Senior Online Scam Alerts – August 2026
Recent senior-scam news from August 2026: 55 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.
Utah launches a statewide team to investigate and prosecute financial fraud
Utah has launched the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center, a new statewide effort, funded at $1.7 million a year, to investigate and prosecute fraud by coordinating state and federal agencies with banks and other financial institutions. The center covers identity theft, bank fraud, elder fraud, romance scams, investment scams, and other online fraud. Utah's Attorney General said financial fraud is rampant, especially online, and officials point to the scale of the problem: Utahns reported losing $108 million to fraud last year, up from about $24 million five years ago, a roughly five-fold increase, with $59.8 million already reported so far this year. Officials say falling for a scam carries no shame and encourage anyone who suspects fraud to report it at fraud.agutah.gov.
Minnehaha County, South Dakota sheriff warns of a 'courier cash' scam targeting seniors
The Minnehaha County, South Dakota Sheriff's Office is warning residents about a scam that specifically targets older people: callers pressure victims to withdraw large amounts of cash, coach them to lie to bank staff about why they need the money, and then have someone collect or ship the cash to an address the caller provides. The sheriff's office says the safest response is to hang up immediately if anyone on the phone tells you to withdraw money, to be honest with your bank about what is happening rather than following a caller's script, and to never ship cash to anyone. Officials encourage residents to talk about this warning with elderly family members and neighbors before they get a call like this.
Check your Medicare statement for this new twist on fraudulent billing
WRTV Investigates reports that scammers and dishonest providers are billing Medicare for Chronic Care Management, a legitimate care-coordination service for people with multiple chronic conditions, that patients never asked for or received. The fraud shows up on your own paperwork, so consumers can catch it by reviewing their Medicare Summary Notice or Explanation of Benefits and asking themselves: did I enroll in this service, did I actually receive it, and do I recognize the provider listed? If you do not understand a charge, you have the right, and the responsibility, to call that provider and ask what it was for. Anyone in Indiana with questions can call the Indiana Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-986-3505, and suspected fraud can be reported to the HHS Office of Inspector General at 1-800-HHS-TIPS.
Healthy California seniors are being secretly enrolled in fake hospices, losing their real Medicare care
Federal officials estimate Los Angeles County alone accounts for $3.5 billion in fraudulent hospice claims, part of a wider scheme in which fraudsters created fake hospice companies, used stolen identities, and enrolled healthy people in end-of-life hospice care without their knowledge in order to bill Medicare. Because hospice is meant for the terminally ill, Medicare generally stops paying for regular medical treatment once someone is enrolled, so victims can lose access to real care they still need. One California woman in her 70s discovered she had been enrolled after her own doctor's routine claims started getting denied; it took Medicare eight months to recognize her as a fraud victim, and months more before she could see her doctors normally again. In another case described, a woman who was falsely enrolled could not get an approved cataract surgery and died a few months later in a nursing facility. The takeaway for anyone on Medicare: review your Medicare Summary Notice regularly for any provider, service, or enrollment you do not recognize, including hospice, and if something looks wrong, contact Medicare directly right away rather than waiting.
San Diego County sheriff warns of a bank distraction scam that swaps out your debit card
San Diego County sheriff's deputies are warning about a scheme in which two people work together at a bank or ATM: one distracts a customer during a routine transaction, perhaps by offering to help or asking a question, while switching out the customer's debit card for a similar-looking one that is not theirs. The customer walks away without realizing their real card is gone, and the scammers use it to make withdrawals and purchases before it can be replaced. Documented losses in one cluster of cases ranged from $100 to more than $2,700 per person, with similar thefts reported at bank branches across San Diego, Chula Vista, Carlsbad, and beyond. Deputies say the case included at least one confirmed instance of elder financial fraud. The advice: keep your eyes on your card and your transaction the entire time you are at an ATM or bank counter, politely decline help from strangers, and check that the card you are handed back is actually yours before you walk away.
A Florida wife's suspicion stopped a $14,000 gift-card scam in a Lowe's parking lot
A Nassau County, Florida woman grew concerned about a phone call her husband was having and contacted the sheriff's office. Deputies found him sitting in a Lowe's parking lot, still on the phone with a caller who was pressuring him to buy $14,000 in gift cards within two hours or have his account "hacked." Deputies reached him before he made any payment and helped him recognize he was being scammed. The sheriff's office says fraud reports in the county have climbed roughly 80 percent since 2021, and lists the same warning signs seen across most scams: pressure to act within a strict time limit, threats of arrest or account suspension, and requests to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency, or Cash App. Their advice: stop and verify any suspicious request before handing over money or personal information, whether the pressure is coming from a caller, a text, or someone you love who seems distressed on the phone.
