Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Headline: Elder Fraud
Fraud schemes against the elderly also include a variety of mass mailing and telemarketing frauds such as lottery phone scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, IRS imposter schemes, and others. Many of these schemes are perpetrated by criminals outside the United States. All of the schemes have one goal: to trick and deceive senior citizens into turning over their hard-earned savings.
“These fraudsters view our seniors as prime targets,” Bowdich said. Many senior citizens have large nest eggs saved over decades. At the same time, they may not be technologically savvy. The scammers also know that elderly victims often don’t report being victimized either because they feel guilty or embarrassed, “or because they don’t even realize they are being scammed,” Bowdich explained.
Other agencies participating in today’s announcement included the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Federal Trade Commission, which actively investigate elder fraud, and, like the FBI, offer educational material and other resources to senior citizens so they can become more aware of the threat.
“While criminals see the elderly as trusting people with money,” Bowdich explained, “we see them as national treasures. The elderly are the cornerstone of this country. Many of them sacrificed for their families … for their nation.” He added, “We understand how devastating a fraudulent scheme against elderly victims can be, not just financially, but emotionally, mentally, and even physically.”
Sessions and others at the press conference—including a woman whose elderly grandmother committed suicide after losing her life savings to scammers—encouraged senior citizens and their caregivers to report elder fraud to the authorities so that these “despicable con artists” can be brought to justice. “I hope that no victim of fraud feels ashamed,” Sessions said. “This can happen to anyone.”
To report elder fraud to the FBI, visit your local FBI office, call 1-800-CALL FBI (225-5324), or file a complaint online at the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.