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CNN
· 2024-02-19
A financial columnist for New York magazine fell victim to an elaborate multi-stage scam in which fraudsters impersonating Amazon, the Federal Trade Commission, and a CIA investigator convinced her to withdraw $50,000 and hand it to them in cash over the course of a five-hour phone call. The scammers exploited her vulnerability by threatening her family and creating a false sense of urgency, using isolation tactics to prevent her from seeking help or verification. She came forward with her story to highlight that scam victims span all demographics and professions, and that sophisticated scammers are skilled at identifying and exploiting individual vulnerabilities.
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Tamron Hall Show
· 2024-02-21
Charlotte Kohls, a financial advice columnist for New York Magazine, fell victim to an elaborate scam that began with a fake Amazon call claiming $8,000 in fraudulent charges on a non-existent business account. The scammer then posed as an FTC agent investigating her for money laundering and financial crimes, ultimately convincing her to withdraw and hand over $50,000 in cash to a stranger. Kohls's experience serves as a warning that even financially knowledgeable individuals are vulnerable to sophisticated social engineering scams.
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FOX31 Denver
· 2024-03-11
Scams increased 34% year-over-year leading up to tax season, with the Colorado Public Interest Research Group warning consumers to remain vigilant. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics including calls, texts, and impersonation of family members, with an 81% of Americans expressing concern about personal data misuse. Consumer protection experts advise sharing minimal personal information, ignoring unsolicited urgent money requests, and placing credit freezes with the three major credit bureaus to prevent identity theft and fraudulent account creation.
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News 19 WLTX
· 2024-03-21
The FBI warned South Carolinians about romance scams after 277 victims lost over $11 million in the previous year, though only 29 cases were reported to the State Department of Consumer Affairs. One victim, Sandra Sheely, was contacted on Facebook by a scammer who developed a fabricated relationship using photos and videos before defrauding her, and she continues working to repay the losses. The FBI emphasized the need for increased reporting of romance and confidence fraud, which are becoming an increasing threat in South Carolina.
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WFMY News 2
· 2024-04-19
This educational piece from the Better Business Bureau discusses phone spoofing scams, where fraudsters manipulate caller ID to display legitimate business numbers (banks, the IRS, Sheriff's Office) to trick recipients into believing they are legitimate callers. The article explains how spoofing works and advises consumers to be cautious when receiving calls from seemingly recognizable numbers, as scammers can now spoof real phone numbers from trusted institutions to increase the likelihood that victims will comply with their requests.
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ABC News (Australia)
· 2024-04-27
Journalist Deborah Vanin discovered fake obituaries about her death circulating online in an AI-generated death hoax scam. The "pirate obit" scams are designed to serve as clickbait that generates advertising revenue for scammers, and Vanin learned of the fraudulent posts when her father and aunt alerted her after seeing the fake obituary. Multiple friends subsequently contacted her with screenshots of the false reports, which included fabricated details about her career and personal relationships.
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NBC4 Washington
· 2024-05-03
A Montgomery County man posing as a federal agent scammed a senior citizen into converting nearly $250,000 in retirement savings into gold bars under the pretense of protecting him from identity theft. Police arrested the suspect (identified as Raingo Maton, a German citizen) as he picked up a box containing $23,000 in gold bars that was actually filled with tools; a vigilant friend's intervention prevented the victim from handing over the full amount.
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WLOS News 13
· 2024-05-04
According to an FBI report, elder fraud targeting people aged 60 and older increased by 14% in 2023, resulting in over $3 billion in losses with an average victim loss of $33,900. The five most common fraud types against seniors include personal data breaches, confidence and romance scams, non-payment or non-delivery scams, and investment scams, with non-payment scams being particularly prevalent in the Asheville area, where the police department received 48 elder abuse or fraud cases from Adult Protective Services in the year to date.
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wgaltv
· 2024-05-05
Tech support fraud is the most commonly reported scam targeting older Americans, where scammers impersonate tech support to gain access to sensitive information, though investment scams result in the greatest financial losses (over $50 million reported annually). In Pennsylvania specifically, common scams include tech support fraud, personal data breaches, and delivery scams. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited contacts, never download attachments from unknown sources, refuse to share personal information or money with unverified people, and resist pressure to act quickly, as scammers use urgency to manipulate victims.
