SAFETY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH (NW) CORNER By Fay Wood, NW Chief Lake Ashton residents, like many across the country, have been victims of financial scams and fraud. Losses among Americans over 60 rose 11% last year, with criminals stealing more than $3.4 billion, according to the FBI’s Elder Fraud Report. Here are some of the most common scams in 2025 and how to protect yourself. Employment Scams Job scams are on the rise, from fake ads on major sites to phony recruiter emails. Often, victims are told they’ve been hired and asked to provide Social Security numbers, bank account details, or even upfront payments for training. Some scammers send bogus checks as “signing bonuses,” then request refunds for supposed overpayments. These checks eventually bounce, leaving victims out of pocket. Stay safe: • Even reputable job boards can host fake postings. • Verify recruiters by checking the company’s website and staff directory. • Be suspicious of high-paying “work-fromhome” jobs. • Real employers won’t require payment for training or ask for personal financial details early in the process. Cryptocurrency Scams With Bitcoin surpassing $100,000 in late 2024, crypto scams are booming. In 2023, Americans over 60 reported 17,000 complaints and $1.6 billion in losses. Scammers often use social media, dating apps, and messaging platforms to befriend victims, then push fraudulent “investment opportunities.” Fake profit dashboards lure victims 20 into investing more, but when they try to withdraw funds, the money vanishes. Another growing fraud involves celebrity impostor endorsements of crypto products. To combat this, the FTC introduced a 2024 rule banning fake testimonials and enabling penalties against violators. Stay safe: • Be wary of unsolicited investment advice, especially from strangers online. • Verify endorsements through official sources. • Remember: legitimate investments don’t guarantee “huge profits with no risk.” Tech Support Scams Older adults are five times more likely than younger people to lose money to tech support fraud, costing Americans over $175 million in 2023. These scams often begin with pop-ups claiming your computer is infected. Victims who click links or call numbers may grant remote access to criminals, who then steal data, install malware, or sell fake “warranty” services. Stay safe: • Legitimate tech companies won’t call, email, or use pop-ups to report computer problems. • Never click pop-up links or grant remote access unless you initiated the request. • Restart your computer to remove a pop-up, and run a security scan if you’ve granted access. Card-Declined Scams The BBB has seen a surge in scams where shoppers receive “card declined” messages during online purchases. Victims often retry multiple times, unaware charges are actually going through — sometimes for larger amounts. Many incidents stem from fraudulent websites or phishing links. Example: In 2024, AAA members received fake offers for a “free emergency kit” if they paid shipping. After entering card details, victims faced multiple fraudulent charges. (continued)
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