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Checked for accuracy by our qualified fact-checkers and verifiers. Find out more about fact-checking at CHOICE The Banking Code of Practice confers a duty on banks to be on the lookout for s...

While there are many types of elder fraud, power of attorney scams are particularly nefarious. Lyne Bien-Aime, a 55-year-old man, is facing charges for an alleged power of attorney scam in which he t...

Topic:Indigenous Australians Financial abuse can include being coerced to hand over cash to loved ones. (ABC News: Tristan Hooft) There are concerns the extent of the financial abuse of First Nation...

The time to build security and reduce stress for your loved ones is now, and, while it can seem overwhelming, DIY tools and free community resources are available to help. Making funeral arrangements...

# Romance Scams Target Midlife Women Seeking Connection Romance scams prey on emotionally vulnerable people—particularly midlife women seeking companionship—who are targeted online through dating apps, social media, LinkedIn, and text messages by criminals looking to exploit their empathy and access their money. According to AARP's Fraud Watch Network, these scams have nothing to do with intelligence but rather exploit emotional vulnerability, with criminals using flattery and manipulation to build trust before asking for money. To protect yourself, watch for red flags like requests for money, meetings that never happen, and overly quick declarations of love, and if you or a loved one becomes a victim, report it to the AARP Fraud Watch Network for support and guidance.

A West Hollywood man named James Kantor was sentenced to over four years in prison for his role in a fraud scheme targeting elderly and deceased people, where conspirators forged wills and trust documents to steal estates. The scheme began when one member of the group broke into homes of vulnerable people, and after discovering a deceased resident, the conspirators used stolen personal information to fraudulently access and transfer assets. If you have elderly relatives, especially those you're not in frequent contact with, regularly check in on them and monitor their financial accounts and important documents for suspicious activity.

An 84-year-old woman fell victim to multiple financial scams and frauds perpetrated by accountants, family members, home health aides, and lawyers who exploited her declining memory and trusting nature, stealing thousands of dollars and attempting to gain control of her assets. Her daughter's firsthand account highlights the growing problem of elder financial abuse affecting seniors nationwide as the elderly population increases. Families should protect vulnerable loved ones by monitoring financial accounts, requiring dual signatures on checks, verifying credentials of hired professionals, and maintaining open communication about suspicious requests.

Seniors are vulnerable to various forms of abuse including financial scams, romance schemes, and digital manipulation, with financial abuse by adult children being the most common type encountered by support organizations. According to Trishe Colman, program director for Kings Seniors' Safety in Nova Scotia, elder abuse can affect anyone but is more likely when there's isolation, dependence, or opportunity for power abuse. To protect themselves, seniors are advised to establish a power of attorney with someone they trust and connect with community organizations that provide free resources and safeguards like helping set up secure bank accounts.

# Fraud Summary An elderly retired anesthesiologist in his 80s lost over $8 million to "pig butchering" scams—a romance-based fraud where victims are gradually manipulated into sending money—after being groomed by a scammer posing as "Jessica Li" on Facebook starting in 2021. HSBC's U.S. banking arm is being sued for allegedly ignoring red flags such as large, frequent wire transfers and the customer's advanced age, even after he switched banks when his previous institution restricted his account. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited investment offers from online contacts, never share banking credentials or identification documents with people you've only met online, and alert your bank if you notice unusual activity on your accounts or feel pressured to make large transfers.

A woman discovered her brother, a former Wall Street executive, had failed to pay their 84-year-old mother's $20,000 monthly rent at a luxury senior living facility in Manhattan, despite having access to their mother's $9 million estate from a real estate sale. When the brother ignored repeated requests to resolve the unpaid bills, the sister flew to New York to investigate what turned out to be financial exploitation of their mother with dementia. The cautionary tale highlights how adult children with financial power over aging parents' accounts can mismanage or misappropriate funds, and emphasizes the importance of oversight, clear communication about financial responsibilities, and legal safeguards like power of attorney arrangements that include checks and balances among family members.

