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PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau's Joe Ducey today released a new consumer video PSA warning Arizonans about tax-related scams targeting residents during ta...

A bipartisan coalition in the U.S. Senate is taking a stand against the rising tide of financial fraud by officially designating March 5th as “National Slam the Scam Day.” Led by Chairman Rick Scott a...

PHOENIX — To kick off Consumer Protection Week, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau's Joe Ducey are teaming up in a new public service announcement to warn consumers abo...

PHOENIX — Scammers are using artificial intelligence to copy brand websites and trick shoppers into buying counterfeit products — or stealing their personal information entirely. Nearly 60% of brands...

A Tucson couple was sentenced after pleading guilty to defrauding Arizona's pandemic unemployment program of over $60,000 by submitting false applications using other people's identities, including incarcerated inmates and unwitting victims. David Ellis received six years in prison while Gabbrielle Ellis received seven years of probation, and both must repay $62,151 in restitution to the state. To protect yourself, be cautious about unsolicited unemployment benefit communications, monitor your personal information, and report any suspicious activity related to your identity or government benefits immediately to authorities.

Heritage Village Assisted Living in Mesa, Arizona settled with the state Attorney General's office after investigations revealed elder abuse and fraud at the facility, resulting in the owners being permanently banned from operating healthcare facilities in Arizona and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine. Families of residents reported incidents of mistreatment and abuse, though some believe the settlement doesn't provide adequate accountability for what occurred. For families with elderly relatives in care facilities, this case underscores the importance of regularly visiting and monitoring your loved ones' treatment, staying alert to signs of neglect or abuse, and reporting concerns immediately to facility management and state authorities.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes secured an $11.8 million settlement against Choice Home Warranty, a company that allegedly deceived customers by misrepresenting coverage for home appliances like air conditioning units while failing to actually replace them. The fraud primarily targeted vulnerable populations including seniors, veterans, and people on fixed incomes, with over 1,500 Arizona consumers filing complaints since 2013. Going forward, consumers should carefully review warranty fine print and disclosures before purchasing home warranties, and report any coverage denials to their state's attorney general or insurance department.

A 69-year-old Arizona woman lost her home and life savings after a romance scammer posing as a Naval officer on Facebook convinced her to send over $70,000 in payments, claiming he needed help with customs fees for packages containing gold and jewelry. The scam devastated her retirement, forcing her to sell her home and move into an apartment, and she only discovered the fraud when her financial advisor became suspicious during a loan application. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited romantic messages from strangers online, never send money to people you haven't met in person—especially for customs fees or emergencies—and consult trusted advisors like family members or financial professionals before making large financial decisions.

Arizona has lost approximately $177 million annually to crypto ATM scams, with seniors over 60 making up 43% of victims, prompting Attorney General Kris Mayes to launch a crackdown and new complaint reporting system. Scammers use various tactics including impersonation calls about legal or banking issues to trick victims into sending money through crypto ATMs, which lack protections and are difficult to trace. To protect yourself, avoid using crypto ATMs if someone urges you to do so, report scams within 30 days to the state, and be skeptical of unsolicited requests for crypto payments.

# Arizona Attorney General Warns Against Sports Betting Scams Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is warning sports fans, particularly ahead of Super Bowl Sunday, to avoid illegal sportsbooks and unregulated prediction markets that lack proper oversight, security protections, and compliance standards. Fraudsters use these unregulated operations to steal winnings, personal information, and financial data from bettors, while also evading anti-money laundering laws. Arizonans can protect themselves by only using legal, regulated betting platforms, and those struggling with gambling addiction can call 1-800-NEXT-STEP for free confidential counseling.

A 27-year-old Jamaican man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for defrauding elderly victims through fake sweepstakes schemes that convinced them they had won prizes and needed to pay upfront fees to claim the winnings, with one Arizona senior losing over $480,000. The scheme involved collecting money through gift cards and bank transfers while posing as federal representatives, and Jackson has been ordered to pay $74,530 in restitution. Law enforcement urges seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications and to report suspected fraud immediately to the FBI, as scammers commonly use fake lotteries, health care schemes, and government imposter tactics to steal from elderly Americans.

# Cryptocurrency ATM Scam Summary Arizona residents lost over $177 million in 2024 to cryptocurrency ATM scams, with scammers primarily targeting older adults through deceptive phone calls, texts, or emails claiming legal trouble or compromised accounts. Attorney General Kris Mayes warns that if someone pressures you to use a cryptocurrency ATM, you're likely being scammed—once money is deposited, it transfers directly to scammers and is nearly impossible to recover. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact urging you to withdraw cash or use crypto ATMs, and report scams to the Attorney General within 30 days if you've been victimized.