A Colorado law letting banks pause suspicious transactions to protect seniors has now taken effect
A Colorado law allowing banks and other financial institutions to temporarily halt a suspicious transaction and notify authorities before money is lost to a scam took effect this month. The bipartisan bill passed the legislature by a wide margin earlier this year. One of its sponsors said the goal is simple: stopping and preventing financial exploitation before a senior or vulnerable adult loses their life savings. Scammers often pose as law enforcement, a troubled family member, a romantic interest, or a bank official to create fear, secrecy, and urgency, and Colorado now joins roughly two dozen other states with similar laws on the books. The takeaway for families: ask your own bank or credit union whether it can place a hold on a transaction if you or a loved one ever reports a suspected scam.
A Redwood City, California woman's suspicion stopped a scam before she lost a cent
A Redwood City, California woman received fake messages claiming to be from Apple's fraud alert system, warning of unauthorized charges on her bank account, and was told to withdraw cash and have a courier pick it up from her home. Instead of complying, she grew suspicious and contacted police right away. Officers worked with her to set up a plan and were able to intervene before any money changed hands; the woman lost nothing. Police say the case is a clear example of why calling law enforcement before withdrawing or handing over any money, rather than after, gives investigators the best chance to stop a scam in progress. If you get an unexpected alert like this, do not call any number in the message; hang up, and verify by contacting the company or your bank directly using a number you look up yourself.
San Antonio credit union warns: someone posing as a bank employee visited a hospital patient in person to swap her debit card
A San Antonio credit union is warning members after a 75-year-old patient recovering from surgery received a call from someone claiming to work for the credit union, saying her debit card had been compromised. The caller then arranged for someone to show up at the hospital in person, exchange her real debit card and PIN for a "temporary" replacement card, and later used the real card to withdraw cash and make purchases. The credit union says this kind of impersonation, whether by phone, text, or in person, is happening industry-wide and can affect any bank or credit union member, and stresses that no legitimate bank or credit union employee will ever show up in person to collect your card or PIN. If you get a call like this, hang up and contact your bank or credit union directly using the number on your card or statement, never a number given to you by the caller.
New Hanover County, North Carolina officer stops an 89-year-old's $9,000 crypto scam at a gas station
An 89-year-old New Hanover County, North Carolina woman received a fake message claiming she owed $390 to Geek Squad, and the scammers escalated from there, eventually telling her she needed to send $10,000 to fix a problem with a supervisor. She had already withdrawn more than $9,000 in cash and was at a Bitcoin ATM at a local gas station when a Wilmington police officer noticed she did not fit the profile of someone who normally uses these machines and stopped to ask questions. He walked her to the actual repair shop to confirm the message was fake, then escorted her to her bank, where the $9,000 was returned to her account. Police remind residents that no legitimate company or agency will ever demand payment through a Bitcoin ATM, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
Idaho senior fraud losses doubled in a year, driven by crypto and AI, officials say
Idahoans 60 and older lost $37.4 million to fraud in 2025, more than double the $18.7 million lost in 2024, according to FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center data, with statewide fraud losses across all ages reaching $88 million. Cryptocurrency scams accounted for more than half of Idaho's reported losses, and officials say AI is accelerating the problem by generating more convincing voice impersonations of loved ones, more realistic fake government and bank websites, and letting scammers run more scams at once. Common schemes hitting Idaho seniors include investment fraud, tech support scams, government impersonation, and romance scams. An official with the Idaho Department of Finance says the warning signs are the same across nearly every scam: urgency, secrecy, unusual payment methods, and any request to move your money to keep it "safe." Her advice: no bank or government agency is ever going to ask you to move your money to protect it.
A McAllen, Texas family warns after scammers visited elderly parents in person claiming to be from Medicare
A McAllen, Texas woman is warning others after her elderly parents were targeted by scammers who first called claiming to represent Medicare, then showed up at their home in person. The visitor photographed both parents' Medicare cards and had them sign documents, without leaving any copies or identification behind. FBI officials say elder fraud complaints and losses have doubled recently, with Americans 60 and older reporting more than 200,000 fraud complaints in 2025 and losses of roughly $7.8 billion, an average of about $38,500 per victim. An FBI official in the region said no legitimate government agency, bank, or technology company will ever tell you to move money to protect it, and urged families to verify any caller's identity before sharing information and to approach a loved one who has been scammed with support rather than shame. Anyone targeted should contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
Naples, Florida police recover $10,000 an elder-fraud victim had shipped to California
Naples, Florida police say an older resident was contacted by scammers posing as a legitimate government agency and, using fear and urgency, convinced to withdraw $10,000 in cash and ship it overnight to an address in California. After the victim reported the fraud, the department's Cyber Crimes Unit worked with UPS and law enforcement in California to intercept the package before it arrived, and the full $10,000 was recovered and is being returned to the victim. Investigators say pressure to act immediately, and any demand for cash, are the clearest red flags: no real government agency will ever contact you and demand money. Police say recovering money after a scam is often very difficult, especially once cryptocurrency or gift cards are involved, so the best defense is to slow down, take a breath, and, if you do send money, cut off contact with the scammer and report it right away.
