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cambridgema.gov
Scammers are impersonating Cambridge Police Department officers via phone calls, using spoofed caller IDs to appear legitimate while demanding personal information or financial payments (often in Bitcoin or gift cards) to clear fake arrest warrants or help fictitious persons in distress. Legitimate law enforcement never requests personal information, financial compensation, or payments over the phone; all sensitive matters are handled in-person at police stations and any penalties are paid directly to official agencies. Victims should contact their financial institutions and report the incident to their local police department.
wlwt.com
Scammers are impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles in text messages claiming recipients owe money for overdue traffic tickets, threatening license suspension, prosecution, and credit damage to pressure victims into clicking malicious links that steal money and personal information. The Federal Trade Commission advises recipients to delete such messages, report them as spam, and contact their state DMV directly using official contact information rather than links in unsolicited texts.
foxnews.com
Amazon sent warning emails to hundreds of millions of customers alerting them to phishing scams that use fake renewal notices and fake login pages to steal account credentials and personal information. Scammers use scare tactics and real personal details from previous data breaches to make the emails appear legitimate, then harvest login credentials, credit card information, and other data that can be used for unauthorized purchases or sold to other criminals. Amazon has shut down tens of thousands of phishing websites and phone numbers, and recommends customers verify account status directly through Amazon's website or app, enable two-factor authentication, use unique passwords, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails.
patch.com
North Branford police conducted an elder fraud awareness presentation at Evergreen Woods Community to educate seniors on prevention strategies. The presentation highlighted that seniors lose more than $3 billion annually to various fraud schemes including romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and government impersonation scams, with tips provided on how to recognize and protect against these threats.
kiplinger.com
A 2025 bipartisan report highlights that fraud and scams cost seniors $4.8 billion in 2024, with investment, cryptocurrency, and romance scams posing the greatest risks to older adults who are often targeted due to politeness, trust, and unfamiliarity with digital technologies. Common scams include Medicare fraud ($80.5 million in losses), imposter scams ($789 million in losses), phishing, and deepfakes, which cause not only financial devastation but also significant emotional and physical health impacts on victims.
noozhawk.com
In 2024, Californians lost over $2.5 billion to cyber scams, with seniors increasingly targeted by sophisticated fraud schemes including government impersonation, tech-support scams, grandparent scams, and emerging AI-powered voice cloning tactics. Protection measures include refusing to share personal information over the phone, independently verifying caller identity, discussing scams with family members, and reporting suspicious activity to authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
ktlo.com
Local officials are warning residents, particularly seniors, about rising fraud activity in the region, including fake billing, phony tech support, family impersonation, and spoofed caller IDs. The "grandparent scam"—where someone impersonates a relative requesting emergency funds while demanding secrecy—is among the most commonly reported schemes in Baxter County. Law enforcement advises residents to verify contact information independently, never send money through untraceable means like cryptocurrency ATMs, and pause to consult trusted contacts or their bank if something feels suspicious.
travelandtourworld.com
Elderly travelers are increasingly targeted by AI-generated deepfake scams that create convincing fraudulent videos of non-existent vacation destinations, causing significant financial losses to seniors who book trips based on the fabricated content. Scammers use advanced AI technology to produce hyper-realistic videos, fake testimonials, and manipulated voices to lure victims into bookings, exploiting older adults' lower digital literacy and trusting nature. As deepfake technology becomes more accessible and sophisticated, authorities warn that awareness, careful verification of travel offers, and digital literacy education are essential to protect vulnerable seniors from this growing fraud threat.
scmp.com
A 70-year-old Hong Kong man lost HK$4 million (HK$3 million in savings plus HK$1 million in debt) to an online romance scam that began with a fake water leak alert via WhatsApp. The scammer posed as a neighbor, built a romantic relationship with the victim, then exploited his trust by promoting fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. This case was one of nearly 20 romance scams reported over two weeks affecting almost HK$10 million in losses, with 40 percent of victims over age 60.
