Scams & Fraud

Criminals take advantage of the season to offer bogus solutions for losing weight or getting in shape.

As we approach World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, it’s good to remember that there are things we can do to stop elder financial exploitation.

Scammers are adept at manipulating the latest technological advances to commit their crimes. These days it’s happening in the world of artificial intelligence – commonly known as AI.

Si hay algo que todo el mundo debe entender, es que los “estafadores” son delincuentes profesionales, expertos en el arte de la manipulación y que nadie es inmune a ellos. Estos ladrones se aprovechan de personas de cualquier edad; de hecho, el 41% de las personas que informaron una pérdida por fraude a la Comisión Federal de Comercio el año pasado tenían menos de 30 años. Entonces, ¿qué puede hacer una víctima de fraude?

If there is one thing everyone should understand, it’s that “scammers” are career criminals skilled at the art of manipulation and no one is immune. These crooks target people of any age; in fact, 41% of those who reported a fraud loss to the Federal Trade Commission last year were under the age of 30. So, what can a person do if they experience fraud?

Ya está aquí la primavera y con el tiempo cálido aumentan las reparaciones en el hogar. Desafortunadamente, los contratistas deshonestos están al acecho de los propietarios que buscan reparaciones de primavera. El fraude cometido por contratistas y las estafas de mejoras en el hogar pueden costar miles de dólares a los propietarios y resultar en una mano de obra deficiente, proyectos sin terminar o incluso daños en sus hogares.

Spring has sprung and with warmer weather comes home repairs. Unfortunately, shady contractors are out there looking homeowners in the market for spring repairs. Contractor fraud and home improvement scams can cost homeowners thousands of dollars and leave them with shoddy workmanship, unfinished projects, or even damage to their homes.

Kate Kleinert, a widow living near Philadelphia, exercised caution with Facebook friend requests from people she didn’t know. Then she accepted a stranger’s request, and her life changed forever.

Financial fraud, identity theft, romance scams, check washing, tech support, and social media. These were some of the topics addressed recently by a panel of professionals at the 6th Annual Scam Jam, a joint effort by AARP Virginia and Fairfax County Government’s Silver Shield Task Force.

Paul Greenwood served as San Diego’s deputy district attorney for 22 years, working mostly on caregiver abuse issues. He now serves as a champion against elder abuse.