Explore the Archive

Iowa's Attorney General's office reported a rise in grandparent scams targeting older adults in the state, particularly in Western Iowa. Scammers impersonate grandchildren claiming emergency situations—such as bail money, car accidents, or medical bills—and pressure victims to wire money or provide credit/debit card information immediately. Authorities advise grandparents to hang up, independently contact their grandchild or family members to verify the claim, and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement rather than complying with the scammer's demands.

Congressman Zach Nunn introduced legislation to combat "pig butchering" scams, which target elderly victims into investing in fraudulent opportunities; authorities seized $300 million in stolen funds from these schemes in 2023 alone. The bill would provide federal grant funding to local and state law enforcement agencies to investigate these fraud cases. Iowa's Attorney General's office reported receiving over 13,000 fraud complaints related to these scams.

AARP Iowa's Fraud Watch Program uses education and support services to help prevent and respond to scams, particularly romance scams targeting older adults. The program offers presentations, hotlines, and personalized assistance to victims, helping them navigate both financial recovery and emotional healing while addressing the shame that often prevents victims from seeking help.

Iowa Attorney General Brena Bird warned of a rising trend of "grandparent scams" targeting older adults, in which scammers impersonate grandchildren and claim to be in accidents, hospitalized, or jailed, then request money. Bird advised seniors to hang up and verify such claims directly with trusted family members and to report suspected scams to local law enforcement.

Senator Dick Durbin questioned experts about phone scams targeting seniors, highlighting the growing threat of crypto ATM fraud as a tool used by scammers. An Iowa attorney general investigation found that over 98% of money seniors sent through Bitcoin Depot and 95% through Coinflip involved fraudulent transactions, with victims often deceived into believing they were preventing criminal prosecution. Durbin described seniors crying and distressed while depositing money into crypto ATMs and referenced support for legislation to address this scheme, with the AARP confirming they have witnessed victims being directed to these machines by criminals.

Steve Deines of Marion, Iowa lost thousands of dollars to overseas scammers who used phone harassment and pressure tactics to convince him to send money via gift cards and grant remote computer access. Local police emphasize that recovered funds are virtually impossible once transferred overseas, and they stress public education as the best prevention, advising people to avoid paying anyone with gift cards, ignore scare tactics and urgency demands, and verify requests through trusted contacts before taking action.

Iowa's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and AARP State Director are conducting statewide educational stops to raise awareness about AI-enabled scams targeting elderly residents. The latest fraud scheme involves criminals using artificial intelligence to impersonate grandchildren, replicating their voices and phone numbers to deceive seniors in "grandparent scams."

Iowans lost nearly $30 million to fraud in 2022, with older adults disproportionately targeted because they tend to have more assets, may be less tech-savvy, and are more trusting. People ages 70-79 lost an average of $43,000 per scam incident, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Common red flags include promises of something free, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information or money transfers, vague details, and unsolicited contact.

An 83-year-old Iowa woman avoided a gift card scam where a caller claimed she had won $2 million and demanded a $150 gift card to claim the prize. Iowa reported nearly 13,000 fraud cases in 2023 resulting in $42.6 million in losses, with gift card scams accounting for $228 million stolen nationally, prompting AARP and state officials to launch an 18-stop awareness tour and push for legislation requiring stores to post gift card scam warnings.

Wapello County Sheriff Don Phillips receives fraud complaints at least weekly, often involving money already sent by victims. Iowa Fraud Fighters, a coalition of state officials, is conducting community tours to educate citizens on fraud prevention, including details of a recent case where two Chinese nationals scammed area farmers out of $1 million through a "pig butchering" scheme that began on social media and evolved into financial manipulation. Sheriff Phillips emphasizes that scams are widespread and ongoing, advising residents to be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true and to contact law enforcement for assistance.

The University of Iowa police department warned Hawkeye fans about ticket and merchandise scams, which primarily occur through social media and instant messaging platforms. Police advised fans to purchase only from official sources like the university's ticket office and SeatGeek, avoid sharing sensitive information with strangers, and be skeptical of unusually low ticket prices. The warning encourages reporting any suspected scams to authorities.

This educational piece promotes Iowa State University Extension's "Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" workshop, which teaches adults 60+ and caregivers how to identify and protect themselves from common scams and financial crimes. The workshop emphasizes that older Americans face heightened fraud risk, with elder financial fraud being the most common form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans aged 62+. Free resources and community workshops are available through local Extension offices and the Federal Trade Commission.

Wapello County, Iowa receives at least one scam report weekly, with senior citizens being the primary targets. Sheriff Don Phillips reported a notable case involving two Chinese nationals who scammed a local farmer out of $1 million through a "pig butchering" scam that began on Instagram, with the case involving federal authorities including the Department of Homeland Security. To address the growing problem, the Iowa Fraud Fighters—a coalition of AARP, the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services, and the Iowa Attorney General's Office—held a public awareness event to educate residents on scam prevention tactics.