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Hawaii News Now
· 2024-05-09
Dan Machewski of Makaha lost $34,000 in March to a sophisticated phone scam in which a caller impersonated his bank Fidelity's fraud department. The scammer gained credibility by displaying specific details about Machewski's recent transactions and providing a legitimate-looking caller ID, ultimately convincing him to share a security code that allowed the thieves to transfer funds to fake accounts and cash them out through PayPal within hours. Machewski, who believed he was well-protected against such scams, is sharing his experience to warn others about this particularly convincing fraud scheme.
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CBS 17
· 2024-05-11
An FBI report revealed that elder fraud complaints increased 14% and financial losses to seniors rose 11% in the previous year, with people over 60 disproportionately targeted by scammers. In response, Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Garner hosted a community shredding day to help seniors safely dispose of documents containing personal information that could be used for identity theft and fraud.
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FOX NASHVILLE
· 2024-05-11
In Tennessee, 1,577 seniors over age 60 lost a combined $43 million to fraud in one year, according to the FBI. A retired insurance salesman fell victim to a sophisticated impersonation scam where fraudsters posing as Amazon and Social Security Administration officials convinced him his identity had been compromised and involved in money laundering. Remarkably, this victim recovered his stolen money—an extremely rare outcome in elder fraud cases.
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News4JAX The Local Station
· 2024-05-17
In 2022, older Americans lost over $1.6 billion to fraud, with investment impersonation and tech scams being the most common schemes. The FTC recommends that family members help victims recover funds by contacting banks/credit card companies to reverse fraudulent charges, contacting gift card issuers, and securing compromised accounts by changing passwords. To prevent future victimization, family members should consider helping install password managers, monitor for identity theft, and prepare loved ones in advance about common scams.
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News 4 (WOAI) San Antonio
· 2024-05-18
The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report reveals that Texas has the third-highest rate of elder fraud in the nation, with over 7,000 complaints from seniors age 60+ resulting in nearly $300 million in losses. One elderly couple lost approximately $170,000-$200,000 to a computer popup scam, and local authorities report that in the prior year nearly 300 elderly residents in Bexar County fell victim to various scams including identity theft, wire fraud, and forgery, with 91 additional cases reported in the current year.
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FOX31 Denver
· 2024-05-19
A Denver family had their bank account completely drained after their credit card information was stolen, though the method of theft remains unknown. Colorado law enforcement warns that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated skimming devices—including pinhole cameras and barely visible overlays on payment terminals—to capture card and PIN information at gas pumps and public payment stations. To protect themselves, consumers should shield their PIN when entering it, use contactless payment methods like Apple Pay or Google Pay, pay at staffed customer service desks rather than unattended terminals, and regularly monitor accounts for unauthorized charges.
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CBC News
· 2024-05-27
A New Brunswick woman's Facebook account was hacked and used to post a fake ad selling her deceased father's belongings, resulting in multiple friends losing thousands of dollars through e-transfer payments. Despite Lisa Lowry and her friends repeatedly reporting the scam to Facebook, the company took no action to stop it, and investigators found numerous identical scams running on the platform simultaneously. The incident highlights a broader problem: Canadians lost $174 million to social media scams in the previous year, prompting calls for Meta to strengthen its fraud prevention measures.
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FOX23 News Tulsa
· 2024-07-10
A scam targeting seniors uses fake romantic relationships to manipulate victims into making fraudulent investments. According to cybersecurity experts, crimes against seniors increased 11% in the past year, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses, with victims averaging $34,000 lost each; scammers pose as wealthy individuals on dating sites, build trust over time, and eventually pressure victims to invest in fake schemes.
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CBS4 Indy
· 2024-07-16
During Amazon Prime Day, scammers use over 1,200 fake Amazon copycat websites and fraudulent emails to steal login credentials and payment information from shoppers. To protect themselves, consumers should verify URLs carefully, use strong passwords, avoid sharing unnecessary personal information, and use credit cards instead of debit cards for online purchases due to stronger fraud protections.
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KOAA 5
· 2024-07-18
Seniors are increasingly vulnerable to scams delivered through suspicious texts and calls, with police noting that the high volume of daily attempts contributes to successful fraud. Some seniors have lost their entire savings to scams impersonating Microsoft, banks, law enforcement, and retailers like Amazon, with loneliness and a generational tendency to trust authority figures making older adults particularly susceptible to manipulation.
