Pennsylvania Senior Citizens Warned of Financial Scam

State officials in Pennsylvania are warning consumers after a scam was reported involving someone posing as a Commonwealth employee. The reported scam uses a fake email to target older citizens and request money through licensed financial institutions to receive a fake inheritance by using convincing language

In one incident reported to Commonwealth officials, an older Pennsylvanian received an email from a generic account that resembled an official Commonwealth email address claiming to be a representative of a credit union located outside the U.S. The email informed the victim that a wealthy distant relative from another country had left a large inheritance in their name. The Pennsylvanian was asked to pay upfront fees in order for the inheritance to be released – the fees would total hundreds of thousands of dollars over nearly a one-year period – and was informed that the only the emailing representative’s agency could provide assistance.

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Pennsylvania Department of Aging, Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, and Pennsylvania State Police issued the warning.

“Scammers exploit trust and perceived authority to steal money – often from vulnerable individuals,” said Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys. “Please call us if a benefit or situation sounds too good to be true, because often it is. We strongly urge Pennsylvanians to connect with family, a trusted advisor, or any of our agencies before engaging with individuals offering unsolicited prizes, benefits, or payments.”

Topics Pennsylvania