There are a multitude of scam types ranging from stealing one’s identity to imposters reaching into your pocket from afar (via computer and smartphone) to fleece you. Oh yes, scamming is a big business enterprise costing keen-agers (seniors) millions of dollars annually. According to the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. consumers lost $12.5 billion to fraudsters in 2024, up from $10 billion in 2023 (google.com). The FTC also projects that AI (artificial intelligence) driven scams are projected to spiral to over $40 billion by fiscal year 2027.
Scam types include, but are not remotely limited to:
Banking scams
Crypto scams
Investment scams
Imposter scams
Romance scams
Tech-Support scams
Lottery scams
Fake Employment scams
Fake Website – Shopping scams
Charity scams
Phishing (e-mail), Smishing (text), Vishing (voice) scams
Spoofing scams – impersonation of trusted sources
Top scams affecting Seniors
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) the top ten scams in 2024 include:
Imposter Scams
Investment Scams
Employment Scams
Romance Scams
AI Scams
Tech-Support Scams
Sweepstakes / Lottery Scams
Check Payment Fraud
Card Declined Scams
Delivery Package Scams https://www.aarp.org
Scam prevention resources
There are several public and private entities that offer scam and fraud prevention assistance. Some of these entities include:
Local Public Law Enforcement
The Federal Trade Commission (ftc.gov)
The National Center for Victims of Crime (victinsofcrime.org)
Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (acfe.com)
AARP Fraud Watch Network (aarp.org)
Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency (homelandsecurity.gov)
Internet Crime Complaint Center (Ic3.gov)
American Bankers Association (aba.com)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (fbi.gov)
Scam Avoidance Tips
Oftentimes scammers prey on keen agers because they assume they are trusting and less likely to report being duped. Moreover, scammers erroneously believe keen agers are sitting on tons of loose cash. Some of the most effective strategies to stay out of claws of the scammer’s deadly reach include:
Always follow your instincts
Manage WIFI wisely – never shop on public WIFI
Disable your smartphone’s “auto join” setting – so that your phone will not automatically join public and/or private networks that you’ve previously enabled
Always construct strong passwords and pin numbers – a strong password involves using upper- and lower-case letters, numbers and symbols
Trust but always verify
Always safeguard chipped credit & debit cards in RFID protected wallets and handbags
Use a gel tip pen when writing checks
Enroll in the U.S. Postal Service’s “Informed Delivery Program”
Check U.S. Mail pickup schedules at public mailboxes before posting mail
Refrain from storing passwords for future expedited access
Always be on the lookout for credit card skimmers
Always be on the lookout for altered / damaged QR Codes
Always keep track of incoming invoices
Never put your cell phone on speaker mode when at ATMs or other point of sale devices
Always check your caller ID for spam calls
Never unsubscribe from incoming e-mails – always unsubscribe from company websites
Always look for the “S” on websites – the “S” indicates security
Be suspicious of anyone demanding that you pay with gift cards, cash, crypto, or other non-verifiable payment categories
Always remove credit card receipts from vending machinery
Always keep electronic software up to date
Be suspicious of parcels conveniently left at your doorstep that you did not order. Oftentimes, the senders are scammers who lie in wait for you to contact them so they can get your personal information
DON’T BE QUICK TO CLICK, CLICK, CLICK.
Conclusion
Scammers are like spiders; they lie in wait for you to make a mistake and get caught up in their wide web of deceit. The journey to scam avoidance begins and ends with three very important considerations:
Always follow your instincts
Don’t be quick to click
If it’s too good to be true, it’s not!
About the author
Anthony Luizzo, PhD, CFE is an investigative sleuth / lecturer with the Volusia County Office of the Seniors vs Crime Project – a special program of the Florida Attorney General. The Volusia County office is located at 724 Big Tree Rd, South Daytona Florida 407 537-9509 / e-mail –volusia@svcproject.org / website – seniorsvscrime.com
