A criminal hides behind a fake identity to lure victims into a romantic relationship with the intention of emotionally and psychologically influencing victims into giving the scammer what they want, such as personal information, means of moving money (money laundering), and money.

RED FLAGS: 

• They reach out to you first.
• Quick declarations of love or strong emotions.
• Requests for money, especially for emergencies or travel expenses.
• Profiles with limited friends, photos, personal details – often with inconsistencies.

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE: 

A woman met a man online claiming to be an engineer working on an oil rig. He sent pictures of himself in work gear and talked about the dangers of his job. After months of building trust, he said he had an accident on the rig and needed money to cover medical bills and equipment repairs, since he was stuck offshore with no access to his bank. She sent him tens of thousands of dollars, but once the payments stopped, he disappeared and all communication ceased. The “oil rig engineer” was a scammer using a fake identity.

HOW TO AVOID ROMANCE SCAMS:

• Be skeptical of anyone who professes love too quickly.
• Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
• Do a reverse image search of their profile pictures to check for fakes.
• Trust your instincts if something feels off.

Check fraud often involves criminals obtaining checks illegally and “washing” them to remove the ink. The scammer then has blank checks to steal money from victims’ accounts.

RED FLAGS: 

• Receiving unexpected checks, especially from unfamiliar sources.
• Instructions to deposit a check and wire/send part of the money back.
• Pressure to act quickly before the check clears.
• Suspicious signs of mail theft or tampering, such as missing checks or opened envelopes.

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE: 

A grandparent may send a check in the mail for $20 to celebrate their grandchild’s birthday. A criminal can steal this check from the mailbox, erase the ink (“wash” the check), and write the check for a larger amount to deposit into their own account.

HOW TO AVOID CHECK FRAUD SCAMS: 

• Pay electronically – avoid mailing checks
• Monitor bank statements or online banking closely
• Use pens with permanent ink like black gel pens
• Deposit mail with checks either directly at a Post Office or close to a mailbox’s collection time
• Never deposit checks from unknown sources, especially if asked to return money.

Scammers use manipulative tactics to gain funds from victims by building trust online and persuading them to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes. Victims may unwittingly make additional payments before realizing they’ve been defrauded, leading to the loss of their assets to the criminals behind the scheme.

WHY IS IT CALLED PIG BUTCHERING?:

Yep… it’s a pretty gross term, but it originated from an analogy comparing the process of fattening a pig before slaughter to that of gaining a victim’s trust over time, only to take advantage of them in the end.

RED FLAGS:

• Strangers reaching out unexpectedly on social media or messaging apps, starting friendly conversations.
• Offers to invest in cryptocurrency or “too good to be true” investment opportunities.
• Pressure to invest quickly to seize a “limited-time” opportunity.
• Fake platforms or investment sites that show false profits to lure in more money.

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE:

A man was befriended by someone online who introduced him to a “profitable” cryptocurrency investment platform. He invested thousands and saw his balance grow, but when he tried to withdraw, the platform became unresponsive, and he lost all his funds.

HOW TO AVOID PIG BUTCHERING SCAMS:

• Do not share personal or financial details on social media and keep your profile private.
• Be cautious of unsolicited investment advice, especially from new or online-only acquaintances.
• Do not invest in platforms or schemes without thoroughly researching their legitimacy.
• Avoid pressure to act quickly or invest large sums.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is—trust your instincts.

Fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, and credit card details by masquerading as trustworthy entities in electronic communications.

RED FLAGS:

• Emails, texts, or calls asking for personal information, passwords, or account numbers.
• Messages with urgent language like “Your account is compromised!” or “Act now to avoid suspension!”
• Links or attachments from unknown or unexpected senders, often containing typos or strange URLs.
• Unexpected texts (smishing) that claim to be from banks, delivery services, or government agencies.

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE:

A man received a text claiming to be from his bank, warning that his account had been compromised. The text included a link to “verify” his account. He clicked the link and entered his banking information on a fake website. Within hours, scammers drained his account using the stolen credentials.

HOW TO AVOID PHISHING SCAMS:

• Do not click on links or open attachments from unknown or unsolicited emails and texts.
• Always go directly to the official website or app to verify any claims of account issues.
• Never share personal information via email or text, especially if you didn’t initiate the contact.
• Look for signs like spelling errors, strange URLs, or unusual requests, which can signal phishing attempts.
• Enable two-factor authentication for added online banking security

These scams claim you’ll likely make a lot of money quickly or easily with little to no risk — usually by investing in the financial markets, cryptocurrency, real estate, or precious metals and coins.

