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A Republican-led congressional committee looking into potential fraud in the publicly funded health care program for lower-income people is expanding their investigation to Oregon and several other st...

# Romance Scam Summary Romance scams have become increasingly prevalent and costly, with victims reporting $12.5 billion in investment-related fraud losses in 2024—triple the amount from three years prior. Scammers typically pose as attractive, successful individuals on dating apps and social media, using fake profiles and AI-generated content to build trust before pressuring victims into fake investments or requesting money directly. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like unsolicited contact, pressure to invest quickly, promises of easy money, or any request for financial information, and verify any investment opportunities through official regulatory websites before proceeding.

# Scammers are sending fake text messages impersonating Oregon's Department of Transportation (ODOT) and DMV, claiming recipients owe unpaid traffic fines or tolls and demanding immediate payment through fraudulent links. The messages use urgent language and phony official codes to appear legitimate, but ODOT and the DMV never request payment via unsolicited texts, emails, or calls. To protect yourself, delete these messages without clicking any links, block the sender, and verify any claims by calling ODOT directly at 1-888-Ask-ODOT or DMV at 1-855-540-6655.

# Digital Literacy Effort Targets Scam Prevention for Older Adults Internet scams cost Americans a record $16.6 billion in 2024, with older adults being particularly vulnerable to fraud that can lead to financial losses and increase isolation by discouraging technology use. Two Oregon nonprofits are promoting digital literacy programs through resources like public libraries and educational comics to help seniors build confidence in using technology safely. Experts recommend verifying the origin of messages by calling senders at official numbers, never feeling pressured to act immediately, and taking time to confirm requests before sharing any personal information.

A Franklin County apartment manager was arrested this week and charged with 12 felonies after authorities discovered she voted in both Washington and Oregon and fraudulently filled out and submitted ballots for three former tenants without their knowledge or consent. The scheme was uncovered when election officials noticed an irregularity in one ballot, which prompted an investigation that revealed the suspect had also committed identity theft by signing the other voters' names. If you suspect similar voter fraud or election irregularities, contact the Franklin County Sheriff's Office at (509)-545-3501 to speak with Detective Gardner.

The Oregon Department of Justice warned of scammers impersonating lawyers to defraud victims, with two reported cases resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in losses. In one case, a victim met someone on the dating app Hinge who posed as an attorney offering investment services and transferred funds; in another, scammers gained unauthorized access to attorney and client email accounts to intercept a $700,000+ settlement payment using false wiring instructions. The advisory recommends verifying legal and financial communications through direct phone contact with known numbers and advises victims to report incidents to the FBI, local police, and financial regulatory agencies.

Financial fraud in Oregon resulted in an estimated $201 million in reported losses and $1.2 billion in unreported losses in 2025, with the FBI and FTC reporting significant increases in fraud cases nationwide. The state's economy faces a projected $3.9 billion reduction in GDP, $2.6 billion reduction in personal income, and approximately 15,000 job losses due to all financial fraud (reported and unreported). Oregon ranks 26th-28th among states for cyber-enabled crime losses and elder fraud complaints, with fraud cases up 3,336 since 2022 and total losses up 285% since 2020.

Oregon law enforcement agencies issued a public warning about common summer scams, including impersonators posing as police or court officials demanding payment for missed jury duty via cryptocurrency or gift cards, fraudsters claiming pets have been hit by cars to extort veterinary fees, and fake vacation rental listings offering unrealistic deals. Officials advised residents to independently verify contact information, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and use only authorized vendors for ticket purchases and vacation bookings.

The Oregon Department of Justice warned residents of a rising "gold bar" scam targeting Pacific Northwest residents, in which scammers impersonating banks or government agencies convince victims their accounts are compromised and pressure them to purchase gold bars and hand them over to couriers. Recent victims in Eastern Oregon lost significant amounts—one woman lost $600,000 with an additional $300,000 in gold bars prevented by police intervention, and another lost $60,000 in a related silver bar scam. Officials emphasized that no legitimate financial institution or government agency requests customers to liquidate assets into gold and transfer them to strangers.

