Senior Online Scam Alerts – April 2026
Recent senior-scam news from April 2026: 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.
SC seniors lost millions of dollars in scams last year, new data shows
New data shows South Carolina seniors lost millions to scams last year, with tips on how to protect yourself.
Protecting older adults from cyber scams and fraud: the rise of AI-based detection
Experts explain how AI-based detection tools are being used to help protect older adults from scams and fraud.
Online scams stole $55M from Hawaii seniors last year
Hawaii seniors over 60 lost more than $55 million to online scams in 2025, a 65 percent jump, the FBI reports.
Elderly woman almost falls victim to scam as Hawaii fraud losses increase
A 93-year-old Hawaii woman nearly lost $25,000 to a tech-support scam as state fraud losses climb.
New York senior loses $300K to AI crypto scam
A New York senior lost $300,000 in life savings to a crypto scam that used AI to seem convincing.
Prize Patrol: What's fueling the renewed sweepstakes trend and how to protect yourself
A report looks at a renewed sweepstakes-scam trend and how older adults can protect themselves.
Romance scammer defrauds Florida widower out of $31K, cops say
A Florida widower lost about $31,000 to a romance scammer, police say.
State securities regulators urge Congress to bolster state role in senior financial literacy and anti-fraud efforts
State securities regulators ask Congress to strengthen state programs that teach seniors to avoid investment fraud.
'Gold bar' scam cost Radnor seniors more than $3 million, police say
Pennsylvania police report older residents lost over $3 million in a gold-bar scam that posed as officials.
Alarm sounded on rise of fraud for Floridians over 50, with over $258 million stolen
Florida fraud is rising, with more than $258 million stolen from people 50 and over in 2025.
Scammers targeting Livermore senior community
Scammers are targeting an older-adult community in Livermore, California, prompting a local warning.
Indiana seniors lost $36M to fraud
Indiana residents over 60 lost more than $36 million to fraud in 2025, new research finds.
Amid scam wave, seniors urged to review Facebook privacy settings
With scams rising, seniors are urged to tighten their Facebook privacy settings to keep personal details safe.
AI is fueling a surge in crypto fraud schemes, IRS investigators say
A retired woman, 73, lost $300,000 in savings to AI-driven crypto scammers, part of a national surge.
Great Barrington police warn of suspicious document scam
Massachusetts police warn residents about a scam using official-looking documents to trick people into paying.
Maine sees spike in senior fraud cases as scammers get more sophisticated
Maine residents over 60 lost nearly $11 million to fraud in 2025, a 67 percent jump from the year before.
Kentville widow warns others after losing money to fake online relationship
A Kentville widow lost her life savings to a fake online romance and now warns others to stay alert.
Be cautious, not so trusting, to prevent online fraud: Provincial Police
Ontario police urge residents to slow down and stay cautious online to avoid falling for fraud.
Phishing scams have long targeted Florida's seniors. AI raises the stakes
AI is making phishing and tech-support scams against Florida seniors harder to spot, experts warn.
Police warn of phone scam targeting seniors
Police are warning older adults about a phone scam designed to pressure them into handing over money.
The bank withdrawal scam that's costing elderly victims thousands
Scammers are tricking older adults into withdrawing cash from their banks and handing it over, costing thousands.
Banking group statement on passage of Nebraska anti-fraud legislation
Nebraska passed new anti-fraud legislation aimed at better protecting consumers, including older adults.
Michigan Attorney General reissues AI scams consumer alert during Money Smart Week
Michigan's Attorney General warns residents that scammers now use AI to make calls and messages sound real.
Elder financial fraud is on the rise in Maryland; state leaders share prevention tactics
Maryland leaders warn that elder financial fraud is rising and share simple steps to help older adults stay safe.
Senior scams are on the rise, and banks and businesses can't turn a blind eye
With scams against older adults climbing, banks and businesses are urged to do more to protect customers.
Journalist, 82, loses $271K to online scam
A retired journalist, 82, lost $271,000 to a fake gold-investment scheme run by online scammers.
Ypsilanti woman narrowly avoids losing nearly $80,000 in an online computer scam
A fake Microsoft pop-up nearly cost a Ypsilanti woman $80,000, until a bank teller spotted the scam.
Bradenton widower, 79, scammed out of $31K in romance scheme
A Bradenton widower, 79, lost $31,000 to someone who pretended to be a romantic partner online.
Arizona Attorney General and Better Business Bureau warn Arizonans about romance scams
Arizona officials warn residents about romance scams, where strangers fake affection online to ask for money.
Industry groups tell Congress senior fraud is mounting as losses surge
Industry and consumer groups told Congress senior fraud losses reached $15.9 billion in 2025 and urged faster action.
Financial literacy tools are essential in protecting seniors from scams, experts say
At a Senate hearing, experts said financial literacy tools are vital as scams against older adults grow more sophisticated.
'Romance scams' are common. A Tampa Bay area man learned the hard way
A Tampa Bay area man learned the hard way how convincing romance scams can be and how much they can cost.
Elder fraud costs seniors billions as family shares painful warning
Elder fraud is costing seniors billions, and one family shares a painful warning to help others stay safe.