cftc.gov
A federal court ordered five defendants—two Chinese residents (Qian Bai and Chao Li), one Oklahoma resident (Lan Bai), and two UK companies (Aipu Limited and Fidefx Investments Ltd.)—to pay approximately $19 million in civil penalties and restitution for operating fraudulent trading websites that misappropriated at least $3.6 million from at least 34 customers over 18 months. The scheme involved soliciting victims through fake platforms claiming to offer leveraged commodity and foreign currency trading contracts. The CFTC advises the public to verify company registration before investing and warns of increasing romance scams that lure
mcknightsseniorliving.com
Federal lawmakers are pressing government agencies to strengthen efforts against elder fraud, which caused $5 billion in losses in 2024, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% in 2023. Senators Gillibrand and Warren have requested that the Government Accountability Office investigate how job cuts at federal agencies will impact fraud prevention capabilities, particularly at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Additionally, a bipartisan group of senators sent a letter to federal officials requesting coordinated investigations to dismantle foreign fraud networks and outlined five priority areas for scam prevention, including public awareness campaigns and improved interagency coordination.
rocketcitynow.com
Financial fraud targeting older Americans reached nearly $5 billion in losses in 2024, with over 147,000 complaints reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center—a 46 percent increase from the previous year. TARCOG's Senior Medicare Patrol is hosting a free Fraud and Scam Summit on August 20 at Athens State University to educate seniors and caregivers on recognizing scams, preventing identity theft, and reporting suspected financial abuse, with preregistration required.
newsbreak.com
Scams targeting older adults in the Palm Desert, California area are increasing in sophistication and frequency, utilizing fake phone calls, deceptive emails, and online schemes with tactics enhanced by artificial intelligence. In response, Assemblymember Greg Wallis partnered with the Desert Recreation District to host a free senior scam awareness seminar on August 13, 2025, featuring state agencies and representatives providing current information to help older adults protect themselves before falling victim to fraud.
edhat.com
This is an educational seminar scheduled for August 5th in Santa Barbara featuring local experts who will teach seniors practical strategies to recognize and prevent phone and online scams, as well as warning signs of elder financial exploitation. Speakers include a Wells Fargo mortgage banker and an estate planning attorney with 25 years of experience in financial and legal matters. The free event, hosted at Grace Fisher's Clubhouse, includes refreshments and aims to equip attendees with tools to protect themselves from fraud targeting seniors.
edhat.com
This is an educational awareness event scheduled for August 5th in Santa Barbara featuring two local experts who will teach seniors practical strategies to recognize and prevent phone and online scams. The seminar will cover how to spot warning signs of financial exploitation and elder abuse, with speakers including a mortgage banker and an estate planning attorney with combined decades of experience in lending and law.
globalnews.ca
A 70-year-old Edmonton woman was approached by a man in a vehicle who used a distraction scam involving fake jewelry and emotional manipulation to steal her gold necklace with a religious pendant. Alberta RCMP reports multiple similar incidents targeting seniors across the province, where scammers approach victims claiming to need help, offer cheap jewelry as exchange, and use close contact or hugging to steal real valuables. Fraud prevention experts emphasize that scammers deliberately target trusting seniors and recommend victims say no firmly, protect personal space, trust their instincts, and report incidents to police.
yahoo.com
The Rockville Police Department warned the public about a fake inheritance scam in which individuals receive letters from fraudulent law firms claiming they are beneficiaries of a large life insurance policy or inheritance from a deceased person. Once victims respond, scammers posing as lawyers attempt to gather personal information and money by claiming fees and taxes are required, though the inheritance is entirely fabricated. Police advise recipients to disregard such letters, report them to the FTC, FBI, or local law enforcement, and to be alert for red flags including unsolicited offers, unprofessional communication, requests for upfront payments, and pressure to act quickly.
