okcfox.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Piedmont, Oklahoma woman lost approximately $52,000 in a phone scam where callers impersonated Social Security Administration officials and a local police officer, claiming her accounts were compromised and convincing her to withdraw cash for a man who collected it in person. The victim is now facing financial hardship including potential inability to pay rent and nursing home expenses for her husband, and authorities are investigating the case while she seeks public assistance through a GoFundMe page.
nij.ojp.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. population of adults age 60 and older grew 33% from 2010 to 2020, yet research on fraud victimization in this demographic remains limited despite older adults losing over $36 billion annually to financial fraud. Older adults face heightened vulnerability to fraud due to cognitive decline, reduced financial literacy, social isolation, and greater trustfulness, with 34.8% of those age 50+ targeted by scams in a five-year period and 2.7-6.6% experiencing fraud annually, though actual numbers are likely higher due to significant underreporting.
tampabay.com
· 2025-12-08
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was indicted on charges of elder exploitation, identity fraud, mortgage fraud, and scheming to defraud after allegedly abusing her power of attorney over a 96-year-old constituent to drain approximately $100,000 from the woman's bank accounts between 2021 and the investigation period, using the funds for personal expenses including home renovations, cosmetic surgery, and luxury items. Hill faced three counts of elder exploitation, two counts of identity fraud, and single counts of mortgage fraud and scheming to defraud of at least $50,000, and was held on a $40,000 bond. The city indicated that if suspended by the governor, a special election would be hel
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan's Elder Abuse Task Force marked its fifth anniversary in March 2024 with significant accomplishments in protecting seniors, including adoption of standardized vulnerable adult incident reporting forms, required fraud reporting by financial institutions and brokers, improved power of attorney laws, and enhanced training for law enforcement on elder abuse cases. Effective July 1, 2024, Michigan's new Uniform Power of Attorney Act aligns with 31 other states and is expected to reduce guardianship proceedings and financial exploitation by requiring agents to maintain records and imposing penalties for abuse.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 600 Lloyds Bank customers lost more than £1 million total to Taylor Swift ticket scams ahead of her 15 sold-out UK Eras Tour shows starting in June, with an average loss of £332 per victim. The fraud cases, which constitute significantly more scams than for any other music artist, predominantly originated from fake advertisements and posts on Facebook and social media, where scammers posed as ticket sellers requiring bank transfers for non-existent tickets. Lloyds Bank estimates that across the UK, at least 3,000 victims have been defrauded since tickets went on sale, and advises fans to purchase only through official resale platforms like
chicago.suntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Helen Grace Caldwell, a 59-year-old former Citibank wealth adviser in Chicago, was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for defrauding three elderly clients of nearly $1.5 million through a scheme in which she convinced them to invest their life savings in her film production company, Canal Productions, then diverted the funds to personal expenses. Caldwell, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, told victims their money would fund movie productions and generate profits, but instead transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to her personal accounts to pay for home renovations, car repairs, and other personal purchases. The judge rejected her plea for probation, stating that probation would be "
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Birmingham, Alabama woman with medical needs was defrauded of over $200,000 by five individuals employed to care for her, including two live-in caretakers, a house cleaner, and a hairdresser, who were charged with wire fraud and identity theft between December 2020 and February 2022. The perpetrators used the victim's credit card information and banking services to make unauthorized purchases and transfers, with the hairdresser alone charging over $130,000 to her Square account. The case reflects a broader trend of elder financial exploitation in the U.S., with the Treasury reporting approximately $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity in a single year.
timberjay.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with financial losses exceeding $3.4 billion and an average victim loss of $33,915. Over 101,000 seniors aged 60+ reported fraud to IC3, with investment scams, tech support scams, and romance scams being among the most common schemes, while cryptocurrency scams affected over 12,000 seniors. The report notes that actual fraud rates are likely higher due to underreporting, and scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to create convincing deepfakes and chatbots to target elderly victims.
tampabay.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 50 elderly Americans in Broward County fell victim to lottery scams between 2020-2021, losing more than $6.6 million collectively after being told they won prizes and asked to pay upfront fees for shipping and taxes. Florida ranked second nationally for elder fraud in 2023 with residents over 60 losing nearly $300 million, reflecting a broader U.S. trend where elderly victims lost $3.4 billion that year to investment fraud, romance scams, tech-support scams, and government impersonation schemes. The crimes remain significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment and fear of losing independence, with experts estimating only one-
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used deepfake technology to target Mark Read, CEO of WPP, creating voice clones and fake accounts using publicly available photos and YouTube footage to impersonate him in Microsoft Teams and WhatsApp communications with senior executives. The fraudsters aimed to extract personal details and money by posing as Read and requesting the setup of a new business, but the attack was unsuccessful due to employee vigilance. Read warned colleagues of increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks targeting senior leaders that employ psychological manipulation tactics tailored beyond typical scams targeting vulnerable populations.
chicagofed.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting older adults are rising, and while seniors are not more likely to be scammed than younger people, they experience greater harm when victimized. The Chicago Federal Reserve convened experts who identified key vulnerabilities—including declining financial literacy masked by high confidence, social isolation, and emotional manipulation tactics used by scammers—and recommended strategies such as consulting trusted advisors, establishing power of attorney, recognizing urgency/secrecy red flags, and approaching victims with sensitivity to shame and resistance.
cbs58.com
· 2025-12-08
A financial expert highlighted that criminals steal over $28 billion annually from seniors, noting that scammers often target older Americans due to their substantial savings and that most thefts are committed by acquaintances including family or caregivers. Three key red flags to watch for are sudden unexplained banking habit changes, unexpected alterations to financial documents, and unnecessary services. Legislation such as the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act is being pursued to help reduce senior fraud.
kulr8.com
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella forged approximately 70 checks, impersonated her mother to banks, intercepted statements, and also stole jewelry and misused her deceased father's credit cards to fund personal expenses including travel, cosmetic procedures, and shopping. The victim was forced to sell her home and move into an assisted living facility after the thefts were discovered, and Lewis-
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, was sentenced to four and one-half years in prison for forging approximately 70 checks and stealing over $700,000 from her elderly mother in Lewistown between November 2021 and July 2023 while serving as her caregiver. Lewis-Stella also stole other assets including a silver bar, used her deceased father's credit cards, and forged a life insurance check, concealing her crimes by impersonating her mother to banks and intercepting statements. The theft forced her mother to sell her home and move into assisted living, and Lewis-Stella was ordered to pay $725,145 in restitution
dailymontanan.com
· 2025-12-08
Roxanna Rae Lewis-Stella, 60, of Billings, Montana, stole over $700,000 from her elderly mother while serving as her primary caretaker through forged checks, identity theft, and intercepting bank statements, forcing her mother to sell her home and enter assisted living. Lewis-Stella pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft and was sentenced to four years in prison; she also misused her deceased father's credit cards and stole a life insurance check, spending the stolen funds on personal expenses including travel, clothing, and cosmetic procedures. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals dependent on family caregivers and was noted as particularly eg
phillytrib.com
· 2025-12-08
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging held an Elder Abuse Awareness Day panel discussion to address rising financial fraud against seniors, highlighting that elder abuse affects approximately 1 in 10 seniors nationally, with Pennsylvania victims losing about $12.5 million to financial exploitation. The panel discussed common fraud schemes including dishonest caregivers, unauthorized account withdrawals, and vacation rental scams, and emphasized that 60-90% of perpetrators are family members, making reporting difficult. Officials recommended protective measures such as establishing power of attorney, monitoring joint accounts, and contacting authorities like the Philadelphia District Attorney's Elder Justice Unit at (215) 686-5710 or the AARP Fraud Watch Network at (
adirondackdailyenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte provided guidance on protecting oneself from financial scams, emphasizing the importance of skepticism toward unverifiable communications and resisting artificial urgency tactics. He outlined why seniors are vulnerable targets—including accumulated assets, trusting nature, and isolation—and recommended verification strategies such as calling organizations back using independently verified numbers and questioning requests for information companies should already have on file. Perrotte stressed protecting Social Security numbers, avoiding text-based financial requests, and remaining aware that exploitation often comes from trusted individuals like family members and caregivers rather than strangers.