Voice phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers impersonating acquaintances and using personal details to trick victims into sending money—a threat that even celebrities like actors Sunwoo Yong-nyeo and Roh Joo-hyun recently fell victim to or narrowly escaped. In one case, a scammer impersonated actress Park Mi-sun claiming to have lost her phone, while in another, a caller offered a low-interest loan but suspiciously warned against contacting the bank. To protect yourself, hang up immediately if something feels off, independently verify any urgent requests by calling the person directly, and be wary of callers pressuring you not to contact your bank or tell others about the transaction.

# Financial Crime Summary Financial criminals frequently steal personal information like Social Security numbers and financial account details to make unauthorized purchases, open fraudulent accounts, or commit identity theft, leaving victims with serious financial and legal consequences. To protect yourself, stay informed about common scams, report suspicious activity promptly, and monitor your accounts and credit for warning signs of fraud. The Utah Attorney General's office and resources like the Stop Fraud Utah website, Division of Consumer Protection, and FBI website provide practical guidance on recognizing scams, understanding your rights, and reporting suspected fraud.

Minnesota has enacted a new law effective January 1st that strengthens legal protections for older adults who fall victim to scams or financial exploitation by family members or trusted individuals. The law allows vulnerable adults or their representatives to obtain orders of protection that can freeze accounts and cut off contact with perpetrators, giving courts and banks the authority to stop fraud faster than previously possible. Older adults should be aware of this resource if they experience financial scams or suspect exploitation, and financial professionals are now protected when reporting suspected crimes involving vulnerable populations.

# Cyber Scam Summary An elderly couple in Srinagar lost their lifetime savings of 48 lakh rupees to a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters posing as CBI and telecom authority officials convinced them through WhatsApp video calls that they were under criminal investigation and threatened immediate arrest and asset seizure. The scammers used forged government documents, psychological pressure, and isolation tactics (forbidding contact with family or police) to coerce the victims into transferring money over several days. To protect yourself, verify government agency contact through official channels rather than responding to unsolicited calls, know that real authorities won't demand money transfers or threaten arrest over the phone, and report suspicious communications to police immediately instead of engaging further with the caller.

Starting January 2026, over half of U.S. states have implemented new "Safe Harbor" laws that allow banks to freeze customer accounts for up to two weeks if they suspect elder financial exploitation, leaving thousands of retirees unable to access their own funds for routine transactions. Banks now have legal immunity to delay transfers without fear of lawsuits, causing AI-driven systems to aggressively flag legitimate transactions—like gifts to grandchildren—as potential scams. To navigate these changes, seniors should contact their bank in advance to understand their specific policies, inform institutions about planned large transfers, and verify any account holds directly with their bank rather than responding to unsolicited contacts.

Starting January 2026, over half of U.S. states enacted "Safe Harbor" laws that allow banks to freeze senior citizens' accounts for up to two weeks if they suspect financial exploitation, protecting the institutions from lawsuits while doing so. While these rules aim to prevent elder fraud, they can inadvertently lock legitimate account holders out of their own funds, preventing them from paying bills or making routine transfers. Seniors should contact their banks to understand their specific hold policies, document the purpose of large transfers clearly, and consider discussing transaction patterns with their banks in advance to avoid unexpected account freezes.

Banks are increasingly freezing routine transfers from seniors in 2026 due to new state "Hold Laws" and federal regulations that protect financial institutions from lawsuits when they delay transactions suspected of elder fraud. Thousands of retirees have had accounts frozen for up to two weeks, losing access to $3,500-$10,000, even for legitimate transfers to family members. To protect yourself, understand your bank's fraud policies, ask about their hold procedures before transfers, and maintain communication with your bank to quickly resolve freezes on legitimate transactions.