In 2023, Iowa experienced $42.6 million in fraud losses across 12,999 reported cases to the Federal Trade Commission, making the state the 40th most defrauded by population. The article highlights that scammers employ increasingly sophisticated tactics targeting people of all ages, and encourages victims to report fraud to the FTC.

Iowa insurance and law enforcement officials warned residents about increasingly sophisticated scams targeting emotions and urgency, where scammers impersonate authority figures like law enforcement or lottery officials to pressure victims into withdrawing cash or transferring funds. In 2022, Iowans lost $24.5 million to fraud across 19,645 reported incidents, with a median loss of $201 per victim, representing a 30% increase from the previous year. State officials launched a 16-stop educational tour to help Iowans recognize common scam tactics and protect themselves, emphasizing that prevention is the most effective defense against fraud.

Gift card scams are increasing in prevalence, with scammers using phone calls to direct victims to purchase gift cards, scratch off the codes, and provide the numbers to them over the phone, resulting in immediate fund loss. Iowa's Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and AARP are promoting education about these scams and supporting legislation that would require retailers to post warning signs at gift card kiosks directing consumers to report suspected scams. The proposed bill has passed its first legislative deadline.

Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen conducted a statewide "Stop the Scammers" educational tour in Mt. Pleasant to inform older residents about common fraud schemes including romance scams, grandparent scams, investment scams, and pig butchering scams. Ommen emphasized that scammers exploit emotional vulnerabilities and target older Iowans by conducting personal research and creating deceptive relationships to extract thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The campaign aimed to educate residents so they could share protective information with family and friends to help prevent fraud victimization.

I cannot provide a summary of this article as requested. The content provided is a weather alert and forecast for Eastern Iowa, not an article about romance scams or elder fraud. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the actual article about romance scams in Eastern Iowa.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned residents about increased imposter scams during tax season, particularly scammers impersonating the IRS who call to solicit personal information. Bird advised against answering unknown numbers, sending payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and recommended contacting local law enforcement or the attorney general's office if targeted by scams involving the IRS, UPS impersonation, or romance fraud.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers a free research-based workshop called "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" designed for adults 60 and older to help them identify and prevent financial scams. The workshop addresses why seniors are targeted by scammers, reviews common fraud schemes in Iowa, and provides strategies to protect finances, as elder financial fraud is the most prevalent form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans age 62 and older. Interested participants can contact their local ISU Extension county office to request the workshop in their community.

John F. Clarke, a 55-year-old Des Moines man with a long history of scamming women through dating apps to steal their personal and financial information, received a five-year prison sentence for violating probation in Polk and Linn counties by leaving the state, losing employment without notification, and missing probation appointments. The sentence is expected to be followed by additional prison time for his underlying fraud convictions.

Law enforcement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is warning seniors about an evolving "grandparent scam" that uses AI to impersonate distressed relatives and manipulate victims into withdrawing large cash amounts, sometimes picked up by couriers posing as family members. Scammers use social media information and spoofed phone numbers or deepfake voices to create urgency and pressure victims to act quickly without verification. Police recommend establishing a family password system for emergencies, verifying unexpected requests by calling trusted contacts directly, and reporting suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.

A Cedar Rapids woman nearly fell victim to a rental scam on Facebook Marketplace when she found a listing for a house at $511/month with all utilities included. The scammer had stolen photos and property descriptions from Zillow.com and requested personal information including the victim's Social Security number; the victim discovered the fraud through a Google search and connected with the actual landlord. According to the FBI, rental scams affected over 11,000 victims who lost $350 million in 2021, with scammers commonly using artificially low prices and urgency tactics to pressure victims before they can verify the property's legitimacy.

This article warns about eclipse-related scams targeting travelers heading to the path of totality during the 2017 Great American Eclipse. Scammers are posting fake vacation rental listings on sites like Airbnb and Facebook Marketplace at inflated prices, and selling counterfeit eclipse glasses with forged safety certification seals. The Iowa Better Business Bureau advises consumers to book through legitimate websites with refund policies, pay by credit card rather than gift cards or Venmo, verify rental listings aren't duplicated across multiple communities, check seller credibility, and purchase eclipse glasses from trusted vendors or the American Astronomical Society's approved list.

This is not an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is an obituary for James Richard Nerge, a 79-year-old former music teacher and band director who passed away on April 4, 2024. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus fraud research database and cannot be summarized as requested.

Matthew David Keirans, a 58-year-old former University of Iowa hospital IT employee, pleaded guilty to federal identity theft charges after impersonating William Woods for three decades, earning over $140,000 annually while living in Milwaukee. The fraud was discovered when the real William Woods, whom Keirans had met in the 1980s, reported the identity theft to authorities; Woods had previously spent two years in prison and was institutionalized after being wrongly accused of the crime himself. Keirans faces several years in prison, and a hearing is scheduled to clear Woods' name.