Romance scams on social media and dating apps are costing victims significant sums of money by creating fake profiles of military personnel, doctors, or other professionals who build trust before requesting funds for emergencies or financial opportunities. Recent cases in Arizona show victims losing between $55,000 and $151,000 after being convinced to send money for logistics, medical emergencies, or other fabricated needs. To protect yourself, avoid sending money to anyone who won't video chat or meet in person, be especially cautious if they claim to be overseas or unable to verify their identity, and report any suspected scams to local police and the Federal Trade Commission.

An Arizona woman lost $1.5 million after clicking on a fake tech support website while searching for help with her TV's closed captioning, demonstrating how scammers use convincing fake websites and remote access software to systematically drain victims' accounts over time. The Federal Trade Commission reports that scams targeting older adults have surged dramatically, with a fourfold increase in victims losing $10,000 or more and a sevenfold increase in scams exceeding $100,000. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited tech support offers, avoid clicking links from search results when seeking help, and never grant remote access to your computer or pay upfront fees to unknown callers—instead, contact companies directly using official phone numbers from their legitimate websites.

# Organized Retail Theft Sentencing Adam Polansky was sentenced to 6 years in prison and ordered to pay over $18,000 in restitution for his role in an organized retail theft ring that stole approximately $10 million in merchandise from Arizona retailers between 2018 and 2024. The case highlights the growing problem of organized retail crime, which affects both local businesses and consumers through increased prices and reduced shopping safety. Shoppers and retailers can help combat this issue by reporting suspicious activity to local law enforcement and supporting retailers' loss prevention efforts.

Starting September 26, 2025, Arizona is implementing new protections against cryptocurrency ATM scams that require operators to issue receipts, provide clear terms and conditions, and refund fraud victims. If you've been scammed at a crypto ATM in Arizona, you must report it within 30 days using the state Attorney General's form (available online or by mail), and should gather your ATM receipt, documentation of customer service interactions, and any police report. The new law aims to reduce fraud by limiting daily transaction amounts and requiring operators to be more transparent and accountable.

California has revoked over 280 fraudulent hospice licenses in the past two years as part of a crackdown on schemes where operators enrolled Medicare patients in hospice care without their knowledge or proper services, potentially costing billions in taxpayer money. The fraud affected vulnerable elderly patients across multiple states including Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Georgia, and Ohio, with some operators using illegal tactics like "license flipping" to avoid regulatory oversight. Patients and their families should verify hospice provider legitimacy through state licensing boards and Medicare's official resources, and report suspicious enrollment or lack of services to federal authorities immediately.

A new survey ranks Nevada as America's most deceitful state, with nearly one in five residents admitting to frequent lying and the second-highest rate of romance scams, while Florida leads in overall fraud and identity theft, and Arizona suffered the largest losses to romance scams at $53.7 million in 2024. The study highlights serious threats including a notorious "romance scam on steroids" in Nevada where a woman targeted elderly men through dating apps, as well as increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled voice cloning scams in Florida. Experts advise residents to be cautious with online dating profiles, protect personal information carefully, verify urgent requests from loved ones through direct contact, and report suspicious activity to authorities.

Arizona's Attorney General secured a settlement against Heritage Village, a Mesa assisted living facility accused of elder abuse and consumer fraud, permanently barring its owners from operating future care facilities in Arizona and requiring them to pay $100,000 in penalties. The facility, which had a history of serious incidents including violence, sexual assault, and criminal abuse of residents, was placed into receivership in 2024 and subsequently sold to new owners. Elderly residents and their families seeking quality care should research facility histories, check regulatory records, and report any suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services or local authorities immediately.

Arizona's Attorney General has reached a settlement barring the owners of Heritage Village Assisted Living from operating health care facilities in the state and requiring them to pay $100,000 in penalties following widespread elder abuse and consumer fraud at the facility, where residents experienced violence and sexual assault. The facility, which faced closure due to serious safety violations, has since improved under court-appointed management. Seniors and their families should research assisted living facilities' inspection records and complaint histories before enrollment, and report suspected abuse to local authorities or the Attorney General's office.

SimonMed Imaging, a medical imaging provider, reached a settlement with Arizona's Attorney General for improperly delaying refunds to patients who were overcharged. The company had been collecting upfront payments based on estimates and failing to refund overpayments for over a year in some cases, forcing patients to choose between paying out-of-pocket or being denied services. If you received imaging services from SimonMed and didn't receive a timely refund, you should file a complaint with the Attorney General's office before April 30, 2026, to potentially receive restitution.