# Elder Fraud Summary Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $2.4 million to scammers in 2024, making them the group most targeted by financial fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Criminals use elaborate schemes—including imposter, romance, and sweepstakes scams—primarily through phone calls and online contact to gain trust and steal money or misuse personal property. Arvest Bank recommends that older adults and their families stay vigilant by learning about common scam tactics and verifying the legitimacy of unexpected financial requests before sharing any information or money.

Senior citizens face significant financial abuse, a common but often overlooked form of exploitation affecting vulnerable populations. According to legal expert Lori Rook, family involvement and reporting are critical strategies for preventing and stopping financial abuse against elderly individuals. To protect seniors, families should stay involved in their relatives' financial matters and report any suspicious activity to authorities promptly.

Recent cases in Japan revealed that seniors lost ¥50-90 million through bank passbook withdrawals labeled as "living expenses" that were actually transferred to caregivers or new spouses, with bank staff failing to question the transactions or alert families. Warning signs included multiple same-day withdrawals to a single recipient and notes citing vague purposes, often enabled by the account holder's cognitive decline. Families can protect elderly relatives by regularly reviewing bank statements and withdrawal patterns, requesting banks implement dual approvals for large transfers, and establishing legal guardianship or trust arrangements that restrict unsupervised access to accounts.

Starting January 1, 2026, Minnesota's new law enables courts to quickly intervene and protect vulnerable adults—including seniors and people with disabilities who depend on others for care—from financial exploitation and scams. Instead of waiting weeks or months for emergency conservatorship, victims or trusted contacts can now file a court petition to immediately separate alleged perpetrators from victims and secure or reverse fraudulent transactions, while still allowing victims access to funds for essential living expenses. If you suspect a vulnerable adult is being financially exploited, you can now seek rapid legal protection through the courts rather than waiting for slower traditional remedies.

The article discusses how healthy self-doubt can protect older adults from financial scams and fraud, using the example of a couple in their late 70s considering a bathroom remodeling project while aging in place at home. While the excerpt is incomplete, it suggests that questioning decisions and seeking input from trusted family and friends before making major financial commitments can help seniors avoid becoming victims of consumer fraud or financial abuse. The actionable advice for older adults is to embrace skepticism about financial decisions, consult trusted advisors before committing to major expenses, and be cautious about responding to unsolicited commercial offers.

Priscilla Presley, 80, is involved in an ongoing lawsuit with former business associates Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko, who allege she signed away 80% of her income and manipulated her into a controlling business relationship—claims Presley's legal team says are unethical attempts to cause pain to her family. The dispute stems from a 2023 breach of contract suit after Presley ended a business venture with Kruse designed to exploit her name and image, with Presley countersuing in 2024 for elder abuse and fraud. For anyone in similar situations, this case highlights the importance of carefully reviewing business contracts, understanding income agreements, and seeking independent legal counsel before signing away significant financial or personal rights.

Scammers posing as government officials and law enforcement are targeting Alaskans with calls demanding payment for missed jury duty or arrest warrants, causing losses exceeding $1.3 million in 2024—more than five times the previous year. To protect yourself, never provide personal information or make payments to callers claiming to be officials, and report suspicious calls immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and your bank, as early reporting may allow funds to be recovered. The scammers use caller ID spoofing, personalized details, and intimidation tactics to appear legitimate, so staying calm and verifying through official channels is crucial.

A 21-year-old woman in Lucknow was shot and injured by her ex-partner, Akash Kashyap, who allegedly forced his way into her home while intoxicated in December. The accused has a criminal history including physical abuse, sexual exploitation, and connections to a cyber fraud network that he used to launder stolen money. Police advise the public to report suspicious relationships involving controlling behavior, financial crimes, or threats of violence to authorities immediately, and to maintain contact with trusted family members if in similar situations.

A man in Lucknow shot his ex-girlfriend after she ended their year-long relationship, injuring her in the shoulder and arm. The accused, Akash Kashyap, has been linked to a cyber fraud network and allegedly had a history of violence, including physical abuse, sexual exploitation, and threatening behavior toward the victim. Police advise women experiencing domestic violence or threats to report immediately to authorities and seek help from local law enforcement or domestic violence support services.