kmbc.com
Trenton and Kirsten Hansuld were denied bond reduction after being accused of stealing over $3.2 million in money and property from an elderly couple they knew in Ray County, Missouri. The investigation began with a fraud alert from Bank Midwest in June 2024, revealing that Trenton Hansuld had added himself to the victims' account and withdrawn over $800,000 since November 2022, and had fraudulently changed the deed to their home and farmland into his own name. The couple, who owned an exotic pet shop, face decades in prison, and prosecutors are investigating whether there are additional victims.
wfmz.com
A senior couple in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania was scammed out of $20,000 through a phishing email scheme in which scammers impersonated Apple Customer Support, claimed fraudulent charges had occurred, and eventually sent someone to their home to collect cash in person. The scammers contacted the couple over 20 times via email, directing them to a fake help-line and falsely telling them Apple had accidentally deposited $20,000 into their account that needed to be repaid. Financial exploitation through such scams is now the leading form of elder abuse reported in Pennsylvania, with an estimated $2 billion annually stolen from older adults in the state.
politifact.com
**Title:** Fact-check of Governor Newsom's claims about Florida's rankings
This 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. Regarding elder fraud specifically, FBI reports show Florida ranked second to California in raw numbers of fraud complaints from people over 60 as of 2024, though another report ranked Florida first per capita in complaints from all age groups in 2024. Overall, Newsom's claims are partially accurate—Florida does lag in these areas but doesn't consistently rank dead last in each category.
foxnews.com
A scammer hijacked a woman's Facebook account and impersonated her to target her friends with a fake $150,000 government grant scheme, nearly deceiving a retired tech worker into sending $2,500 in upfront fees. The scam involved the imposter posing as a "Global Empowerment" agent who requested personal information and payment for "approval and shipping," even fabricating photos of cash-filled FedEx boxes. The potential victim avoided financial loss by recognizing inconsistencies in the pitch and continuing the conversation to expose the scam tactics.
klcc.org
**Summary:**
The Justice Department charged three individuals operating PageTurner in January for defrauding approximately 800 authors of $44 million through false promises of publishing deals, marketing services, and entertainment industry opportunities while collecting high upfront fees. Self-published authors are identified as particularly vulnerable to such predatory schemes.
nypost.com
Prime customers are being targeted by phishers impersonating Amazon to steal personal information such as social security numbers, bank details, and account credentials through fake emails, calls, and texts. In 2024, Amazon removed over 55,000 phishing websites and 12,000 fraudulent phone numbers, with scammers commonly claiming false purchase or account issues requiring verification, or threatening automatic subscription renewals at unexpected prices. Amazon recommends verifying purchases through official channels, using secure email verification features, and contacting the company directly if unsure about communications.
freep.com
From January through April 2025, the Federal Trade Commission received over 75,000 reports of government imposter scams, with scammers impersonating U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Social Security, Medicare, and the FTC itself to steal money via phone and text. Consumers lost approximately $204 million total, with median losses ranging from $650 overall to $12,000 for FTC impersonation scams, typically requested through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or banking information. Scammers exploit current concerns about immigration, drug trafficking, and tariffs by claiming intercepted packages contain drugs or threatening arrest warrants to pressure victims into immediate payment.
kwch.com
A Wichita woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars by Frank Annin, whom she met on the dating app eHarmony in June 2022; Annin used classic romance scam tactics including "love bombing," moving communication off the app, and feigning wealth before disappearing with the money. During trial testimony, a psychologist specializing in geriatrics explained how scammers manipulate victims by creating emotional dependency and how victims may continue believing the relationship is real even after recognizing financial fraud. This marks the first romance scam prosecution in Sedgwick County.
whec.com
In 2023, scammers impersonated Geek Squad (Best Buy's tech support subsidiary) more than any other company, with the FTC receiving 52,000 reports; the scam typically begins with fake invoices via email or text claiming unauthorized charges, then directs victims to remote access software (anydesk.com) to steal banking credentials and drain accounts. Red flags include non-official phone numbers, Gmail addresses, and pressure tactics claiming auto-renewal charges, and victims should report such scams to the FTC and Internet Crime Complaint Center.
