Financial fraud is a massive and rapidly growing problem for older Americans. In 2024 alone, scams cost older adults an estimated $81.5 billion, according to the FTC. | Envato Elements Dear Savvy Senior, My adult kids keep warning me about scams, but it’s hard to know which calls and messages are dangerous. What scams are...Read More
By Paula Span KFF Health News The first call came just before Thanksgiving last year. She didn’t recognize the phone number, but she answered anyway. “The person said he was an officer of the Department of Criminal Investigations looking into drug trafficking and money laundering,” the woman recalled. He seemed to know a lot about...Read More
FRIENDSWOOD, Texas – Six people have been arrested in connection with a multi-million-dollar gold scam that targeted elderly people across Texas, according to the Friendswood Police Department. Investigators say the case began in December 2025, when an 81-year-old Friendswood resident was scammed into converting $766,000 into 177 one-ounce Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins after a...Read More
If it feels like online scams are everywhere lately, you’re not imagining it—and older adults are feeling it the most. New research from the National Council on Aging (NCOA) paints a clear picture: Scams aren’t just common—they’re becoming a regular part of life online. In fact, nearly three-quarters of older adults say they’ve either experienced...Read More
While playing cards with a group of friends recently, a text popped up in my messages. As I quickly scanned it, my mind focused on the threat of suspension of my driver’s license, revocation of my car registration and legal proceedings. Evidently, my expression showed puzzlement, and my friends asked what was troubling me. I...Read More
Older adults and the people they trust can take some measures to prevent being scammed, as well as to blunt the potential damage if a scammer is successful. Pause before reacting. If you receive an unusual, urgent message of any type, take a moment to reach out through a different and trusted means, in order...Read More
Two 21-year-old suspects were arrested Tuesday after sheriff’s deputies intervened in what authorities described as an attempted scam targeting an elderly Santa Barbara resident for tens of thousands of dollars. According to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office, the case came to light around 11:30 a.m. on February 24, when deputies responded to a call...Read More
Dear Savvy Senior: My adult kids keep warning me about scams, but it’s hard to know which calls and messages are dangerous. What scams are most commonly aimed at seniors right now? — Almost 80 Dear Almost 80: Financial fraud is a massive — and rapidly growing — problem for older Americans. In 2024, scams...Read More
“Offenders knew that there was this prime vulnerable target all living together right here in this small area, and they were preying upon those residents there,” she surmises. The FSU researchers believe that fraud criminals targeting older people is likely a problem in retirement communities around the country. They’re testing that hypothesis in a joint...Read More