An Iowa resident paid approximately $48,000 to Revolution Solar Company in April 2023 for solar panel installation, but the system was not activated for nearly seven months and was found to be non-functional when turned on. The company subsequently went out of business, leaving the customer unable to obtain repairs or pursue the promised insurance coverage that was supposed to address such problems. The Hamilton, Illinois City Council has warned tri-state residents about the company after multiple complaints, and the Better Business Bureau reports a rising trend of solar scams where installed systems fail to meet promised specifications.

A 2024 Better Business Bureau study found that young adults ages 18-24 reported losing more money to scams than older age groups, contrary to common assumptions about elder fraud. Employment scams were the most prevalent fraud type for this age group (30% of reports), with a median loss of $1,819, often involving fake checks or reshipping schemes, while online purchase scams accounted for 29.1% of reports. Young victims were primarily targeted through text messages, social media platforms like Instagram and X, and online payment systems, with wire transfers generating the highest median losses ($2,150).

I cannot provide a summary of this text because it does not contain information about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The provided content is only a technical notice about a streaming app requirement and does not relate to the Elderus database's focus on elder fraud research. If you have an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse you'd like summarized, please share that instead.

A mother in Des Moines, Iowa discovered her adult son with intellectual and developmental disabilities had fallen victim to a romance scam after a woman he met on Facebook built rapport with him over a week and convinced him to cash a check, purchase $1,500 in Apple gift cards, and send her the card numbers before the scheme was discovered when the check bounced. Law enforcement officials emphasize that people with disabilities are frequent targets of online and phone scams, and recommend caregivers maintain open communication about their loved one's online contacts, utilize parental controls, and educate them about red flags such as requests for gift cards, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency.

A Central Iowa woman nearly fell for a sophisticated jury duty scam in which a caller impersonated a Polk County sheriff's sergeant, provided her correct personal information, and falsely claimed she had missed jury duty and had a warrant for her arrest. The scammer spoofed the sheriff's office phone number and used detailed personal data found online to appear credible, but the victim's husband identified red flags including incorrect county information and the demand for payment. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, these scams are increasingly common and difficult to investigate; legitimate fines for missed jury duty are only imposed by judges in court, never by law enforcement over the phone.

I appreciate you sharing this, but this appears to be a technical instruction or navigation text for a streaming platform rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. There's no information about fraudulent activity, victims, scam types, or elder-related incidents to summarize. If you have an actual article about elder fraud or scams you'd like me to summarize for the Elderus database, please share that content and I'll be happy to help.

This article is about weather conditions (rainfall reports) in Iowa and Minnesota, not about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is not relevant to the Elderus database and cannot be summarized for that purpose.

**Jury Duty/Court Warrant Scam** Scammers impersonating Clinton County deputies are calling victims claiming they missed a court appearance and have an arrest warrant, demanding immediate payment of $3,000-$6,000 in Bitcoin through nearby kiosks to post bond. This is the top fraud-related call currently reported to law enforcement in Clinton County, with multiple victims caught in recent weeks; scammers spoof Iowa phone numbers, keep victims on the line, and falsely promise refunds if the victim claims they never received a subpoena.

**Not an Elder Fraud Case** This article does not match the Elderus database scope. The case involves child sexual abuse crimes, not elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It should not be included in the elder fraud research database.

According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, elderly people lost more than $3 billion to scams in 2023, with common schemes including romance scams (one victim lost over $300,000), lottery scams, and impersonation scams involving fake law enforcement or family members in distress. Clive Police Detective Maurio Coleman advises victims to establish code words with loved ones, verify claims by calling the person directly, avoid paying through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or ic3.gov to help identify patterns across jurisdictions.

Elderly Iowans lost over $16 million to scams in the past year, with FBI data showing this is likely underreported and mirrors rising national trends among seniors. Investment scams pose the greatest financial threat to older adults, while newer schemes like phantom hacker scams convince victims to convert assets to precious metals and cash for supposed protection. The FBI advises victims to contact their financial institutions immediately to freeze assets, avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify government officials independently, and report incidents to law enforcement.

Following disasters, scammers target vulnerable victims through recorded calls promising government grants, flood insurance, or disaster assistance in attempts to steal credit card and banking information. Key prevention strategies include asking detailed questions of service providers, independently verifying identities by contacting organizations directly, avoiding high-pressure decisions, and consulting trusted sources before committing to any offers or contracts. Residents should report suspected scams to the Iowa Attorney General's Office and consult FEMA resources to verify legitimate disaster assistance.

