Senior Online Scam Alerts – September 2025
Recent senior-scam news from September 2025: 68 stories from across the United States, tagged by state, scam type, story kind, and AI. Click a tag to open the related page on this site, or use the filters below.
Colonie bank employee stops $30K elder scam
A New York bank employee stepped in and stopped an older customer from losing $30,000 to a scam.
Police warn of several scams targeting older Bostonians
Boston police warn older residents about scams from home-repair fraud to cryptocurrency, after locals lost millions in 2024.
Elder fraud has reached epidemic proportions: a geriatrician explains what older Americans need to know
A geriatrician calls elder fraud an epidemic, noting Americans 60 and older lost over $3 billion to scammers in 2023.
Scam Savvy: a seminar for seniors on recognizing & avoiding scams
A free webinar will teach seniors how to recognize and avoid the top scams now targeting older adults.
Silicon Valley's seniors get a crash course in AI
Free classes in California are teaching older adults the basics of AI so they can spot new scams.
Morris Township Police Share "Stop Fraud" Guide to Protect Older Adults from Scams
New Jersey police released a Stop Fraud guide to help older adults recognize and avoid common scams.
'Phantom hacker' scams surge
Officials warn of multi-step 'phantom hacker' scams that pose as tech, bank, and government staff to drain seniors' savings.
Your mailbox might be a target
An elder scam expert warns older adults about mail theft and check-altering schemes and how to keep mail safe.
Gloucester Bans Bitcoin ATMs Due To Scams That Target Elderly Residents
A Massachusetts city banned Bitcoin ATMs after scammers used them to steal money from older residents.
So-called 'grandparent scams' target senior citizens
Scammers are posing as grandchildren in trouble to pressure older adults into quickly sending money.
Financial Exploitation Prevention Act introduced to combat scams against seniors
A bipartisan bill in Congress aims to add new tools to spot and stop financial abuse of seniors and disabled adults.
Northern Manitoba seniors targeted in 'grandparent scam,' RCMP say
Police in northern Manitoba warn that scammers are posing as grandchildren in trouble to pressure seniors into sending cash.
FBI alert sounds alarm on costly elder fraud scams
The FBI is alerting older adults to fast-growing scams that are draining retirement savings across the country.
IRS Warns of Tax Scams Targeting Seniors Online
Officials warn that scammers posing as the IRS are targeting older adults online to steal money and personal details.
PA AG warns seniors of Medicare scam involving unrequested medical equipment
Pennsylvania's attorney general warns seniors about a Medicare scam sending unrequested medical equipment to bill the program.
Romance scams hit Athenians: Council on Aging offers workshop
After romance scams hit local seniors, a Council on Aging is offering a workshop to help.
AI-Powered Scams Target Seniors, Stealing $1B
Seniors have lost more than $1 billion as scammers increasingly use AI to deceive them.
Rochester-area man lost $30K to scammers; how scams wreak havoc for NY seniors
A Rochester-area man lost $30,000 to scammers, showing the toll fraud takes on New York seniors.
The most common scams targeting seniors in NY
A look at the most common scams hitting older adults in New York and how they work.
Texas teen uses computer science to fight scammers
A Texas teen built a website to teach older adults how to spot and report online scams.
Deepfake technology targeting seniors in medical scams
Experts warn scammers are using deepfake videos to push fake medical products on older adults.
'Don't Get Hooked': Senior scam & fraud prevention workshop offered
A free workshop is offered to help older adults recognize and avoid scams and fraud.
Social Security COLA Scams Are on the Rise: 4 Red Flags To Watch For
Scams using the Social Security cost-of-living increase are rising; here are red flags to watch for.
Virginia ranks 11th in elder fraud losses
New data ranks Virginia 11th in the nation for money lost by older adults to fraud.
AI-Driven Scams Targeting Older Persons, Says Senate Panel's Report
A Senate report warns that scams driven by AI are increasingly targeting older adults.
Maryland Scam Alert: Police Warn of Spoofed Barrack Phone Number
Maryland State Police warn scammers are faking a police phone number to ask for money or personal details.
Representative holds hearing on financial fraud, scams; launches website
A congressman held a hearing on financial fraud and launched a website to help people avoid scams.
Local agency holds a seminar for seniors about scams
A local agency is holding a seminar to teach older adults how to recognize and avoid scams.
BBB Scam Alert: Emergency scams instill fear via fake texts and mugshots
Better Business Bureau warns of emergency scams using fake texts and mugshots to scare victims into paying.
Fraud crimes targeting senior citizens on the rise nationally, FBI says
San Antonio leaders and the FBI warn that fraud against older adults is rising nationwide.
Scam Jam event aims to protect older adults from scams
A local Scam Jam event teaches older adults how to recognize and avoid common scams.
Senator: Maine sheriffs are key allies in scam prevention
A U.S. senator says Maine sheriffs are vital partners in protecting seniors from scams.
Mass. older adults falling for new gold bar scams, FBI Boston warns
The FBI warns Massachusetts seniors of scams pushing them to buy gold bars and hand them over.
