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in Scam Awareness
thehindu.com
Hyderabad Police reported a 75% drop in digital arrest scams in the first half of 2025, with 34 cases compared to 140 in the same period of 2024, attributed to awareness campaigns and advisories. However, senior citizens—particularly those aged 60-80, highly educated, and living alone with children abroad—remain primary targets, as illustrated by recent cases where an 84-year-old lost ₹44 lakh and a 69-year-old lost ₹38.7 lakh after being falsely accused of money laundering and human trafficking. Police emphasize that these scams aim for psychological control and isolation, not just
tillamookheadlightherald.com
An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 in life savings to a "gold bar scam" in which scammers impersonated federal agents, claimed her accounts were at risk, and convinced her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping"; local law enforcement prevented an additional $300,000 loss after her sister reported the scheme to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline. The scam typically involves fraudsters creating false urgency about compromised finances, instructing victims to convert assets into gold, and dispatching couriers to collect the valuables before disappearing. The Oregon DOJ warns that no legitimate government agency requests gold purchases or home visits for money collection, and urges victims to hang up
texasattorneygeneral.gov
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched an investigation into fraudulent charity scams where bad actors impersonated payment processors to collect flood relief donations intended for the Center Point Volunteer Fire Department under false pretenses. The scammers exploited the Texas Hill Country flooding tragedy to deceive donors, diverting money for personal gain while the fire department itself suffered significant losses. The Attorney General's office advises donors to verify charities through resources like CharityWatch and GuideStar, avoid wiring money or sharing personal information, and report suspected fraud to the Texas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
cbc.ca
"Quishing" (QR code phishing) is an emerging scam where fraudsters place fake QR codes on public surfaces like parking meters, signs, and emails to direct unsuspecting users to malicious websites that steal personal information or money. While QR code fraud remains relatively uncommon in Canada with only 10 reported cases since 2024, experts warn the threat is growing as QR code usage becomes ubiquitous and users scan them without verifying their source. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of QR codes before scanning, check URLs before entering personal information, and use security tools to scan codes safely.
fox5dc.com
The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration warned residents about a text message scam falsely claiming traffic violations, suspended licenses, and demanding immediate payment under threat of legal action. The scam attempted to trick recipients into sharing personal information and making payments for bogus penalties. The MVA clarified that it never contacts drivers via text to request personal information or payment and advised recipients to delete such messages and report them to the Federal Trade Commission.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
**Online Job Fraud:** A man in Mangaluru lost Rs 4.66 lakh after downloading an app via a WhatsApp link that promised Rs 1,000 daily income; the app hacked his phone, allowing fraudsters to access his and his parents' bank accounts and siphon funds. Four suspects were identified and a case was registered at Surathkal police station.
**Investment Scam:** A 33-year-old woman in Udupi transferred Rs 1.12 lakh to unknown fraudsters between July 7-14 after receiving anonymous calls promising to double her investment. A case was filed at Hiriyadka police station under Section
anz.com.au
Australian bank ANZ reports measurable improvements in scam detection through its partnership with BioCatch Trust, an inter-bank fraud intelligence network that uses behavioral biometrics and real-time risk scoring to identify sophisticated scams including impersonation, investment, romance, and business email compromise schemes. In 2024-2025, Australians lost over $2.03 billion to scams, with romance scams averaging AU$15,000 per victim and investment scams causing AU$59 million in losses; the BioCatch integration has enhanced detection of complex fraud while reducing false positives that inconvenience legitimate customers.
yellowhammernews.com
Americans over 60 reported over $3.4 billion in fraud losses in 2023, with scammers increasingly exploiting technology to target older adults through fake calls, phishing emails, and data collection via smart home devices. The article identifies five red flags: unsolicited contact, pressure to act immediately, requests for untraceable payments (wire transfers, gift cards, cryptocurrency), demands for sensitive information, and promises that seem too good to be true. Key protective measures include verifying unexpected requests with trusted contacts, using strong unique passwords for smart devices, keeping software updated, securing Wi-Fi networks, and reviewing smart device privacy settings to understand what data is being collected.