A 69-year-old Arizona woman lost her home and life savings to a romance scammer who posed as a U.S. Naval officer on Facebook, convincing her to sell her house to fund their fake relationship and pay supposed customs fees for packages that never existed. The scammer used classic tactics including romantic messages, claims of being stationed overseas (preventing phone calls), and fabricated stories about needing money for customs clearance, ultimately extracting over $70,000 from Susan across multiple payments. To protect yourself: be skeptical of online relationships that quickly turn romantic, never wire money or make large payments to people you've only met online, and consult trusted financial advisors before making major financial decisions based on someone's requests.

Scammers stole over $400,000 from Sedona residents in 2025, with 67 police reports filed related to fraud and phone scams, targeting both elderly residents and younger people through AI impersonation schemes. The problem is part of a nationwide trend, with Americans losing $196 billion to scams in 2024 and Arizonans losing over $521 million. To protect yourself, avoid clicking suspicious links, be wary of urgent money requests from people claiming to be friends or family, and keep your passwords updated.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is prioritizing consumer protection in 2026, with a focus on combating romance scams that have devastated seniors who are losing their life savings to online predators. She's also targeting corporate consolidation through antitrust enforcement—such as her lawsuit against RealPage for allegedly colluding to artificially raise rents—and plans to crack down on robocalls and spam. Consumers can protect themselves by being cautious of unsolicited online romantic overtures, staying informed about corporate practices affecting their costs, and reporting suspicious calls to authorities.

Hyundai and Kia have agreed to a settlement with 35 state attorneys general, including Arizona's, after selling millions of vehicles without standard anti-theft technology, leading to a nationwide epidemic of car thefts that endangered public safety. The manufacturers failed to include engine-immobilizer technology that prevents thieves from starting vehicles without a smart key—while 96% of competitors' vehicles had this feature in 2015, only 26% of Hyundai and Kia vehicles did. Owners of these vehicles should take protective measures like using steering wheel locks, parking in well-lit areas, and considering comprehensive insurance coverage while the manufacturers implement fixes required by the settlement.

Fraud in Arizona has surged dramatically, with over 22,000 residents reporting scams this year and seniors alone losing nearly $67 million, according to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission. The FBI recommends that families use holiday gatherings to have open conversations with relatives—especially elderly grandparents—about potential scams, including warning signs like new online relationships, requests for money, and cryptocurrency investment schemes, which are currently the leading fraud threat in Arizona. Taking time to ask direct questions about these red flags can help prevent people across all demographics from falling victim to scammers who often operate from overseas.

# Holiday Shopping Scam Warning During the busy holiday season, scam artists ramp up their efforts to steal money from shoppers both online and in stores, according to Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. The warning applies to all consumers planning to purchase gifts, whether shopping online or in person. To protect yourself, consumers should follow safety tips for online shopping, in-person purchases, gift card buying, and remain alert to suspicious activity throughout the season.

# Romance Scam Summary Nearly 59,000 Americans lost $697.3 million to romance scams in 2024, with scammers posing as potential partners on dating apps to extract money from victims. Arizona, Alaska, and Wyoming reported the highest rates of romance scams per capita, with Arizona seeing particularly steep increases in both reports and financial losses. To protect yourself, verify matches through video calls before sharing personal or financial information, research potential matches on social media, and be suspicious of anyone who quickly professes feelings or asks for money.

# Fraud Surge Targets Arizona Seniors Arizona experienced a 20% surge in senior fraud reports in 2025, with over 7,000 victims losing nearly $67 million to holiday scammers who exploit increased online shopping and charitable giving. The most common schemes include fake online shopping websites, phishing messages about delayed packages, and bogus charity donation requests. Experts advise seniors to verify suspicious communications with trusted friends or family members before taking action, and emphasize that victims shouldn't feel ashamed as scammers are highly sophisticated and specifically target vulnerable populations.

A 2024 analysis by the Common Sense Institute projects that Arizona residents will lose over $4 billion to financial fraud in 2025, with reported losses alone estimated at $558 million plus $3.4 billion in unreported incidents—representing a 384 percent increase in reported fraud losses since 2020. Adults 60 and older are disproportionately affected, accounting for two-thirds of internet-based fraud losses, while the average loss per incident in Arizona ($6,270) is 30 percent higher than the national average. The report warns that fraud creates broader economic damage costing the state approximately 45,000 jobs and reducing GDP by $5.2

