Every May, the Administration for Community Living leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM). The 2024 theme is Powered by Connection, which recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being.
Older Americans Month is a great time to make sure that older family members and friends stay safe from scams. Take the time to educate yourself and others about scams that target the elderly!
Beware of Scams Targeting Older Adults
Older adults are often the target of scams. Scammers are savvy and convincing, and their scams are designed to catch people off guard. Don’t be ashamed if you think you or someone you know has been a victim of a scam — it can happen to anyone.
Common scams aimed at older adults include:
- Government impersonator scams, such as someone posing as a Medicare representative asking for account information
- Fake prize, sweepstakes, and lottery scams, in which you are asked to pay money or provide account information to claim winnings
- Computer tech support scams, in which a scammer tells you that your computer has a problem and wants you to pay for support services to fix it
- The grandparent scam, in which a caller pretends to be a grandchild or other relative in distress
This information was brought to you by the National Institute on Aging.
Resources:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Protecting older adults from fraud and financial exploitation, https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/educator-tools/resources-for-older-adults/protecting-against-fraud/
Federal Bureau of Investigation: FBI Warns of Scammers Targeting Senior Citizens in Grandparent Scams and Demanding Funds by Wire, Mail, or Couriers, https://www.ic3.gov/Media/Y2023/PSA231117
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): Elder Fraud, https://www.ic3.gov/Home/EF
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Fraud Against the Elderly, https://www.fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news/2023-09.html
Federal Trade Commission:
Fighting fraud against older adults, https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/fighting-fraud-against-older-adults
Use Pass It On to talk about fraud this Older Americans Month, https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/04/use-pass-it-talk-about-fraud-older-americans-month
New York State Department of State: Scams Targeting Older Adults, https://dos.ny.gov/scams-targeting-older-adults
Office for Victims of Crime: National Elder Fraud Hotline, https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope