Category / Senior Scams

by The Seniors Center

Scam Artists Are Using the 2023 COLA to Target Seniors

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Scam artists will take any opportunity to find new victims to target, often keeping a close eye on the news to see what new programs or benefits could provide a way to steal. From student loan forgiveness scams to fake IRS calls, fraudsters will exploit any chance to make a profit.

How the 2023 COLA Scam Works

One of the latest developments these scammers are watching closely is the 2023 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA). According to an NBC affiliate station in Baton Rouge, the 8.7 percent increase has caused scammers to try to take advantage.

“They can manipulate the system. So, they can actually show Social Security or whatever agency they want you to think, they show up on your caller ID,” notes Carmen Million, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau.

If you receive a call, text, or email from someone claiming to be a representative of Social Security, Medicare, or another agency claiming to be offering you a COLA-related benefit, never give them any personal information. Instead, hang up and contact the agency directly at their official telephone number—or report the scammer to the FTC, who can then investigate.

The Seniors Center Blog

The Seniors Center Blog is here to help retirees stay safe from scams, and we’re constantly updating our site with news on ways that scammers might target people like you. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook today for more updates on scams and other news in the senior community.

by The Seniors Center

The Social Security Administration Is Warning Seniors About Potential Scams

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The holidays are a time for giving, but unfortunately that also means it’s prime time for fraudsters to target unsuspecting seniors. Social Security Matters recently posted an article on how to protect yourself from imposter fraud during the holidays. It’s important that seniors stay informed and vigilant to ensure their hard-earned savings don’t end up in the hands of a scammer.

How Scam Artists Can Pose as Government Officials

Social Securit Matters reports that some criminals may attempt to pose as government officials. They might call or email pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA), IRS, or other federal agency. These scammers will often try to convince seniors that they are entitled to a tax refund or other payment, but must first provide personal information in order to receive it.

What Seniors Can Do To Stay Safe

The best way for seniors to protect themselves from imposter fraud is to ignore suspicious emails and calls. The SSA, IRS, and other government agencies will never contact you to ask for personal information or for money to be sent in the form of gift cards. These government agencies will send a letter via the mail instead.

The Seniors Center Blog is here to keep seniors informed and safe during the holidays. Be sure to check out our website for more helpful tips and resources. And follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up-to-date!

by The Seniors Center

Scams by the Numbers—Here’s How Seniors Have Been Affected

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Older Americans are often the targets of fraud and abuse by family members, caregivers, strangers, and even business entities. In 2021 alone, the money lost to elder fraud reached $1.7 billion. Understanding the numbers behind the fraud can help seniors protect themselves and their assets.

Breaking Down Elder Fraud Statistics

According to The Motley Fool, losses have nearly doubled from 2019 to 2021. With 97,371 victims in 2021, this indicates that it is more important than ever for seniors to protect their finances.

The average amount lost by victims of senior scams in 2021 was $18,246, but many seniors lost more than $100,000. The most common type of scam that targeted seniors was confidence fraud, which involves tricking seniors into wiring money to a scammer who poses as someone they can trust. Other types of scams included prize offers, government imposter fraud, and investment fraud.

Financial abuse also poses a significant threat to seniors. Loved ones and caregivers may take advantage of seniors’ physical or emotional vulnerability to gain access to their accounts and assets. Financial abuse, while not subject to the same tracking that fraud and scams are, has likely been responsible for billions in losses.

The Seniors Center: Helping Seniors Stay Safe

The Seniors Center is here to help. Through our recent posts, we’re educating older Americans about the forms of fraud that they’re most likely to see. Keep up with us on Twitter and Facebook so you never miss a post!

by The Seniors Center

Don’t Let Scams Ruin Your Holidays—Take This Quiz to Test Your Knowledge

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Did you know that scams can spike during the holidays?

During the holiday season, when people are feeling generous and looking for ways to help others, scammers can take advantage of this kind of generosity. As many as three-quarters of Americans have been targeted by a scam that’s connected to the holidays at some point.

These scams can include online fraud, fake charities, and even identity theft. It’s important to stay vigilant and protect yourself from these kinds of predatory activities.

