Last Updated on April 30, 2023
The FBI is warning that scams targeting people over 60 are up by 84%. Last year, scammers took $3 billion from that group, more than all other age groups combined. Texts, romance scams, telephone “you won a cash prize” frauds, even elaborate swindles, with weeks or months-long victim grooming have increased.
Examples include government impersonation, lottery winners, investment schemes, even fear (e.g. a grandson in trouble needs money wired), and romance scams. The average loss was $35,000. Most of the scammers were abroad, where arrest and prosecution are difficult if not impossible, prompting the Bureau to stress prevention.
A senior FBI executive says, “If they are offering something that’s too good to be true, it
usually is. If you’ve never actually met the person, you should never send any money.”