greenwichsentinel.com
At a July 2 Retired Men's Association meeting, computer expert Aaron Woodin presented "Don't Fall for It! Recognizing and Avoiding Scams," detailing how scammers exploit trust through tactics like false urgency, emotional manipulation, and enforced isolation. He identified common digital threats including fake event invitations and invoices, scam pop-ups, social media impersonations, phone-based impersonations of tech companies and government agencies, grandparent/romance scams, and SIM Swap attacks. Woodin advised victims to verify contact information independently, shut down suspicious screens, avoid calling numbers on suspicious invoices, add cyber fraud insurance riders, and contact mobile
vocal.media
Romance scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion in 2022, with losses quadrupling over five years and affecting victims across all age groups, though those 50 and older account for approximately 60% of reported cases. Sarah, an Ohio woman, lost $45,000 to a romance scammer impersonating a successful oil rig worker named Marcus over three months before discovering the entire relationship was fabricated. These increasingly sophisticated, organized international schemes employ specialized teams that steal identities, build emotional connections through psychological manipulation, and exploit fundamental human needs for connection to extract money from victims.
moodys.com
This article provides an overview of the evolving fraud landscape, noting that the United States experienced over 59,000 fraud risk events in 2024—a 12,500 event increase over five years—while globally, an estimated $1.03 trillion is lost annually to fraud schemes including credit card fraud, romance scams, phishing, and identity theft. Businesses are implementing comprehensive fraud prevention strategies, including ongoing screening and monitoring, third-party risk management, and compliance with new regulations like the UK's "failure to prevent" fraud offence that requires senior managers to allocate reasonable budgets for fraud prevention technology and training. The article emphasizes that effective fraud prevention requires collaboration among financial institutions, adverse
indiatvnews.com
This educational article addresses online dating safety in India, where dating apps like Tinder and Bumble have become increasingly popular among younger generations. It provides five key safety tips to prevent romance scams: protect personal information from strangers, recognize red flags such as quick declarations of love or requests for money, verify profiles through reverse image searches and social media checks, never send money regardless of claimed emergencies, and use app reporting tools to block suspicious users. The article emphasizes that while online dating offers opportunities for meaningful connections, users must remain vigilant to avoid identity theft, stalking, and financial fraud.
wusf.org
Bipartisan senators, led by Sen. Rick Scott, urged federal agencies to increase efforts combating international scams targeting older Americans, citing $3.4 billion in losses during 2023 and transnational criminal networks operating scam labor camps in Southeast Asia. Elder fraud complaints rose 14% in 2023, with many scams originating overseas and linked to trafficked labor, prompting lawmakers to call for coordinated investigations, stronger international law enforcement partnerships, and expanded public awareness campaigns.
rstreet.org
The GUARD Act is a proposed federal rule that would authorize law enforcement agencies at all levels to use existing Department of Justice grant funds to investigate elder financial fraud and scams like pig butchering schemes, with support for emerging technologies, real-time intelligence sharing, and interagency coordination. The legislation addresses a critical need, as FBI data shows fraud complaints from adults over 60 increased 46 percent in 2024 to 147,127 cases, yet 78 percent of fraud victims do not report incidents to law enforcement due to shame and jurisdictional challenges that make prosecution difficult. The bill aims to combat transnational organized crime targeting elderly Americans, who face vulnerabilities including diminished digital literacy
foxnews.com
Personal information is the top target for elder fraud, with 72% of cases involving exposed data, making privacy protection critical for older adults who have fixed addresses, long-time phone numbers, and savings accounts. The article recommends enlisting a trusted, tech-savvy family member or friend as a "privacy partner" to help spot phishing scams, adjust security settings, and remove personal information from the web, while cautioning that nearly 58% of financial exploitation of older adults is perpetrated by family members, so trustworthiness must be carefully evaluated. A practical checklist covering phone numbers, addresses, email accounts, bank accounts, medical portals, social media, and shopping accounts helps older adults identify which
yorkdispatch.com
State Senator Kristin Phillips-Hill is hosting a free community event called "Scam Jam" in York County to educate older adults and families about identifying and avoiding scams. The event will feature representatives from state banking and securities, the district attorney's office, police, and AARP, along with fraud prevention games and prizes.
