while the company posted over $22.3 billion in profits in 2023.
wuft.org
**Summary:** California Governor Gavin Newsom claimed Florida ranks #51 in mental health care, #1 in elder fraud, #1 in home insurance costs, and #1 in rent increases. PolitiFact's fact-check found mixed accuracy: while Florida consistently ranks poorly in mental health care spending (lowest per capita at $36.05), other mental health rankings place it 21st nationally; elder fraud claims were not evaluated in this excerpt; and analyses confirm Florida leads in home insurance costs and rent increases, though specific rankings vary by source.
denver7.com
John Clark from Longmont lost thousands of dollars in a combined investment and romance scam in which fraudsters posed as an investment opportunity referral, sent fake checks to establish credibility, then shifted to romantic overtures while requesting money via Apple Cash. After his bank discovered the checks were fraudulent, Clark had already sent $3,000 in payments, and recovery is unlikely despite filing police reports. The FTC warns that romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals—particularly those who are isolated or dealing with health challenges—are increasingly common, and victims should refuse any requests for money from online romantic interests.
352today.com
Scammers impersonating actor Keanu Reeves targeted victims across the country, including a Marion County resident, through mobile gaming platforms like Words with Friends and Scrabble Go using AI-generated video and voice messages. The victims were deceived into sending over $160,000 combined, with one victim maintaining a three-year fake relationship with the scammer. Authorities recommend avoiding money transfers to online-only contacts and remaining cautious of unsolicited messages on casual gaming platforms.
news.trendmicro.com
This June 2025 conversation with economic crime expert Olivier Beaudet-Labrecque examines the global scam economy, revealing how economic hardship and youth unemployment in West Africa are driving individuals into online fraud schemes including romance scams and SIM-swapping, often learned through peer networks in cyber cafes. The discussion highlights that scams harm both international victims and local communities, strain under-resourced law enforcement, and damage entire nations' digital reputations and economic access. Key takeaway: combating online fraud requires empathy, education, and technological solutions to address the socioeconomic drivers fueling the scam ecosystem.
ehextra.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts warning of an uptick in scams impersonating celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military leaders to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency/pig butchering schemes, and merchandise fraud. The scams often exploit people on dating platforms and social media by posing as celebrities to request money, investments, or personal information, with some using AI-generated deepfake audio and video to increase authenticity. Nessel and AARP recommend victims avoid sending money to online contacts, verify caller identities independently, and contact AARP's ElderWatch program at 800-222-4444 for
newsbreak.com
Scammers are impersonating artists and messaging people on social media asking to use their photos for "art projects," then requesting personal information like full names and email addresses under the pretense of sending e-checks for commissions. The scheme is a variant of the common fake check scam, where fraudsters send counterfeit checks that appear legitimate, ask victims to wire back excess funds, and use the collected personal information for future fraud. The Federal Trade Commission warns this tactic is widespread and advises victims to report incidents to the FTC or Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker.
kolotv.com
The Lyon County Sheriff's Office issued a scam alert after handling numerous identity theft and phone scams, warning that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters impersonating government officials or offering financial assistance. Americans over 60 lost $1.7 billion to fraud in the past year according to the FBI, with seniors vulnerable due to trust in authority figures, substantial savings, limited tech literacy, and reluctance to report being scammed. Common scams affecting Lyon County seniors include grandparent scams, government imposter schemes, financial abuse by trusted individuals, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.
fbcnews.com.fj
Impersonation and phishing scams are increasing in Fiji, with fraudsters pretending to be trusted organizations or individuals to steal personal information and money. The Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission warns the public to be cautious of urgent requests, suspicious links, and threats, and advises verifying sender identity through official channels and avoiding unexpected links. Various phishing methods are prevalent, including Business Email Compromise, spear phishing targeting specific individuals, smishing via SMS, and whaling targeting executives, with the FCCC urging vigilance and careful verification to prevent victimization.
pymnts.com
"Quishing" scams exploit QR codes placed on everyday items like parking meters and utility bills to trick people into visiting malicious websites or sharing personal information, with criminals relying on victims' sense of urgency to act quickly. According to cybersecurity research, 26% of malicious links are now sent via QR code (up from 20% the previous year), and these scams are growing as hackers shift tactics away from traditional email phishing due to increased safeguards. People can protect themselves by watching for signs of physical tampering on QR codes, unusual placement, suspicious context, and pressuring language like "scan immediately to avoid fees."