Earlier this week, Social Security Administration (SSA) officials announced participation with federal partners in commemoration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a global event aimed at preventing the mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation of older adults.
As SSA explained in a post on this subject: “Recent reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) show that financial losses among consumers aged 60 and older have quadrupled between 2020 and 2024, reaching $2.4 billion. In 2025, the FTC received over 375,000 reports of government imposter scams, with losses totaling $917 million. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, including artificial intelligence, to target older adults with tech support, sweepstakes, romance, and government impersonation scams.”
Elder abuse is, without question, one of the most significant threats to the welfare of America’s senior community.
Statement from the Commissioner
As part of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day commemoration, Social Security Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano offered scam protection advice this week via a video posted on SSA media. The video, which you can view here, stresses a series of key points on identifying fraudulent contact:
- Social Security Administration personnel will never contact constituents and demand cash or other forms of payment, and will never ask for personal information.
- Social Security Administration personnel will never suggest movement of money to other accounts.
- Upon receipt of a suspected scam contact, either hang up or delete the message, but most importantly, always speak with a trusted source before considering any action.
- To help protect yourself, visit the SSA website or the Federal Elder Justice Coordinating Council website for a host of valuable tips.
Social Security Administration Resources Available to Help Protect Seniors
June 15, of course, was the official commemoration day, but SSA has compiled an array of resources designed to extend this awareness as a standard practice for the 70 million Americans served by Social Security.
SSA’s resources are outlined on a separate webpage, titled ssa.gov/scam, where detailed sections provide in-depth explanations of the nature of scams and the tactics scammers use to target unsuspecting folks. Included here are the signs to look for when encountering a suspected scam, including the ploys and threats used to deceive intended victims into believing the contact is authentic. The scammers’ use of fake social media accounts to make their approach appear legitimate is one of the more popular red flags. Use of copied federal agency logos can imply affiliation with official sources.
SSA.gov/scam provides clear advice on how to react to suspected scams, beginning with the importance of not reacting to the emotional thrust of the contact. Tips on protecting your financial resources are also provided, along with the importance of spreading the word throughout your community so others are aware of the threat. Reporting the scam contact to Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is also helpful to identify trends and assist in formulating legal actions against criminals committing these acts.
For anyone victimized by a scam, the SSA.gov/scam site also provides guidance on steps to be taken, whether the scam involved personal information theft or monetary loss. Both can have serious consequences, making timely remedial action critical.
SSA’s resources for senior scam protection also include a wealth of valuable information, including:
- Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams: Provides up-to-date information on scam tactics, how to recognize and avoid scams, and how to report them.
- Elder Justice Coordinating Council Impersonation Scams: Offers federal consumer-related materials to avoid government imposter scams.
- Eldercare Locator: Connects older adults and caregivers with trusted local resources and services.
- WEAAD Toolkits: Shares nationwide events and resources to help prevent elder abuse.
Joining the “Never Ever” Campaign
As a related part of the campaign to strengthen fraud protection for seniors, SSA’s announcement this week added that the agency is part of a national “Never Ever” campaign in which federal agencies are working together to help everyone recognize and avoid government imposter scams. Remember:
- Never ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn’t safe. Move it to protect it.” Only a scammer will.
- Never ever will someone from the government threaten to suspend your government benefits if you don’t pay immediately. Only a scammer will.
- Never ever will someone from the government demand that you pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards.
Elder Abuse , the state you live in making you pay property tax on a Home you worked 30 years to pay off .
Elder Abuse is family wanting money all the time. The favorite around this house is, they are going to cut off utilities, we have no food, TEARS FALLING. My reply now is get off your butt and go to work. There are multipal places saying now hiring.
I would love to say I’ve never been scammed and that I’m right on top of this issue; but the more we go to AI, use Alexis, Siri, and depend on the miserable smart equipment we have in our homes and cars, the more susceptible we are and the more apt we will be scammed before we die. Please people, read and be aware of what’s going on – no matter how old or young you are. And, before you spend a cent on anything questionable, research, research, research!!!!!
I’m sure that some of the women/widows are also plagued with offers to assuage their loneliness with an odd assortment of men who “want to be their friend.”
It is not just government imposters, it is everywhere.
Great summation. I hope every senior reads and applys this information . See
Well wasn’t Autopen Biden on the ball not only was there a fraudulent election but more fraud on the elderly were committed in those 4 years than ever. I was scammed as well. Almost lost all my money. And when I went to the police they shrugged their shoulders and said nothing we can do. Here President Trump is again fixing what Biden broke. Enough said.
If they really want to target Elder Abusers, they should look at Dr. Jill Biden. What she pressured her husband to do was blatant Elder Abuse.