RED FLAGS:

• Promises of big money, guaranteed income, or guaranteed profits or returns.
• Claims that the investment comes with little risk, time, and effort.
• Scammers give few details about the investment.
• Unregistered or unlicensed investment platforms or advisors.
• Difficulty or inability to withdraw money after investing.
• Scammers use high-pressure sales tactics – act quickly due to a “limited time offer”.

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE:

A man was approached by a “financial advisor” on social media who promised quick profits through a cryptocurrency trading platform. The platform showed impressive growth in his account balance, but when he tried to withdraw his funds, he was asked to pay unexpected fees. After paying, he still couldn’t access his money, and the platform disappeared, taking his investment with it.

HOW TO AVOID INVESTMENT SCAMS:

• Resist pressure to commit quickly. Take time to research.
• Verify the credentials of anyone offering investment advice, and ensure platforms are registered with regulatory bodies.
• Be skeptical of any investment that guarantees high returns with little risk.
• Be cautious when investing in cryptocurrency; research the legitimacy of the platform and token.

A type of elder financial abuse in which financial resources are misappropriated by a scammer or somebody close to the vulnerable adult.

COMMON TYPES OF ELDER FRAUD:

• Grandparent Scam: Scammer calls and claims to be a grandchild in trouble, requesting large sums of money be wired.
• Government Imposter Scam: Scammer claims to be a representative of a government agency (like the IRS or Social Security Administration) that you trust using a number that appears official.
• Fake Tech Support Scam: Scammer pretends to be a representative of a company you trust and asks you to download software.
• Online Shopping Scams: Scammer sets up fake websites selling false products to try and steal money.

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE:

An elderly woman received a phone call from someone claiming to be her grandson, saying he had been in a car accident and needed bail money immediately. The caller begged her not to tell his parents. She sent $5,000 via wire transfer to “help,” only to later find out her grandson was safe at home and had never called.

A dishonest offer that seems too good to be true, and is used to trick victims into giving away personal or financial information or downloading malware.

RED FLAGS:

• False job advertisements
• Fake quizzes or games that ask for personal information
• Offers that promise huge rewards, prizes, or returns with little or no effort.
• Claims of winning a contest, sweepstakes, or lottery you didn’t enter.
• Requests for upfront fees or personal information to claim a prize or reward.
• Limited-time offers that require immediate action to “secure” the deal.

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE:

A man received an email saying he had won a multi-million-dollar lottery he never entered. To claim the prize, he was asked to pay taxes and processing fees upfront. Excited, he sent thousands of dollars, only to realize there was no lottery, and he had been scammed.

HOW TO AVOID TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE SCAMS:

• If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Be wary of unsolicited messages offering prizes, especially if they ask for money or personal details.
• Never pay fees to claim a prize or reward—legitimate organizations don’t operate this way.
• Take time to research any offer, and consult a trusted source if you’re unsure.

Tax refund fraud involves identity theft, fraudulent W-2 forms and the online filing of an illicit tax return for the purpose of receiving a tax refund for deposit into the account of the fraudster or a money mule acting on behalf of the fraudster.

RED FLAGS:

• Unexpected communications from the IRS (phone calls, emails, texts) asking for personal information or payment.
• Claims that you’re eligible for a large tax refund or that there’s an issue with your return.
• Pressure to act quickly or face penalties or arrest.
• Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—methods the IRS never uses.

REAL WORLD EXAMPLE:

A woman received a call from someone claiming to be an IRS agent, saying there was an error with her tax return and she was due a large refund. The caller asked for her Social Security number and bank details to “process” the refund. Shortly after providing the information, she found out her identity had been stolen, and fraudulent tax returns had been filed in her name.

HOW TO AVOID TAX REFUND SCAMS:

• The IRS will never call, email, or text to ask for personal information—ignore these requests.
• Do not provide personal information over the phone unless you initiated the contact with a verified IRS number.
• Be cautious of anyone claiming you owe money or are owed a refund—always verify with the IRS directly.

Identity theft is a serious crime. It occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission to commit fraud or other crimes.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. You should review your credit report and credit card statements often to verify that you made the charges shown.

If you believe someone has stolen your identity, you should:

• Contact the fraud department of each of the three major credit bureaus
• Review your credit report and bank statements
• Contact your bank and any other creditors
• File a report with your local police department
• Contact the FTC’s Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338.