becu.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud continues to rise significantly, with older Americans losing over $3.4 billion in 2023 alone—an average of $33,915 per victim and representing an 11% increase in losses from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud (where scammers pose as legitimate companies to gain computer access), imposter scams (impersonating government agencies or financial institutions), and romance scams (criminals building fake relationships to extract money). Protective measures include avoiding unsolicited contact, never downloading software from unknown contacts, and never sharing sensitive information or credentials with unverified callers.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece argues that certain zodiac signs—particularly Pisces, Libra, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, and Sagittarius—exhibit personality traits that may make them more vulnerable to online romance scams, such as idealism, desire for harmony, need for stability, nurturing instincts, and adventurous spirits. The article advises that while anyone can be targeted, recognizing these susceptibility patterns can help individuals stay vigilant and protect themselves from romantic fraud online.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experiences some form of elder abuse, with an estimated $28.3 billion lost annually to elder fraud scams. In 2023, Kentucky's FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received 908 complaints from individuals over 60 reporting $12.8 million in losses, more than any other age group combined. The Justice Department brought nearly 300 criminal and civil actions against over 650 defendants in the past year who stole more than $1.5 billion from 2.4
kqed.org
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Alhambra woman lost her life savings in a text-based romance scam after making seven bank withdrawals over three weeks, prompting her to sponsor Senate Bill 278 with California Sen. Bill Dodd. The bill would require financial institutions to delay transactions over $5,000 by at least three days if elder fraud is suspected, mandate employee training on fraud red flags, and require banks to notify designated emergency contacts or joint account holders of suspicious activity. With annual elder fraud losses exceeding $23 billion, the bill passed the California Senate with support from major senior advocacy groups, though initially faced opposition from banking and business lobbies over concerns about liability
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at a local American Legion, obtained power of attorney and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate, exploiting the victim's declining cognitive abilities; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article notes that West Virginia seniors are particularly vulnerable to both caretaker/family fraud and stranger scams (including tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes), and recommends protective measures such as resisting urgency, avoiding online money transfers, carefully granting power of attorney, using trusts with restrictions
theintelligencer.net
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when his caretaker, Sam Bunner, used a power of attorney to drain his bank and investment accounts and sell his real estate; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article highlights that seniors in West Virginia face significant vulnerability to both caregiver fraud and stranger scams (tech support, romance, and government impersonation schemes), with recent AI advances making these scams harder to detect. The U.S. Attorney's Office recommends resisting urgency, avoiding unsolicited money transfers, securing valuables, and carefully limiting power of attorney authority to protect vulnerable adults.
weirtondailytimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at a local American Legion, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate. The article outlines common elder fraud threats in West Virginia—including caretaker theft, romance and tech support scams from strangers, and family member exploitation—and provides protective measures such as resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited online money transfers, and securing valuables and documents when in-home care is needed.
timesleaderonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million when his caretaker, Sam Bunner, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank and investment accounts; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Senior citizens in West Virginia are frequently targeted by both strangers (tech support scams, romance scams, government impersonation) and trusted individuals (family members, caregivers) who exploit their longevity, savings, and trusting nature. To protect against such fraud, individuals should resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sending money to online contacts, carefully consider power of attorney arrangements, and secure valuables and financial documents from in-home caregi
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
Retired social worker Nancy Wills spoke at the Johnson County Senior Center about elder abuse awareness, highlighting that financial exploitation is the fastest-growing form of elder abuse, with only one in 24 cases reported to police. Wills advised seniors to avoid answering unfamiliar phone numbers, ignore telemarketers, and verify unexpected requests for money by calling family members directly rather than complying immediately. The presentation emphasized that scams targeting seniors are nationwide, occurring in 90% of cases within victims' homes and frequently perpetrated by family members.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town lost nearly $2 million to Sam Bunner, a caretaker who befriended him at the American Legion, obtained power of attorney, and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts while selling his real estate; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. The article highlights that West Virginia seniors face significant risks from both caretakers and strangers perpetrating scams including tech support schemes, romance scams, government impersonation, and family member theft, with artificial intelligence making these schemes increasingly difficult to detect. Protective measures include resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding sending money to online contacts, limiting power of attorney authority,
heraldmailmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran in West Virginia lost nearly $2 million after his caregaker, Sam Bunner, obtained power of attorney and emptied his bank, investment, and real estate accounts; Bunner was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. West Virginia experiences high rates of elder fraud involving both strangers (tech support scams, romance scams, government impersonation) and known individuals (caregivers, family members), targeting the state's large senior population. The U.S. Attorney's Office recommends resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited money transfers, limiting power of attorney authority, securing valuables during in-home care, and reporting suspected sc
mcall.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud costs Americans over $37 billion annually, with common schemes including contractor fraud, sweepstakes scams, and romance/grandparent impersonation cons. Deputy prosecutor Paul Greenwood, who handled more than 750 elder abuse felony cases in San Diego, highlighted that criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated—using AI-assisted text conversations and spoofed caller IDs—while noting that jobless adult children and unvetted caregivers represent the most typical perpetrators. Greenwood recommended 20 protective measures including using bonded caregivers, freezing credit, checking credit reports regularly, and letting unknown calls go to voicemail, while cautioning against romance sc
hampshirereview.com
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Navy veteran and federal employee from Charles Town lost nearly $2 million after befriending Sam Bunner at a local American Legion; Bunner, recognizing the veteran's cognitive decline, obtained power of attorney and systematically emptied his bank and investment accounts and sold his real estate, resulting in Bunner's 10-year federal prison sentence. The article highlights common elder fraud schemes in West Virginia, including caretaker theft, romance and tech support scams, government impersonation, and family member exploitation, while recommending protective measures such as resisting urgency, avoiding online money transfers, limiting power of attorney authority, and securing valuables for in-home care situations.
wvpublic.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial fraud is trending upward in West Virginia and nationally, with Americans aged 60 and older losing $3 billion annually to scammers. U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld advises seniors and their families to resist pressure to act quickly, avoid clicking unexpected links in texts and emails, and to contact law enforcement immediately if money is sent fraudulently, as funds can sometimes be recovered or frozen. The fraud targets vulnerable populations and often involves schemes using artificial urgency, such as lottery processing fees or fake emergencies from loved ones.
wvnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial exploitation is trending upward in West Virginia and nationally, with seniors aged 60+ losing $3 billion to scammers last year and $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity reported by the U.S. Treasury Department. U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld emphasizes that while some cases can be reversed if reported immediately, prevention is critical—he advises seniors and their families to resist pressure to act quickly, avoid clicking unexpected links in texts or emails, and consult trusted loved ones before sending money.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
**Type:** SIM Swap/Mobile Account Takeover Fraud
Multiple Guardian Money readers had their mobile phone accounts hijacked by fraudsters who then accessed their bank accounts and stole thousands of pounds. Fraudsters typically compromised victims' email accounts first, then impersonated them to mobile providers to obtain replacement SIM cards, allowing them to intercept two-factor authentication codes and drain bank accounts—with reported losses including £6,000 and £3,500. While some banks like RBS refunded victims, the article emphasizes that strong unique passwords, enabling two-step verification on email and banking accounts, and immediately reporting compromised emails are critical defenses against this increasingly common
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Priscilla Presley, 79, filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court alleging that former business associates Brigitte Kruse and Kevin Fialko committed financial elder abuse and misappropriated over $1 million from her accounts between 2021 and 2023 by fraudulently obtaining power of attorney over her finances, trusts, and personal affairs. Presley claims the defendants isolated her from family, coerced her into working to benefit them, and forced her into "indentured servitude," seeking $1 million in damages and a court order barring them from accessing her finances. The defendants dispute the allegations, characterizing the lawsuit as ret
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
UK telecoms regulator Ofcom has ordered all phone companies to block international scam calls that spoof UK landline numbers, with implementation required by January 2025, after fraudsters have exploited this technique for years to impersonate banks and government departments. Spoofed number scams contributed to £1.17 billion in unauthorized and authorized fraud across the UK in 2023, with one 2019 investigation revealing a dozen victims collectively lost £290,000 to this scam method.