A text message scam targeting Pennsylvania residents falsely claims to be from the state's DMV threatening vehicle registration and driver's license suspension over unpaid traffic tickets, with messages originating from an Oregon area code and containing links to fraudulent payment pages. The scam uses non-existent Pennsylvania administrative codes and has been linked by the FBI to Chinese hacking groups, with recent reports showing messages sent to multiple recipients in group texts. Residents are advised not to click links in suspicious text messages, as the legitimate DMV does not handle traffic ticket enforcement.

An Eastern Oregon woman in her 60s lost $600,000 to scammers posing as federal agents who instructed her to purchase gold bars and transfer ownership to them for "safekeeping," though intervention by state officials prevented an additional $300,000 loss. A second woman in the region also lost $60,000 in a similar silver bar scam. Oregon Department of Justice officials warn that government agencies, banks, and tech companies never request customers buy precious metals or transfer ownership, and advise people to hang up on unsolicited callers and report suspicious activity to authorities.

An Eastern Oregon woman in her 60s lost $600,000—most of her life savings—to scammers who impersonated federal agents and instructed her to buy gold bars and transfer ownership to them for "safekeeping." Authorities intervened after her sister called the state consumer protection hotline and were able to prevent an additional $300,000 in gold bars from being handed over; a similar scam also targeted another eastern Oregon woman who lost $60,000 in silver bars. Oregon officials warn that legitimate government agencies, banks, and tech companies never ask people to purchase precious metals or transfer ownership, and urge the public to hang up on such callers and report suspicious contacts to authorities.

An Eastern Oregon woman lost $600,000 (nearly her entire life savings) to scammers impersonating federal agents who convinced her that her financial accounts were at risk and instructed her to purchase gold bars for "safekeeping." Her sister's call to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Protection Hotline enabled law enforcement to intervene and prevent an additional $300,000 from being transferred before the final transaction could occur.

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

A "smishing" scam impersonating Oregon's DMV has targeted residents with text messages claiming outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension unless immediate payment is made. For those who clicked malicious links, authorities recommend immediately checking financial accounts for fraudulent charges, scanning devices for malware, freezing credit with reporting agencies, and reporting the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to local law enforcement. The Oregon DMV clarifies it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications.

Scammers impersonating U.S. federal agencies (SSA, FDIC, IRS) are sending fraudulent letters, emails, texts, and pop-ups to Washington residents claiming identity theft or legal issues and demanding cash or gold payments. In early 2025 alone, scammers stole over $1 million from three Clallam County residents, with victims also identified in Jefferson County and Oregon. Red flags include unsolicited government contact via pop-ups or text, requests for cash withdrawals or gold purchases, demands to sign NDAs, and instructions to use unofficial couriers—none of which legitimate federal agencies would do.

**Summary:** The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation issued a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day alert highlighting that approximately 1 in 10 Americans age 60 and older experience elder abuse, with financial exploitation losses estimated between $2.6 billion and $36 billion annually. The agency warns that older adults—particularly those who are socially isolated—are disproportionately targeted by scammers using familiarity, fear, and urgency tactics, and advises families to watch for warning signs including suspicious financial changes, new overly-protective relationships, and unexplained asset disappearances. Oregon's mandatory reporting requirements and support resources, including a toll-free hotline and consumer advocate assistance,

The Oregon DMV warned residents of a phishing scam involving unsolicited text and email messages falsely claiming outstanding traffic violations and threatening vehicle registration suspension or credit damage unless payment is made via a provided link. The DMV emphasized it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications and advises recipients to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

Multiple states including Kansas, New Mexico, Missouri, and Oregon have warned residents about widespread text and email scams falsely claiming unpaid toll debts and threatening license suspension or legal action to pressure victims into revealing personal and financial information. Scammers are targeting states with no toll roads, and in Indiana's case, fraudulent emails posing as the state DOT requesting payment for TxTag balances were traced to a contractor's hacked account. Authorities recommend reporting suspected scam texts and emails to the Federal Trade Commission and Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Scammers are sending phishing text messages impersonating Oregon's DMV and ODOT, claiming recipients have unpaid toll balances and threatening license suspension or fines to pressure immediate payment. The fake messages contain links to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial information; consumers should delete such texts, never click links, and verify toll status directly with ODOT at 1-888-Ask-ODOT or report the scam to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

David and Susette McDonald, elderly Hubbard property owners, sued excavator Greg Wing and his company All-Ways Excavating for negligence, fraud, and elder abuse, alleging he misrepresented permits, dumped contaminated countertop waste without permission, and caused David McDonald stress-induced strokes. The McDonalds are seeking $15 million; Wing has denied the allegations and countersued, claiming the McDonalds' grandson authorized his activities. Both waste pits halted operations in 2024 after Oregon Department of Environmental Quality threatened fines and ordered cleanup.