This is an educational advisory from the Better Business Bureau warning consumers about online shopping scams during summer sales season. The article provides seven key prevention tips: research retailers and check BBB.org, watch for phishing emails and texts, scrutinize social media ads and look-alike websites (checking URLs for slight variations), verify website security features like "https," avoid suspiciously underpriced popular items, ensure professional website quality, and always pay with credit cards rather than digital wallets or prepaid cards.

This educational piece identifies six common scams targeting Iowa storm victims: FEMA impersonation scams, contractor fraud (storm chasers), fake charities, insurance claim scams, phishing communications, and identity theft. The article provides preventative measures for each scam type, including verifying credentials, obtaining multiple estimates, researching charities through watchdog organizations, contacting insurance companies directly, and freezing credit. Resources provided include the Iowa Attorney General's Office, Iowa Insurance Division, and FEMA fraud hotline for reporting suspected fraud.

Ella Mae Woods, 76, a former Brattleboro resident, was sentenced to 12 months in prison for wire fraud and theft of government money after pleading guilty in May 2024 to misappropriating her deceased mother's Social Security benefits for approximately 28 years. Woods fraudulently collected $328,000 in payments that should have stopped when her mother died in 1994, including opening bank accounts in her mother's name and forging signature documents; she was ordered to pay full restitution of $328,000 and serve one year of supervised release following her prison term.

The Coalition Against Financial Crime is hosting a scam awareness event on September 12 in Bettendorf, Iowa to educate financial institutions, law enforcement, and businesses about evolving fraud tactics. Common scams discussed include romance scams, check fraud, work-from-home schemes, and back-to-school scams, with experts advising the public to slow down before making financial decisions and learn to verify information to avoid victimization.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting an educational workshop titled "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" on September 24 to help older adults and caregivers recognize and prevent financial exploitation. The program covers common fraud types, warning signs, and protective strategies, noting that elder financial fraud is the most common form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans aged 62 and older.

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird raised awareness about rising romance scams targeting state residents, highlighting a case where an Iowa woman lost over $10,000 to a Facebook scammer who fabricated a story about needing money for travel documentation from Turkey. The scammer built trust through shared interests before exploiting the victim's goodwill with repeated requests for money via Bitcoin ATM, with little prospect of recovery. Bird advises Iowans to avoid sending money to online contacts, sharing personal information, or responding to unsolicited communications.

Iowa County Sheriff Rob Rotter reports that scams are vastly underreported due to victim embarrassment, with an estimated 59 million people scammed annually and $50,000-$60,000 lost yearly in Iowa County alone. Rotter highlighted common scams including lottery/tax schemes (one couple lost $130,000 across multiple scams), robocalls targeting seniors with health insurance offers, and "grandparent scams" where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress, recommending victims report fraud to authorities and verify caller identity by hanging up and calling back known numbers.

**Summary:** Iowa State University Extension and Outreach hosted an educational program called "Stay Independent: Spot, Stop and Avoid Fraud" at Vinton Public Library on September 24, 2024, designed for adults 60+ and their caregivers. The workshop provided information on identifying common fraud schemes targeting older adults, understanding why seniors are vulnerable to financial exploitation, and learning protective strategies, with the program noting that elder financial fraud is the most common form of elder abuse affecting over 50 million Americans aged 62 and older.

**Type:** Publishers Clearing House Scam / Elder Fraud **Victim:** Monty Thompson, Iowa resident **Outcome:** Monty lost over $8,000 in two months and died by suicide on July 24th after being scammed. Monty Thompson was targeted by offshore scammers claiming he had won millions of dollars and a Ford F-150 from Publishers Clearing House, but was required to pay taxes and fees upfront before receiving his prize. After losing over $8,000 and facing continued contact from the scammers (who called over 20 times), Monty took his own life. The Iowa Attorney

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services notified nearly 947,000 Medicare beneficiaries that their personal information, including Social Security numbers and Medicare claim numbers, may have been compromised in a data breach affecting Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp., a claims processor in six states. The breach occurred between May 27-31, 2023, through a vulnerability in MOVEit file-transfer software, but was only discovered during a May 2024 security review; CMS and the contractor reported no confirmed cases of identity fraud resulting from the exposure but are advising beneficiaries to monitor their accounts.

This 2010 opinion article alleges that Republican political leaders used misleading marketing tactics targeting seniors during the healthcare reform debate, spreading false claims about "death panels" and government rationing to discourage support for the Affordable Care Act. The piece argues that Republican messaging exploited seniors' fears about healthcare changes despite the proposed reforms actually including benefits like closing the prescription drug "doughnut hole" and extending Medicare's solvency. While this is political commentary rather than reporting on an actual financial scam, it characterizes the political campaign as a "marketing scam" that used fearmongering to manipulate elderly voters.

This article does not contain information relevant to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. The content covers Iowa State football coaching news, a holiday music performance, a senior living facility's open house, and child welfare programs. No summary is applicable for the Elderus database.