youarecurrent.com
· 2025-12-08
The Indiana Attorney General's office held an educational seminar at Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living to inform seniors about common fraud schemes, including high-tech theft exploiting data breaches and the grandparent scam where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress to solicit money. The presentation emphasized that people over 60 are frequent targets of fraud and recommended verifying unexpected contacts directly with banks or institutions rather than responding to suspicious emails or calls. The attorney general's office accepts consumer fraud complaints through its website (in.gov/attorneygeneral) and in-person at Government Center South.
theblast.com
· 2025-12-08
Reality TV star Vicki Gunvalson faces a lawsuit alleging fraud and financial elder abuse from plaintiff Diane Field, who claims Gunvalson and partner Ali misrepresented insurance products and mismanaged her funds, causing significant losses on investments totaling over $600,000. Gunvalson has denied all allegations and her legal team states she acted professionally as an experienced insurance broker who respected the plaintiff's investment directions. This is her second fraud lawsuit in six years; a similar case brought against her in 2018 was dismissed after she proved her innocence in court.
timesgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is a national program that educates Medicare beneficiaries and their families about detecting and reporting healthcare fraud, errors, and abuse, with particular focus on medical identity theft—when fraudsters use personal information like Medicare numbers to bill for unauthorized services. In 2023, the SMP program reached 1.2 million people through outreach events, assisted over 270,000 beneficiaries with fraud complaints, identified 26 emerging fraud schemes, and helped Medicare recover more than $111 million in fraudulent billings. The Ohio SMP, operated by Pro Seniors Inc., encourages beneficiaries to report suspicious activity and offers resources to protect Medicare information.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 101,000 people age 60 and older lost nearly $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report, with common scams including tech support fraud ($590 million in losses), investment fraud ($4.57 billion, up 38% year-over-year), power of attorney abuse, Medicare/Medicaid fraud, and homeowner scams. AI-driven fraud is making scams increasingly sophisticated, with criminals creating convincing fake audio and video to deceive victims. Protection requires vigilance about warning signs such as unusual account activity and suspicious communications, along with education and open family dialogue about financial security.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Sabrina Aboshanab, a 33-year-old caregiver from Wappingers Falls, was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison for stealing $164,332.26 from an 81-year-old man in her care between December 2017 and April 2023. Aboshanab, who lived in the victim's home as his caregiver, used his personal information to transfer funds via online and app-based services even after his arrest in 2022, and must pay full restitution. A co-defendant, Mark Schmidt, pleaded guilty to first-degree identity theft and received a 1-3 year
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
An Edinburgh academic accused Starling Bank of excessive fraud prevention measures after the bank repeatedly blocked his €15,000 transfer to an Austrian friend of 20+ years, demanding to see private correspondence and tax documents before refusing the payment and then freezing his account when he complained. The bank acknowledged it went too far in its verification requests and unfroze the account following media intervention, stating it will review its procedures.
dos.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection released fraud prevention guidance for older adults, noting that financial exploitation is the most prevalent form of elder abuse. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crime Report, adults aged 60 and older lost at least $3.4 billion annually to fraud, with investment scams accounting for over $1 billion of those losses—a 38% increase from 2022. The agency advises seniors to recognize red flags in investment and reverse mortgage scams, conduct independent research before committing funds, and avoid unsolicited financial contacts.
theitem.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam when a fake Apple alert prompted her to contact fraudsters posing as Apple and bank employees, who ultimately convinced her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the payment method of choice for criminals because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards. Federal regulators have failed to adequately protect consumers from gift card fraud despite it being a growing problem, while technology companies and retailers benefit financially from these crimes due to
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud after clicking a malicious link on her frozen laptop, leading fraudsters to convince her to purchase gift cards worth thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for criminals due to minimal consumer protections and difficulty in tracing funds. Federal regulators have failed to provide gift cards with the same protections as credit and debit cards, while retailers, technology companies, and fraudsters all profit from the scheme at victims' expense.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland resident named Mae fell victim to a tech support scam that ultimately resulted in fraudsters convincing her to purchase gift cards as payment. The article documents how gift card fraud has become a leading payment method in elder fraud schemes, with an estimated $8 billion stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older, yet federal regulators have failed to implement consumer protections for gift cards comparable to those for credit and debit cards. The investigation reveals that while fraudsters, gift card companies, and retailers profit from these schemes, the privately-held technology companies managing the gift card infrastructure are best positioned to prevent fraud but lack legal requirements to do so.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently
vintontoday.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
communitynewspapergroup.com
· 2025-12-08
**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.
flaglerlive.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked on a fake Safari warning, which led scammers to manipulate her into purchasing gift cards worth thousands of dollars over 10 hours. The case illustrates a broader problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards becoming an increasingly common payment method for criminals because they lack consumer protections similar to credit and debit cards. The article reveals systemic failures in federal regulation, inadequate retailer safeguards, and the profitable role that technology companies and retailers play in the gift card fraud ecosystem, where "everybody but the victim makes money."
bouldercounty.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senior Law Day is a free educational event scheduled for September 21, 2024, in Boulder County, Colorado, designed to help older adults, family members, and caregivers learn about legal and lifestyle matters through expert presentations and consultations. The event features sessions on topics including scams and fraud, estate planning, Medicaid, elder rights and abuse, and dementia caregiving, with attendees able to schedule one-on-one consultations with attorneys, Medicare counselors, and fraud protection experts.
lbcurrent.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2022 lawsuit filed by 96-year-old CSULB philanthropist Regena Cole alleged that California State University, Long Beach and the 49er Foundation committed elder abuse, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation by coercing her into donating $25 million through an agreement signed in 2020. Cole claimed the foundation's former CEO obtained private attorney communications, exploited her memory issues and age, and isolated her from legal counsel to secure the donation, which would operate as a debt against her estate if unpaid during her lifetime. The case reached a tentative settlement in June 2024, though the university and foundation have not confirmed details as the settlement
macombgov.org
· 2025-12-08
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office has established a dedicated senior crime unit and launched an educational initiative to protect seniors from rising scams in the area. The office distributes an informational booklet titled "S.C.A.M.S. – Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors" that covers common fraud schemes including identity theft, telemarketing fraud, internet fraud, home improvement fraud, and caregiver fraud, along with free presentations scheduled throughout the county. The initiative advises seniors to never share personal information over the phone or email with unfamiliar individuals and encourages community participation in anti-fraud awareness events.
blog.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, affecting at least 10% of older adults annually in the U.S., with AARP estimating annual losses at $28.3 billion for those over 60. Critical data gaps exist regarding the impact on historically discriminated-against communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ populations, and low-income groups, due to underreporting caused by fear of retaliation, distrust of authorities, and language barriers. Better demographic data collection is essential to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies tailored to vulnerable populations.
