Community Workshops Combating Financial Scams for Older Adults

In an effort to protect older adults from the increasing threat of financial scams, the County of Los Angeles is taking proactive measures.

The Board of Supervisors recently adopted a motion by Supervisor Hilda Solis to launch a coordinated campaign against fraud, led by the Aging & Disabilities Department and the Department of Consumer & Business Affairs. This initiative aims to enhance caregiver training and strengthen partnerships with local organizations, such as Bet Tzedek, to better equip older adults and their caregivers to recognize, avoid, and report scams.

As part of this initiative, a series of community workshops are being held across Los Angeles County to empower caregivers and older adults with the skills to identify, avoid, and report common scams.

Last month, workshops were conducted at the Antelope Valley Senior Center and the East L.A. Service Center, followed by two events in October at the Willowbrook Senior Center and the Potrero Heights Park Community and Senior Center in Montebello.

Frances, a participant at the Potrero Heights session, expressed her newfound awareness after learning about common scams. “I didn’t realize that those emails offering free gifts from well-known organizations were scams seeking credit card information,” she said. “It’s a relief to know I should delete them immediately since they’re not actually from those reputable organizations or a secure site.”

Lillian, another attendee, echoed Frances’s sentiments, noting the importance of choosing safer payment methods. “I learned it’s safer to use a credit card rather than a debit card for purchases, as credit cards offer better security protection, and debit cards can be easily duplicated for fraudulent transactions.”

These workshops aim to provide essential information to older adults and their caregivers, as financial abuse continues to pose a significant threat. Statistics reveal that each year, over 369,000 incidents of financial abuse targeting older adults are reported in the United States, resulting in an estimated $4.8 billion in losses. Furthermore, nearly half a million older adults report being victims of financial abuse annually, with many more cases likely going unreported. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, elder fraud complaints rose by 14% in 2023, with losses increasing by 11%.

Education and awareness are crucial in defending against various types of fraud, including investment schemes, romance scams, grandparent scams, technical support fraud, and government impostor fraud.

The next workshop is scheduled for Monday, November 4, at El Cariso Park in Sylmar, followed by another on Wednesday, November 13, at Los Nietos Community and Senior Center in Whittier. A complete list of workshops available in both English and Spanish, can be found here.

Organizations interested in hosting a fraud-fighting event are encouraged to reach out via email to communications@dcba.lacounty.gov.

Additionally, an infographic Tip Sheet in both English and Spanish, offers essential advice for protecting individuals and their loved ones from financial abuse. Even those unable to attend a workshop are encouraged to share these resources within their communities.

The Adult Protective Services (APS) branch of the Aging & Disabilities Department diligently investigates cases of abuse and exploitation of older adults or individuals with disabilities, ensuring assistance is available to all victims of financial abuse, regardless of their income or immigration status. APS can be reached at 1-877-477-3646.

Through community collaboration and increased awareness, the County of Los Angeles aims to create a safer environment for older adults and help them defend against the growing threat of financial scams.