ice.gov
Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances and requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes, with funds collected through a network of U.S.-based money mules. Akhimie faces a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, and seven co-conspirators from the United Kingdom, Spain, and Nigeria have also been convicted in connection with this international fraud operation.
rstreet.org
In 2024, reported fraud losses reached $12.5 billion, a 25 percent increase driven primarily by sophisticated investment scams totaling $5.7 billion. Bipartisan legislation called the TRAPS Act proposes creating a federal task force composed of representatives from the Treasury Department, CFPB, FCC, FTC, DOJ, and industry experts to coordinate efforts in combating financially advanced scams and develop recommendations for regulatory and legislative reforms. These efforts are part of a broader government initiative that includes executive orders on check fraud reduction and the GUARD Act to investigate elder fraud using technologies like blockchain.
crescentavalleyweekly.com
The FBI and FTC are warning the public about evolving scams that exploit advancing technology, including AI-generated voice impersonations of law enforcement and government officials. Elderly Americans are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and home repair scams, with millions falling victim annually. The agencies also warn against business email compromise, charity fraud (especially after disasters), cryptocurrency job scams, VA benefits overpayment scams, and card skimmers, recommending victims verify charitable organizations through trusted databases and use credit cards rather than cash, gift cards, or wire transfers for donations.
waka.com
The Central Alabama Aging Consortium held its annual Elder Justice and Fraud Conference in Wetumpka to educate the public about elder abuse and scams. Elder abuse takes multiple forms including financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment by caregivers. Conference organizers emphasize the importance of staying informed about evolving fraud tactics and recognizing warning signs of elder abuse.
wbng.com
Senator Gillibrand expressed concern about proposed budget cuts to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and other federal agencies tasked with protecting seniors from fraud and scams. She noted that seniors lost nearly $5 billion to scammers in the previous year and argued that these cuts would undermine the government's ability to combat increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled fraud schemes. Gillibrand called for the Government Accountability Office to assess the potential impact of these budget reductions on senior fraud protection efforts.
ca.news.yahoo.com
A Quebec man was charged with defrauding a Calgary senior of over $300,000 in a grandparent scam that occurred over six weeks in June 2022, in which he impersonated her grandson claiming to need bail money and then posed as a lawyer directing her to make over 300 cryptocurrency deposits. Jeremy Rattray, 34, faces charges of identity theft, fraud over $5,000, and money laundering, and the victim's funds have not been recovered. Calgary police warn seniors to hang up on callers requesting money transfers and note that legitimate officers will never ask for cryptocurrency or gift cards as part of an investigation.
bpi.com
In 2024, consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud—a 25 percent increase from the prior year—with phone/text scams accounting for $1.5 billion and social media scams for $1.9 billion in losses. Criminals use AI, spoofed calls, and hijacked social media accounts to target victims, with operations often based in Southeast Asia, while telecom and tech companies have financial incentives to monetize rather than prevent fraud. Banks and regulators are calling for stricter collaboration and regulation among tech giants and telecom providers to proactively combat scams at their source.
alaskasnewssource.com
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report identifies investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest scams in North America, with a median loss of approximately $5,000 per person and often initiated through social media outreach. In Alaska alone, six investment scam reports totaled losses exceeding $74,457 in 2024. The report emphasizes that working with legitimate, fee-based financial advisors—who use standard stock markets, make no guaranteed returns, and wait for clients to approach them—significantly reduces fraud risk and improves wealth-building outcomes compared to falling for unsolicited investment opportunities.
wkyc.com
A Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted 16 individuals for their roles in a $2.6 million money order scam that operated across over 100 Walmart locations nationwide from December 2019 to January 2024. The suspects purchased money orders ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 at Walmart, deposited the funds remotely, and then returned the money orders for full refunds. Three suspects were arrested by the U.S. Secret Service's Money Laundering Task Force, with charges including money laundering, telecommunications fraud, and aggravated theft.