foxbaltimore.com
· 2025-12-08
Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced multiple convictions and indictments targeting elder abuse and financial exploitation, including cases involving theft schemes, home improvement fraud, and physical abuse. Notable cases include Bryan Oneal Jones, who defrauded 15 vulnerable adults of approximately $309,299 through fake home improvement contracts; David Coleman, charged with defrauding a 72-year-old disabled veteran of $105,700; and James Rickey Dupree, convicted of theft and forgery in a $200,000 vehicle theft scheme. The announcement coincided with a resource fair by the Economic Crimes Unit's Older & Disabled Persons Unit to educate seniors on
baltimoresun.com
· 2025-12-08
Baltimore State's Attorney Ivan Bates announced multiple convictions and indictments targeting crimes against older adults and vulnerable people, including theft schemes, financial exploitation, and home improvement fraud. Notable cases include James Rickey Dupree convicted of stealing approximately $200,000 in vehicles using falsified documents; Bryan Oneal Jones accused of defrauding 15 victims of $309,299 through fake home improvement contracts; David Coleman charged with defrauding a 72-year-old disabled veteran of $105,700; and several defendants charged with exploiting elderly relatives through undue influence, identity theft, and physical abuse. The announcement coincided with a resource fair by the
northwichguardian.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Age UK Cheshire is hosting free educational events in October titled "Scam Proof? Protect Yourself and Others from Fraud" to help elderly residents and community members recognize and prevent scams. Expert speakers from local authorities, police, and the Crown Prosecution Service, along with scam survivors sharing their stories, will cover warning signs and tactics used by fraudsters across phone, online, and doorstep scams. The sessions are designed to equip participants with practical strategies to protect their personal and financial information.
dailycommercial.com
· 2025-12-08
A Leesburg woman named Kimberly Bitting and two accomplices allegedly stole approximately $350,000 from a senior widow over 18 months by abusing power of attorney authority to issue fraudulent checks and purchase property. Bitting is charged with three counts of elderly exploitation and one count of organized fraud (both first-degree felonies), while co-defendants Lara Larsen and Ashton Silvis face lesser fraud charges; all defendants have pleaded not guilty. The case highlights the vulnerability of grieving seniors to exploitation by those posing as concerned caregivers, with law enforcement recommending that families remain vigilant about monitoring relationships and financial decisions involving elderly relatives.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Carlton Rembert, 70, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for his role in a guardianship fraud scheme that stole over $1 million from at least 120 incapacitated elderly people in Pennsylvania between 2012 and 2018. Working with his sister Gloria Byars, a court-appointed guardian, and co-conspirator Alesha Mitchell, Rembert deposited over $695,000 in fraudulent checks into shell company accounts and spent the stolen funds on personal expenses including vacations and vehicles. Rembert was ordered to pay $534,335 in restitution to victims.
phillyvoice.com
· 2025-12-08
Carlton Rembert, 70, was sentenced to 5½ years in prison for conspiring with his sister Gloria Byars to defraud at least 120 incapacitated elderly wards in eastern Pennsylvania of over $1 million between 2012 and 2018. Byars, exploiting her position as court-appointed guardian, wrote unauthorized checks to shell companies controlled by the conspirators, which Rembert then deposited and withdrew in cash for personal spending on vacations, vehicles, and luxury items. Rembert was ordered to pay $534,335 in restitution to victims and will serve five years of supervised release following his prison term.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
Carlton Rembert, age 70, was sentenced to 66 months in prison for his role in a guardianship fraud scheme that exploited over 100 incapacitated elderly individuals between 2012 and 2018, resulting in losses exceeding $1 million. Working with court-appointed guardian Gloria Byars and accomplice Alesha Mitchell, Rembert deposited over $695,000 in stolen funds into shell company accounts and distributed the money among conspirators while disguising the thefts as medical expenses. Rembert was ordered to pay $534,335 in restitution and five years of supervised release following his conviction.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is a promotional piece about digital identity solutions for elderly care, not a scam or fraud incident. It discusses how AI-powered identity verification systems can help protect seniors from identity theft and fraud while improving access to healthcare and financial services, and highlights successful implementations of such technologies in elderly care settings.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Neal's Yard Dairy in London was defrauded of 950 wheels of artisanal cheddar worth over $388,000 after scammers posing as wholesalers from a major French retailer tricked the distributor into sending the cheese before disappearing. The company reimbursed the three small-scale cheesemakers who supplied the product and has alerted the cheese community to watch for the stolen Hafod, Westcombe, and Pitchfork cheddar wheels. The Metropolitan Police are investigating the theft, though no arrests have been made.
montanafreepress.org
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common scam tactics targeting older adults—including urgent payment demands, voice impersonation using AI, and financial abuse by trusted individuals—and notes that Montana has a particularly high senior population per capita. The piece advises protection measures such as ignoring unknown calls, monitoring account activity, using digital payments instead of checks, and maintaining secure personal information, while emphasizing that neither banks nor government agencies demand money or threaten account holders.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice's sixth Annual Report (July 2023–June 2024) details its efforts to combat elder fraud and abuse, including over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants charged with stealing nearly $700 million from over 225,000 older victims through romance, lottery, and government impersonation scams, as well as nursing home neglect cases. The department returned millions of dollars to victims, froze over $27 million in fraudulent transfers, supported victim assistance organizations serving 200,000+ older adults, and received over 50,000 calls to its National Elder Fraud Hotline. The department also conducted nearly 1,
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Family caregivers play a crucial role in protecting older adults from fraud, as seniors lose billions annually to scams including tech support, lottery, grandparent, investment, imposter, and romance schemes. AARP recommends caregivers maintain open communication with loved ones, educate them about common fraud tactics, establish protective financial measures, and monitor for signs of social isolation that increase scam vulnerability. Resources and guidance are available at www.aarp.org/fraud to help families prevent and respond to fraud targeting older adults.
barbadostoday.bb
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece discusses the vulnerability of elderly adults to digital scams and fraud, particularly in the Caribbean context. The author highlights that seniors aged 60 and older lost over US$3.4 billion to scams in 2023 according to FBI data, with the average victim losing US$33,915, and notes that older adults are targeted due to their trusting nature, substantial savings, technological inexperience, and emotional vulnerabilities exploited through tactics like grandparent scams and romance fraud. The article emphasizes that data breaches exposing personal information increase seniors' risk, and that most cannot recover financially from these losses due to their inability to re-enter the workforce.
barbadostoday.bb
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece examines the escalating problem of elder fraud in the digital age, highlighting how seniors are disproportionately targeted by scammers who exploit their trusting nature, financial assets, and technological vulnerabilities. The 2023 FBI report revealed that seniors aged 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to fraud, with individuals losing an average of $33,915, while data breaches exposing personal information make them prime targets for sophisticated, personalized attacks. The article emphasizes that common scams include tech support fraud, romance scams, and emergency/grandparent scams, and stresses the urgent need for awareness and protective measures given seniors' limited ability to recover
losaltosonline.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
bostonherald.com
· 2025-12-08
This article argues that elder financial exploitation by family members is an underrecognized and unsupported form of caregiving, with only 1 in 44 cases receiving formal system services despite $28.3 billion lost annually to such abuse (72% from family and friends). The author contends that while illness-related caregiving receives policy support and tax credits, there are no comparable protections or recognition for family members who intervene in financial abuse cases, leaving caregivers to bear significant emotional, financial, and time costs without assistance or reward.
signalscv.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple U.S. regulatory agencies reported in December that elder financial exploitation costs Americans over $28 billion annually, with over 155,000 cases reported between June 2022 and June 2023 linked to approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity. The FBI documented over 101,000 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with victims over 60 losing an average of $33,915—nearly 270% higher than 2020—primarily through investment scams, business email compromise, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes. Regulatory agencies urged financial institutions to strengthen protections by increasing account oversight, training employees to recognize exploitation, and coordinating with law enforcement and elder
parkrapidsenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
A WalletHub study ranking states on elder-abuse protections found Minnesota ranks 10th overall, excelling in financial crime legislation (1st) but lagging in abuse complaint reporting (27th). The article highlights a recent case in rural Douglas County where an elderly resident was defrauded of over $100,000 through a gold investment scam, and emphasizes that elder abuse—including physical, financial, emotional, and neglect—often goes unreported and can be perpetrated by family members or caregivers, requiring greater awareness and preventive measures.
