LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The number of elder fraud cases is on the rise in the United States.
According to the FBI, there were over a 100,000 complaints of scams in 2023 and nearly $3.5 billon were lost. That’s an 11% increase in losses from the year before.
At an elder abuse awareness event in Shelbyville, seniors like Norma Henderson are learning how to protect themselves physically and financially.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center Receives thousands of scam reports a day. Henderson said she is worried she could be next.
“It’s very concerning … You feel like a victim even though you haven’t been victimized yet and you really feel sorry for those that have lost the money and probably can never get it back again,” said Henderson.
The FBI said scammers are using tech support scheme, romance scheme, data breaches and other tactics to swindle people.
“It’s becoming more and more prominent. So we all have to be aware of not only our surroundings, but things that happen to us in our daily lives,” said Henderson.
Kentuckians reported over 900 instances of elderly scams in 2023. That’s nearly $13 million in losses.
So far this year the numbers aren’t any better.
The Louisville FBI said it has already recorded $12.7 million in losses. That’s almost the total amount from last year.
“It is possible that that increase in loss amount is somewhat attributed to that technology evolving and people fraudsters being technology technologically savvy,” said Kirstin Passmore, Supervisory Special Agent with FBI Louisville.
To avoid fraud, Passmore said everyone should review financial statements, shred any personal information and avoid clicking links from unknown email accounts
“If you are being contacted by people and you don’t know who they are and things start to look a little bit off, take a breath, call someone, call a family member, call the FBI, and we will work it … look at the information and work it through with you to see … if you are a victim of fraud,” Passmore said.
Henderson said she is already taking precautions, so she doesn’t fall victim to a scammer.
“I don’t answer any phone calls from a number I don’t recognize. I’m pretty much we do online banking, so I check that on a regular basis to make sure there’s nothing fraudulent in that,” said Henderson.
Fraud complaints can be submitted to the FBI’s Internet Crime Compliant Center online.