$300M Phone Scam Targeting Older Americans

According to Fox Business , the U.S. attorney's office in Minnesota announced Wednesday that a total of 60 people have been charged in a widespread magazine telemarketing scam that authorities say netted $300 million from over 150,000 senior and vulnerable people nationwide. U.S. Attorney Erica MacDonald described the scam as the largest senior fraud scheme in the nation. She added that the 60 defendants face a number of charges, ranging from conspiracy and mail fraud to wire fraud and violating the Senior Citizens Against Marketing Scams Act of 1994. The accused hail from 14 states and two Canadian provinces. "Unfortunately, we live in a world where fraudsters are willing to take advantage of seniors, who are often trusting and polite," MacDonald lamented in an official statement.