Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from older Americans last year, an FBI report says
WASHINGTON (AP) — Scammers stole more than $3.4 billion from older Americans last year, according to an FBI report released Tuesday that shows a rise in losses through increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics to trick the vulnerable into giving up their life savings.
Losses from scams reported by Americans over the age of 60 last year were up 11% over the year before, according to the FBI’s report. Investigators are warning of a rise in brazen schemes to drain bank accounts that involve sending couriers in person to collect cash or gold from victims.
“It can be a devastating impact to older Americans who lack the ability to go out and make money,” said Deputy Assistant Director James Barnacle of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. “People lose all their money. Some people become destitute.”
The FBI received more than 100,000 complaints by victims of scams over the age of 60 last year, with nearly 6,000 people losing more than $100,000. It follows a sharp rise in reported losses by older Americans in the two years after the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, when people were stuck at home and easier for scammers to reach over the phone.
Related articles
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
Travis Kelce was spotted taking a whiskey shot from a slice of bread in true southern fashion as he2024-05-22- King Willem-Alexander has shared a glimpse into his private study, where he has a touching portrait2024-05-22
I was deepfaked in porn videos having sex with various men
A woman has revealed how she 'genuinely wanted to be dead' after finding deepfake porn videos of of2024-05-22Awkward moment pregnant mother is left in tears after discovering she's having a third son
This is the awkward moment a mother was left in tears at her gender reveal when she discovered she w2024-05-22- Jodie Turner-Smith displayed her washboard abs as she made her way through London on Monday.The actr2024-05-22
How Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice could be stepping up amid Royal Family health troubles
The Princess of Wales's video - in which she candidly revealed her cancer diagnosis - sent shockwave2024-05-22
atest comment