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The City of Birmingham, Alabama scheduled a free Financial Fraud Workshop for January 31, 2026, designed to educate residents about common scams including phishing, identity theft, credit card fraud, healthcare scams, and romance scams, with practical guidance on recognizing red flags and protecting themselves and their loved ones. However, the event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled at a future date. In the meantime, residents can protect themselves by being skeptical of unsolicited communications, never paying via gift cards, verifying requests for personal information through official channels, and discussing potential scams with trusted family members or friends before taking action.

A high school senior in Huntsville, Alabama named Harris Dunham is volunteering at a senior living facility to teach older adults how to use technology safely and avoid online scams—inspired after his own grandparents lost money to an Amazon scam. The sessions cover practical topics like password security, camera operation, and how to recognize suspicious calls, helping seniors understand that unexpected calls from unknown numbers should not be answered. For seniors seeking to protect themselves, Dunham's advice is simple: be cautious of unsolicited calls and seek help from trusted younger family members or tech-savvy friends when questions arise about technology or unfamiliar contacts.

Pelham, Alabama police are warning about a surge in cryptocurrency scams targeting senior citizens, where criminals impersonate law enforcement and threaten victims with arrest or jail time unless they pay in Bitcoin. The scammers use scare tactics and keep victims on the phone to coerce them into cryptocurrency transfers, which are harder to trace and faster than traditional bank transactions. If you receive a suspicious call claiming to be from police, hang up immediately and call your local police department directly to verify the claim rather than providing any payment information.

SARCOA is hosting a free Fraud Summit on January 22, 2026, in Enterprise, Alabama, designed to help seniors and their caregivers recognize and avoid financial scams and exploitation. Expert speakers from organizations like the Alabama Securities Commission and AARP will provide practical guidance on spotting common scams, protecting personal information, and accessing help resources. Seniors interested in attending should register by January 12 to secure their spot at this free event, which includes lunch.

The Wiregrass region is hosting a free Fraud Summit on January 22 to help seniors recognize and avoid scams and financial exploitation, featuring expert presentations from organizations like AARP and the Alabama Securities Commission. The event, held at the Enterprise Civic Center, is designed to educate older adults on financial safety as scam activity continues rising nationwide. Seniors and caregivers interested in attending should reserve seats by January 12 by calling 334-793-6843 or emailing the provided address, as seating is limited and lunch will be provided.

Franklin County, Alabama is experiencing a surge in scams targeting residents, including phone fraud where scammers impersonate deputies claiming victims missed court dates or jury duty, and romance scams conducted over the internet. A 90-year-old Red Bay woman lost over $18,000 after being tricked into sending money across 37 transactions by someone claiming to help with debt. Sheriff's officials urge residents to never send money over the phone and to report suspected scams to local law enforcement immediately.

# Franklin County Warns of Growing Scam Problem Franklin County, Alabama law enforcement is warning residents about a surge in scams targeting people of all ages, including romance scams, fake sheriff's office bail bond offers, and debt relief schemes that have cost victims thousands of dollars—with one elderly person losing over $18,000 in 37 transactions. Authorities urge residents to never send money by phone, share personal information with callers, or conduct business via text or social media; instead, they recommend independently contacting the organization or sheriff's office directly if you're unsure about a request. Many scammers operate overseas and may never face prosecution, making prevention through awareness and family discussions about new technology particularly important.

TARCOG is hosting a free Fraud and Scam Summit in Athens, Alabama to educate seniors, caregivers, and professionals about recognizing and preventing scams, which cost Americans nearly $5 billion annually. The event features experts from law enforcement and the Alabama Securities Commission discussing common fraud tactics, identity theft prevention, and reporting procedures, with particular focus on romance scams as the fastest-growing threat targeting vulnerable seniors. Attendees can register on the waiting list by contacting TARCOG at 256-830-0818, and resources will be available online for those unable to attend.

Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York) introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act to combat financial scams targeting older Americans, particularly those using cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies. The legislation would allow state and local law enforcement to use existing federal grant funding to hire personnel and deploy advanced tracing tools, addressing gaps that enable scammers to escape prosecution. According to the Federal Trade Commission, Americans aged 60 and older lost over $2.3 billion to fraud in 2024—a 21% increase from 2023—with experts estimating total unreported fraud at $61.5 billion, including growing "

Elderly fraud in the U.S. resulted in nearly $5 billion in losses during 2024, representing a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in financial losses compared to 2023, according to FBI data showing 147,127 complaints. TARCOG's Senior Medicare Patrol is hosting a free Fraud & Scam Summit on August 20, 2025, to educate seniors, families, and caregivers on recognizing common scams, identity theft prevention, detecting financial abuse, and reporting resources. The event at Athens State University will feature local experts and community organizations providing educational information and support.

A mother and daughter from Alabama were sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to defrauding an elderly victim of over $500,000 between December 2020 and February 2022. While working as in-home caretakers with access to the victim's financial information, Mykia L. Henderson (32) and Cynthia H. Mixon (50) created fraudulent payment accounts through Square and Stripe to charge the victim's credit cards, wrote unauthorized checks, and deposited stolen funds into their own accounts. Henderson received 87 months in prison and Mixon received 57 months for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

TARCOG is hosting a free Fraud & Scam Summit on August 20, 2025, in Athens, Alabama, to educate the community about elder fraud following reports that seniors lost nearly $5 billion to financial scams across the U.S. in 2024. The summit will cover topics including recognizing common scams, identity theft prevention, the role of caregivers in detecting fraud, and reporting procedures, with exhibitors from state programs and community organizations providing resources.

The Better Business Bureau is warning Alabama shoppers about a rising scam involving fake websites and misleading social media ads that mimic legitimate retailers but only accept payment methods with no fraud protection, such as debit cards, Venmo, and Cash App. In the last month and a half, the BBB logged nearly 100 cases of fraudulent online storefronts in the region. Consumers are advised to verify website security by checking for "https" URLs and using credit cards, which offer fraud protection, rather than peer-to-peer payment apps or debit cards that provide little recourse once money is transferred.

Two Alabama women—32-year-old Mykia L. Henderson and 50-year-old Cynthia H. Mixon (mother and daughter)—were sentenced to 57 months in prison for defrauding an elderly victim of nearly $500,000 between December 2020 and February 2022. While working as the victim's in-home caretakers, they used fraudulent payment accounts (Square and Stripe) to charge the victim's credit cards, wrote unauthorized checks, and concealed their activities through false descriptions on transactions. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

A mother and daughter who worked as in-home caretakers in Alabama were sentenced to prison for defrauding an elderly victim of approximately $500,000 between December 2020 and February 2022. Mykia L. Henderson, 32, received 87 months in prison and Cynthia H. Mixon, 50, received 57 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The defendants used their access to the victim's financial information to create fraudulent payment accounts through Square and Stripe, charged unauthorized credit card transactions, wrote bogus checks, and concealed their activity with false descriptions.

**Not applicable for Elderus database.** This article describes a charitable initiative providing beds and meals to food-insecure children in rural Alabama and does not involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.

Scammers are posing as University of Alabama students on GroupMe, Snapchat, and other social media platforms to sell fake football tickets, requesting untraceable payments through Venmo, CashApp, or Apple Pay before blocking victims and disappearing with their money. To protect against this fraud, the university recommends using official platforms like MyTickets or SeatGeek, avoiding social media ticket sales, meeting sellers in person at safe locations, and never sharing personal information or using untraceable payment methods. Victims should immediately report scams to University Police at 205-348-5454.

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.

This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It discusses a U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding parental rights to opt children out of classroom instruction on LGBT-themed content, and the Alabama Policy Institute's advocacy calling on parents and school districts to implement opt-out policies. This is a political/educational policy matter and falls outside the scope of the Elderus fraud research database.

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.

The Central Alabama Aging Consortium's Ombudsman Program held its annual Elder Justice Fraud and Caregiver Conference on July 17 to educate professionals and caregivers about identifying and preventing elder abuse and fraud. Over 1,200 Alabama seniors report being victims of elder fraud annually, resulting in losses exceeding $17 million per year, with 10% of seniors nationwide experiencing fraud victimization yearly. The conference featured experts in financial exploitation, elder law, and protective services who provided tools and resources for professionals to assist fraud victims and prevent future incidents.