Inside one senior center's fight against scams: 'Stop, Think, Verify'
The National Council on Aging profiles a Florida senior center's approach to fraud prevention, built around a simple habit: stop, think, verify before responding to any unexpected call, text, or email. Staff describe cases where an older adult lost nearly a lifetime of savings before family stepped in to help monitor the accounts, and use real examples to teach a short list of universal red flags: pressure to act immediately, a supposed relative in an emergency, a government agency demanding payment, a prize that requires a fee, requests for sensitive information, or threats of legal trouble. Their core message: a bank will never tell you to buy gift cards, and the IRS will never ask you to buy Apple gift cards to settle a debt. Other safeguards recommended include freezing your credit, setting up account alerts, and avoiding links or phone numbers you did not look up yourself.
A George Mason University student is teaching D.C.-area seniors how to spot AI deepfakes
A George Mason University student runs a community program called 'Word by World,' teaching seniors across the D.C. region how to recognize AI-generated deepfakes after a neighbor lost $30,000 to a fake video of a celebrity on social media. In hourlong sessions held more than 30 times this year at senior community centers, she shows attendees real examples of AI-generated video and images, walks through the telltale signs of a deepfake, and helps them build what she calls an 'AI defense toolkit' for evaluating anything they see online. Attendees say the sessions have made them more skeptical of unfamiliar content online, which organizers say is exactly the point: healthy suspicion of anything unverified is one of the best defenses against AI-powered scams.
AI is making elder fraud harder to spot, and their adult children are picking up the pieces
USA Today and Moneywise report that AI is helping scammers research victims, write convincing scripts, and even generate deepfake voices, images, and video, making elder fraud more convincing and harder to catch than ever. Some scammers now scour published obituaries for identifying details, a spouse's name, employer, and hometown, to target grieving widows and widowers while they are most vulnerable. In one case described, a grieving widow lost more than $7,000 after callers claimed they had worked with her late husband to hide tax issues and that she had to pay to protect what was left of her inheritance. More adult children, many already stretched thin caring for both kids and aging parents, are becoming go-between liaisons for their parents' accounts: locking down bank access, redirecting mail, and asking doctors not to hand paper records to caregivers. Shame keeps many victims quiet, experts say, which only deepens the losses. The FBI logged more than 200,000 fraud complaints from people 60 and older in 2025, totaling $7.7 billion in losses, an average of about $38,500 per case, numbers experts believe are still an undercount. The advice for families: talk openly with aging parents about current scams before a crisis, not after, watch for unusual attention right after a loved one's obituary is published, and if a loss does happen, save screenshots and documentation right away and report it.
Fake 'MyChart Medicare Kit' texts and emails are phishing for Medicare patients' information
University Health is warning Medicare patients about a nationwide phishing scam using fake emails and text messages that impersonate MyChart, a real hospital patient-portal system. Messages with subject lines like "Your MyChart Medicare Kit Awaits" or "Here's your senior package" advertise free goods and services and try to get recipients to click a link that exposes their personal information. Officials say to be skeptical of any unsolicited offer of free items tied to Medicare, since the real Epic and MyChart systems do not send these kinds of offers. So far, no confirmed cases of patient information being compromised have been reported. The safe move: do not click links in unexpected texts or emails, check the actual web address before clicking anything, and if you are unsure whether a message is real, contact your health provider directly using a number you look up yourself.
Alexandria, Virginia senior loses $77,000 after callers pose as Amazon, a bank, and the FTC
An older Alexandria, Virginia resident lost $77,000 after scammers posing as representatives of Amazon, Bank of America, and the Federal Trade Commission convinced her that her identity had been stolen and used to open fraudulent accounts and buy illegal items. The callers directed her to withdraw a large sum in cash, convert it to a cashier's check, and mail it to a company in New York under the pretext that an FTC representative needed it to resolve the case. The scam began in late June and was reported to police in early July; no arrests have been made and the case remains under investigation. Real government agencies and companies never resolve fraud by asking you to withdraw your own money and mail it anywhere, so if you get a call like this, hang up and verify by contacting the company or agency directly using a number you look up yourself.
Georgia recovers stolen cryptocurrency for elderly Oconee County scam victims
An elderly Oconee County, Georgia couple received a fake computer pop-up warning that their bank account had been breached, then a caller posing as an FTC official talked them through withdrawing cash and depositing it into a cryptocurrency kiosk, coaching them the whole time on how to avoid raising questions from bank staff. Georgia's Attorney General says the state's White Collar and Cyber Crime Unit, working with the Oconee County Sheriff's Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, traced the cryptocurrency through multiple digital wallets, seized it at an exchange, and a court ordered the funds returned to the victims. Officials remind residents that no legitimate business or government agency will ever demand payment in cryptocurrency or direct you to move money out of your bank account. If you get a call like this, hang up, and report it to local police, Operation Shamrock, the FBI's IC3.gov, or the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
San Antonio FBI: elder fraud is growing, costing victims billions
The FBI's San Antonio Division says fraud targeting older Americans keeps growing, warning of callers who impersonate law enforcement, the IRS, banks, and other government agencies, along with jury-duty scams and requests to pay in cryptocurrency or gift cards. The special agent in charge said scammers are sophisticated enough that even he was recently targeted with a fraudulent $50,000 loan application attempt. Nationally, the FBI logged more than 200,000 fraud complaints from people 60 and older last year, totaling about $7.5 billion in losses. The bureau's advice: hang up on unexpected calls like these, independently verify by contacting the agency or company directly, treat any request for cryptocurrency or gift cards as a red flag, and report suspected fraud to your bank, local police, or the FBI at ic3.gov.