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WFXR NEWS
· 2024-07-18
In May 2023, a 72-year-old Lynchburg, Virginia woman named Marsha Burks had over $8,000 stolen from her credit card by her in-home caregiver. The incident highlights a broader problem: Virginia reported over 2,000 complaints of elder financial fraud in 2023 with victims losing over $90 million. The case prompted the family to advocate for "Larry's Law," which took effect in the state to prevent elder financial abuse by allowing financial institutions to contact emergency contacts when fraudulent charges are suspected.
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WESH 2 News
· 2024-07-24
The IRS flagged nearly 2 million tax returns for potential identity theft during the tax season and warned about ongoing impersonation scams targeting vulnerable populations, including the elderly. Scammers impersonate IRS agents via calls, emails, and texts, threatening non-existent tax debts and demanding payment via credit cards or prepaid debit cards, while also using social media to promote fake "life hacks" for obtaining non-existent IRS credits. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel advised the public that the IRS communicates by mail, never demands immediate payment by credit card, and does not threaten repossession or deportation.
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WFMY News 2
· 2024-07-24
This is an educational awareness segment featuring James E. Lee, Chief Operating Officer of the Identity Theft Resource Center, discussing the rising threat of AI-enhanced scams and identity theft. Key findings indicate that artificial intelligence has dramatically improved the quality and believability of scams through emails and text messages, with fewer grammatical errors and misspellings, resulting in higher success rates than ever before, with a notable surge in job scams designed to collect personal information from unsuspecting applicants.
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Eyewitness News ABC7NY
· 2024-07-29
**Social Security Scams Rise with New Account Access Option**
As the Social Security Administration launches a new way for people to access their accounts, scammers are exploiting the change using common tactics like phishing emails and threatening phone calls claiming Social Security numbers have been compromised or suspended. The SSA warns that legitimate access to Social Security is always free; any solicitation for payment, threats of arrest, account freezing, or demands for personal information are scam indicators and the agency will never contact citizens in this manner.
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WHNT News 19
· 2024-08-02
The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments is hosting a Senior Fraud and Scam Summit on Thursday, August 8th at the Bob Harrison Wellness Center in Huntsville to educate seniors about common scams and fraud prevention strategies. The event features speakers from the Alabama Securities Commission, Huntsville Police Department, the Better Business Bureau, and a local attorney, with limited seating for 150 participants available by calling 256-830-0818. This educational initiative addresses the rising prevalence of identity theft and scams targeting seniors in the Tennessee Valley region.
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VICE
· 2024-08-05
A Northern Irish digital marketing entrepreneur discovered that scammers had created dozens of fake profiles impersonating him across multiple social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Bumble, Tinder, and others) using his photos and personal information to deceive people. After investigating the fraudulent accounts, he uncovered a larger criminal enterprise operating the identity theft and catfishing scheme, which involved fabricating romantic relationships and divorce scenarios to manipulate victims.
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ABC 7 News - WJLA
· 2024-08-12
Maryland authorities arrested five people for operating a gold bar scam that targeted elderly residents in Montgomery County, with at least 20 victims losing millions of dollars combined. Notable victims include an 81-year-old woman who lost over $900,000 and a 74-year-old man who lost $240,000, with some victims now at risk of losing their homes. Law enforcement believes this organized criminal enterprise has affected many more cases beyond those identified so far.
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WFMY News 2
· 2024-08-16
A Better Business Bureau representative discusses data breach protection and warns about a debit card scam where fraudsters spoof bank phone numbers and use personal details like addresses and bank account information to convince victims of fake recent transactions. The segment provides guidance on contacting credit bureaus separately to request credit freezes and advises viewers on protecting themselves from these schemes through awareness and proper verification procedures.
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ABC 7 Chicago
· 2024-08-15
A woman in Fox Lake responded to a fake work-from-home job posting that appeared legitimate, complete with a professional website, job offer letter, and Zoom interview. After she quit her current job, the scammers sent her an $8,950 counterfeit check for equipment purchases and instructed her to deposit it and return a portion of the funds, a common work-from-home scam tactic designed to lead to identity theft. She avoided financial loss by recognizing the check was fraudulent, but the scammers remain unidentified.