A Portland, Oregon single mother lost $40,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and used a fake hospital photo to guilt her into sending money over several months. The FTC reported that romance scams affected 70,000 people in 2022 with total losses of $1.3 billion, with a median loss of $4,400, and recommends victims never send money to online matches they haven't met, report scams to the FTC, and seek help from financial advisers to rebuild their finances.

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).

Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, was scammed out of $40,000 by a romance scammer posing as a civil engineer on Tinder who used Photoshopped images and emotional manipulation to gain her trust over several months. The scammer eventually convinced Powell to send money by claiming financial hardship and hospitalization, and later deposited $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account—funds that were frozen and disappeared when the scheme unraveled. Romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals are increasingly common on dating apps, with approximately 70,000 people reporting such fraud to the FTC in 2022, and experts note that one in ten

Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, was scammed out of $40,000 by a romance scammer on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey. The scammer used fabricated photos (including a Photoshopped image of MLB pitcher Phil Hughes) and months of intensive communication to build trust before requesting money for medical emergencies, eventually moving $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account before the funds disappeared. The article highlights that romance scams are increasingly prevalent on dating apps, with approximately 70,000 people targeted in 2022 alone, often using AI-generated fake profiles, and affecting vulnerable individuals seeking companionship.

Katie Powell, a single mother from Portland, Oregon, lost $40,000 to a romance scammer on Tinder who posed as a civil engineer working in Turkey and used fabricated photos and emotional manipulation to build trust over several months before requesting money. The scammer also fraudulently moved $750,000 into her Vanguard retirement account, which was frozen and the funds disappeared; romance scams are increasingly prevalent, with the FTC reporting approximately 70,000 victims in 2022 alone, particularly targeting people ages 40-69, and one in ten dating app profiles are reportedly fake profiles created by scammers using AI technology.

A woman in her 70s in Clark County, Washington lost over $500,000 in a gold coin scam after scammers impersonating law enforcement and federal agents convinced her that her social security number was compromised and her money needed to be safeguarded. The scheme operated over several months, ultimately tricking the victim into withdrawing funds and purchasing gold coins that were promised to be returned by an "undercover agent" but never were. Authorities are investigating whether this case is linked to a nearly identical scam in Portland, Oregon involving gold bars, as the pattern of official impersonation and asset protection claims appears consistent across both incidents.

An elderly woman in her 70s in Clark County, Washington was defrauded of over $500,000 in a sophisticated gold scam in which perpetrators impersonated Federal Office of Inspector General officials and convinced her that her social security number was compromised. The scammers pressured her to withdraw funds and purchase gold coins, which they claimed an "undercover agent" would safeguard and return, but the money was never returned. The Clark County Sheriff's Office is investigating this case alongside a similar incident in Portland, Oregon, and authorities believe the crimes may be linked.

**Article:** 10 States Where Retiree Fraud Is on the Rise According to analysis of government elder fraud complaint data, ten states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors). Other notably affected states include Utah (23% increase), Rhode Island and North Carolina (22% and 20% increases respectively), and Texas, Washington, Oregon, Mississippi, Kansas, and Oklahoma (ranging from 18-20% increases). The data underscores the need for retirees in these high-risk states to heighten financial vigil

A 2025 analysis of government elder fraud complaint data identified 10 states experiencing significant increases in fraud cases targeting retirees between 2022 and 2023. Arizona led with a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase), with Texas, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma also showing substantial growth ranging from 18-20%. The data underscores the need for vigilance among retirees in these high-risk states.

Ten U.S. states experienced significant increases in elder fraud cases between 2022 and 2023, with Arizona leading at a 36% increase (212 to 289 cases per 100,000 seniors), followed by Utah (23% increase) and Rhode Island (22% increase). Other states with notable rises include Texas, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, Kansas, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, all ranging from 18-20% increases in fraud complaints per capita. The analysis highlights that popular retirement destinations are experiencing elevated fraud risk, prompting seniors in these states to increase financial vigilance.