Boost education on SS to deter scams alone can Help
This is absolutely hilarious of a joke! The SSA and the ruling politicians are the biggest abusers of us seniors! Cut me a break! They stole our SS and gave it to illegals, and lined their own pockets with this fund.
Young kids—SONS and DAUGHTERS—put down your communication devices and personally speak to your parents. They may not want to hear what you have to say, BUT tell them anyway. Go slow and SHOW them that you are there to help them. Don’t try to take over their life in a short period of time.They know or have friends that have been financially abused by family members. If they refuse to allow you to help, then leave them with the knowledge that you are ALWAYS available to help. Advise them that if ANYONE asks for money or tries to coerce them financially, tell them to call you or the police. If they don’t, and are scammed, you can know that you did ALL you could to help them.
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And it’s been so very much easier to fraud through the use of AI.
Thanks for your work. Elder Abuse: In America, some states’ tax laws permit local tax offices to sell unmet real property tax liability to affluent community members at Sheriff’s sales as an investment. The investor gives the money to the Sheriff and the Tax Office and receives the right to use the elderly person’s home as collateral. The homeowner is told they have 2 years to pay back the tax debt plus interest, or the investor’s bank could foreclose the house to collect the debt. The State sets a redemption period when the homeowner can pay back the debt plus interest and fees to get the house back. However, the elderly person cannot pay the tax due to a lack of income; she worked odd jobs but could not cover the difference between her previous employer’s wages and government assistance, and the Township Tax office continues to charge her yearly property tax. How, then, could she catch up? This practice exploits the vulnerabilities of the elderly who rely on limited Social Security benefits and cannot work to earn additional income, often after losing private-sector employment. They struggle to cover the income gap left by lost paychecks and benefits needed to sustain their lives with dignity. Didn’t a good Senator alert our government that living on a paycheck is one step away from poverty and homelessness? I worked and lived on a paycheck after the divorce, I was fifty years old, supporting myself and my two adult children while working as a Billing Coordinator at a national law firm. I lost my employment when I was 56 years old and was unable to get back to the workforce due to my inability to follow the protective/restraining/stay away order implemented, which was enforceable without serving, leading to arrest for contempt of Court without a day in Court. I am blessed that my children have found their mates, got married, and started their families with children. However, due to the repeated incarceration when I could have gone to Court from home, my family connections were disrupted; misunderstandings and misconceptions created further distance among us. My case was dismissed, records expunged, the Court released the prisoner and vacated the commitment to the State Hospital; however, contact with my previous employers continues to be banned, communications remain one way, and emails for help are returned as blocked. The FBI told me my phone was hacked. T-Mobile said one of my frequently called numbers belongs to law enforcement property. The office of Congressman Norcross said everybody’s phone is hacked and advised turning off the phone before going to bed at night. I reported this to the DOJ. DOJ said to contact the FBI. I lodged my grievances with IC3. My children’s and their mates’ happiness and welfare are important for raising my grandchildren whose security and stability in growth development is my focus. It’s elder abuse to watch how my children and their families are living in a substandard situation, to see how my children’s families are living on a paycheck in their thirties after giving birth to my grandchildren. Their mothers have no maternity leaves and received no healthcare coverage because the Head of Household was told they are making too much money, the other new mother has to hurry back to the workforce to have an income since her mate is on disability.
Something must be done regarding the Issue of Cybercrime throughout the USA! Seniors are most vulnerable, as well as children, making this an Issue requiring immediate attention by President Trump and those in Political Office! This should be a Nonpartisan Issue that all can agree upon, work together and get this taken care of! Anyone caught in Cybercrime should be given stiff Maximum Security Prison Sentences without Good Time Credits! Hopefully, while prayerfully, our Government can move in a hurriedly fashion to end this Crime that has devastatingly effects on those who’ve fallen victim!
Huge portion of our bill and it goes up every year goes to school, for some reason parents want their kids in our district, fine, their drive them in, while paying a lot lower tax in their own system, it runs on rails, down town, supposedly to serve university students, who mostly ride their bikes. Cost was more than double from the projected sum. So much for where the taxes go and why are they climbing up. Corruption in City Hall screaming to high heaven, no accountability. My own twins are 56 years old, guess I’ve had not paid my fair share yet
First check this. The text or email it’s coming from has misspelled words. If it does delete it right away. Next if you are really worried about what it says. Call the institution and ask them. If you have a desktop computer and its an email. click on copilot up in the right-hand corner of the web browser and ask this question. Is this email legit? Copilot will check it for you.
The remarks really went off the rails! Property taxes may be high but if you look at your tax statement it will show you where your payments is used. Schools, water and street repairs and more are listed. Any fraud involved is your local government. Please stay on target with your comments.