PEORIA, Ariz. — Arizona’s senior population has lost millions of dollars to fraud, according to the FBI. And now, a Valley community is cracking down on scammers who are attacking those seniors’ bank accounts.
FBI data showed Arizona seniors have lost more than 82 million dollars to fraud, and our state averages nearly 200 fraud victims per 100,000 seniors. The numbers are disheartening when our seniors are at risk of losing thousands of their hard-earned dollars set to get them through day-to-day and expenses.
Cybersecurity experts at VPNPro looked at data from the FBI and Federal Trade Commission. Those 60 and older were more than 500 percent more likely to be victims of a tech support scam than those between 18 and 59 years old. The average loss per victim was about $23,000. And the second most popular payment method for these victims, according to data, was cryptocurrency.
In Peoria, the police department is cracking down on the Phantom Hacker Scam. Police said Phantom Hacker scammers are on the rise in their community and gain access to victims through a pop-up on their computer, iPad or other electronic device.
The pop-up will say to call a certain number. When the victim calls the number, they're hooked by scammers and kept on the phone for a long time. They’re then told they’re being transferred to a fraud detective with a financial institution, where they’re then instructed to send money through a cryptocurrency ATM.
“When the individual, the victim goes to the bank, they’re on the phone with them the entire time," Peoria PD's Kristopher Babros said. "They say if the bank teller asks you anything suspicious, say you’re buying a car or you’re buying a house and that’s why you’re pulling all of your checking account and savings account out.”
Peoria police said they have about 30 cryptocurrency machines in the city. They’re working with the city to create signs to put outside of the machines warning people about the scams.
If you think you or a loved one has been scammed, call your local law enforcement right away. Police encourage everyone in the community to talk to their senior friends and families about how to avoid becoming a victim of a scam.
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