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office issued an alert warning residents about an impersonation scam in which fraudsters pose as law enforcement and claim victims have arrest warrants or missed jury duty, demanding money or gift cards as "bail" while creating false urgency to pressure quick payment. Legitimate law enforcement never demands payment over the phone to resolve legal matters. Victims should hang up immediately and can verify caller information by contacting the sheriff's dispatch center at 541-440-4471 or report the scam to the Oregon Department of Justice Consumer Hotline at 1-877-877-9392.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It concerns wildlife conservation policy in Oregon, not elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. No summary applicable to elder fraud research.

Violent crime against seniors in the United States increased 331% over the past decade, prompting a shift in retirement planning toward safety considerations. Seniorly's analysis of FBI data and federal statistics identified New Jersey as the safest state for older adults to retire, followed by New York and Mississippi, while Colorado and Western states (Nevada, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico) ranked as the most dangerous due to high rates of elder fraud, property crime, and violent crime. The safest states were characterized by strong police presence, lower elder fraud rates, and better healthcare access, with East Coast states dominating the top 10.

Violent crime against seniors in the United States increased 331% over the past decade, prompting a comprehensive safety analysis of all 50 states across seven categories including scams, violent crime, property crime, falls, and healthcare access. New Jersey ranked as the safest state for retirement with low elder fraud and violent crime rates, while East Coast states dominated the top 10; conversely, Western states like Colorado, Nevada, Washington, and Oregon ranked as the least safe due to high property crime, elder fraud, and limited police presence. The research reveals a significant shift in retirement planning priorities, with older adults now prioritizing security alongside traditional factors.

Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, two brothers from Co Fermanagh, were sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud against elderly homeowners across the United States. The brothers defrauded victims nationwide by falsely claiming homes needed urgent repairs (roof holes, foundation cracks, driveway work), extracting over $1 million total—including $435,000 from a single Shoreline homeowner through aggressive, daily demands for checks and wire transfers. They have agreed to pay restitution exceeding $1 million to victims in Washington, Oregon, Illinois, and other states.

Irish brothers Patrick and Matthew McDonagh were sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding elderly homeowners across the country of over $400,000 through a roofing and foundation repair scam. The pair traveled nationally approaching elderly homeowners, falsely claiming urgent repairs were needed, then pressured victims into writing multiple checks for unnecessary or fake work; in one Shoreline case, they stole $435,000 from a single homeowner before the scheme was uncovered. The defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to pay over $1 million in restitution to victims in Washington, Oregon, and Illinois.

Two Irish brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, were sentenced to 18 months in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud targeting elderly homeowners across the United States. The scheme involved falsely claiming homes needed urgent repairs (roof holes, foundation damage) and pressuring victims to write checks; one Shoreline, Washington homeowner lost $435,000, while victims in Oregon, Illinois, and Bellevue lost an additional $798,000 combined. The defendants have agreed to pay over $1 million in restitution to their victims.

Door-to-door contractor Adam Waldrop, 23, was arrested and charged with eight felony counts and one misdemeanor for allegedly scamming at least two Los Altos elderly women out of a combined $4,750 for roofing and garage-door repairs he never performed in February and March 2024. Waldrop, who used at least 13 aliases including Billy Thomas Wilson, also faces additional warrants in Merced and Oregon, and police suspect he is connected to scams in other states.

The University of Oregon's Information Security Office reports positive results from simulated phishing email training campaigns, with employee click-through rates on fake phishing emails dropping from 40 percent in early 2022 to 19 percent by spring 2024. Phishing scams attempt to trick recipients into sharing sensitive information or clicking malicious links, potentially leading to identity theft, financial loss, or unauthorized system access, with cybercriminals targeting universities particularly during semester starts and breaks. The university recommends remaining vigilant against phishing attempts through email, phone, text, or chat; utilizing training resources; and reporting suspicious messages, while warning that even though 98.2 percent of mal

The Oregon Department of Human Services' Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance (SHIBA) program is offering free help during Medicare Open Enrollment (October 29 - December 7, 2025) to assist beneficiaries in comparing and changing plans, understanding new 2025 Medicare benefits like lower drug cost maximums ($2,000) and expanded coverage for weight loss drugs and mental health services, and detecting Medicare scams. SHIBA certified counselors provide assistance via phone (800-722-4134), virtual, and in-person appointments and can help report common scams that target seniors seeking free medical equipment or genetic testing by attempting to obtain Medicare numbers for billing fraud.

