Cryptocurrency Schemes

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In 2024, more people had money stolen from them through investment fraud than to any other type of scam, with reported losses totaling $5.7 billion. That’s about $1 billion more than the previous year and is only a fraction of actual losses because fraud is notoriously underreported.
Investment scams aren’t new, but the latest spin involves cryptocurrency schemes that promise big returns that result in financial devastation. Here’s what to know about this type of investment fraud.
How It Works•You receive a text you think was sent in error—such as a message about dinner plans or a ride to the airport.•Wanting to be polite, you reply to let the sender know they have the wrong number.•That single response can spark an ongoing conversation that, over time, turns into a trusted relationship that eventually leads to an opportunity to learn how to invest successfully in cryptocurrency.
What You Should Know•Scams like these rely on building trust relationships slowly, and teams of scammers work around the clock to keep their targets engaged.•They eventually promise “can’t miss” investments in cryptocurrency and often allow their victims to withdraw some gains early on to add credibility to the scheme.•Victims only realize they have been defrauded when they try to cash out their earnings and face steep taxes or other fees, and then the ‘friend’ disappears.
What You Should Do•Avoid responding to messages from senders you don’t know; this applies to your phone, WhatsApp and other text messaging platforms, and social media.•Scams like these rely on secrecy; see any attempt to keep your relationship secret as a warning signal.•If you or a loved one experiences this scam, first contact the relevant financial institution to see if there is any way to claw back recent transactions. Then file a police report – insist on it if you meet resistance; law enforcement needs to know these scams are happening, and the report may give you an opportunity down the road if restitution is possible.
 

Financial Literacy Month

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April is Financial Literacy Month and what better time to roll out new financial wellness resources. According to the Pew Research Center, only half of the adults in America believe they have a good handle on their personal finances. 

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) has launched a new webpage that will make it much easier for adults to take the steps needed to build their financial skills. The page is the latest enhancement to FAME’s free online educational platform. You can find it here at Build Your Financial Wellness.

The site includes personalized financial lessons, interactive tools, articles, quizzes, and calculators. People can learn how to set goals, track their spending, create a budget, and reduce expenses among other useful skills. FAME’s objective for this program is to break down what can seem like a daunting goal into small steps, making learning easier.

Finding Our Voices

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The public is invited to break the silence of domestic abuse with Finding Our Voices on April 22 with a 1 p.m. protest in front of the post office on Main Street in Farmington followed by a 4 p.m. survivor-led community conversation at the Carrabassett Valley Public Library. 

The library event from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. will feature survivors sharing their experiences of entrapment and escape, and advising how to spot signs of intimate partner abuse and best help those you are worried might be suffering from this. 

Participants of the 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. protest are encouraged to bring signs about what they want the public to know about domestic abuse, and to wear yellow which is the color of Finding Our Voices. 

According to Patrisha McLean, CEO+Founder of Finding our Voices and a survivor herself, the April 22 events are in response to the shooting death in Carrabassett Valley of 23-year-old Makayla Rose Desantis on International Women’s Day. Makayla’s longtime boyfriend Austin Doucette is charged with her murder. 

“We are coming to Franklin County on April 22 out of love for a sister-survivor,” said McLean of the statewide nonprofit, “and out of outrage over the femicide and epidemic of domestic violence in our state.” 

Noel Richardson will be one of four survivor- panelists at the 4 p.m. Carrabassett Valley Public Library event. Noel’s then-partner punched her in the mouth in Franklin County in 2023 while she was holding their baby. Finding Our Voices provided Noel with legal help to get a 15-year restraining order for herself and her baby, and matched her with their program of donated dental care to fix her broken teeth. She is now an honors student at Central Maine Community College.

Finding Our Voices is the grassroots and survivor-powered nonprofit spreading awareness and education about domestic abuse across Maine, including in schools, and providing critical resources to women survivors to escape, get their children safe, and rebuild their lives. 