Oakwood Police warn senior citizens of Bitcoin scams
Police warn local seniors about scams pushing them to send money through Bitcoin machines.
State lawmakers bring bill to protect older Coloradans from financial scams costing millions
Colorado lawmakers propose new protections after FBI data shows record elder fraud and a $48,000 victim loss.
Centralia senior latest victim in crypto kiosk scam
A Washington senior lost over $1,400 to a caller posing as a deputy who pushed her to use a crypto machine.
South Carolinians report $264 million lost to cybercrime in 2025, FBI says
South Carolina residents reported $264 million lost to cybercrime in 2025, with older adults among the hardest hit.
Protect your wallet: Free scam prevention for seniors in Rochester
A free scam prevention session in Rochester aims to help local seniors protect their money from fraud.
Identity theft losses surge 70% for older Americans
New figures show identity theft losses jumped 70 percent for older Americans, a sharp and worrying rise.
Grandparent scam targets seniors with fake emergency calls
Scammers posing as police claim a grandchild was in an accident and demand urgent bond money, an expert warns.
FBI says crypto-related fraud losses hit record $11.4 billion in 2025, with seniors bearing the brunt
The FBI reports crypto-related fraud losses hit a record $11.4 billion in 2025, with seniors hit hardest.
Banks becoming bulwarks against scams for vulnerable seniors
As elder fraud rises, banks and investment firms are stepping in as a first line of defense to spot and stop scams.
South Mississippi woman tried to send $25,000 to scammers. Here's who saved her
A South Mississippi woman nearly sent $25,000 to scammers before someone stepped in to stop the loss.
Special report: Senior fraud growing in the Wabash Valley
A special report finds scams against older adults are growing across Indiana's Wabash Valley region.
Stop the Scam: Helping seniors recognize online scams and AI fraud
A Pittsburgh town hall taught seniors to slow down, guard personal details, and spot AI-driven online scams.
Crypto scams and senior fraud drive $21 billion in 2025 cyber theft, FBI reports
A new FBI report says crypto scams and senior fraud drove $21 billion in 2025 losses, with thousands losing $100,000 each.
New research shows millions of seniors at risk of fraud
New research shows millions of older Americans remain at risk of falling victim to fraud.
Governor signs bill to stop financial fraud against elders
Wisconsin's governor signed a new law to curb financial fraud against older adults, including crypto kiosk abuse.
Grand Island man, 82, reports losing $9,000 through phone scam
An 82-year-old Grand Island man told police he lost $9,000 to a phone scam now under investigation.
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office warns seniors about rise in scam texts, calls
A Kentucky sheriff's office is teaching seniors to spot scam texts and calls, like fake toll and registration fees.
Senior fraud summit to be held in Tuscaloosa
A senior fraud summit in Tuscaloosa will help older Alabama residents learn to recognize and avoid scams.
Online resources help seniors stay safe from scams in Chemung County
New online resources in Chemung County, New York help older adults recognize and stay safe from scams.
Opinion: Alaska needs to curb crypto-kiosk scams
Callers posing as officials push Alaska seniors to Bitcoin kiosks; older adults bore a third of $26M in losses.
California teen creates a scam awareness game for seniors
A California teen built a free online game to help seniors spot fake calls, phony texts and other scams.
Elder fraud on the rise in Montana
Montana marks Fraud Prevention Month as officials report rising scams that cost older residents their savings.
Scammers stole $1 million from an elderly man, then came back posing as lawyers to steal more
A man, 81, lost over $1 million in a romance scam, then was targeted again by a fake fund-recovery scheme.
Social Security warns NJ retirees of latest imposter-email scam
Social Security officials warn New Jersey retirees about fake emails urging them to download statements.
Retiring? Social Security Administration warns of these retiree scams
Social Security warns retirees about official-looking scams that have drained bank and retirement accounts.
Fighting senior scams: free Senior Scam Stopper seminar announced
A San Francisco lawmaker is hosting a free seminar to help older neighbors recognize and stop scams.
The free DNA test scam is back: why senior centers are seeing a new wave this spring
Experts warn that fake free genetic testing offers are surging again at senior centers and health events.
Costly cons: romance, elderly and SNAP scams around Chicago
A Chicago news segment covers romance, elder and benefit scams hitting local residents.
Contractor took nearly $8,000 from an elderly couple, ages 81 and 83
A Florida couple, 81 and 83, paid a contractor for hurricane-proofing work that was never done.
Winnipeg senior in subsidized housing says scammers emptied her bank account
A Winnipeg woman, 62, lost nearly $5,000 after callers posing as her bank's fraud department gained access.
'Scam Jam' event to help eliminate fraud
Marin County, California hosts a free Scam Jam event to help older residents recognize and avoid fraud.
Seniors are losing billions to online scammers, and most don't even know it
A report highlights how older adults lose billions to online fraud, often without realizing they were targeted.
Lorain County Sheriff's Office warns public of 855 phone scam impersonating officers
Ohio deputies warn that callers posing as officers are targeting older adults, who are often singled out.
Research finds email fraud cost Americans over 60 about $3.4 billion a year
A new report says email scams using fake bank, Medicare and utility brands drain billions from older Americans yearly.