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.
Burglar hurled stolen mobile phones at police from the top of 60ft high roof during nine
First attempt to catch orphaned orca calf in Canadian lagoon is unsuccessful
Maine governor signs bill restricting paramilitary training in response to neo
Christopher Luxon claims $52k accommodation payment to live in own apartment
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds
Russian authorities announced mass evacuation for flood
OJ Simpson dies at 76 of prostate cancer
Biden administration announces new student loan cancellations
The unstoppable duo of Emma Stone and Yorgos Lanthimos
Kansas governor vetoes ban on gender