A WalletHub study ranked New York 30th nationally in elder abuse prevention, with below-average funding for eldercare services and protections, though the state performed well in nursing home quality and volunteer ombudsman programs. New York has an estimated 300,000 senior victims annually, with a concerning statistic that only 1 in 24 elder abuse cases are actually reported. To protect seniors, families should watch for warning signs like unexplained injuries, poor hygiene, isolation, and malnutrition, and report suspected abuse to local authorities or adult protective services.

New York ranks 30th nationally in elder abuse protection and prevention funding, according to a WalletHub study, with particular weaknesses in spending on elder care services and ombudsman programs. The state has an estimated 300,000 senior victims annually, with the concerning reality that reported cases represent only about 4% of actual abuse incidents. Residents should watch for warning signs of elder abuse including unexplained injuries, poor hygiene, isolation from loved ones, and signs of malnutrition, and report suspected abuse to local authorities or adult protective services immediately.

During the holiday season, scammers increasingly target senior citizens through charity fraud, fake online shopping websites, and phone impersonation schemes, exploiting the elderly's trust and less familiarity with modern technology while people are distracted by festivities and shopping. West Virginia's Secretary of State warns that fraudsters use emotional appeals and urgency to manipulate victims into donating to fake charities or providing credit card information for nonexistent purchases. To protect yourself, verify charities using the official list at erls.wvsos.gov, be cautious of unsolicited donation requests, avoid clicking suspicious links, and never share payment information without independently confirming the legitimacy of the organization or seller.

Georgia's Secretary of State reports that holiday scams remain widespread, with 1,140 cases of senior exploitation reported since the SPEAR Act took effect, including 81 victims in November 2025 alone. Common scams targeting holiday shoppers and donors include gift card fraud, impersonation scams posing as family members requesting money, fake online shopping sites that don't deliver goods, and document fraud. Consumers are urged to stay vigilant by verifying requests for money or gift cards through direct contact, shopping only on secure websites, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities.

A 66-year-old California woman lost her home and life savings after falling victim to an AI deepfake romance scam in October 2024. The scammer used artificial intelligence to create realistic video impersonations of soap opera actor Steve Burton and convinced Abigail Ruvalcaba they were in a romantic relationship, ultimately extracting over $81,000 in cash and checks, then pressuring her to sell her condo for $350,000 and surrender $70,000 of those proceeds. After the house-flipping company that purchased her home below market value refused to reverse the sale despite pleas from her family and attorneys, Abigail now faces eviction an

Shannon Amos filed a lawsuit against her brother K.C. Amos and others, alleging elder abuse, fraud, and wrongful death against their father, legendary actor John Amos, who died in August 2024 at age 84. The suit claims K.C. isolated John from family, pressured him to sign documents transferring estate control, and impersonated him via text and email beginning in 2019, with the assistance of former caretaker Belinda Foster and associate Eugene Brummett. Shannon was not informed of her father's death for 45 days and learned of it through social media; K.C. was previously arrested in 2023

DIRCO spokesperson Clayson Monyela warned South Africans against fake foreign job offers promoted on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, which are fronts for human trafficking networks that exploit victims through forced labor and illegal schemes. The warning follows multiple documented cases where South Africans were lured abroad with promises of jobs in Myanmar, Thailand, and Cambodia, only to be trapped in cyber-scam operations or forced labor with confiscated passports; DIRCO has successfully repatriated numerous victims but others remain missing. The scam particularly targets vulnerable young people and job seekers amid South Africa's high unemployment rates, and authorities recommend verifying offers through official channels such as embassies or

Five people in Craven County, North Carolina were formally charged with a total of 139 felonies in connection with a financial exploitation scheme targeting an elderly couple that began in November 2023, with two of the suspects serving as in-home caregivers to the victims. The charges include identity theft, forgery, larceny, fraud, and elder exploitation, with lead suspect Ashley Berry facing 90 felony counts. Police urge family members and caregivers to monitor for financial exploitation involving in-home caregivers and contact Adult Protective Services with any suspicious activity.