hometownlife.com
· 2025-12-08
An 84-year-old Canton woman fell victim to a grandparent-style fraud scheme in December when a caller impersonating a bank senior fraud officer convinced her to withdraw cash for a supposed security issue, resulting in at least two successful transfers before family members detected suspicious activity and alerted police. Li Biao, a 30-year-old alleged illegal immigrant from China, was arrested on December 17 while attempting to pick up $25,000 in cash from the victim's residence and faces felony charges for fraudulent false pretenses and resisting police.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
An 84-year-old Canton, Michigan woman was targeted by a phone scam in December 2024 in which a caller impersonated a bank "senior fraud officer" and instructed her to withdraw cash for a supposed security purpose; the scheme succeeded twice before family members detected suspicious bank activity and alerted police. Li Biao, a 30-year-old undocumented Chinese national, was arrested on December 17, 2024, when he arrived at the victim's home to collect $25,000 in cash, and was charged with fraudulent false pretenses and resisting police. Police emphasized the importance of monitoring elderly relatives for warning signs such as sudden financial changes, large
fox2detroit.com
· 2025-12-08
A 30-year-old man was arrested in Canton, Michigan, after attempting to defraud an 84-year-old woman by posing as a bank fraud officer and convincing her to withdraw $25,000 in cash over four days. Police apprehended the suspect when he arrived at the victim's home to collect the money on December 17, preventing the theft. The suspect, identified as Li Biao, a Chinese national illegally in the United States, was charged with fraudulent false pretenses and assaulting/resisting police, held on a $100,000 cash bond.
journal-news.net
· 2025-12-08
Joseph Beach, 55, of Inwood, was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining $253,867.12 from his elderly father while serving as his court-appointed fiduciary, misusing the father's veterans disability, retirement, and Social Security benefits. Beach pleaded guilty to wire fraud in March 2024 and was ordered to pay full restitution of $253,876.12. The case highlights financial exploitation by family members, which the National Coalition on Aging identifies as one of the most common forms of elder abuse, causing an estimated $28.3 billion in annual losses nationwide.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The American Bankers Association Foundation launched its 2025 financial education campaigns as part of a three-year commitment to reach five million Americans, celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary. The Foundation's four national initiatives—Teach Children to Save, Get Smart About Credit, Safe Banking for Seniors, and Lights, Camera, Save!—provide free resources to banks and their employees, with new content for 2025 including updated materials on fraud prevention, cryptocurrency investment scams, money mule scams, and check fraud. Since 2023, nearly 40,000 bank volunteers from 1,115 banks have reached 1.7 million people through these programs.
hoodline.com
· 2025-12-08
Shelley Letzer, 67, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, was arraigned on four felony charges including three counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult and fraudulent obtaining of a signature for allegedly exploiting an 87-year-old man with her co-defendant Kirk Lanam. The pair allegedly obtained power of attorney over the victim under false pretenses and used it to write checks to themselves, with Letzer accused of embezzling thousands from the vulnerable man who already had an appointed guardian. Letzer faces up to five years per embezzlement count and ten years for the signature fraud charge.
news.jrn.msu.edu
· 2025-12-08
A Michigan man and woman were charged with financially exploiting an 87-year-old Rochester Hills resident through fraudulent power of attorney, with one defendant embezzling over $400,000 and the other stealing thousands through unauthorized checks. A Michigan State University study in rural communities found that preventative training for family caregivers and seniors, combined with caseworker follow-up visits, effectively empowers people to identify and prevent financial exploitation of older adults. Michigan reports increasing financial exploitation cases, with over 4,000 referrals in fiscal year 2024, and research shows that even basic community education can raise awareness and help prevent elder fraud.
dailymail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old San Francisco millionaire, Geraldine Clark, was allegedly defrauded of approximately $5 million by her four live-in caregivers between 2015 and 2022 through forged checks and unauthorized withdrawals from her investment portfolio. The caregivers—Elsie Curameng, Milagros Alinas, Lilia Galdo, and Marina Suriao—exploited Clark's dementia (which they concealed from her family) and kept her sedated on high doses of Vicodin to drain her $9 million nest egg down to less than $200 before she died in
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
A widowed pensioner fell victim to a romance scam, sending thousands of pounds to a woman he had never met in person, whose photos were stolen from social media and used across multiple scam accounts. Santander's "Break the Spell" team, a specialized fraud prevention unit, worked to convince him he was being defrauded, though he initially resisted accepting the reality despite blocked transactions and a failed in-person meeting. The article highlights the growing prevalence of scams in the UK—with £213m lost across the banking sector in the first half of 2024—and notes that Santander's Break the Spell initiative has prevented £17.6m from reaching
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly widow lost approximately $8.4 million over four years when her son, Brett Thomas Graham—a securities industry-barred individual—moved money from her accounts at multiple financial firms (JPMorgan Securities, Schwab, and Francis Financial) without proper detection or intervention. The woman, who had memory loss and was living in assisted care, had invested nearly $9 million from the sale of her Upper East Side townhouse, but the financial institutions failed to implement adequate safeguards such as flagging suspicious large withdrawals, conducting proper due diligence, or contacting trusted family members to verify the transactions. Her family only discovered the fraud after she was evicted from her assiste
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are increasingly impersonating TikTok employees via text messages to deceive teenagers into fake jobs, claiming they can earn £300-800 per day by liking videos on the platform. Virgin Media O2 reported a sharp increase in these scam messages and found that 23% of surveyed teenagers aged 13-16 did not realize criminals could impersonate their favorite brands, with half failing to identify fraudulent messages when tested. Other common scams targeting this age group include false gambling winnings and fake package delivery notifications.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
O2 created "Daisy," an AI chatbot designed to impersonate an elderly grandmother who wastes scammers' time through confusion, tangential conversations about knitting and scones, and technical incompetence. Over several weeks, the bot successfully detained individual fraudsters for up to 40 minutes each—time they could not spend targeting real victims—by feigning difficulty with computer instructions and repeatedly changing the subject. The project, developed in collaboration with scam baiter Jim Browning, was primarily designed as an awareness campaign rather than a full-scale rollout, demonstrating how AI could be used defensively against fraud.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 16-year-old girl in Glasgow was scammed out of £125 after clicking on a fake social media advert for clothing brand Lucy & Yak that offered items at unusually low prices; she entered her debit card details but the items never arrived, though her bank successfully recovered the funds. The scam mimicked the legitimate brand with authentic logos and product images, with only a subtle dollar sign instead of a pound symbol as a red flag. The incident highlights that teens are vulnerable to social media fraud, with research showing a quarter of British teens are likely to fall for scam texts, prompting warnings to verify sources and check official websites before making purchases.