Hingham police warn of a new scam after an 89-year-old is targeted
Hingham police warn the public of a new scam after an 89-year-old resident was targeted.
AI chatbots were happy to help craft a phishing scam
An investigation found AI chatbots readily wrote phishing emails designed to defraud seniors.
Michigan Attorney General named inaugural AG partner of the Gift Card Fraud effort
Michigan's Attorney General joined a new partnership to fight gift card fraud that often hits seniors.
New Social Security scam targets seniors over email
A new email scam impersonates Social Security to trick seniors into giving up money or information.
Police warn about grandparent scam after recent attempt to defraud a local senior
Lethbridge police warn seniors of callers posing as a grandchild in trouble who demand quick cash.
Older adults in Denver get tech-savvy to fight growing threat of online scams
Denver seniors take free tech classes to learn how to spot and avoid online scams.
Cybercrime on the rise: Seniors targeted like never before
Reports show online crime is climbing, with seniors targeted more than ever before.
Texas teenager named TIME Magazine's 'Kid of the Year'
A Frisco, Texas high schooler built a website to help older adults spot and avoid scams.
'Phantom Hacker' Scam Targets Seniors Using Three Phases
The Phantom Hacker scam unfolds in three phases, with fake tech, bank, and government workers draining savings.
A Canadian Bank Teller Stopped a Senior From Being Scammed Out of $9,000
A Canadian bank teller noticed the warning signs and stopped a senior from losing $9,000 to a crypto scam.
Conference Teaches Seniors How to Spot Online Scams
A community conference is teaching older adults how to recognize and avoid online scams.
FBI warns about scam targeting older adults
The FBI is warning older adults about a scam aimed at draining their savings.
Phone Scam Alert: 'Spoof' Calls Appear to Be Coming From Local Police
Scammers are spoofing local police numbers on caller ID to trick people into handing over bank details.
Americans Are Now Even More Vulnerable to Online Romance Fraud
Experts warn Americans are more exposed than ever to online romance fraud and its growing losses.
Attorney General Reissues Consumer Alert on Government Imposter Scams
Michigan's attorney general renews a warning about scammers posing as government agencies.
Frisco Teen Named TIME's 2025 Kid of the Year for Protecting Seniors
A Frisco, Texas teen built a tool to shield older adults from online scams after her grandfather was targeted.
Austin Woman Out Thousands Due to Phishing Scam, Says Her Bank Isn't Helping
An Austin woman lost thousands to a phishing scam and says her bank has not helped recover the money.
A New Scam Is Draining Older Consumers' Savings
Consumer advocates warn of a new scheme quietly draining the savings of older adults.
Map Shows States Where Seniors Are Most at Risk of Fraud
A new map ranks which states leave older adults most exposed to fraud losses.
Attorney General Warns of Scammers Targeting Seniors
The state attorney general warns that scammers are increasingly targeting older residents.
My 85-Year-Old Grandma Nearly Lost $50K to a Scam: How It Worked
An 85-year-old woman nearly lost $50,000 to a scam that used fear and urgency to pressure her.
Fulton County Helping Seniors Avoid Cyber Scams
Fulton County launched a free training program to help seniors recognize and avoid online scams.
Police Host Fraud and Scam Awareness Events for Seniors
An Alabama police department is hosting awareness events to help seniors spot fraud and scams.
'Just Hang Up': FBI Warns of New Scam
The FBI urges people to simply hang up on unexpected calls, a key defense against a new scam.
Scammers Targeting Seniors in California: Experts Share Tips to Stay Safe
A free Sacramento workshop taught California seniors how to spot and avoid rising digital scams.
Elderly Woman Loses Thousands to Fake Astronaut in Romance Scam
An older woman lost thousands to a romance scammer who pretended to be a stranded astronaut.
Online Scams Are on the Rise: How Seniors Can Stay Safe
A Charlotte expert shares the online red flags seniors should watch for as scams keep rising.
Better Business Bureau Warns Seniors of AI Scams Targeting Grandparents
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers use AI voice cloning to pose as grandchildren in need.
Fraud Cost Californians $1.7B in 2024 as Seniors Face Growing Scam Risks
California fraud losses reached $1.7 billion in 2024, with seniors facing growing scam risks.
Sitka Elder Loses $40K in Fraud Scam
An Alaska woman mailed $40,000 in cash to a caller posing as a bank fraud investigator.
More Than Money: The Hidden Toll of Financial Abuse of Older Adults
A look at how financial abuse harms older adults beyond the money lost, including health and trust.
In Los Altos, Financial Rip-Offs a Key Trend in Elder Abuse, Police Say
Los Altos police report that financial scams have become a leading form of elder abuse locally.
Port Richey Senior, 70, Loses $47K in AI Romance Scam
A Florida man in his 70s lost $47,000 to a romance scammer who used fake AI videos to win his trust.
Cybersecurity Group Warns of 'Phantom Hacker' Scams Targeting Seniors
Experts warn of a Phantom Hacker scheme where fake tech, bank, and government callers drain seniors' savings.