For more information visit https://findingourvoices.net or contact Patrisha McLean at [email protected]

Bereavement Scams

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•Someone contacts you from the funeral home or cemetery about a problem with your form of payment.•A long-lost relative of the deceased reaches out to offer sympathy or reminisce.•A “spiritual adviser” offers to connect you with your loved one from the afterworld.
What You Should Know•Scammers comb through obituaries, funeral home websites, and online memorials to find names and personal details they can use to target families.•In some cases, criminals use a deceased person’s information to commit identity fraud by illicitly obtaining sensitive personal information to take over existing financial accounts or create new ones.•Other tactics involve posing as a distant relative or old friend of the deceased to build a trust relationship over time that can evolve into a scam aimed at stealing inheritance money.
What You Should Do•Consider the public nature of an obituary and online memorials, and limit information that could be used to deceive you.•If the funeral home calls demanding money, hang up and call them back at a number you know to be legitimate.•If a “long-lost” relative or friend reaches out, ask other family members or longtime friends if they know the person.•It is not a legitimate business if it seeks payment by wire transfer, cryptocurrency, gift cards or peer-to-peer apps.

reprinted from AARP Fraud Watch Network

Most Seniors Don’t Realize They Can Take Advantage of These Things

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  1. Goodwill Senior Discount: Some Goodwill regions offer a senior discount on a set day (details vary by location and are not nationwide).
  2. Kohl’s Senior Day: 15% in-store discount every Wednesday for customers aged 60 and older at many locations.
  3. Walgreens Seniors Day: Seniors Day happens on the first Tuesday of each month—customers aged 55+ can get 20% off eligible regular-priced items (myWalgreens membership required).
  4. Amazon Prime Discount: Amazon offers Prime Access (a discounted Prime membership) for customers enrolled in qualifying government assistance programs (not based on age alone).
  5. Best Western Senior Discounts: Discounted room rates are available for guests aged 55 and older (discount amount varies).
  6. Denny’s Senior Discount: Denny’s offers a 55+ menu. AARP members can also get 15% off their check at participating locations (with a max discount limit).
  7. AMC Theatres Senior Pricing: AMC offers senior ticket pricing for guests aged 60+.
  8. Amtrak Senior Discounts: Amtrak travelers aged 65+ are eligible for a 10% discount on most rail fares (with separate age rules on some cross-border services).
  9. National Park Service Senior Pass: U.S. citizens or permanent residents aged 62+ can buy a lifetime Senior Pass for $80, covering entry at federal recreation sites.
  10. AT&T Senior Plan: AT&T offers an AT&T 55+ plan for eligible customers aged 55+ (terms and availability can vary, and eligibility must be verified).

    Social Security Impostor Scam

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    One of the most common ways criminals steal money and sensitive information is by impersonating a trusted source—often a government agency like the Social Security Administration (SSA).
    According to the Federal Trade Commission, victims of SSA scams had more than $110 million stolen from them in 2025. And that number only reflects what was reported. These crimes don’t just drain individual savings; they also help fund broader criminal networks, including transnational organized crime and drug and human trafficking.
    How It Works•You get an unexpected urgent communication from SSA.•They may claim that your Social Security number has been linked to criminal activity and suspended.•They may bear good news, perhaps that you qualify for a benefit increase.•And they’ll likely insist on secrecy, pressuring you not to discuss the situation with anyone.
    What You Should Know•Regardless of the story they tell, the perpetrators are looking to steal from you—whether it’s sensitive information or your Social Security number.•To lend legitimacy to their story, they may claim to be from the SSA Office of Inspector General, use the name of an SSA employee, or send letters on what looks to be SSA letterhead.•SSA does not contact people out of the blue and will never use pressure to pay a fee, transfer money or share sensitive personal or financial information.•These Social Security scams include three red flags common to most scams: a contact from out of the blue that heightens our emotions and contains urgency.
    What You Should Do•When you notice these three red flags together, take what AARP calls an “active pause”—an intentional step back to reflect: Is this something I’ve heard of? Does this make sense? This pause gives you time to apply logic—something the criminal playbook is written to avoid—and protect yourself and your assets.•If you receive a concerning communication from SSA, contact SSA directly at 800-772-1213 (or you can log in or set up a “My Social Security Account” by visiting ssa.gov/myaccount.)•If you shared your Social Security number and believe it was part of a scam, go to IDtheft.gov for step-by-step guidance on protecting yourself from identity fraud.•Learn more about AARP’s campaign, Pause, Reflect, Protect, at aarp.org/pause.