Julie Westerfield, heiress to the Jergens hand cream fortune, won a jury verdict on May 5 against her former babysitter Jordana Snider, who had been legally adopted by Westerfield at age 51 and subsequently received a $2.2 million Ojai property gift. The jury unanimously found Snider guilty of financial elder abuse, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty, determining the gifts were made during Westerfield's early dementia diagnosis in 2022, and ordered Snider to return the property (now valued at $4 million) plus $150,000 in punitive damages and approximately $320

BreadXPay is a fraudulent fintech platform orchestrated by Joshua Sneider that targets retirees worldwide with promises of cross-border payment solutions and high investment returns (up to 10% monthly). The scam operates through shell companies registered in jurisdictions like Canada and the UK with puppet directors, funneling victim deposits through offshore accounts where they disappear; one documented case involved a 72-year-old Florida teacher who lost her $25,000 life savings after receiving fabricated account statements and being blocked from withdrawals. Elder financial abuse through schemes like this costs seniors over $28.3 billion annually globally.

This educational article warns older adults to recognize signs of financial exploitation by family members or caregivers, noting that the FBI reported nearly $4.9 billion stolen from seniors last year with investment scams causing the largest losses at $1.8 billion. The piece outlines warning signs of exploitation—such as sudden asset transfers, forged signatures, and unexplained disappearances of funds—and directs Ohio residents to report suspected elder abuse to Adult Protective Services at 330-296-2273. The article also provides information about the Summer Crisis Cooling Program to help seniors aged 60 and older pay electric bills if they meet income requirements.

Scammers are impersonating artists and messaging people on social media asking to use their photos for "art projects," then requesting personal information like full names and email addresses under the pretense of sending e-checks for commissions. The scheme is a variant of the common fake check scam, where fraudsters send counterfeit checks that appear legitimate, ask victims to wire back excess funds, and use the collected personal information for future fraud. The Federal Trade Commission warns this tactic is widespread and advises victims to report incidents to the FTC or Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker.

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office issued a scam alert after handling numerous identity theft and phone scams, warning that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters impersonating government officials or offering financial assistance. Americans over 60 lost $1.7 billion to fraud in the past year according to the FBI, with seniors vulnerable due to trust in authority figures, substantial savings, limited tech literacy, and reluctance to report being scammed. Common scams affecting Lyon County seniors include grandparent scams, government imposter schemes, financial abuse by trusted individuals, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.

A 74-year-old Tucson man drained his 75-year-old wife's $250,000 retirement account after developing an online romance with a woman claiming to be a chef, whom he met on Facebook and sent money to over several months for various fabricated needs including job fees and taxes. The couple also took out a loan on their vehicle and considered a home equity loan to continue funding the scam, which ended when the account was depleted and the scammer stopped contact. Arizona has the highest rate of elder fraud in the nation at 289 cases per 100,000 seniors, with authorities reporting that social media romance scams, phishing, and AI-

The Lyon County Sheriff's Office warned of rising scams targeting older adults in the region, including grandparent scams, government imposter schemes, tech support fraud, and sweepstakes scams that aim to steal money and personal information. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Report, Americans over 60 lost $1.7 billion to fraud in the previous year, with Lyon County seniors being frequent targets due to their trust, limited tech skills, and fear of reporting. The sheriff's office is offering community presentations on fraud prevention and recommends residents use the STOP, LEAVE, ASK, WAIT, ACT protocol to identify and avoid suspicious calls.