A Rhode Island bank launches 'Age With Wisdom,' a senior scam-prevention education series
Washington Trust has launched 'Age With Wisdom,' a free education series for older adults, families, and caregivers across Rhode Island and southeastern Connecticut. Sessions cover how to recognize the warning signs of financial exploitation, impersonation and AI-enabled scams, and information-security basics, along with legal and financial planning topics like powers of attorney and beneficiary designations. The first sessions are scheduled for August 20 at the bank's Charlestown branch and September 9 at the Robert Rock Senior Center in East Providence, with more dates to be added. Free, local programs like this give older adults and the people who care for them a chance to ask questions and get ahead of the tactics scammers are using right now.
Louisiana family warns others after fake 'bank fraud investigators' took $30,000
An 82-year-old Washington Parish, Louisiana man lost $30,000, about 40 percent of his life savings, after callers claiming to be fraud investigators from his bank told him they needed his help catching a bank employee involved in account fraud. They instructed him to withdraw the cash, told him it would be replaced with counterfeit bills while his real money was held safely in escrow, then directed him to leave the cash in his mailbox for pickup, which happened within minutes. His family is now warning others that caller ID is not proof of who is calling, since scammers can make a call look like it is coming from your real bank. Their advice: hang up on any unexpected call like this and call your bank back yourself, using the number on your card or statement, never a number the caller gives you.
Nevada resident reports convincing credit-card fraud impersonation call that knew the last four digits of the card
Robbin, a Nevada resident, contacted HCSK after receiving a convincing phone call from someone claiming to represent the fraud department of Robbin's credit-card company. The caller claimed that a $525 charge had been made in Texas and already knew Robbin's name and the correct last four digits of the credit card. After asking several seemingly routine questions, the caller told Robbin to retrieve the physical card so that information from it could be “verified.”
That request raised the alarm. Robbin refused to provide any card information, ended the conversation, and independently called the credit-card company using a trusted number. The company confirmed that no $525 Texas charge existed, stopped the card and issued a replacement. Robbin also reported the attempted scam to the Nevada Attorney General.
The important warning is that a caller knowing your name, your bank or card company, or even the last four digits of your card does not prove the call is legitimate. Scammers may already possess fragments of personal information and use them to gain your trust before asking for the information they still need. If someone unexpectedly calls about fraud, do not give them information from your card or account. Hang up and call the number printed on the back of your card yourself.
Ramsey County, Minnesota sheriff's office: seniors have lost $1.2 million to scams since August 1
The Ramsey County, Minnesota Sheriff's Office says it has confirmed 17 cases since August 1 in which seniors, ranging in age from 61 to 78, lost a combined $1.2 million to scams, with individual losses from a few hundred dollars up to $800,000. A crime prevention deputy's advice is simple: nobody should get your financial information unless you know exactly who they are and you want to give it to them. If something about a call feels off, the office recommends you stop, hang up, talk to someone you trust, and then contact law enforcement before sending any money or sharing account details.
A Michigan coin dealer's alertness stopped a $385,000 gold scam before it was too late
When a woman walked into a Cedar Springs, Michigan coin and jewelry shop asking to buy $385,000 in gold, the owner noticed she was crying and seemed frightened, for herself and her family. Instead of completing the sale, he stopped and called the FBI. Investigators say she had been told, by callers posing as the government, law enforcement, or even family, that her bank accounts were compromised and that converting her savings to gold would keep the money safe, a setup that typically ends with a courier collecting the gold and the victim never seeing it again. Kent County has now stopped three such attempts since May, saving would-be victims a combined $1.3 million. The lesson for any dealer, banker, or family member: a large, urgent, tearful request to convert savings into gold is worth pausing on and asking questions before completing the sale.
American Bar Association's 'Scam of the Month' warns about utility shutoff threat calls
The American Bar Association's Senior Lawyers Division runs a monthly 'Scam of the Month' column, and this edition focuses on callers who threaten to shut off electricity, gas, or water within hours unless you pay immediately. The column warns that scammers can spoof caller ID to look like your real utility company and may even mimic a company's phone menu and confirmation codes to sound convincing. Their advice: hang up, take a breath, and call the number printed on your latest utility bill, not any number the caller gives you, since a real utility company will always let you verify before cutting off service. If you feel pressured on the phone, simply tell the caller you will call the company back yourself.