news.wfsu.org
· 2025-12-08
A Florida Senate bill seeks to expand protections for elderly scam victims by allowing legal service of injunctions to anonymous online fraudsters through the platforms where they made contact, rather than requiring traditional certified mail. The measure was prompted by cases like a widow who lost $2.5 million to a romance scammer on a dating app despite family intervention and court orders to freeze assets. In 2023, Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, with such crimes rising 11 percent from 2022.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Missouri man fell victim to a sextortion scam in which he sent intimate photos to someone posing as a romantic interest, who then threatened to publish the images unless he paid $2,500; a second scammer then impersonated police and demanded additional money by threatening to contact his employer. Sextortion—coercing victims into financial or behavioral compliance by threatening to share intimate images—affects not only children and teenagers but also older adults, with surveys indicating that 7.6% of adults ages 50-64 and 8.4% of those 65+ have experienced it, though experts believe actual numbers are higher due to underreporting caused by shame
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Missouri man was victimized in a sextortion scam where he sent intimate photos to an online romance scammer, who then extorted him for $2,500 and threatened to share the images; a second extortionist impersonating police demanded additional money by threatening to contact his employer. Sextortion—threatening to publish intimate images to coerce victims into financial or behavioral compliance—is an evolving form of abuse affecting not only minors but also older adults, with 7.6% of adults ages 50-64 and 8.4% of those 65+ reporting victimization, though actual rates are likely higher due to underreporting
hoodline.com
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old caregiver named Heather Moore was arrested in Ojai, California for financially exploiting an 81-year-old elderly woman by altering and forging checks to steal over $3,000. Moore's fraud was discovered when a vigilant bookkeeper noticed suspicious check alterations and reported the scheme to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Moore was arrested on January 23 and charged with elder abuse, forgery, and grand theft.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Richard Robinson, a serial romance fraudster who operated under the alias "Gary Rogers," conned 68-year-old Yvonne and at least one other woman out of more than £210,000 between 2017 and 2018 by posing as a wealthy, charming motor dealer. After being sentenced to 10 years in prison in July 2020, Robinson was released after serving just four years, prompting Yvonne to flee the UK due to fear for her safety, having lost over £115,000 and suffered physical violence including attempted strangulation. The case illustrates the growing threat of romance fraud in the UK, which increased 27% between
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Sarah Works, a 28-year-old Port St. Lucie woman, was arrested following a SWAT raid after an investigation revealed she had fraudulently gained the trust of an elderly victim by posing as a caregiver, then exploited that position to access the victim's bank accounts, credit cards, and personal identification. The fraud was discovered when a family member living out of state noticed suspicious bank activity and alerted authorities; Works also fraudulently obtained power of attorney documents that the victim unknowingly signed. Works is being held without bond on charges including scheme to defraud, fraudulent use of credit cards, and criminal use of personal identification, and this represents her third arrest in two
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Regina Henaku, 33, of Leominster, Massachusetts, was indicted on multiple counts after posing as a professional caregiver at health care facilities and assisted living centers in Worcester and Middlesex Counties, where she stole bank cards from at least 16 elderly victims over age 60 between August and November 2024. She used the stolen cards to steal approximately $28,000 from 11 victims and attempted to steal from others, while also using forged identities of a relative and former coworker to gain employment at multiple facilities. Henaku was charged with nine counts of larceny over $250 from an elderly or disabled person, credit card fraud, identity frau
hopkintonindependent.com
· 2025-12-08
Regina Henaku, 33, of Leominster was indicted on nine counts including larceny and identity fraud for allegedly stealing approximately $28,000 from at least 16 elderly victims over 60 years old between August and November 2024. Henaku posed as a professional caregiver at multiple health care facilities and assisted living homes across Worcester and Middlesex counties, fraudulently using stolen credentials to gain employment and then stealing the bank cards of victims. She worked at five different facilities including Fairview Estates in Hopkinton, and was also charged with obstructing justice by misleading police about her identity during the investigation.
wsbradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cobb County caretaker was investigated for allegedly stealing over $50,000 from an elderly woman with memory loss through forged checks discovered when the woman entered a memory care facility. A family member identified the fraudulent bank activity, and police used bank video footage to connect the theft to the caretaker. The Cobb County Sheriff's Office responded by planning educational sessions at local venues to help families monitor senior finances and prevent similar exploitation of vulnerable elders.
markets.financialcontent.com
· 2025-12-08
Karina Singer is pursuing a Nevada Supreme Court appeal (Case No. 89171) involving allegations of elder financial abuse, fiduciary misconduct, and over $1 million in improper trust asset distributions from her late father Steven J. Singer's estate. The case was transferred from the Nevada Supreme Court to the Court of Appeals without addressing Singer's pending motions and evidence, which she contends violated appellate procedure rules and constitutional due process protections. Singer has filed an emergency motion to recall the transfer and retain jurisdiction, arguing the Supreme Court has a mandatory obligation to address the uncontested allegations of judicial misconduct and systemic failures in Nevada's probate system.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Elisabeth Iler, a 75-year-old American retired professor living in Mumbai, alleges she was defrauded of ₹2.5 crore (approximately $300,000 USD) by a former relationship manager at a private bank and his associate between 2020 and 2022. The accused used forged signatures and OTPs to redirect her life savings—transferred from the sale of her Florida property—into personal accounts under the guise of legitimate Indian investments in properties that never materialized. Despite filing multiple complaints with police, no FIR has been registered, raising concerns about fiduciary abuse and institutional failure within India's banking sector.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Former San Diego Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood shared insights on elder fraud at the 8th Annual Fairfax Scam Jam, highlighting why victims often remain silent—including impairment, isolation, shame, loyalty to abusers, fear of losing independence, dependence on caregivers, and retaliation fears. Greenwood advocates for a proactive community approach to fraud prevention, including training notaries to recognize fraud signs, public awareness campaigns, and educating the public about misconceptions such as ageism affecting investigations and the false belief that giving someone money cannot constitute a crime.
crowdfundinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Greenlight launched Family Shield, a subscription plan that helps caregivers protect seniors from financial fraud and physical safety risks through features including financial account monitoring, fraud/identity theft insurance (up to $100,000 for deceptive transfer fraud and $1 million for identity theft), real-time location tracking, and crash detection. The service addresses a significant problem: financial exploitation costs adults 60+ an estimated $62 billion annually, while seniors face rising digital threats including scams and money management errors. The plan includes educational resources and a monitored debit card to help caregivers oversee their senior loved ones' finances and safety comprehensively.
law.georgia.gov
· 2025-12-08
During May 2025's Older Americans Month, Georgia's Attorney General Consumer Protection Division reached over 1,300 seniors to educate them on recognizing, preventing, and reporting financial abuse and exploitation. The division highlighted common scams targeting older adults—including government imposter schemes, investment/cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams—and provided resources such as their free "Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults" (available in English, Spanish, and Korean) along with reporting contacts for suspected financial abuse.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission estimated that criminals stole approximately $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023, with elder financial abuse coming from both known perpetrators and stranger scams. AARP highlights preventive measures including adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, freezing credit to prevent unauthorized accounts, and using robocall/text blockers to reduce exposure to phone-based scams. The article emphasizes that these proactive steps can significantly protect older adults' financial security.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services and Department of Aging marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June 2025, highlighting that local agencies receive over 100 adult protective services referrals daily and that one in 10 seniors nationally experience some form of elder abuse. The state provided information on recognizing warning signs of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse as well as financial exploitation and neglect, with resources including an awareness campaign and a hotline (1-855-OHIO-APS) for reporting suspected abuse.
einpresswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Equity Access Group highlights financial abuse risks to seniors on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), noting that older Americans lose an estimated $36.5 billion annually to financial scams and exploitation. The company emphasizes warning signs of financial abuse—including pressure to sign documents quickly, sudden involvement of new individuals in finances, and unexplained withdrawals—and implements protective measures such as mandatory HUD-approved counseling, staff training to identify manipulation, and personal follow-up with all reverse mortgage applicants to ensure borrower safety.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission estimated criminals stole $61.5 billion from adults age 60 and over in 2023, with financial abuse coming from both known perpetrators like family members and strangers carrying out scams. To prevent elder financial exploitation, AARP recommends adding trusted contacts to financial accounts, freezing credit to prevent unauthorized accounts, and using robocall and text message blockers to reduce exposure to phone-based scams. Victims should report scams to local law enforcement or contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908-3360.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
The Alabama Securities Commission reported a record 200 elder fraud cases since January, with women aged 71-90 being disproportionately affected, and identified social isolation as a key vulnerability factor that scammers exploit during periods of grief or health crises. Fraudsters use social media information and infiltrate senior groups to build trust, with exploitation ranging from online romance scams to financial abuse by family members and caregivers. The ASC recommends maintaining regular contact with seniors, adding "trusted contacts" to financial accounts, and sharing fraud awareness information to reduce vulnerability to these increasingly sophisticated schemes.