Senior citizens in Vestavia Hills are invited to an educational presentation on July 16 at the New Merkel House where Russell Lowe from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System will teach about common scams and fraud targeting older adults. The free presentation at 11 a.m. includes coffee beforehand and a $1.50 lunch afterward, designed to help seniors protect their finances.

A 36-year-old Canadian man, Jia Liu, was arrested on July 2 at Louisville's Muhammad Ali International Airport for defrauding elderly people across multiple states. Liu targeted an elderly man in Charlestown who withdrew $27,000 from his retirement account in May, and investigators linked him to at least five additional victims in Indiana, Ohio, New Mexico, and Tennessee, with total losses exceeding $309,000. Liu faces charges including theft, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering, and authorities are seeking additional victims who may be in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee.

A Chinese national with a revoked student visa was arrested after scamming a retired educator in Spanish Fort, Alabama, out of approximately $400,000 in life savings over three weeks. The suspect posed as a U.S. Marshal and convinced the elderly victim to liquidate her cash into gold bars, which he collected during four in-person meetings before she became suspicious and contacted police. Spanish Fort Police and the FBI collaborated on the arrest, which occurred just before Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and the case reflects a broader trend—the FBI reported $219 million in gold bar scam losses nationally in the previous year.

Alabama securities regulators recovered over $125,000 in crypto assets for two residents who lost a combined $580,000 to "pig butchering" romance scams—schemes where victims met scammers on dating apps and messaging platforms and were convinced to invest in fraudulent trading platforms over several months. One victim lost $185,000 after meeting a scammer on Bumble, while another lost $395,000 after responding to a WhatsApp advertisement for a fake platform falsely claiming Charles Schwab affiliation. Pig butchering scams accounted for 33.2% of the $9.9 billion in global crypto fraud in 2024, with criminals increasingly

The Alabama Securities Commission reported a record 200 elder fraud cases since January, with women aged 71-90 being disproportionately affected, and identified social isolation as a key vulnerability factor that scammers exploit during periods of grief or health crises. Fraudsters use social media information and infiltrate senior groups to build trust, with exploitation ranging from online romance scams to financial abuse by family members and caregivers. The ASC recommends maintaining regular contact with seniors, adding "trusted contacts" to financial accounts, and sharing fraud awareness information to reduce vulnerability to these increasingly sophisticated schemes.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) warned residents of a nationwide phishing scam using text messages falsely claiming to be from a nonexistent "Alabama Department of Vehicles (DMV)," threatening driving privilege suspension and vehicle registration cancellation unless payment is made for fabricated traffic tickets. ALEA clarified that it does not send unsolicited threat messages and advised citizens to avoid clicking suspicious links, refuse to provide personal information, and report phishing attempts to the Federal Trade Commission or IC3.

The Alabama Tombigbee Regional Commission held a free Fraud Summit in Selma to educate residents about common scams targeting seniors, including text messages impersonating postal services or toll road operators. Attendees were advised not to respond to suspicious communications, avoid clicking links, and contact police if targeted, as these scams aim to steal personal information from victims' phones.

Scammers are placing fake QR code stickers over legitimate parking meter codes in Birmingham and Mobile, Alabama, to redirect payments to fraudulent accounts instead of actual parking vendors. The Better Business Bureau advises verifying QR codes by physically checking for stickers or scanning with a phone camera to confirm the website address matches the official parking company before paying. Victims should dispute charges immediately with their credit card company and avoid using debit cards for parking payments, as credit cards offer fraud protection that debit cards do not.

Taneshia Brown, owner of Bella Wood Senior Living in Jemison, Alabama, was arrested and charged with first-degree financial exploitation of an elderly person after investigators found she conducted unauthorized transactions totaling several thousand dollars from a 76-year-old resident's bank account. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are exploring whether other victims exist at the facility.