British Columbia resident loses more than $100,000 after callers pose as police and bank staff
RCMP in British Columbia warned about a scam in which callers posed as police and bank employees, using spoofed caller ID to make the story feel legitimate. The victim was told to move money as part of a fake investigation and transferred more than $100,000. Police stressed that real officers will never ask someone to transfer money, deposit cryptocurrency, or move funds to help an investigation, and banks will not ask for one-time passwords or banking credentials by phone. If a call claims to be urgent, hang up and call the agency or bank back using a public number you find yourself.
Arizona officials warn storm-damaged homeowners about repair and inspection scams
After monsoon storms, Arizona's attorney general warned residents to watch for contractors and imposters who exploit urgent home-repair needs. Red flags include high-pressure door-to-door offers, demands for full payment upfront, requests for gift cards or cryptocurrency, and callers or visitors pretending to be inspectors, government officials, or utility workers. Before agreeing to repairs, talk to your insurance company, get written estimates, verify a contractor's license, and do not let storm damage create a rushed decision. Think First, Verify Always.
Martin County, Florida deputies help a senior recover $600,000 after a gold-bar scam attempt
A Martin County, Florida senior grew suspicious after a caller claiming to be from his bank told him his account was compromised and convinced him to send $600,000 to a gold vendor for "safekeeping," with a third-party driver set to collect the gold and deliver it to the bank. He contacted his bank himself, and bank staff recognized the scam and pointed him to the Martin County Sheriff's Office. A responding deputy called the gold vendor directly and stopped the transaction before it was completed, and the sheriff's office says the man received a full refund of his $600,000. The case shows how a bank noticing something wrong, and a person willing to make one more phone call before sending money, can undo a scam already in motion.
Ohio county officials warn that an online video falsely promises senior homeowner tax relief
Lorain County officials in Ohio warned residents about a misleading online video claiming that seniors can apply for a new federal tax relief program by requesting a county form. The warning says the video falsely suggests a special application process and could lead people to share information or follow instructions from an unverified source. The safer move is to ignore tax-relief claims that arrive through social media or online videos, then verify directly with the county auditor, treasurer, or another official office using a phone number or website you look up yourself.
Pennsylvania couple loses $1,000 after a fake sweepstakes caller demands gift cards
Pennsylvania State Police described a sweepstakes scam in which an older couple was told they had won a prize and needed to buy gift cards before they could collect it. The couple bought two gift cards and sent photos of the card information, losing $1,000. This is a classic red flag: legitimate sweepstakes do not require winners to pay fees, taxes, shipping, or processing charges with gift cards. If a caller asks for card numbers, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps before a prize can be released, stop and verify with a trusted person before doing anything else.
Washington seniors hear practical advice on slowing down before sending money to scammers
A local law-enforcement seminar in Sequim, Washington focused on the financial scams most often reported by older adults, including phone and online schemes that pressure victims before they can verify what is happening. Officials emphasized that many cases are hard to prosecute once money moves, especially when victims send funds through irreversible payment methods or overseas channels. The practical advice was simple: do not act on urgency, do not give money or account information to an unexpected caller, and verify any claim by calling a trusted number you find yourself.
Utah lawmakers and businesses discuss stronger coordination against online fraud targeting older adults
KSL reports that Utah leaders and business representatives met to discuss ways to share fraud information faster across state lines and push for more resources against online scams aimed at older Americans. The article cites federal data showing that internet scams cost Americans more than $20 billion in 2025, with crypto scams making up more than $11 billion and AI-related scams approaching $900 million. Utah has also passed a state law requiring warnings and limits on some cryptocurrency kiosk transactions. The takeaway for families is to treat crypto, online investment pitches, and urgent payment demands as high-risk until independently verified.
Illinois expands financial-fraud reporting rules for professionals who work with seniors
A new Illinois law expands the state's Adult Protective Services reporting framework by adding investment advisers, securities dealers, and financial managers to the list of professionals expected to report suspected abuse or exploitation of older adults. The law also calls for a web-based reporting portal, giving financial professionals a clearer path to raise concerns when they see suspicious activity. For families, the change reinforces a useful safety practice: if unusual withdrawals, transfers, or investment instructions appear, treat them as a warning sign and slow the transaction until a trusted person or reporting channel can review it.
Fresno County, California sheriff warns of a jail scam that pressures families to pay for a relative's release
The Fresno County Sheriff's Office says it is seeing a rise in calls from scammers who impersonate its officials and claim a family member is in jail and can be released early for a fee. Callers, some using a pronounced accent to sound authoritative, ask for payment by cryptocurrency, gift cards, Zelle, or Cash App, promising the money will cover an ankle monitor or an intervention program, with fees that can climb into the thousands of dollars. The sheriff's office believes scammers find victims by cross-referencing public jail records with online databases, and stresses that it never requests or demands payment over the phone. Anyone who gets a call like this should hang up, verify independently, and report it through the sheriff's office website or the FBI's IC3.gov.
