.svg)
Mark your calendars for May 15th, it's National Senior Fraud Awareness Day! This day was created to raise awareness about the various forms of financial fraud and scam that target seniors. It is especially important to be aware of these scams as they can cause serious financial and emotional damage. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help seniors protect themselves against fraud and scams. So let's all join together on May 15th to spread the word about how seniors can safeguard their finances!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Early Fraud Schemes</div><div class='timeline-text'>In the 1960s, seniors became the target of various fraud schemes, including phony investment seminars and fake health products, marking the beginning of senior-targeted fraud.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1973</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Formation of AARP</div><div class='timeline-text'>The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) was founded, providing resources for seniors, including information on avoiding scams and fraud.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1984</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Social Security Scams</div><div class='timeline-text'>During the mid-1980s, scams involving Social Security benefits began to become frequent, perpetuating the need for awareness and prevention of senior fraud.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Internet Age Frauds</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the growth of internet usage, a new era of online fraud targeting seniors emerged, including email phishing and online identity theft.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>US Senate Recognizes Problem</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. Senate held its first hearing on scams targeting seniors, highlighting the increasing recognition of this issue at the national level.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2018</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inaugural Senior Fraud Awareness Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The first National Senior Fraud Awareness Day was celebrated, marking an important step in raising public awareness and combatting financial fraud against seniors.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host an educational event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a panel discussion with experts on senior fraud prevention, or put together a workshop about how to spot and stop fraud. Invite local seniors and spread the word about the importance of fraud awareness.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a volunteer event to help seniors in your community understand the risks of fraud. Offer to answer questions, provide advice and support, or even help seniors set up online accounts or other technology.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Spread the word</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Use your online presence to spread awareness about senior fraud. Post helpful articles, infographics and videos on social media, or create your own content about fraud prevention.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write an article</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write a blog post or newspaper article about how seniors can protect themselves from fraud. Be sure to include tips for identifying common scams and how to report any suspicious activity.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Start a conversation</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Talk to the seniors in your life about fraud prevention. Ask them if they have any questions or concerns, and offer to help if they need it. Encourage them to stay informed and know what to look out for.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Protects seniors</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Fraudsters often target senior citizens, who are more likely to be vulnerable to scams and other forms of exploitation. By increasing awareness and preventing these deceptive practices, National Senior Fraud Awareness Day helps protect seniors from falling victim to fraud and identity theft.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Raises awareness</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Senior Fraud Awareness Day brings attention to the problems that can arise when older adults are targeted by scammers and con artists. It also encourages people to take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims themselves or knowing what to do if they do fall prey to a scam.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages reporting</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Senior Fraud Awareness Day helps raise awareness about the importance of reporting any suspicious activity or suspected fraudulent behavior. By participating in this day of action, you can help spread the message that fraud should not be tolerated and must be reported immediately in order for justice to be served.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Seniors Lose Billions Annually to Fraud</h3><p class='facts-content'>According to the Federal Trade Commission, seniors lose an estimated $3 billion each year to scams and fraud. This highlights the severity of the problem and the importance of spreading awareness.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Family Members and Caregivers Often Perpetrate Elder Fraud</h3><p class='facts-content'>Sad but true, more than half of senior financial abuse is committed by family members, friends, or caregivers. This makes it particularly difficult for seniors to recognize and report fraud.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Tech Scams are Among the Most Common</h3><p class='facts-content'>As many seniors are unfamiliar with modern technology, they are prime targets for tech support scams. Scammers pretend to be tech support and convince victims to give them access to their computers, leading to data and identity theft.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Many Cases Go Unreported</h3><p class='facts-content'>Studies estimate that only 1 in 44 cases of senior financial abuse is reported, often because the senior is too embarrassed, scared, or unsure of where to turn.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Romance Scams are Particularly Devastating</h3><p class='facts-content'>These scams, also known as "sweetheart scams," involve a scammer forming a fake romantic relationship with the senior to manipulate them into providing financial support. In 2019 alone, people over 60 lost more than $84 million to romance scams.</p></div></div>
National Senior Fraud Awareness Day is celebrated on May 15 every year. In 2024, National Senior Fraud Awareness Day will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
May 15
Monday
2024
May 15
Wednesday
2025
May 15
Thursday
2026
May 15
Friday
2027
May 15
Saturday
.svg){kind=small}
.svg){kind=small}
