- Tools and Resources -

The Money Smart for Older Adults Program raises awareness among older adults and their caregivers on how to prevent fraud, scams, and other elder financial exploitation. The curriculum encourages advanced planning and informed financial decision-making.

The Federal Trade Commission has provided the public with helpful resources in identifying potential scams, particularly relating to ones focusing on the impersonation of government entities such as the IRS, Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare. Aside from identification of scams, it also includes information for reporting scams.

Scams are rampant these days, with criminals stealing a reported $12.5 billion from Americans in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission. And that's likely a fraction of actual losses, because fraud is notoriously underreported. But there are ways to protect yourself, including staying up on the latest schemes and following the advice listed below.