A 2025 analysis by the Common Sense Institute projects that Arizona will lose over $4 billion to financial fraud, with only about 14 percent of cases being reported; in 2024 alone, Arizonans reported nearly 55,000 fraud cases resulting in $521 million in losses. Adults 60 and older are disproportionately affected, accounting for two-thirds of internet-based fraud losses, with the average loss per incident in Arizona ($6,270) nearly 30 percent higher than the national average. The report estimates that fraud-related losses shrink Arizona's GDP by $5.2 billion annually and cost the state over 45,000

Arizona residents are projected to lose over $4 billion to financial fraud in 2025, with the average loss per incident at $6,270—nearly 30 percent higher than the national average. Adults 60 and older account for two-thirds of internet-based fraud losses, with those 70 and older suffering the highest average dollar losses, according to a Common Sense Institute analysis. Fraud schemes include identity theft, phishing, romance scams, wire transfer fraud, and elder financial abuse, with experts warning that risks will grow as more commerce moves online.

Arizona ranks as the fourth most dangerous state for online dating, with a romance scam rate of 14 per 100,000 users—the highest in the nation—according to a Privacy Journal study. The state also reports elevated rates of fraud, identity theft, and STD reports on dating apps, though it ranks sixth in registered sex offender numbers. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire are identified as the safest states for online dating.

Arizona is projected to lose over $4 billion to financial fraud in 2024, with the state ranking 11th nationally in fraud rates at 1,459 cases per 100,000 residents, according to a Common Sense Institute report. Common fraud types affecting Arizonans include grandparent scams, romance scams, gift card scams, skimming, and forgery, with experts noting that only about 14% of fraud is reported to authorities. Researchers recommend that families help protect older adults—who are at higher risk due to lower technological familiarity—by teaching them to verify sources before sharing financial information online.

Fraudulent sober living homes in Arizona scammed taxpayers out of more than $2.8 billion by exploiting and trafficking Native Americans. However, the subsequent regulatory crackdown has inadvertently harmed legitimate rehab programs by suspending and terminating ethical providers without due process, according to state officials.

This article covers multiple bank fraud cases prosecuted in 2025. Former Cathay Bank manager Weixin "Tony" Chen was indicted on charges of siphoning funds from customers' home equity lines and deposit accounts across Southern California branches, facing up to 30 years per count. The article also highlights the case of Jiaci Liu, a Chinese national sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for a sophisticated elder fraud scheme where he impersonated technical support and law enforcement to extract over $202,000 from elderly victims in Southern California and Arizona, including one victim who withdrew $28,000 after believing his computer was compromised.

Jiaci Liu, a Chinese national, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for operating a tech support scam targeting seniors across Southern California and Arizona. Liu and his co-conspirators used pop-up windows to trick elderly victims into believing they had computer viruses, then impersonated bank representatives and government officials to convince victims to withdraw cash, stealing over $202,000 in just one week in June 2023 from victims in their 70s and 80s. One Poway, California victim lost $28,000 before becoming suspicious and alerting authorities, leading to Liu's arrest when he arrived at the victim's home to collect the money.

Jiaci Liu, a Chinese national, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors in Southern California and Arizona. The scam involved posing as tech support specialists, bank representatives, and government officials to convince victims to withdraw cash under false pretenses; Liu personally collected over $202,000 from elderly victims in a single week in June 2023, with a 63-year-old Poway resident thwarting the scheme by reporting his suspicions to authorities before Liu could retrieve the victim's $28,000 withdrawal.

A 35-year-old Chinese national, Jiaci Liu, was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a tech support scam that defrauded six elderly victims in California and Arizona of over $200,000 in a single week. Liu collected cash from victims who were deceived by fake pop-up virus warnings and fraudulent bank representatives claiming unauthorized transfers were occurring; he was arrested at a Poway victim's home in June 2023 after the 63-year-old victim became suspicious when told a U.S. Marshals representative would pick up his $28,000 withdrawal. Liu pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and at least one

Between 2018 and 2024, an organized retail theft ring operated by iSold It on eBay in Glendale generated over $2 million by selling stolen media (DVDs and Blu-Rays) through their Amazon storefront. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes indicted 25+ individuals including the business operators Charles Hudson Jr., Charles Hudson Sr., Sherry Hudson, and Carlos Flores, along with 24 "boosters" who supplied the stolen merchandise, on charges including Organized Retail Theft, Trafficking Stolen Property, and Illegally Conducting an Enterprise. Investigators recovered over $200,000 in stolen inventory during a

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau issued a public awareness campaign alerting residents to cryptocurrency scams, where criminals use Bitcoin and other digital currencies to defraud victims through investment schemes, romance scams, impersonation fraud, and ransomware demands because crypto lacks protections and is difficult to trace. The campaign recommends verifying caller information independently, being skeptical of unsolicited financial requests, recognizing that legitimate businesses never demand cryptocurrency payment upfront, and consulting trusted individuals before making digital currency transactions.