legaltalknetwork.com
Legal experts from LSC-funded organizations discuss how civil legal services address critical needs of aging Americans, with LSC programs assisting over 312,000 seniors age 60+ annually with issues including wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives. Seniors face particular vulnerability to scams and fraud, and these legal crises compound other challenges like housing costs and medical issues that threaten their safety, stability, and ability to age independently with dignity.
wlrn.org
A bipartisan group of senators, led by Sen. Rick Scott, urged federal agencies to intensify efforts against international scams targeting older Americans, citing $3.4 billion in losses during 2023 and a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints. The letter to the State Department, Treasury, and Secret Service highlighted that these scams often involve transnational criminal organizations operating labor camps in Southeast Asia, and called for coordinated investigations, stronger international partnerships, and expanded public awareness campaigns to dismantle foreign fraud networks.
kesq.com
Scams targeting older adults are increasing in sophistication and frequency, with criminals using fake phone calls, deceptive emails, and online schemes to defraud seniors. Assemblyman Greg Wallis is hosting a free "senior scam awareness seminar" on August 13 in Palm Desert to educate older adults on protection strategies, with state agencies presenting current information on evolving scam tactics, particularly those enhanced by AI technology.
yahoo.com
A 72-year-old California man lost $3,300 to a fake FasTrak toll text scam that deceived him into providing his debit card information; the scammer subsequently used his information to make an eBay purchase. The scam has affected thousands nationwide, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center receiving over 2,000 complaints about road toll collection service scams, prompting warnings from AARP and the FCC that legitimate toll services never request payment via text links and often use threatening language to pressure quick action.
aarp.org
An AARP survey of 1,888 adults age 50-plus found overwhelming bipartisan support (85-88%) for the QUIET Act, legislation designed to combat AI-generated voice robocalls and illegal spam calls that cost Americans an estimated $25 billion annually. Nearly all respondents (95%) received scam or illegal robocalls in the past year, with 84% expressing concern about scammers using artificial intelligence to generate fake voices, and 86% believing Congress should take greater action to address the problem.
kesq.com
Romance scams exploit victims' emotional vulnerability, with the FTC reporting at least 70,000 cases annually resulting in approximately $1.3 billion in losses. Common types include catfishing schemes using fake profiles, military impersonation scams that justify avoiding in-person meetings, oil rig worker scams that request money for travel or medical expenses, and sugar daddy/mama schemes that solicit intimate photos for blackmail purposes. The article advises potential online daters to conduct background checks and remain vigilant about suspicious requests for money or personal information from new romantic contacts.
mk.co.kr
Voice phishing and its variants—including investment fraud, romance scams, smishing (text fraud), and fake reservation scams—have become increasingly sophisticated over the past 20 years, with the "five major phishing crimes" causing 1.687 trillion won in damages last year, 3.4 times more than robbery and theft combined. Victims of phishing crimes suffer average losses of 48.75 million won per case with less than 3% recovery rates, yet many phishing variants lack legal classification as telecommunications fraud and fall outside the official response system, leaving victims without integrated support channels or adequate online resources for assistance.
afp.gov.au
Australian authorities are cracking down on money mules who rent or sell their bank accounts to criminals for $200-$500, with the AFP and Australian Banking Association warning that this activity enables money laundering and supports organized crime. Criminals recruit mules through employment scams, romance scams, and threats, routing illicit funds through legitimate bank accounts to obscure their origin; in one case, a Sydney woman was imprisoned in April 2025 for renting 10 accounts used to launder $3.8 million. Renting or selling bank accounts is illegal and can carry life imprisonment charges, and account holders risk being implicated in serious crimes including drug trafficking, extortion, and terrorism financing.