oklahomawatch.org
· 2025-12-08
Vietnam veteran Leroy Theodore, Sr., a quadriplegic stroke survivor, became the subject of a guardianship dispute after St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa initiated efforts to obtain legal control of his finances and medical decisions in April 2024, despite his daughter Valerie Parks holding power of attorney and having been cleared of neglect allegations by Adult Protective Services in March. The hospital and state denied the family access to Theodore for 1.5 months while competing guardianship claims were filed in two different courts, raising concerns that Theodore's case exemplifies a growing nationwide pattern of guardianship fraud targeting vulnerable elderly patients for financial gain.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Family members can commit financial fraud against seniors in retirement, with red flags including unusual account activity, missing valuables, suspicious signatures, and unauthorized changes to wills or powers of attorney. Experts recommend protecting yourself through estate planning, forming a trusted financial care team, automating bill payments, securing personal information, obtaining legal documents like powers of attorney and wills, and implementing dual signatures or co-trustees to prevent any single person from having complete financial control.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults are vulnerable to financial fraud from family members and trusted individuals, not just external scammers. Experts recommend protecting against family financial abuse by establishing a trusted team to oversee finances, automating bill payments, monitoring accounts regularly, organizing legal documents (power of attorney, wills), requiring dual signatures for major transactions, and watching for red flags such as unusual financial activity, missing valuables, and unauthorized account changes.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are creating fake Facebook profiles posing as family members to share fraudulent links to virtual funeral livestreams or donation pages, charging victims £10 or requesting donations that never provide access to genuine services. The Chartered Trading Standards Institute reports this scam has circulated for two years across the UK and Ireland, targeting high-profile deaths and exploiting grieving individuals who often don't report the fraud due to embarrassment or concern for the bereaved family. Legitimate funeral directors never charge for livestreaming, and victims should verify any links directly with the funeral director or family before providing payment or personal information.
okmagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Reality TV personality Vicki Gunvalson faces a financial elder abuse lawsuit from 74-year-old client Diane Field, who alleges that Gunvalson and her business partner at Coto Insurance and Financial Services mismanaged Field's $6 million estate by recommending unsuitable life insurance and annuity investments that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars more than promised. Gunvalson has demanded a jury trial (expected to last 7-10 days) and denies all allegations, claiming she acted with the client's consent and in her best interest. The case is ongoing.
vocal.media
· 2025-12-08
The Health 2.0 Conference highlighted healthcare fraud as a rapidly growing threat targeting seniors, who are vulnerable due to complex medical needs, digital disadvantages, and social isolation that scammers exploit through fake insurance plans, Medicare billing fraud, telehealth scams, and spoofed portals. Healthcare providers, policymakers, and innovators are urged to implement intelligent systems and vigilance to detect red flags such as unexpected charges and unfamiliar providers to protect this vulnerable population.
fdic.gov
· 2025-12-08
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.
elmoreautauganews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Central Alabama Aging Consortium's Ombudsman Program held its annual Elder Justice Fraud and Caregiver Conference on July 17 to educate professionals and caregivers about identifying and preventing elder abuse and fraud. Over 1,200 Alabama seniors report being victims of elder fraud annually, resulting in losses exceeding $17 million per year, with 10% of seniors nationwide experiencing fraud victimization yearly. The conference featured experts in financial exploitation, elder law, and protective services who provided tools and resources for professionals to assist fraud victims and prevent future incidents.
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors aged 65 and older reported nearly $4.9 billion in losses to financial scams—a 43% increase from the previous year—with Texas seniors alone filing over 9,473 complaints averaging $489,000 in losses each. Seniors are targeted because they control significant national wealth and often struggle to keep pace with technology, making them vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation, and investment fraud. Family members and caregivers can help protect seniors by monitoring account activity, maintaining open communication about financial matters, and encouraging consultation before large transactions, while laws like the 2017 Elder Abuse Prevention
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
**Rental Fraud Overview**
Young people account for three-quarters of rental fraud cases, with approximately £9 million lost across 5,000 reported incidents last year. Scammers typically pose as landlords on low-cost listing sites and social media, offering cheap properties and requesting deposits before viewings, using tactics like fake videos and artificial urgency to pressure victims into payment.
**Key Prevention Advice:** Never pay deposits without viewing the property in person, verify landlord credentials and ownership proof, scrutinize profile creation dates and multiple similar listings, and trust instincts when details seem suspicious.
greaterkashmir.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jammu and Kashmir Police's Crime Branch registered three separate cases against fraudsters who duped job seekers of approximately Rs 1.50 crore through employment scams. The accused—including Ajay Kumar (who impersonated a Secretariat official and defrauded six victims of Rs 1.06 crore), suspended teacher Jameel Anjum (who posed as a PA to high officials and defrauded nine victims of Rs 39 lakhs, with this being his 11th FIR), and Iftikhar Ali and Nazir Ali (accused of defrauding one victim)—targeted vulnerable youth with false promises of government
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County hosted a free educational program on elder exploitation, abuse, and neglect awareness, prompted by a recent local case involving financial exploitation of an elderly man through pawned items, fraudulent bank transactions, and forged documents. Law enforcement and Adult Protective Services officials emphasized that scams are the most common form of elder exploitation, with growing sophistication through artificial intelligence, and stressed the importance of community vigilance and regular engagement with elderly loved ones to prevent such crimes.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman's Instagram account was hijacked and used to advertise fake Oasis concert tickets, resulting in £1,400 stolen from her friends who believed they were purchasing genuine tickets from her. The scammers impersonated her to spread the fraud and demanded £100 to return account access, while Instagram refused to recognize the account as compromised. The incident reflects a broader trend of ticket fraud, with UK Oasis fans losing over £2 million to fraudsters by March 2025, and experts recommend using two-factor authentication to prevent similar account compromises.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
**AInvest Newsletter - Financial Exploitation of Elderly Investors**
Adults over 60 reported $4.885 billion in losses to financial exploitation in 2024, a 46% increase from 2023, with 147,127 complaints filed to the FBI's IC3, though actual cases are estimated to be 43 times higher than reported. Elderly investors face exploitation through two main vulnerabilities: undue influence (emotional manipulation by caregivers or advisors) and inadequate estate planning, with a 2024 NAPSA study finding 68% of exploited seniors had no prior cognitive decline but were compromised by dependency relationships. The article recomm
ocalagazette.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ocala/Marion County Mobile Integrated Senior Crisis Response Team, a collaborative effort of over 20 local agencies, was presented to Florida State Senator Darryl Rouson as an effective model for addressing non-law enforcement crises affecting seniors. The team addresses issues including elder exploitation, dementia-related wandering, hoarding, and financial fraud, while reducing excessive 911 calls and avoiding service duplication. Since its organization began in 2020 by Marion Senior Services, the team has provided unified care coordination and rapid response for seniors experiencing mental health crises, exploitation, and other supportive care needs.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial elder abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in Canada, affecting approximately 10% of seniors annually, often perpetrated by trusted family members and occurring subtly over extended periods through manipulation of wills, powers of attorney, and financial documents. Protection strategies include creating clear legal documents such as powers of attorney (which can be set to activate only upon incapacity) and wills that designate trustees, potentially using professional corporate executors rather than family members to reduce the risk of abuse.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old in-home caregiver employed by Lilies of Hope Health Agency was arrested on multiple felony charges including exploitation of an elderly adult, uttering forged endorsements, and obtaining property by false pretense after the victim's daughter discovered three forged checks and missing prescription medications. The caregiver, Victoria Lowery, was taken into custody in Red Springs and later bonded out, with a court date scheduled for September. The specific dollar amounts involved in the check fraud were not disclosed in the report.
