Scammers stole more than $3.4B from older Americans last year

all of a sudden Reverend Malcolm Frasier was browsing his computer when the screen froze a message jumped out said do not turn off your computer please call this number a scammer persuaded him to transfer tens of thousands of dollars in savings or lose it all you thought you were talking to the bank and you were talking to a scammer exactly it's called elder fraud crime and Americans over the age of 60 are now falling victim at record numbers financial fraud is definitely on the rise and particularly targeting our elderly population last year $3.4 billion was stolen according to a newly released FBI Report with more than 100,000 complaints filed to federal law enforcement last year alone driven by criminal networks operating in West Africa and Asia organized networks of individuals who are well financed well resourced and are using technology still experts say the crime targeting seniors is grossly underreported AARP estimates more than $28 billion is stolen due to Elder fraud scams each year they're now launching a public awareness campaign Nationwide as the FBI visits senior centers churches and rotary clubs if you've never met somebody in person the best advice is not send them any money convincing members of America's silent generation to stay vigilant and to speak out just don't fall for it hang the phone up FBI officials are also urging financial institutions to create more guard rails fraud prevention measures that would help stop seniors from transferring large sums of money to strangers Nicole skanga CBS News Washington

Channel: WPRI

Views: 10,235

Keywords: top video, news, local news

Id: AGIcp4s_MWQ

Length: 1min 51sec (111 seconds)

Published: Wed May 01 2024