whec.com
PPL, the company managing New York's Medicaid homecare program (CDPAP), experienced multiple security and operational failures including phishing scams affecting fewer than 100 of 225,000 caregivers, fraudulent bank account redirections by a terminated staffing agency employee, and failure to pay promised $100 bonuses to many transitioning caregivers. Affected caregivers like Lisa Robinson had personal information exposed and wages diverted, though PPL committed to full reimbursement and additional security training. The program's troubled rollout prompted the state to establish a separate help line and triggered the resignation of PPL's president.
express.co.uk
A British content creator warned tourists about a "dish of the day" scam prevalent in Mallorca restaurants, where waiters recommend unlisted seafood specials without disclosing prices upfront, then charge double the standard menu price for ordinary produce presented as rare local delicacies. The scam targets foreign visitors who are persuaded by the appeal of "authentic" offerings while in holiday mode and fail to ask for prices before ordering. Viewers noted that such practices violate Spanish consumer protection laws requiring menu items and prices to be clearly displayed.
sequimgazette.com
This educational piece from a county sheriff outlines common scam tactics affecting communities nationwide, including phishing, imposter scams, investment fraud, romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, and payment transfer schemes. The sheriff advises residents to verify sources independently, avoid urgent pressure to act, be cautious with untraceable payment methods, and report suspected fraud to the FTC, emphasizing that scammers exploit new technologies and crises to target vulnerable victims across all demographics.
malwarebytes.com
A retired US Army colonel pleaded guilty to conspiracy after disclosing classified national defense information to someone posing as a Ukrainian woman on a foreign dating app between February and April 2022, exploiting emotional manipulation typical of romance scams. Slater, who worked as a civilian at US Strategic Command, provided details about military targets and Russian capabilities, and faces five to seven years in prison under his plea deal. The case illustrates how romance scammers exploit loneliness and the desire for human connection to manipulate even experienced, security-cleared individuals into compromising sensitive information.
manilatimes.net
Approximately 118 Filipino nationals were rescued from scam operation centers across Southeast Asia and are currently awaiting repatriation, according to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs. The Philippines coordinated with four ASEAN member countries to execute these rescues of Filipinos who were reportedly held against their will in scam hubs throughout the region.
dallasnews.com
In 2024, seniors aged 65 and older reported nearly $4.9 billion in losses to financial scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with Texas seniors alone filing over 9,473 complaints averaging $489,000 in losses each. Seniors are targeted because they control significant national wealth and often struggle to keep pace with technology, making them vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation, and investment fraud. Family members and caregivers can help protect seniors by monitoring account activity, maintaining open communication about financial matters, and encouraging consultation before large transactions, while laws like the 2017 Elder Abuse Prevention
bankingjournal.aba.com
The ABA Foundation's Safe Banking for Seniors program provides free educational resources and materials to help bankers teach older Americans how to protect themselves from financial scams and fraud. The program aims to equip seniors with personal finance knowledge to avoid becoming victims, as criminals increasingly target vulnerable older populations across all age groups.
pennlive.com
A 44-year-old man from Brooklyn was charged with theft, impersonation of a federal employee, and conspiracy after stealing over $555,000 in gold bars from an elderly Lancaster County woman in April. The scammers accessed her computer, convinced her to convert investments to gold, then posed as federal employees to collect the bars under the guise of securing them in a Philadelphia Federal Reserve vault. This case reflects a national trend of gold bar scams targeting seniors, which cost Americans $219 million in 2024, with authorities advising victims to hang up immediately on any requests to buy gold or withdraw money and to verify claims directly with official sources.