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NewsNation
· 2024-08-16
**Graceland Fraud Scheme**
A Missouri woman, Lisa Janine Finley, was arrested by the Department of Justice for allegedly attempting to defraud Elvis Presley's family of millions of dollars and steal their ownership interest in Graceland. Finley falsely claimed that Elvis's daughter Lisa Marie had pledged the Memphis home as collateral for a $3.8 million loan, and she forged loan documents, a deed of trust, and filed false claims in California court in an attempt to foreclose on the property while posing as multiple fictitious lenders.
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WFMY News 2
· 2024-08-16
This educational piece from the Better Business Bureau advises on protecting against common scams. The primary warning addresses tax scam calls claiming people owe back taxes—recipients should verify directly with the IRS or county tax authority, as scam hallmarks include vague caller identification, threats, and claims of delinquency. Additionally, the resource recommends proactively unfreezing credit before applying for loans or cards rather than attempting to do so at the point of sale.
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WBIR Channel 10
· 2024-08-16
A Missouri woman, Lisa Finley, was arrested for an elaborate estate fraud scheme in which she used multiple aliases and falsified documents to claim that Elvis Presley's daughter had pledged the Elvis Presley estate as collateral for a $3.8 million loan that was never repaid. When the scheme became public, Finley blamed a Nigerian identity thief, and she now faces charges of mail fraud and aggravated identity theft.
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Eyewitness News WEHT WTVW
· 2024-08-26
Crimes against senior citizens totaled over $3.4 billion in the past year, with family scams and identity theft being among the most common schemes. Family scams exploit seniors' emotions by impersonating relatives and requesting urgent money for car repairs, rent, tuition, or bail, while fishing scams use deceptive emails posing as legitimate vendors to steal personal information.
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NEWS CENTER Maine
· 2024-08-27
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is warning the public about emerging scam tactics including "smishing" (fraudulent text messages claiming to be from USPS requesting address confirmation through malicious links) and "vishing" (spoofed voicemails impersonating government employees with fake callback numbers). To protect themselves, recipients should avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and instead call official government phone numbers directly rather than using numbers provided in suspicious communications.
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11Alive
· 2024-08-27
The US Postal Inspection Service warns of emerging scams including "smishing" (fraudulent text messages impersonating USPS requesting address confirmation via malicious links) and "vishing" (spoofed voicemails from fake government employees asking consumers to call back). These scams aim to steal personal information and financial data from victims who interact with the fraudulent messages or call back the scammers' numbers rather than official government lines.
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WFMJ
· 2024-09-03
U.S. seniors lost over $3 billion to scammers in the past year. Common scams targeting elderly individuals include relationship scams where fraudsters impersonate family members (grandchildren, nieces, nephews) claiming urgent financial needs such as bail, rent, or tuition, often using personal information gathered from social media to appear credible. Experts recommend awareness and education to help protect seniors from these emotionally manipulative schemes.
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Dare County
· 2024-09-09
The Dare County Sheriff's Office presented an educational overview of common scams affecting their community, including an explanation of "pig butchering" scams that operate through dating apps. In this scam type, perpetrators use VPNs to hide their location, create fake glamorous personas, and systematically contact potential victims through dating platforms with the goal of manipulating them into financial schemes. The presentation aims to help community members recognize and avoid falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics.
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FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
· 2024-09-11
"Sextortion" scams are targeting victims nationwide by claiming spyware has been installed on their computers, allowing scammers to capture webcam footage and screenshots of their online activity. The scammers threaten to send this alleged evidence to the victim's contacts unless they pay a ransom, using personalized details like names, addresses, and photos to appear credible. The FBI recognizes this as an extortion scheme that relies on volume and fear to pressure victims into paying.