Terrance Pruitt, a 47-year-old from Bessemer, Alabama, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for defrauding an elderly family member with dementia in 2023. Pruitt fraudulently obtained power of attorney, became a joint account holder, and transferred $550,000 from the victim's bank accounts to his own personal accounts, using the funds for personal benefit. He was convicted on two counts of wire fraud in December 2024.

Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, a 47-year-old from Bessemer, Alabama, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for defrauding an elderly family member with dementia of $550,000 between September and December 2023. Pruitt obtained a Power of Attorney without the victim's knowledge, made himself a joint account holder, altered beneficiary designations, and transferred funds to personal accounts, later providing inconsistent explanations when confronted. His sentence was enhanced due to perjury committed during his trial testimony, and he was convicted on two counts of wire fraud.

Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, a 47-year-old man from Bessemer, Alabama, was sentenced to 50 months in prison for defrauding an elderly family member with dementia of $550,000 between September and December 2023. Pruitt executed a fraudulent Power of Attorney, became a joint account holder, altered beneficiaries, and transferred funds to his personal accounts without the victim's knowledge or permission. His sentence was enhanced due to perjury committed during his trial testimony.

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

This educational article identifies New Jersey as the safest U.S. state for retirees based on FBI data analysis, citing low violent and property crime rates, minimal senior involvement in fatal accidents, and strong healthcare access. The article also lists nine additional safe states for retirement (New York, Mississippi, Louisiana, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Connecticut, Alabama) and warns against five states with higher risks of elder fraud, property crime, and scams (Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico).

Blount County, Alabama authorities are warning of an evolving phone scam in which callers impersonate court officials and threaten victims with arrest warrants for missing jury duty, sometimes sending fake court notices to appear authentic. Scammers demand payment over the phone, at kiosks, or pressure victims to stay on the line to pay a "bond," though legitimate warrants are never handled this way. Authorities advise hanging up on such calls and reporting them immediately.

The Lincoln Public Library organized an educational initiative pairing high school cybersecurity students with senior citizens to teach fraud prevention, recognizing that seniors are frequently targeted by cybercriminals. High school students presented research on common cyber criminal tactics at an "Avoiding Online Scams" event held on March 14 at The Laundry Room in Lincoln, Alabama, open to the public.

Scammers are targeting Trump campaign supporters through the "Trump Rebate Banking" (TRB) scheme, falsely promising that Trump memorabilia (coins, hats, etc.) purchased during the campaign would become valuable investments or generate cash rebates once Trump took office. An Alabama woman lost over $152,000 in cryptocurrency after being promised a $13 million rebate, though the FBI recovered her funds by freezing stolen assets on Binance in November. These scams exploit supporters' political enthusiasm and continue proliferating on platforms like Telegram and X despite growing public awareness.

Trump-themed memorabilia scams, particularly the Trump Rebate Banking (TRB) scheme, have defrauded supporters who were promised their coins and merchandise would appreciate in value or generate cash payouts. An Alabama woman lost over $152,000 in cryptocurrency after being promised a $13 million rebate for her Trump items, though the FBI later froze the stolen funds in federal custody. These scams exploit supporters' emotional investment in Trump's brand and remain prevalent across platforms like Telegram and X, with victims typically losing thousands of dollars to fraudsters posing as legitimate investment facilitators.

Makayla Crumedy of Huntsville, Alabama, fell victim to a text message scam claiming she owed unpaid toll fees after visiting Florida; after entering her banking information through a suspicious link, she was charged over $1,000 to her account but successfully recovered the funds through fraud claims. The scam, which also targeted her grandmother, involved a text from an email address with random letters—a red flag that legitimate toll offices never use text messages with links to demand payment and may threaten license suspension. The Better Business Bureau advises recipients to delete and block such messages, as reputable agencies will never text toll payment demands.

Alabama residents received a surge of toll scam text messages and PDF documents in late February claiming unpaid toll bills with threats of legal consequences or license suspension. Cybercriminals obtained phone numbers from personal data sold on numerous websites and used automated programs to send thousands of messages simultaneously, exploiting tax season when they could also attempt to steal tax refunds. Experts recommend avoiding suspicious links, monitoring personal information, and freezing bank accounts if a breach is suspected, noting this nationwide scam affects people across the country.