Florida's Operation Senior Shield warns donors about fake military charity scams
Florida's Department of Elder Affairs, through its Operation Senior Shield alert program, is warning residents to verify before donating to any charity that claims to support veterans, active-duty service members, or military families. The department says scammers exploit that generosity by creating fake charities and emotional fundraising appeals that look legitimate. Red flags include high-pressure requests for an immediate donation, social media fundraisers with few verifiable details, organization names that closely resemble a real, well-known charity, requests for unusual payment methods, and no clear explanation of how the money will be used. The safe move is to slow down and verify a charity yourself, through a resource like Give.org or CharityNavigator.org, before giving any money.
AI-generated videos are spreading a fake senior property tax relief scheme nationwide, officials warn
Ohio county auditors (Franklin, Carroll, and Montgomery counties) and officials in Meridian Township, Michigan and Mariposa County, California are all now warning about AI-generated videos and social media posts falsely claiming a special property tax relief program exists for senior homeowners. Depending on the version, the videos direct viewers to request a nonexistent "Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request" form from their county auditor, or a fake "IRS Form 1098-SR," neither of which exists; there is no federal law or IRS form that creates this benefit. The videos target older homeowners and are designed to collect personal information under the promise of a tax break or government payment. Real property tax relief for qualifying seniors does exist in most states (in Ohio, through the Homestead Exemption Program; in California, through the Homeowners' Exemption, Proposition 19, or the Property Tax Postponement Program), so the safe move is to slow down, ignore the video, and call your own county assessor or auditor's office, using a number you look up yourself, instead of requesting any form online.
Opinion: Cape Cod elder fraud is reaching a "crisis level," editorial warns
In an editorial, The Bourne Enterprise argues that elder fraud on Cape Cod has reached what the Cape and Islands district attorney calls a "crisis level." Local police say they field these calls constantly, including one case in March where an older resident was pressured to pay a fake $3,500 "jury duty" fine, and the editorial also cites a case in which five people lost a combined $128,000 to a Bitcoin scam over two years. The tactics described include callers posing as a grandchild who needs bail money, as police threatening an arrest warrant, or as a bank asking to move funds, often demanding payment by gift card, wire transfer, or Bitcoin. The editorial's advice: never trust an unexpected caller asking for money, slow down and verify independently using a number you look up yourself, and treat any request for a gift card or cryptocurrency as a red flag.
Wood County, Ohio officials describe a 90-year-old who mailed checks for months to a fake "police" PO box
Speaking to seniors in Bowling Green, Ohio, the Wood County prosecutor and sheriff say reports of scams stealing $10,000 or more have quadrupled since 2020, and reports of losses over $100,000 have grown sevenfold, numbers they believe are still undercounted. In one case they described, a 90-year-old woman was convinced she was helping her local police department and mailed several checks a month to a post office box in South Carolina before realizing the money was gone. Officials say many of these losses go unreported, or are reported too late, because older victims feel shame or fear that a costly mistake could threaten their independence. Their advice: never send money or personal information based on an unexpected call, and verify any request, including one claiming to be from local police, by calling the department back on a number you look up yourself.
Cincinnati public radio panel breaks down caller-ID spoofing, imposter scams, and a strange new con targeting authors
On Cincinnati Edition, the Hamilton County sheriff, a Better Business Bureau official, a scam-prevention advocate, and a cybersecurity consultant discussed how con artists spoof caller ID and pose as trusted contacts to target older and younger residents alike, and previewed an unusual new scheme aimed at authors. The panel cited the FBI's finding that older adults reported losing about $7.7 billion to scams in 2025, an eightfold increase since 2020. Listeners were given practical tips for protecting their money and for stepping in when they suspect a loved one is being targeted, and were pointed to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office and Clerk of Courts for help. The consistent advice across the panel: verify who is really calling before trusting caller ID or a familiar voice.
NYPD and New York's attorney general warn of a gold bar scam that has cost older New Yorkers more than $100 million
The NYPD's Financial Crimes Task Force says a gold bar scam has cost hundreds of older New Yorkers more than $100 million, with some individual losses reaching into the millions. The scheme typically starts with a fake computer pop-up claiming to be from Microsoft, warning the device is infected and giving a number to call; the call leads victims to grant remote access to their computer, after which scammers follow up posing as the U.S. Treasury Department or police, telling the victim their money is at risk unless they convert it to gold bars for 'safekeeping.' A courier then arrives at the victim's home to collect the gold, sometimes using a code word to seem legitimate. New York Attorney General Letitia James has now issued her own statewide consumer alert on the scheme, calling it 'flat-out cruel' and asking anyone targeted to report it to her office as well as the NYPD. The advice from both offices is the same: if a pop-up or caller asks you to grant remote computer access or convert your savings to gold, hang up, log off, and do not engage, and never move money because someone on the phone told you to.