extension.msstate.edu
This educational guide identifies five common warning signs of scams that target people across all age groups through various channels including email, phone calls, texts, social media, and mail. Key red flags include: scammers impersonating trusted figures or organizations (using spoofed caller ID and AI voice cloning), creating false problems or urgent situations, requesting account access or passwords, demanding immediate action under threat, and insisting on specific payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards. The article emphasizes that anyone can be victimized by increasingly sophisticated scams and recommends consulting the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for additional protection resources.
newsweek.com
**"Pig butchering" scam operations run by ethnic Chinese criminal gangs in Southeast Asia defrauded Americans of at least $5 billion in 2024 (a 42% increase from 2023), with global losses estimated at $63.9 billion in 2023.** The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission reports that Chinese government elements implicitly back these operations, which exploit thousands of human trafficking victims and have expanded to target wealthy countries like the U.S. after Chinese authorities cracked down on scams targeting Chinese citizens. The commission warns that without coordinated international action to raise awareness, equip law enforcement, and deter perpetrators
local10.com
The Broward Sheriff's Office warned of a rising bank impersonation scam in which callers posing as fraud investigators trick victims into withdrawing cash or surrendering debit cards and PINs. In recent months, the Pompano Beach District received over a dozen complaints with losses totaling thousands of dollars—including one victim who lost $15,000 and another couple who suffered over $9,000 in fraudulent charges after handing over their cards. Authorities emphasized that legitimate banks never request customers to withdraw money via ride-share services or surrender debit cards to third parties, and urged residents to hang up on suspicious calls and contact their banks directly using official numbers.
bcdi2030.ca
This educational article warns that fraudsters use fake scholarship offers to target potential victims and provides prevention guidance using an "ABC" framework: (A) recognize red flags such as unsolicited contact, upfront payment requests, and suspicious websites; (B) be skeptical of offers claiming guaranteed scholarships without application or creating false urgency; and (C) verify authenticity directly through official channels like BCDI2030.ca before responding.
oregonlive.com
An Eastern Oregon woman in her 60s lost $600,000—most of her life savings—to scammers who impersonated federal agents and instructed her to buy gold bars and transfer ownership to them for "safekeeping." Authorities intervened after her sister called the state consumer protection hotline and were able to prevent an additional $300,000 in gold bars from being handed over; a similar scam also targeted another eastern Oregon woman who lost $60,000 in silver bars. Oregon officials warn that legitimate government agencies, banks, and tech companies never ask people to purchase precious metals or transfer ownership, and urge the public to hang up on such callers and report suspicious contacts to authorities.
blog.knowbe4.com
A Resume.org report found that 14% of people targeted by job scams via text fell victim, with younger demographics—particularly Gen Z and millennial men (20-31% victimization rates)—significantly more vulnerable than older adults (4% for Baby Boomers). Victims lost between $100-$500 in most cases, with 48% sharing personal information and 84% paying upfront fees; younger workers' financial pressures and lack of experience recognizing red flags make them susceptible to these fraudulent job offers.
jocoreport.com
A 67-year-old Johnston County woman lost $40,000 in a phishing scam after receiving a fraudulent PayPal email directing her to call a number. The scammer, claiming to be "Mike Allen," convinced her to transfer funds via Bitcoin to "protect" her account from being hacked. The victim later discovered the money had been stolen by the fraudsters.
thenightly.com.au
A Florida mother, Sharon Brightwell, lost $23,000 in July after scammers used AI voice cloning technology to impersonate her daughter, claiming she had been in a car accident and needed bail money. The scammers obtained audio from the daughter's social media to replicate her voice convincingly, and later attempted to extort an additional $46,000 by claiming an unborn child had died in the accident. The fraud was discovered when the daughter's grandson arranged a phone call that revealed the daughter had been safe the entire time, and the family reported the case to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.