Senior Fraud Awareness Day

The rise in scams and fraud impacts Americans of all ages, with seniors being particularly vulnerable. According to the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) report, older adults are at higher risk, with more than 101,000 senior victims of fraud compared to just 18,000 victims under the age of 20.

Elder fraud can strike anyone, anywhere, and it’s often targeted at those most vulnerable. Take Kent, for example. An elderly man suffering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and dementia, he is frequently preyed upon by scammers. Recently, he received fraudulent "EZ Pay Collections" texts and, worried about an unpaid toll, he kept clicking on the links. The issue? Kent doesn't own a car and doesn’t drive, yet he believed the message was legitimate. In fact, he even went as far as creating an account on the fraudulent website. When shown how to report the message as spam, he hesitated, asking, "What if it’s real?" Additionally, he frequently calls family members, worried that USPS has failed to deliver his packages—a scam that specifically targets the elderly.

This situation highlights the growing gap between rapidly advancing technology and the ability of some seniors to keep up. Without the right knowledge or caution, they become easy targets for scammers. Kent’s experience is a stark reminder of how vulnerable older adults can be when they lack the tools or support to recognize and protect themselves from fraud.

Fraud Awareness Month, Senior Fraud Awareness Week, and other related observances are critical moments to educate ourselves, our families, and our communities about the growing threat of fraud. The FBI has dedicated resources to elder fraud prevention, detailing common scams that target seniors:

• Romance Scam: Fraudsters pose as potential romantic partners on social media or dating sites, preying on seniors' desire for companionship.
• Tech Support Scam: Scammers impersonate tech support agents, offering to fix non-existent computer issues, and often gain remote access to sensitive data.
• Grandparent Scam: Criminals pretend to be a relative, often a grandchild, in urgent need of financial help, tricking seniors into sending money.
• Government Impersonation Scam: Fraudsters impersonate government officials, threatening arrest or prosecution unless the victim makes an immediate payment.
• Sweepstakes/Charity/Lottery Scam: Scammers claim their victims have won a foreign lottery or sweepstakes, or they pose as charity workers, requesting a "fee" to release winnings.
• Home Repair Scam: Fraudsters show up at seniors’ homes, offering to perform repairs for an upfront fee, only to disappear after receiving the money.
• TV/Radio Scam: Scammers use fake ads about services like reverse mortgages or credit repair to lure victims into providing money.
• Family/Caregiver Scam: In this type of scam, trusted relatives or caregivers exploit elderly victims for financial gain.

In the 2023 report, tech support scams were highlighted as the most commonly reported form of elder fraud. These scams exploit the gap in technological knowledge that many seniors experience.

Graphic from FBI’s Elder Fraud, In Focus

Preventing Elder Fraud: A Community Effort

Raising awareness about these scams is not just about identifying them, but also empowering seniors to take action. It’s essential that we help our elderly loved ones understand the importance of questioning unsolicited communications, reporting suspicious activity, and seeking support when in doubt. Fraud Awareness Month serves as a vital reminder to educate ourselves and others, so that we can collectively work to protect vulnerable populations from falling victim to these scams.