U.S. Attorney’s Office Warns of Scams Targeting Seniors

CLEVELAND - Acting U.S. Attorney Carol M. Skutnik joins leaders across the country to recognize June as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. The initiative brings attention to the types of abuse that can affect some of the most vulnerable members of our communities, senior citizens.

The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Ohio is committed to combatting fraud in all its forms, and in particular, financial schemes that target older victims for their money.

"Seniors are frequently targets of financial exploitation. These fraudsters will use unsolicited text messages, spam emails, and robocalls, to find ways to take the hard-earned money that victims have saved up over the years," said Skutnik. "Scammers will even pretend to be government officials and frighten seniors into giving them their money using elaborate stories and tactics. We've seen some individuals lose their entire life savings. Together with our state, local and federal law enforcement partners we'll investigate and prosecute these perpetrators to protect our seniors."

While the USAO can seek justice for victims, Skutnik recommends being vigilant and informed to prevent these crimes from happening. Here are some of the types of scams that typically target older adults:

• Cryptocurrency scams, where a victim is promised large returns by investing in cryptocurrency.
• Lottery scams, where a caller convinces a senior that they have won money, but they must first pay a fee or tax before claiming the prize.
• Grandparent scams, where a scammer convinces a senior that their grandchildren have been arrested and need money for bail.
• Romance or friendship scams, where the victim is convinced by their new acquaintance that they need money for any number of reasons.
• Government agent schemes, where victims are told they owe back taxes by fake IRS agents or are contacted by someone posing as a Social Security employee and told to provide money to fix a problem with their account.
• Money Mule scams, where a scammer recruits seniors to send or receive money or packages.
• Tech support scams, where victims will click on a pop up message on their computer claiming that there is malware or a virus on a device and can offer assistance in exchange for money.

There are countless ways that fraudsters use to trick people into giving them money. Other fraud cases in Northern Ohio that have affected older victims include sports betting, investing in gold, wine or whiskey.

• Sports betting scam
• Gold bar investing scam
• Wine and whiskey scam
• Theft from a caretaker

To report elder financial abuse, visit tips.fbi.gov/home or justice.gov/elderjustice/financial-exploitation.