Sep 2 • Circle of Care
🛑 Who’s Talking to Your Senior?
Fraud against older adults isn’t just a crime—it’s a trillion-dollar “industry” built on manipulation, isolation, and silence. And it’s growing fast.
💸 The Scale of the Scam
- In just the first quarter of 2025, Americans aged 60+ lost over $745 million to scams—nearly $200 million more than the same period last year.
- Seniors aged 80+ reported median losses of $1,900 per scam, often draining life savings.
- The FBI estimates elder fraud caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with the average victim losing $33,915.
🧠 The Hidden Impact
Fraud doesn’t just steal money—it steals peace of mind:
- Emotional trauma, shame, and anxiety often go unreported.
- Family dynamics suffer when trust is broken or blame is misplaced.
- Caregivers face added stress, legal burdens, and financial fallout.
As AARP’s Kathy Stokes warns:
“Despite having saved for a secure retirement, many are left to survive on safety nets.”
🔍 Trending Tactics
Scammers are evolving—and they’re targeting seniors where they feel safest:
- 📞 Fake calls from “banks,” “Amazon,” or even the “FTC” urging urgent transfers
- 💻 Pop-up alerts impersonating Microsoft or Apple
- 💬 Social media scams exploiting loneliness and trust
- 🧠 AI-powered voice cloning and deepfake impersonations
From 2020 to 2024, reports of seniors losing over $100K to scams increased nearly sevenfold.
🛡️ Prevention Starts with Conversation
Here’s how to protect your circle:
- 👥 Designate a trusted contact for financial accounts
- 🧾 Review bank and credit statements monthly
- 🔐 Use strong passwords and shred sensitive documents
- 📚 Stay informed—subscribe to AARP’s scam alerts or attend fraud workshops
- 📞 Hang up on suspicious calls and verify directly with institutions
- 🙊 Establish a code word so your loved ones know when they are talking to you.
And most importantly:
Talk early. Talk often. Talk together.
Silence is the scammer’s best friend.
What's your experience? Has anyone had to deal with this? How about code words?
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🛑 Who’s Talking to Your Senior?
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