At a July 2 Retired Men's Association meeting, computer expert Aaron Woodin presented "Don't Fall for It! Recognizing and Avoiding Scams," detailing how scammers exploit trust through tactics like false urgency, emotional manipulation, and enforced isolation. He identified common digital threats including fake event invitations and invoices, scam pop-ups, social media impersonations, phone-based impersonations of tech companies and government agencies, grandparent/romance scams, and SIM Swap attacks. Woodin advised victims to verify contact information independently, shut down suspicious screens, avoid calling numbers on suspicious invoices, add cyber fraud insurance riders, and contact mobile

A UN human rights expert warns that financial abuse of elderly persons is widespread but largely underreported, frequently perpetrated by family members through exploitative transactions involving undue influence, fraud, or lack of informed consent. The expert notes that most cases go undetected due to scarce data and victims' reluctance to report abuse out of embarrassment or fear of losing care and affection. She urges older people and their advocates to report suspected abuse to authorities as a critical step in combating this growing problem.

Tucoemas Federal Credit Union partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to provide real-time fraud detection and elder exploitation prevention for its older members and their families. The partnership enhances Tucoemas' existing PrimeTimers program by offering suspicious transaction monitoring, credit activity alerts, a secure document vault, scam analysis tools, and $1 million in identity theft insurance to help protect against the growing threat of elder financial abuse. This initiative reflects Tucoemas' commitment to serving California's rapidly growing population of adults over 65 with proactive financial security and family involvement in fraud prevention.

Tucoemas Federal Credit Union partnered with Carefull, an AI-powered financial safety platform, to protect its older members and their families from fraud and scams through real-time transaction monitoring, credit activity alerts, and suspicious message analysis, backed by $1M in identity theft insurance. The partnership complements Tucoemas' existing PrimeTimers program for older adults and reflects the credit union's commitment to serving its growing population of members over 65 in California.

Financial exploitation costs seniors an estimated $27 billion annually and can occur through theft by family members, caregivers, or scammers. Key prevention strategies include monitoring bank and credit accounts regularly, protecting personal financial information, carefully selecting powers of attorney, reviewing credit reports, taking time with major financial decisions, and remaining alert to common scams like grandparent fraud and fake check schemes. Additional protections include registering with the Do Not Call Registry, avoiding unsolicited deposit requests, and limiting personal information shared on social media.

Huntington Health is hosting a free virtual educational event on July 9 to help community members recognize and prevent financial elder abuse, which affects over 6% of elderly Americans and costs seniors nearly $36.5 billion annually. The presentation will cover common scams targeting older adults and protective strategies, led by an elder abuse prevention advocate, and reflects urgent national trends showing that only 1 in 24 cases of elder exploitation reach authorities, with nearly 47% of incidents involving family members as perpetrators.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office hosted a workshop during Elder Abuse Awareness Month to help residents identify and prevent real estate fraud schemes targeting adults aged 50 and older, who are vulnerable due to higher home ownership, trust in others, and limited digital literacy. Supervising Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski emphasized that while real estate fraud is difficult to investigate and remedy once it occurs, prevention through education about notarized signatures, fraud notification programs, and common scam tactics is essential. The office operates a Fraud Hotline and continues community outreach efforts in partnership with the Family Justice Center to combat elder financial abuse.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office hosted a workshop on real estate fraud targeting older adults, led by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski as part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month outreach efforts. The workshop educated community members including attorneys, financial professionals, and residents aged 50+ about fraud prevention, noting that older adults are vulnerable due to high property equity, increased trust in others, and limited digital literacy. Filkowski emphasized that while real estate fraud is difficult to investigate and undo, prevention through education and resources like the District Attorney's Fraud Hotline (925-957-8705) is crucial to protecting seniors from financial exploitation.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for South Dakota designated June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month to highlight the widespread impact of elder fraud and abuse, which affects millions of seniors annually by compromising their finances, security, and dignity. Warning signs of elder fraud include unexplained bank withdrawals, suspicious signatures on financial documents, abrupt changes to wills, and unpaid bills despite adequate funds, while common scams involve impersonation (kidnapping/arrest claims), romance fraud, and gift card schemes. The Justice Department provides resources including Senior Scam Alerts and a dedicated National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-FRAUD-11) for reporting and assistance.