calgary.citynews.ca
A 34-year-old Quebec man was charged with fraud, money laundering, and identity theft after defrauding a Calgary senior of over $300,000 in a cryptocurrency scam. Beginning in June 2022, the suspect impersonated the victim's grandson claiming legal trouble, then posed as a lawyer directing her to make daily bitcoin ATM deposits for fake bail and legal fees over six weeks. Calgary police executed a search warrant in the Montreal area and arrested the suspect, who will appear in court in August.
port.ac.uk
A University of Portsmouth study of 2,000 UK adults found that fear of fraud is significantly affecting wellbeing, particularly among women over 75, with 64% experiencing at least one attempted fraud in the past six months. Telephone calls (especially landlines) were the primary scam method, and researchers identified fraud fear as a potential "hidden epidemic" affecting lonely and previously victimized elderly adults, with some so anxious about the topic they refused to participate in the study. The researchers caution that awareness campaigns must be carefully designed to educate without inadvertently increasing anxiety and fear in vulnerable populations.
bitdefender.com
Summer 2025 presents heightened fraud risks as scammers target vacationing individuals through fake rental listings, spoofed travel notifications, refund scams, fraudulent social media sales, and emergency impersonation schemes (including AI deepfake calls). The article advises consumers to book through official channels, verify communications directly with companies, avoid clicking suspicious links, be skeptical of unsolicited refund offers, research online sellers, and refrain from posting real-time location information on social media.
dallasnews.com
Texas ranks second nationally for internet crime losses, with residents experiencing $1.35 billion in losses in 2024—a $328 million increase from the previous year, according to the FBI. People over 60 experienced the highest financial losses, while Hispanic and Black communities are particularly vulnerable to targeted scams such as family impersonation, phishing, and fraudulent investment schemes. The article provides guidance on recognizing scams (offers that seem too good to be true, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unusual payment methods) and prevention strategies (verifying identities through official channels, using strong passwords, registering with the Do Not Call Registry, and limiting personal information shared online).
it.ucsf.edu
This educational article warns students, faculty, and staff about the surge in cyber scams during the back-to-school season, including scholarship fraud, fake tuition processors, IRS impersonation, phishing emails, and fake login pages. The piece provides protective measures such as skepticism toward unsolicited messages, strong password practices, multi-factor authentication, and reporting suspicious emails through institutional channels. The article emphasizes that heightened vigilance is needed during this period when hackers exploit academic community confusion, particularly around student debt relief issues.
irs.gov
The IRS and Security Summit partners warn tax professionals about evolving phishing and data theft schemes, including spear phishing, clone phishing, whaling, and "new client" scams designed to steal sensitive taxpayer information. Tax pros should be alert for warning signs such as unexpected emails from trusted sources, duplicate messages with new attachments, urgent pressure tactics, and slightly misspelled email addresses or URLs. The guidance is part of the second installment of a five-part summer educational series aimed at protecting the tax system and taxpayers from identity theft and fraud.
texasstandard.org
Following catastrophic flooding in Central Texas, federal and state officials warned of a surge in disaster-related scams targeting both flood victims and charitable donors. Scammers posed as government agencies, law enforcement, insurance companies, and contractors to trick victims into paying for free federal assistance or hiring fraudulent contractors, while also creating fake social media profiles to solicit donations from well-intentioned helpers. Officials advised victims to initiate their own contact with legitimate government agencies (using .gov websites), remember that FEMA assistance is free, and donors to verify charities directly through official websites or platforms like GoFundMe that offer fraud detection and refund guarantees.
mondaq.com
The Department of Justice's Criminal Division has established three enforcement priorities—focus, fairness, and efficiency—to guide white-collar crime prosecution under the Trump administration. Elder fraud is explicitly identified as a priority alongside healthcare, securities, trade, and customs fraud, with prosecutors directed to target cases involving senior-level personnel, demonstrable losses, and victims' compensation. The Department aims to balance rigorous prosecution of significant threats to U.S. interests with fair application of the law that avoids punishing legitimate business risk-taking.