Scammers posing as FBI and government agents are conducting an international fraud scheme where they trick seniors into liquidating assets into cash or gold, then arrange in-person pickups by couriers at victims' homes. An 83-year-old Salem man lost $90,000 after being contacted through a computer pop-up, threatened with arrest, and instructed to hand over cash to couriers in his driveway; in the past six months, Oregon victims lost over $3.3 million in at least three documented cases, with law enforcement making arrests through sting operations. The FBI reports this organized scheme involves hundreds of millions of dollars being funneled internationally, with couriers operating across multiple

Truth Social users, predominantly older Americans, lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to scammers using "pig butchering" schemes and romance scams, according to FTC complaints obtained by a tech reporter. Victims included a 60-64-year-old from Minnesota who lost $500,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam, a septuagenarian who lost $21,000 in a romance-based scheme, and a 70-74-year-old from Oregon who lost $120,000 in a fake gold trading scam. Scammers typically build trust on Truth Social before moving victims to other platforms and convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency, stock, or precious

Two Irish brothers, Patrick and Matthew McDonagh, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud for stealing over $400,000 from elderly homeowners across the Northwest and Illinois by posing as home repair contractors. Using high-pressure tactics and false claims of necessary repairs (roof holes, foundation cracks), they defrauded victims in Washington, Oregon, and Illinois of hundreds of thousands of dollars, with one Shoreline, Washington homeowner losing $435,000. The brothers have agreed to make restitution totaling over $1 million to their victims and face sentencing in November 2024, with prosecutors recommending 26 months in prison for each defendant.

Oregon's Medicaid Fraud Unit, which established a specialized team in 2023 focused on elder and disabled abuse cases, recently secured two criminal convictions: in-home caregiver Tara Saunders pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mistreatment and received 3 days jail plus 36 months probation, while registered nurse Phyllis Dodds pleaded guilty to the same charge and received 3 years probation for neglecting and mistreating three patients at Pacifica Senior Care in Klamath Falls, one of whom died. The dedicated team has prosecuted seven individuals total and pursued civil settlements, as Medicaid fraud referrals

This article is about a plane crash, not elder fraud or abuse. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus fraud research database and should not be summarized for this purpose. Please provide an article related to scams, fraud, elder abuse, or financial exploitation of seniors.

Phyllis Dodds, a registered nurse at Pacifica Senior Living in Klamath Falls, Oregon, pleaded guilty to felony criminal mistreatment in the first degree involving elder abuse. As part of her plea agreement, Dodds surrendered her nursing license, received three years of supervised probation, must complete 150 hours of community service, and is permanently prohibited from working as a paid caregiver.

A resident of Sisters, Oregon fell victim to a Facebook Marketplace firewood scam and is warning others to avoid similar fraud. The scammer used tactics including immediate questionnaire popups and falsely claiming to have oak firewood (unavailable in Central Oregon); the victim worked with authorities to disable a dozen scam pages and recommends paying only on cash-on-delivery terms to avoid upfront payment theft.

Registered Nurse Phyllis Dodds pleaded guilty to felony Criminal Mistreatment in the First Degree for failing to provide nursing care to three residents at Pacifica Senior Living in Klamath Falls, Oregon, including failing to complete critical assessments and follow-up medical treatment that resulted in one patient's death in January 2022. As part of her plea agreement, Dodds surrendered her nursing license, received three years of supervised probation, 150 hours of community service, and was prohibited from working as a paid caregiver. The Oregon Department of Justice's Medicaid Fraud Unit, working with local law enforcement and Adult Protective Services, has prosecut

The Better Business Bureau is warning job seekers about a fraudulent Idaho-based reshipping company called Intelligent Post, which contacts people through career websites like Indeed with fake remote job offers and requests personal information including government-issued ID photos to commit identity fraud and open fraudulent credit accounts. The dissolved company, operating under multiple aliases, has generated 47 scam tracker reports and eight complaints in the past 12 months, with at least two victims in Oregon under age 35. The BBB advises job seekers to verify employment offers through official company websites and avoid sharing sensitive personal information with unknown entities.