Free Sequim, Washington seminar teaches seniors to spot FTC impersonation, gold, and mail-theft scams
A panel of Clallam County law enforcement and prosecutors held a free scam-prevention seminar for seniors in Sequim, Washington, covering callers who impersonate FTC agents and claim an account has been compromised, then keep victims on the phone while pressuring them to withdraw cash, convert it to gold or Bitcoin, and hand it over. They also warned about mail theft targeting driver's licenses and bank information, and online schemes involving gift cards or requests for remote computer access. Their advice: install a locking mailbox, check bank statements monthly, pull a free annual credit report, and slow down instead of acting under pressure, since real government agencies do not demand immediate action. If you are scammed, contact your bank within 48 hours, then report it to police; prevention is the best defense, since victims rarely recover what they lose.
Stokes County, North Carolina sheriff to host a free scam-prevention presentation
The Stokes County, North Carolina Sheriff's Office is holding a free community presentation on Tuesday, August 11 at the King Senior Services Center to help residents spot and prevent scams. The session covers phone and text message scams, Medicare and Social Security fraud, identity theft, online shopping and banking scams, romance and investment scams, and grandparent scams, along with guidance on what to do if you're targeted. Free, local events like this give seniors and their families a chance to learn current warning signs and ask questions directly.
Scammers falsely accuse seniors of crimes, then demand cash to make it 'go away'
Investigators describe a scheme in which callers falsely tell older adults they are linked to crimes such as online pornography or drug trafficking, then demand cash payments to resolve the fabricated legal trouble. At least 30 victims across 17 states lost more than $2 million combined, with individual losses ranging from $44,000 to $200,000. 'These victims are not wealthy individuals,' investigators said, noting many could not afford losses of that size. Real law enforcement does not call to accuse you of a crime and demand immediate cash to make it disappear, so if you get a call like this, hang up right away and report it to your local police department or the FBI's IC3.gov rather than engaging with the caller.
East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania police list six scam types seniors should watch for
The East Lansdowne, Pennsylvania Police Department issued a 'Senior Citizen Scam Alert' listing the most common tactics targeting older residents: phantom hacker scams claiming a computer or bank account has been compromised, grandparent scams with a fake emergency, government impersonation calls claiming to be the IRS, Social Security, Medicare, or law enforcement, tech support pop-ups claiming a virus, lottery and sweepstakes prize offers that require a fee, and romance scams that start on social media or dating sites. Their clearest warning sign: no legitimate agency, bank, utility company, or business will ever ask you to pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or a payment app, and any pressure to act immediately or keep the call secret is a red flag. If you get a call like this, hang up, do not share personal or financial information, and verify with a trusted family member or the police department directly.
The 'phantom hacker' scam: how a months-long con convinces victims to hand cash or gold to a courier
Federal prosecutors describe a growing 'phantom hacker' scheme in which a caller falsely claims a victim's bank or investment account has been compromised, then, days or weeks later, someone posing as a government official tells the victim their money needs to be moved to a 'safe' government account to protect it. After building trust over an extended period, the scammers convince victims to withdraw cash or buy gold and hand it to someone who arrives in person posing as a government agent, sometimes claiming to be a U.S. Attorney or other official. In one related Arizona case, a victim transferred more than $400,000 in assets before realizing it was a scam. No real government agency or bank will ever ask you to withdraw money, buy gold, or hand valuables to a courier to 'protect' them, so if you get a call like this, slow down, hang up, and verify by contacting the agency or bank directly using a number you look up yourself.
House committee report calls for an 'all-of-ecosystem' approach to fighting scams, including elder fraud
A U.S. House Financial Services Committee report is calling for a coordinated national strategy against fraud and scams, arguing that stopping them requires cooperation across banks, technology platforms, telecommunications carriers, and law enforcement, not just the moment a payment happens. The report cites FTC data showing more than 3 million fraud reports and $15.9 billion in reported losses in 2025, and specifically flags elder exploitation among the scam types it wants better addressed alongside impostor schemes, phishing, and crypto fraud. It recommends stronger consumer education, deliberate friction to slow suspicious transactions, more cross-industry data sharing, and wider use of AI-powered fraud-detection tools, and it launched a new public resource site explaining common scam red flags in plain language. The American Bankers Association welcomed the report's call for a coordinated approach that brings platforms, carriers, and financial institutions into the effort together.
Wilmington, North Carolina officer stops a $10,000 crypto scam in progress at a gas station
A Wilmington Police Department officer on a routine gas station patrol noticed an elderly woman standing at a Bitcoin kiosk with thousands of dollars in cash while on her cellphone, a telltale sign of a crypto scam in progress. Scammers posing as tech support had convinced her a problem needed to be fixed by withdrawing cash and depositing it into the machine. The officer asked her to stop the deposit, took her phone to confront the callers directly, and stopped the transfer before any money was lost. Police remind residents that no legitimate business or government agency will ever ask for payment through a Bitcoin machine, gift cards, or cryptocurrency; if you're ever told to do this, slow down, hang up, and call police before sending anything.