finance.yahoo.com
Tucoemas Federal Credit Union partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to protect its older members and their families from fraud and scams through real-time transaction monitoring, credit activity alerts, and suspicious message analysis, backed by $1M in identity theft insurance. The partnership complements Tucoemas' existing PrimeTimers program for older adults and reflects the credit union's commitment to serving its growing population of members over 65 in California.
wwaytv3.com
North Carolina officials launched a statewide initiative to combat Bitcoin ATM scams, which have caused victims millions of dollars in losses with cryptocurrency-related crime jumping nearly 1,300% from 2017 to 2023. The typical scam involves fraudsters impersonating trusted individuals via phone calls and directing victims to Bitcoin kiosks for urgent withdrawals, with seniors over 65 being the primary targets. Officials are encouraging businesses to post warning signs at crypto machines and urging the public to avoid unexpected cash withdrawals, delete suspicious messages, and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the NC Secretary of State.
lfpress.com
A Tillsonburg woman lost $5,000 in an online romance scam after sending money to someone she believed was her romantic partner to cover travel costs. Ontario Provincial Police warn that requests for money from online romantic interests—regardless of relationship duration—are a major red flag, and victims should consult trusted family or friends before sending funds. The police encourage vigilance when meeting people online and note that fraudsters are skilled manipulators, urging victims not to feel embarrassed about reporting suspected fraud.
theglobeandmail.com
Footballer Jorginho partnered with secure messaging platform aOK to combat online abuse and romance scams through verified, non-anonymous user identification. The partnership addresses growing threats including online harassment of athletes (75% of sports federations report regular threats to athletes and their families), romance scams that cost victims $4.6 billion in 2023, and broader mental health concerns linked to online abuse, particularly among young users. aOK's invite-only platform with verification protocols aims to eliminate the anonymity that enables these crimes by ensuring all users interact with authenticated profiles.
sbs.com.au
This appears to be a disclaimer and navigation information for SBS Hindi podcast content rather than an article about fraud or elder abuse. There is no scam, fraud case, or elder abuse incident to summarize. This content does not fall within the scope of Elderus database summaries.
philstar.com
Romance scam hubs in Cambodia have been recruiting Filipinos through false job promises, forcing them to manage fake dating profiles and conduct love scams targeting foreigners while enduring physical abuse and intimidation. At least five Filipino trafficking victims have been repatriated from Cambodia after being lured with offers of high-paying jobs in Thailand, only to be taken to scam operations where they faced 15-hour shifts, violence, and coercion. The Bureau of Immigration is investigating the recruitment networks and coordinating with anti-trafficking agencies to dismantle these operations.
heartfm.ca
**Summary:**
An Oxford County resident lost $5,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with a stranger who requested money for a flight home. Police warn that romance scams commonly target single individuals through deception, and advise the public to avoid sending money to unknown online contacts, verify dating website legitimacy, and refrain from sharing personal information online.
finance.yahoo.com
The New York StateWide Senior Action Council identified Medicare fraud in nursing homes as its "Fraud of the Month for July," highlighting that while Medicare typically does not cover long-term nursing home care, it does cover medically necessary short-term skilled nursing facility (SNF) care, making SNFs frequent targets for fraud and abuse. The council recommends seniors review their Medicare Summary Notices and Explanations of Benefits for duplicate or unauthorized charges, avoid signing unfamiliar forms, verify services were actually received, refuse gifts for facility selection, and report concerns to the NYS Senior Medicare Patrol at 800-333-4374 or via www.nysenior.org.
orilliamatters.com
An elderly Orillia, Ontario woman was defrauded of $100 by a man posing as a city bylaw officer who appeared at her door claiming she owed a fine for weeds in her flowerbed. The victim, who was groggy from medication when the well-dressed man (appearing to be a 50-year-old white male) requested cash payment, only realized the scam after discussing it with a caregiver and confirmed with the city that no complaint had been filed against her property. City officials confirmed that legitimate bylaw officers wear identifiable uniforms, carry ID, and process fines through official channels, not through cash payments at homes.