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CBS Chicago
· 2024-09-13
Job scams targeting seekers have increased 118% in 2023, with fraudsters using text messages, encrypted apps like WhatsApp, and fake postings on legitimate employment sites to lure victims with promises of work-from-home positions paying up to $1,000 daily. Red flags include recruiters requesting communication through encrypted messaging apps rather than official channels, and scammers are using AI technology to make their pitches sound more legitimate. The identity theft resource center reports this is one of their biggest concerns as con artists continue to refine their tactics to deceive job seekers.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-17
Senator Helmy discusses the urgent problem of elder fraud with committee experts, noting that New Jersey seniors reported over $1 million in losses to scams and fraud according to the FBI's IC3 Elder report. He raises concerns about a major data breach at background company National Public Data that exposed approximately 2.9 billion personal records containing names, addresses, and Social Security numbers, which he believes was underreported and could facilitate further fraud targeting vulnerable elderly populations.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-18
The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on romance confidence scams (also called "pig butchering"), examining this multi-billion dollar fraud scheme that targets everyday Americans. The scam operates by building trust with victims over weeks or months before exploiting that confidence to extract money, with text-based contact attempts increasing dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Forbes Breaking News
· 2024-09-19
Senator Bob Casey led a Senate Aging Committee hearing on fraud targeting older Americans, during which the committee released its annual "Fighting Fraud" resource book. The hearing addressed multiple scam types affecting seniors including grandparent scams, investment fraud, government impostor schemes, lottery scams, and tech support scams, while noting that scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics over recent years. The committee discussed both fraud prevention strategies and how federal law enforcement agencies respond to fraud reports.
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CBS 8 San Diego
· 2024-09-20
A Harris poll report reveals that Hispanic Americans are being disproportionately targeted by phone scams and are twice as likely to fall victim compared to other populations, contributing to the $25 billion in annual losses Americans collectively suffer from communications fraud and robocalls. The report highlights this emerging trend alongside the continued vulnerability of seniors, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and protective measures across vulnerable communities.
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WKBN27
· 2024-09-23
The Better Business Bureau warns of "brushing" scams where unsolicited packages—typically containing small electronics—are delivered to recipients who didn't place orders. Scammers include QR codes or instructions asking victims to scan them, directing them to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal information, money, or commit identity theft. The BBB recommends monitoring credit reports and bank statements for suspicious activity and changing passwords for online accounts as precautions.
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WKBW TV | Buffalo, NY
· 2024-09-24
Phishing scams are reaching record numbers, with reports doubling between 2022 and 2023, according to the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York. Common scams include fraudulent text messages about unpaid tolls (the "Throughway text scam") that trick victims into providing credit card information, and extortion emails claiming to have compromising pictures and threatening to release them unless payment is made. Victims are advised to verify requests directly with official sources, never click links in unsolicited messages, and report suspicious communications to authorities.
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WPRI
· 2024-09-30
This educational piece advises consumers on protecting themselves from increasingly sophisticated cyber scams, including phishing emails, text messages, and phone calls where bad actors impersonate legitimate companies to steal personal information. Key protection strategies include never responding to unsolicited contact attempts, hanging up and calling companies directly using verified phone numbers to validate any account issues, and being cautious of contact from unknown sources including phone calls, emails, texts, and in-person visitors.
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CFPBLive
· 2024-10-09
This is an introductory webinar hosted by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on payments industry practices for combating elder financial exploitation. The session provides participants with access to slides, resources, and a discussion platform to explore strategies and tools for preventing elder financial abuse within the payments sector.
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This Morning
· 2024-10-16
This awareness segment identifies five increasingly sophisticated scams targeting consumers, with fraud cases rising 235% year-over-year. Two particularly predatory text message scams impersonate government agencies offering winter heating subsidies and living expense assistance, exploiting vulnerability and creating false urgency to trick victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal information.
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WKRN News 2
· 2024-10-17
Senior fraud represents a $3 billion problem, with scammers primarily targeting individuals aged 55-64 through contractor scams, Medicare fraud, Bitcoin investment schemes, romance scams, phone fraud, and phishing attacks. Phishing scams work by casting a wide net through texts, emails, and social media to trick victims into clicking malicious links or participating in fake surveys and contests that download malware and compromise personal information.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted an educational presentation titled "Unmasking Fraud" featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to address senior fraud targeting older adults in Louisiana. The event emphasized that fraud against seniors impacts not only financial security but also causes lasting emotional and psychological harm, and provided practical strategies for protection. AARP directs people to its Fraud Watch Network resource for current scam information and personal data protection guidance.
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NOLA.com
· 2024-10-17
AARP Louisiana hosted a fraud awareness townhall event featuring nationally recognized fraud expert and former prosecutor Paul Greenwood to educate seniors about scams targeting older adults. The event aimed to provide practical protection strategies and highlight how fraud impacts seniors beyond financial loss, including emotional and trust-related consequences. AARP encourages seniors to utilize resources like their FraudWatch Network to stay informed about emerging scams and safeguard personal information.