witn.com
· 2025-12-08
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.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
A Durham County caregiver bonded out on charges of exploiting her client through check fraud, exemplifying a broader trend of financial abuse by caregivers targeting vulnerable adults. The article documents multiple cases including a nurse who stole a patient's identity, a caregiver who used an elderly woman's financial information to make thousands in unauthorized transactions, and a healthcare company operator sentenced to 17 years for a $500,000 Medicare fraud scheme. The AARP reports over 369,000 annual incidents of financial abuse against older adults in the U.S., with experts recommending background checks, financial monitoring, secure document storage, and requiring receipts to protect vulnerable individuals in care.
sundayguardianlive.com
· 2025-12-08
From 2014 to June 2025, cybercriminals in New Delhi defrauded residents of Rs 1,487.37 crore through increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting elderly pensioners, traders, and young adults via fake bank messages, bogus payment confirmations, and fraudulent investment platforms. Losses surged dramatically to a record Rs 817.65 crore in 2024 alone, with cybercriminals employing deepfakes, counterfeit websites, and AI-generated content to impersonate trusted institutions. While authorities have established response measures including dedicated cyber police stations and a national reporting portal, experts stress that public awareness and vigilance remain the most effective
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
TARCOG is hosting a free Fraud and Scam Summit in Athens, Alabama to educate seniors, caregivers, and professionals about recognizing and preventing scams, which cost Americans nearly $5 billion annually. The event features experts from law enforcement and the Alabama Securities Commission discussing common fraud tactics, identity theft prevention, and reporting procedures, with particular focus on romance scams as the fastest-growing threat targeting vulnerable seniors. Attendees can register on the waiting list by contacting TARCOG at 256-830-0818, and resources will be available online for those unable to attend.
wweek.com
· 2025-12-08
83-year-old real estate developer Walter Bowen sued his former senior vice president Barclay Grayson for elder abuse, alleging Grayson used Bowen's signature stamp to sign personal guarantees and loan documents without authorization, and misappropriated $250,000 of a $1.1 million improvement allowance intended for condo renovations. Bowen, who hired Grayson in 2003 despite Grayson's prior prison sentence for mail fraud, fired him in July 2024 and filed suit for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and financial abuse of a vulnerable person; the complaint also implicated the
hollywoodreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Actor John Amos' daughter Shannon sued her brother Kelly Christopher Amos, former caretaker Belinda Foster, and associate Eugene Brummett for elder abuse, fraud, and wrongful death, alleging that starting around 2019, K.C. Amos systematically isolated their father, manipulated him into signing new wills and trusts that gave K.C. near-complete control of the estate, and neglected his medical needs—resulting in hospitalizations including treatment for a maggot infection. The petition claims John Amos, who died in 2024 of natural causes, was kept in unsafe conditions with improperly administered medications, and seeks to freeze the
prweb.com
· 2025-12-08
RangersAI announced two new features in its ScamRanger app to combat elder fraud and scams: Guardian Mode, which allows vulnerable users to designate trusted contacts who receive scam alerts and can provide support, and a WhatsApp Agent that delivers real-time scam detection directly within WhatsApp. The app detects over 130 scam types across SMS, email, and chat platforms, addressing a global scam crisis exceeding $1 trillion in losses annually.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-07
Financial exploitation of older adults is rising at epidemic rates through scams, family manipulation, and digital illiteracy, with the FBI reporting over 100,000 victims age 60+ in 2023 and total losses exceeding $3 billion (averaging $35,000 per person). Older adults are particularly vulnerable due to trust, isolation from face-to-face interaction, and a digital divide, with those age 80+ suffering the highest median losses. Common schemes include tech support, grandparent scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and increasingly sophisticated AI-generated voice clones, while many cases go unreported due to shame or involvement of trusted family members
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-07
A Nashville caregiver, Eric Scott, was arrested in May following a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult under his care. Scott allegedly used the victim's bank card and personal information between May 26-27 to make fraudulent withdrawals and purchases. He was charged with theft over $1,000, fraudulent use of a credit card over $1,000, identity theft, and financial exploitation of a vulnerable person over $1,000, with bond set at $17,500.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams targeting older adults have surged 52% among people over 55, with victims aged 75-84 losing an average of £8,068 each compared to £5,219 across all age groups. Scammers use fake dating and social media profiles to build emotional connections, then request money for emergencies like medical bills or travel expenses, often avoiding video calls or in-person meetings with elaborate excuses. Key prevention strategies include staying on monitored messaging platforms, consulting trusted friends and family before sending money, and never transferring funds to someone met only online.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A scammer's attempt to fraudulently obtain a reverse mortgage on an elderly Ohio homeowner's property was prevented by EquityProtect's SmartPolicy fraud prevention technology, which flagged the unauthorized loan request and alerted the homeowner's daughter who held Power of Attorney. The incident illustrates growing financial crime targeting seniors, with the FBI reporting $4.88 billion in losses from 147,127 elder fraud complaints in 2024, a 46% increase in complaints year-over-year.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-07
A scammer attempted to defraud an elderly Ohio homeowner by convincing him to take out a reverse mortgage to steal his home equity, but the scheme was foiled when EquityProtect's Property Title Lock service detected the unauthorized loan application and notified the homeowner's daughter, who held Power of Attorney over the property. The incident highlights growing financial crimes against seniors, with the FBI reporting $4.88 billion in losses from 147,127 elder fraud complaints in 2024, a 46% increase from the previous year.
techxplore.com
· 2025-12-07
Aberystwyth University, Dyfed-Powys Police, and PEGS launched a new guide to combat technology-enabled abuse of people over 60, which includes monitoring via smart devices, mobile tracking, and unauthorized access to accounts. The guide, based on police data and case studies, reveals that 14% of older parents supported by PEGS experienced digital abuse from family members, with one case involving £20,000 stolen through unauthorized smartphone access and another involving stalking via fake social media profiles and Ring doorbell cameras. Between May 2024 and April 2025, over 950 domestic abuse cases involving older victims were reported in Dyfed-Powys
insidernj.com
· 2025-12-07
Patricia Linda-Ahono, nursing director at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in New Jersey, was indicted in July 2025 on charges including aggravated assault, neglect of an elderly or disabled adult, and falsifying records for physically assaulting a resident with a broom on June 24, 2023. The assault was captured on video, and Ahono allegedly attempted to cover up the incident by filing a false incident report claiming the resident had a weapon and by instructing staff not to contact authorities or notify state agencies as required.
insidernj.com
· 2025-12-07
Patricia Linda-Ahono, a nursing director at Crystal Lake Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in New Jersey, was indicted in July 2025 on charges including aggravated assault, neglect of an elderly or disabled adult, and falsifying records after she allegedly struck a resident with a broom on June 24, 2023, causing bleeding injuries. The incident was recorded on video by a nurse, but Lindo-Ahono allegedly falsified the incident report by claiming the resident had a weapon and misrepresenting the date; she also allegedly instructed staff not to contact police and later attempted to coach a witness to deny knowledge of the event. The charges reflect both the physical assault and the
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
**Scam Type:** Fraudulent driving license scheme
Fraudsters operating on social media platforms (primarily WhatsApp and TikTok) are charging victims £500-£850 to obtain fake UK driving licenses by falsely claiming they have staff inside the DVLA and DVSA who will bypass testing requirements. Victims lose an average of £244, with losses doubling year-over-year according to TSB Bank data, and those caught with counterfeit licenses face up to 10 years imprisonment; the DVLA and DVSA have confirmed no legitimate staff are involved and the promised documents are counterfeit.