local.aarp.org
North Carolina's Attorney General, Secretary of State, and AARP released an educational video called "Summer Scam Jam" to help residents identify and avoid seasonal scams including toll road cons, travel fraud, ticket schemes, and disaster relief scams. The initiative addresses the $12.5 billion in documented fraud losses reported in 2024, noting that for every reported senior scam case, 44 go unreported, and encourages victims to report fraud through the state's hotline and website.
catholicsun.org
Fraudulent emails and texts impersonating trusted figures like pastors, bosses, and family members—often requesting money or gift cards—are increasingly common scams. Detective Mark DiBone from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office provided awareness and protection strategies during a podcast appearance to help people recognize and defend against these frauds.
dos.ny.gov
The Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection warns that the military community lost $584 million to fraud in 2024 across 99,443 reported incidents, with service members, veterans, and their families targeted at higher rates than the general population due to their steady income, benefits, and frequent relocation. Common scams include imposter fraud, online shopping scams, and investment-related schemes, though protection strategies such as placing "Active-Duty Alerts" on credit reports, using free FTC credit monitoring, and researching purchases before completing transactions can reduce vulnerability.
phys.org
"Pig butchering" scams are sophisticated fraud schemes operated by organized crime groups that have stolen billions globally, in which scammers build fake romantic or friendly relationships with victims online before pressuring them into fraudulent investments, typically over a few months rather than years. Notable victims include a Kansas banker who embezzled $47 million to cover his losses and a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency investments, with scammers exploiting victims' desire for financial gain rather than solely relying on romantic manipulation. The scams operate in three stages—hunting for victims online, building trust, and executing the "kill" by pushing large financial commitments—and are typically run by highly organized criminal
investor.gov
This educational piece describes five common investment scams targeting investors: relationship investment scams (building trust through romance or friendship), advance fee fraud (demanding upfront payments before fund release), impersonation schemes (falsely claiming to be SEC officials or legitimate firms), and stock tip scams (promoting stocks on social media to artificially inflate prices). Scammers typically use social media and messaging apps to build trust, pressure victims into fraudulent investments or phony accounts, then steal funds or demand additional fees for supposed account access or loss recovery. Victims can report suspected investment scams to the SEC, FBI, FTC, state securities regulators, or state attorneys general.
lifehacker.com
**Callback phishing scams** impersonate trusted companies (Microsoft, Adobe, PayPal, Norton LifeLock, DocuSign, Geek Squad) via fraudulent emails with auto-loading PDFs containing company logos and phone numbers, directing recipients to call fake tech support. Once on the phone, scammers pose as customer service representatives and extract personal information or direct victims to malicious links and downloads that steal data or install malware. These scams exploit urgency and emotion to bypass critical thinking; recipients should verify requests by contacting companies directly through official channels and be wary of unsolicited emails with attachments, links, or QR codes.
consumer.ftc.gov
This educational piece advises military servicemembers, who frequently relocate, on protecting their personal information from identity theft and fraud during moves. Key protective measures include enabling automatic software updates, securely storing sensitive documents, avoiding unnecessary sharing of Social Security numbers, freezing credit, monitoring financial accounts while traveling, and regularly reviewing credit reports for unauthorized activity. The guidance emphasizes using resources like the active duty fraud alert, free credit monitoring, and IdentityTheft.gov for those who suspect identity theft.
lgbtqnation.com
In June, former congressman George Santos and Rep. Eric Burlison fell victim to an identity theft scam when an imposter using an outdated number posing as Rep. Rick Crawford contacted them via Telegram, claiming to offer Santos a "coordinator" position with the First Lady. Santos downloaded a suspicious app and shared a PIN with the imposter before realizing the deception and ending contact, though he reported no information was compromised. This incident is part of a growing trend of scammers using AI-generated messages to target government officials, and Santos has previously been targeted by another scammer who fraudulently claimed to have connections with prosecutors and judges.