How to Spot Holiday Scams

Unknown numbers, gift cards that have been tampered with, and shady charities are some of the biggest red flags associated with holiday scams. However, knowing what to look out for can be difficult, especially with the prevalence of online scams.

AARP has put together a helpful online quiz that will test your knowledge of holiday scams. The quiz covers topics like phishing, check fraud, and other factors that can help you identify potential disasters before they have a chance to affect you.

For example, can you always trust ads for items you see on social media? Will retailers like Amazon ever ask for your login info over the phone? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you stay safe from scams during the holidays.

The Seniors Center Blog Can Help You Stay Safe for the Holidays

We hope you enjoy this holiday season—and stay vigilant against scams! At The Seniors Center, you’ll find helpful advice on how to stay safe. From avoiding impostor fraud to recognizing questionable charities, our blog has all the info you need to stay safe during the holidays.

Learn more by following us on Twitter and Facebook today!

by The Seniors Center

This Holiday Season, Avoid Charity Scams

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Donating to charity this holiday season? Make sure you do your research first to avoid charity scams.

Charity scams are unfortunately common, especially during the holidays when people are feeling more generous. Scammers take advantage of this by posing as legitimate charities and asking for donations. They may even set up fake websites or social media accounts that look real.

Staying Safe from Charity Scams

According to AARP, you can take the following steps to avoid charity scams:

  • Research the charity before you donate. Make sure it’s a legitimate organization by checking out websites like the Better Business Bureau.
  • Ask about tax deductions. Legitimate charities will be able to provide information about tax deductions for your donation.
  • Hang up if you need to. If a caller is being pushy or aggressive, it’s a red flag. Just hang up and donate to a charity of your choice instead.
  • Watch for sneaky name changes. Some scammers will try to trick you by using a similar name to a legitimate charity. So be sure to double-check before you donate.

You can stay safe from charity scams this holiday season by doing your research and being aware of red flags. Don’t let scammers take advantage of your generosity—give to a charity of your choice instead. Follow The Seniors Center on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about common senior scams and how to avoid them.

by The Seniors Center

FBI Releases Details About Cyber Crimes in 2021—Here’s How to Take Action

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The FBI has recently released statistics detailing the cyber crimes that have taken place so far in 2021. These crimes range from phishing scams to ransomware attacks, and they have affected individuals, businesses, and government entities alike. The good news is that there are steps that everyone can take to protect themselves from these types of attacks.

Here are some of the most common cyber crimes that have been reported so far this year:

  • Ransomware – This type of attack involves criminals using malicious software to lock up your computer files and demand a ransom in order to get them back. Ransomware attacks can be devastating for businesses, as they can result in the loss of important data and files.
  • Supply chain attacks – These attacks target the supply chains of businesses in order to gain access to their networks. Once inside, the attackers can then install ransomware or steal sensitive data.
  • Critical infrastructure attacks – These attacks target the systems that control our critical infrastructure, such as power grids and water treatment plants. These attacks can have a significant impact on public safety.

For individuals, the best defense against these types of attacks is to educate yourself about the risks and be aware of the signs of an attack. If you receive a suspicious email, don’t click on any links or attachments. Change passwords regularly and don’t use the same password for multiple accounts. And, if you are a victim of an attack, don’t pay the ransom.

Learn more on how to stay safe from our past articles on cyber security tips. And be sure to follow The Seniors Center on Twitter and Facebook so you never miss an update!

by The Seniors Center

The FTC’s New Advisory Group to Fight Scams

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There are many different types of scams targeting seniors, from fraudulent investment schemes to fake lottery scams. And with seniors being one of the most vulnerable demographic groups when it comes to fraud, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has put together a new advisory group to help fight back against these scams.

How the FTC Advisory Group Will Fight Back

According to the FTC, this group is part of the Stop Senior Scams Act. It will bring together “federal agency partners, consumer advocates, and industry representatives” to identify and find ways to stop scams that target seniors.