On June 18, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes partnered with the Better Business Bureau to launch an educational campaign featuring four PSA videos designed to help Arizona residents—particularly seniors—recognize and avoid common scams. The campaign addresses fraudulent celebrity scams using AI deepfakes, moving company hostage loads, cryptocurrency scams (which cost Scottsdale residents over $5 million recently), and AI-based scams, with Arizona residents losing approximately $392 million to consumer fraud in 2024.

Three men were sentenced to federal prison for stealing $520,910 in pandemic unemployment benefits between August and October 2020 through a scheme involving stolen debit cards and fraudulent unemployment claims. Kamaldeen Karaole, Stephen Olamigoke, and Johnson Omodusonu obtained 168 UI debit cards issued by California, Arizona, and Nevada using stolen personally identifiable information, then made 529 ATM withdrawals in Indianapolis to steal funds intended for workers unemployed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each defendant received sentences ranging from 2 to 4.25 years in prison and was ordered to pay full restitution of $520,910.

The Better Business Bureau and Arizona Attorney General are warning residents about moving scams in Arizona, where movers quote low initial estimates then dramatically increase prices, fail to show up, or steal belongings entirely. Common tactics include bait-and-switch pricing, no-shows after payment, and holding belongings hostage for additional fees, with scammers often demanding untraceable payment methods like cash, wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Residents are advised to obtain at least three written estimates, check mover reviews on bbb.org, verify registration with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and pay only by credit card to protect themselves.

Impersonation scams targeting older adults have surged dramatically, with the FTC reporting a four-fold increase in reports of losses exceeding $10,000 and an eight-fold increase in losses over $100,000 (from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024), totaling nearly $5 billion in fraud losses in 2024. Common scam tactics include fake security alerts impersonating banks, government agencies, and tech companies like Microsoft and Apple, as well as fraudsters posing as FTC officials directing victims to Bitcoin ATMs or cash couriers. Arizona, Indiana, and Nevada reported the highest fraud complaint rates among

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes held an Elder Scams Town Hall in Nogales, informing nearly 100 seniors about the rising threat of elder fraud, noting that Arizona had 246 elder fraud cases per 100,000 seniors in 2022—the highest in the United States. Mayes highlighted various scam tactics targeting seniors, including romance scams, phishing emails, telemarketing, gift card scams, and cryptocurrency fraud, emphasizing that scammers exploit emotional manipulation and increasingly use AI technology to mimic loved ones' voices. She advised attendees not to answer unknown calls, never share personal information over the phone, create "safe words" with loved ones

A Peoria, Arizona man lost $27,000 of his life savings after scammers impersonated his bank via text message, convincing him to withdraw funds and deposit them into a fraudulent Apple Wallet account they created on his iPhone. Local law enforcement intervened after he reported the fraud, and detective Michael Finney was able to recover approximately 90% of the stolen funds within five months by obtaining a warrant to freeze the scammer's accounts. The detective emphasized that reporting fraud within 72 hours is critical for recovery, and recommended never responding directly to unsolicited communications claiming to be from banks or government agencies—instead calling official phone numbers on the back of bank cards or

Christina Chapman, an Arizona and Minnesota resident, was recruited via LinkedIn in March 2020 to facilitate a North Korean government scheme that placed thousands of remote IT workers—using stolen identities—into positions at major US companies including Nike and Fortune 500 tech firms, with Chapman managing "laptop farms" and validating fraudulent identity documents. Chapman's role helped North Korea generate millions of dollars for its nuclear weapons program while enabling identity theft and potential cyber intrusions into US corporate networks. She was sentenced to eight years in prison for her participation in the scheme.

This article is about education funding and government litigation, not elder fraud. It does not fit the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database. The article describes Attorney General Mayes securing the restoration of $132 million in federal education funding to Arizona that had been frozen by the Trump Administration, achieved through a coalition lawsuit filed by 23 state attorneys general. No elder abuse, scams, or fraud targeting seniors is involved.

Technical support scams disproportionately affect elderly victims, representing approximately 60% of cases in Pima County, Arizona. A 62-year-old Green Valley man lost $53,000 after responding to a fake Bank of America text directing him to withdraw funds and mail them to Florida; authorities recovered the full amount by intercepting the packages in New Mexico. The Pima County Sheriff's Department reports 260 tech support scams out of 550 total fraud cases this year and advises residents to avoid clicking unsolicited links, never provide banking information to callers, and hang up immediately on suspected scammers before verifying any request directly with their bank.