    Not Just Romance: The Rise of Friendship Scams

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    Illustration of a heart with a dollar sign on it between two hands.
    Online romance scams have been wreaking havoc for years. A growing trend has a similar path, but the focus is on building deep trust friendships, and seeking to steal every last penny from the target.
    Here’s how friendship scams work.
    How It Works•You meet someone online through social media or another platform. They may comment on your posts or reach out by direct message.•Or you could receive what appears to be a wrong-number text (“Hi, are we still on for dinner tonight?”). You reply to be polite, and a conversation begins.•Over time (weeks, months – sometimes years), a deep trust relationship develops.•Eventually, your new friend asks for financial help, or they may pitch an investment opportunity that they have made a lot of money with, and want you to benefit from their knowledge.
    What You Should Know•Criminals infiltrate social media and other online spaces (yes, even texting your phone), showing interest in things you’re interested in or claiming to be in similar circumstances to form emotional connections.•The platonic nature may reduce suspicion, making these scams harder to recognize.•The money subject comes up as a personal and urgent need for your financial help, or a can’t-miss investment opportunity.•The nature of the criminal enterprises behind this scam is to steal everything from their victims.
    What You Should Do•Ignore (or delete and report if your phone has that option) seemingly errant text messages.•Be exceedingly cautious getting to know new friends online; this scam is everywhere right now.•Tell a close friend or family member about a new relationship, or call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline to talk to someone trained in scams (877-908-3360).•If you become a victim, immediately contact the relevant financial institution to see if you can get back any of your money.•Report to local law enforcement (and insist on a report), and to the FBI at IC3.gov.
     

    reprinted from AARP Fraud Warch Network

    211 Maine

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    211 Maine is a free, confidential helpline that assists all Mainers in finding local resources to help meet their basic needs and thrive. Mainers can connect to specialists and receive information and referrals by calling 211, texting their zip code to 898-211, or searching at 211Maine.org.

    211 Specialists can help find things like heating fuel payment assistance, food pantries, substance use treatment and recovery resources, and more.

    Thousands of people reach out to 211 Maine every month looking for help for themselves or someone they know. Last year, the top needs received by 211 Maine included heating and utility assistance, housing and shelter resources, and mental health and substance use support.

    211 Maine is an initiative of the Maine chapters of United Way Worldwide in partnership with the State of Maine. The Opportunity Alliance serves as the contact center partner.

    Identity Theft Awareness

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    Each year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) leads Identity Theft Awareness Week, a national initiative held in late January on how to avoid identity theft, recover if it happens, and spot these scams before they occur.
    American adults lost $47 billion to identity fraud and scams in 2024, according to an AARP-sponsored report from by Javelin Strategy & Research. The problem is huge, and our personal information can be compromised through everything from sophisticated data breaches to simple mail theft. Below are some key steps to help protect you and your loved ones.
    Reduce Your Paper Trail•Set up online access to your bank and credit card accounts and enroll in paperless billing to reduce the risk of physical theft of your personal information.•Shred sensitive documents—such as bank statements, tax forms, and medical bills—before discarding them.•Keep your Social Security card stored securely at home, and avoid leaving any personal information in your car, even if it’s locked.
    Strengthen Your Security Measures•Use strong and unique passwords for each account, enable multifactor authentication whenever it’s offered, avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions, and install reputable security software on your devices.•Monitor your credit report for suspicious activity and consider freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus to help prevent criminals from opening accounts in your name.•File your tax return as early as you can—tax identity thieves who have obtained personal information often try to file first. You can go to irs.gov to request a personal identification number to associate with your return each year; IRS won’t process your return without it, adding an important layer of protection.
    Protect Your Privacy•Make sure your social media accounts are set to private and avoid oversharing information such as your birthday, hometown, family members, or education history.•It’s risky to enter personal information into AI programs or chat tools; chat logs are not a confidential resource.