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Crooks Use Fear of Missing Out to Scam Consumers

When an old high school friend popped up on Facebook Messenger recently, Sue was delighted. When the friend mentioned a $50,000 government grant she’d just received, Sue wanted in. With $18,000 in home repairs looming, why miss out when others were getting help? “The government seemed to be throwing out all sorts of stimulus funds,”Continue reading “Crooks Use Fear of Missing Out to Scam Consumers”

(Webinar Event) Fraud: Take Steps to Protect Yourself

Date/Time: March 25, 2022 from 11am – 12pm Hosted by Virginia Hospital Center, join Arlington County VICAP and Arlington County Police Department to learn: Medicare Scams & Fraudulent Requests to Include Prescription Drug Fraud How to Prevent, Detect, and Report Fraud Top Tips, Red Flags, & Resources to Enhance the Security of Older Adults

(Webinar Event) Fraud: Take Steps to Protect Yourself

Fraudsters Scam Grandparents by Posing as Grandchildren

Scam artists will use any leverage they can get to separate you from your money. Sadly, that includes exploiting grandparents’ love and concern for their grandchildren, giving rise to a breed of impostor fraud specifically targeting older Americans. Grandparent scams typically work something like this: The victim gets a call from someone posing as hisContinue reading “Fraudsters Scam Grandparents by Posing as Grandchildren”

Fraud by a Fiduciary Can Be Especially Costly

From 2012 to 2019, a former Belmont County, Ohio, lawyer and elected official named Mark Alan Thomas served as power of attorney for an older client, a woman with dementia living in a long-term care facility. During that period, according to a September 2021 federal indictment, Thomas used his status to convince banks, insurance companies and otherContinue reading “Fraud by a Fiduciary Can Be Especially Costly”

(Webinar Event) Fraud: Take Steps to Protect Yourself

If You Donate to Relief Efforts for Ukrainians, Give Wisely

If you want to donate to relief efforts for Ukrainians, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have some advice about how to make sure you choose a legitimate and effective charity. The BBB warns that scammers will likely create fake donation websites and make fraudulent pleas for money to supposedly help the peopleContinue reading “If You Donate to Relief Efforts for Ukrainians, Give Wisely”

Spot the Red Flags of Elder Financial Abuse

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many older adults are more socially isolated than ever — and thus more vulnerable to being financially victimized. Elder financial exploitation extends far beyond random con artists bombarding older adults with robocalls and phishing emails. According to the National Adult Protective Services Association, the “vast majority” of cases reported to its member agencies involve peopleContinue reading “Spot the Red Flags of Elder Financial Abuse”

Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam

“I’m calling on behalf of the National Save the Police Fund,”* the voice on the phone told me. “We support police officers who risk their lives daily protecting our communities. Can the police officers count on you?” Gotten calls like this? So have we all. At the end of 2021, robocalls raising money for policeContinue reading “Phone Calls for Donations to the Police Could be a Scam”

Facebook, Instagram Are Hotbeds for Scammers

Scams that started on Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites doubled year-over-year in 2021, leading to $770 million in consumer losses, a federal agency warns. Calling social media a “gold mine” for scammers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says these platforms were far more profitable than any other method of reaching consumers for scams.Continue reading “Facebook, Instagram Are Hotbeds for Scammers”