San Diego investigators warn seniors about door-to-door sales contracts signed on a tablet with no paper copy
NBC 7 San Diego's consumer team says it has heard from several older residents who felt misled after signing contracts during in-home sales visits, ending up on the hook for thousands of dollars. In each case, a salesperson had the senior sign a contract on a phone or tablet, used language suggesting they had been "selected" or needed to "qualify," and did not leave a paper copy at the time of sale; some said their email address was entered incorrectly so they never received a copy afterward either. The advice: never sign anything, on paper or a screen, until you have had time to read it fully, ask for a paper copy or an emailed copy before deciding, and do not let claims of a limited-time price rush your decision, since a reputable company will always follow up later.
Berkeley County, South Carolina sheriff's office tours senior centers with fraud-prevention talks
The Berkeley County, South Carolina Sheriff's Office is holding free fraud-prevention presentations across the county through September, covering phone and text scams, grandparent scams that now use AI voice cloning, identity theft, and online safety. 'Education is one of the strongest tools we have to prevent fraud,' the sheriff said. The sessions aim to help attendees recognize, avoid, and report common scams before they lose money, and are open to the public at local libraries and senior centers.
Klamath County, Oregon elder drives $20,000 in cash across state lines to a scammer
The Klamath County, Oregon Sheriff's Office says an older woman lost about $20,000 after an unknown caller claimed to be from a tech-support company and told her the IRS had frozen her assets. The caller convinced her to drive the cash to a rest stop in Riverside County, California and hand it to a stranger; the rest stop had no cameras, and the money has not been recovered. The sheriff said he is also aware of a related scam in which callers claim the Sheriff's Office has an arrest warrant for the person, or that their child needs bail money. His advice: hang up on any call asking for personal information or payment, then call the business or agency directly using a verified phone number, and do not be afraid to report a scam right away even if it feels embarrassing.
Senate Aging Committee presses nine major AI companies for safeguards protecting older users
The Senate Special Committee on Aging sent letters to nine major AI companies asking what safeguards their AI chatbot 'companion' products have for older adults, people with disabilities, and people in crisis, including how the products are tested, how harms are tracked, and whether independent researchers can access data to study the effects on older users. Companies have until August 31, 2026 to respond. The letters follow a bipartisan committee hearing, held by the committee's Republican chairman together with its Democratic ranking member and another Democratic senator, examining how AI has been used in scams against seniors; at that hearing the committee released a new report citing the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center for almost $21 billion in cybercrime losses in 2025, with $893 million tied to AI-enabled scams. The report's recommendations include a centralized federal scam-reporting portal that would automatically route complaints to the right agency, expanded law enforcement training and cryptocurrency-tracing tools, and new protections against unauthorized AI-generated voice and image replicas. The committee framed it directly: protecting older Americans from AI-enabled fraud and expanding their access to helpful AI tools 'are not competing priorities; they are two sides of the same obligation.'
Wood County, Ohio officials share a simple test for spotting a scam: 'don't tell anyone' is the giveaway
At a senior center in Walbridge, Ohio, the Wood County sheriff and county prosecutor continued their 'Frauds and Scams: Spot Them and Stop Them' tour, walking residents through common tactics: fake Microsoft security warnings, 'grandchild in jail' calls, callers posing as FBI agents demanding a bank withdrawal, and romance scammers who 'love bomb' a new partner before asking for rent or relocation money. Their clearest red flag: if a caller ever tells you not to tell anyone what's happening, it is a scam, since real institutions never ask you to keep a call secret. Their advice: never click an unknown link, give remote access to your computer, or share personal information with someone who called you; slow down, hang up, and verify by contacting the bank or agency directly using a number you look up yourself.
Minnesota bans cryptocurrency ATMs after seniors lost about $1 million to scams
Minnesota's new ban on cryptocurrency ATMs took effect August 1, 2026, and existing machines must be removed by the end of the year. State officials say elderly residents lost roughly $1 million to crypto-ATM scams since 2023, often after callers posing as law enforcement pressured them into using the machines to pay for a relative's supposed jail release. A Minnesota Department of Commerce investigator said crypto transactions cannot be reversed and are far harder to trace than a bank transfer once the money reaches a scammer's digital wallet. If anyone, especially a caller claiming to be law enforcement, ever directs you to a cryptocurrency ATM or kiosk, treat it as a scam: slow down, hang up, and verify with the actual agency using a number you look up yourself.
Ohio launches a statewide hotline for romance scam victims and their families
The Ohio Attorney General's office has launched a new hotline, 1-855-961-SCAM, so residents can report a suspected romance scam and get help if they or a loved one has been targeted. Callers share what they know, such as names and photos exchanged with a suspected scammer, and forensic investigators with the state's Bureau of Criminal Investigation review the details for signs of fraud before the office connects victims with educational resources and guidance to prevent further losses. The state says Ohioans lost nearly $42 million to romance scams last year. Because embarrassment often keeps victims silent, officials are encouraging anyone who suspects a scam, for themselves or a family member, to call the hotline, slow down, and ask questions before sending any more money to someone they have only met online.