Elderly fraud is a type of scam that targets senior citizens. Scammers use various tactics to take advantage of the vulnerability and trust of older adults, including phone calls, emails, and door-to-door visits.

Some common types of elderly fraud include grandparent scams, where a scammer poses as a grandchild in distress and asks for money, Medicare scams, where a scammer poses as a representative from Medicare and asks for personal information, and lottery scams, where a scammer informs the victim that they have won a lottery and asks for payment to claim the prize.

To protect yourself from elderly fraud, you should never give out personal information, such as your Social Security number or bank account information, to anyone you don’t know and trust. Be wary of unsolicited phone calls, emails, or door-to-door visits. Don’t be afraid to ask for identification or to hang up or close the door if you feel uncomfortable. It’s also important to keep your computer and mobile devices up-to-date with the latest security software and to use strong, unique passwords for all your accounts.

If you think you’ve been a victim of elderly fraud, you should report it to your local law enforcement agency and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). You can also contact your bank or credit card company to report any unauthorized charges. It’s important to act quickly to minimize any potential damage.

Yes, there are many resources available to help prevent elderly fraud, including the National Council on Aging, the FTC’s Consumer Information website, and the AARP Fraud Watch Network. These resources provide information on common scams and offer tips on how to protect yourself from fraud.