Scammers in Etowah County, Alabama targeted a mother with an elaborate accident scam, impersonating her injured daughter, a paramedic, and a police officer to extract personal information and money. The scammers demonstrated knowledge of the victim's location and family details, though the mother avoided falling victim after contacting her daughter directly. County investigators advise people to hang up and independently call local authorities or emergency services to verify claims rather than providing information during the initial call.

A 71-year-old widow named Linda Talbott was scammed out of nearly $12,000 by a man posing as "James" in an online romance scheme that lasted almost two years. The scammer manipulated Talbott into providing her Social Security number (redirecting her checks to Alabama), cashing fraudulent checks, and isolating her from support systems, ultimately leaving her homeless and living in her car in a Walmart parking lot. Between 2019 and 2023, the FTC received over 269,000 romance scam reports with total losses exceeding $4.5 billion, with scammers typically building trust through fake profiles and promises of

Four Jamaican nationals were arrested in Foley, Alabama in February 2023 for operating a lottery scam that defrauded over $200,000 from victims nationwide, primarily elderly people. The suspects used a Publisher's Clearing House scheme, telling victims they had won a lottery but needed to pay "taxes" before claiming winnings; while FedEx intercepted thousands of dollars in cash and checks between April 2020 and February 2023, some victims still lost money. The four men face federal charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy, with potential sentences up to 20 years in prison.

Four Jamaican nationals were arrested in Baldwin County, Alabama as part of "Operation Jamaican Knights," a fraud ring that targeted elderly victims across the United States with a lottery scam, stealing over $200,000 from more than 75 victims nationwide. Victims were deceived into sending cash payments via FedEx, believing they needed to pay taxes to claim lottery winnings, with shipments intercepted at a Mobile FedEx center revealing the scheme in February 2023. The FBI recovered more than $180,000 and has returned most of it to victims, with six additional suspects identified and the investigation ongoing.

Alabama residents lost $32 million to investment fraud in 2023, a 45.8% increase from $22 million in 2022, according to a study using FBI data, with people aged 30-50 accounting for roughly two-thirds of victims despite their tech savviness. Investment scams typically lure victims with promises of large profits and quick returns, though emerging schemes are increasingly sophisticated and target retirees, business owners, and first-time investors through personal relationships and trust-building tactics. The Alabama Securities Commission received 637 financial exploitation reports since 2020 with elder abuse identified in 619 cases, though officials note that elder exploitation remains grossly underreported in

Multiple senior citizens across Alabama counties received Medicare scam calls from fraudsters claiming to offer discounts on prescriptions and insurance payments while requesting Social Security numbers and bank account information to "verify." The scammers, who possessed some personal information like addresses and phone numbers, were unable to answer when victims asked them to recite the sensitive data they claimed to have, indicating the calls were part of a widespread fraud scheme targeting seniors.

Terrance Alonzo Pruitt, 47, of Bessemer, Alabama was convicted of two counts of wire fraud for defrauding an elderly family member with dementia of $550,000 between September and December 2023. Pruitt illegally obtained power of attorney, became a joint account holder, changed account addresses, altered beneficiary designations, and transferred the victim's funds to his personal accounts, later moving $500,000 to an account excluding the victim. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama.

In 2023, Alabama residents lost $96.4 million to online scams across 5,763 victims, ranking the state 27th nationally for scam susceptibility. The article identifies rising threats including AI-generated deepfakes (which accounted for 39% of national scam losses), look-alike fraudulent websites, and untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency and gift cards, with scammers predominantly operating overseas where U.S. law cannot reach them and 95.7% of stolen money goes unrecovered.

Southwest Alabama RSVP, Cadence Bank, and the Area Agency on Aging co-hosted a fraud awareness seminar at the Thomasville Civic Center to educate senior citizens about common scams. Speakers discussed various scamming tactics targeting seniors, reviewed real scam attempts made at Cadence Bank, and advised attendees to protect their Medicare information and regularly monitor their statements for unauthorized charges.