A few of the ways that the group plans to do this are by:

  • Improving education efforts
  • Finding innovative ways to prevent scams
  • Improving industry training
  • Developing research to better understand how seniors are targeted by scammers

This initiative comes on the heels of a new program in Pennsylvania bringing together government agencies and community resources to help seniors who have been victimized by scams. This new wave of anti-scam efforts is a welcome relief for seniors.

The Seniors Center

The Seniors Center is here to help seniors stay safe from scams and other threats. Keep up with our latest posts on Twitter and Facebook and learn more about our mission today!

by The Seniors Center

How One Nonprofit Network is Fighting Back Against Elder Abuse

Fighting back against elder abuse: that's the mission of a new network of nonprofits in Philadelphia. Find out how they're helping seniors today.
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It’s clear there is a widespread problem of elder abuse in the United States. Seniors from all over have experienced some type of abuse, often in the form of financial exploitation. As different states look to create their own solutions to this problem, one network of nonprofits and government agencies in Philadelphia is working hard to prevent elder abuse and keep seniors safe.

According to WHYY, the Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Team will consist of representatives from various agencies who will work together to investigate and prosecute cases of elder abuse. The team will also provide support to victims and their families.

One of the ways that this initiative will help seniors is by giving social workers a new avenue to report suspected cases of abuse. This is important because, often, seniors are reluctant to come forward and report abuse out of fear or shame. And social workers can be limited in what they can do to help if they don’t have concrete evidence of abuse.

Helping seniors stay safe from elder abuse is a complex issue, but this network is working hard to make sure that seniors in Philadelphia have the resources and support they need. If this initiative is successful, nationwide programs could help make a difference.

The Seniors Center is here to help retirees stay safe from scams and other forms of fraud and abuse. We invite you to follow us on Twitter and Facebook to learn more about our work to improve Social Security and the lives of hardworking seniors around the nation.

by The Seniors Center

Don’t Fall for This Scam Involving Doctored Credentials

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Seniors are frequently targets of scammers who attempt to exploit their vulnerabilities. One popular scam that has been making the rounds lately is an impersonation scam involving doctored credentials.

How Does the Impersonation Scam Work?

The Social Security Matters Blog warns of the rise of this scam. How does it work? The scammer will contact the senior by phone, email, or even in person. They will then claim to be from a government agency or another credible source. The scammer may say that they need to verify the senior’s Social Security number or other personal information, or that they need to pay money to resolve an issue or receive a monetary reward of some kind.

It’s important to know that no government agency or credible source will ever contact a citizen and ask for personal information over the phone or via email.

If you are contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency, do not give them any information. Instead, hang up the phone or delete the email. If you are contacted in person, ask to see their credentials. If they do not have any credentials, or if their credentials look fake or doctored in any way, do not give them any information.

The Seniors Center Blog

The Seniors Center Blog is here to warn you about this and other scams that target seniors. Stay informed and stay safe—and be to follow The Seniors Center on Twitter and Facebook for our latest updates!

by The Seniors Center

VIDEO: Former FBI Director’s Response to Being Targeted by Scammers

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Even our nation’s top law enforcement officials can be the targets of elder fraud.

In 2021 alone, more than 92,000 seniors were victims of elder fraud. And one scammer picked an unfortunate target: the former director of the FBI and his wife. Watch below to see how former FBI Director William Webster and his wife Lynda handled a scammer who took it a step further by threatening violence.

While not every senior has the same connections as former members of the FBI, everyone can learn from how he and his wife handled this situation. They shut down the scammer and reached out for help right away.

Lynda advocates for a community approach to end elder fraud. “The younger people have to keep an eye on mom or dad or an elderly neighbor,” CBS News quotes her as saying. Checking in on elderly friends or neighbors can help protect them from scams.

Never give out personal information, no matter how benign it may seem. Even something as seemingly innocuous as your birthday can be used to scam you. Be especially wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue, whether it’s by phone, text, email, or in person.

If you think you’ve been the victim of elder fraud, reach out to your local law enforcement or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Seniors Center is committed to helping seniors stay safe from elder fraud. Keep up with our latest updates by following us on Twitter and Facebook today!