Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 28, 2024 FBI Boston Highlights Growing Number of Reported Elder Fraud Cases Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month n advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, the Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation wants to remind friends, family, and loved ones of elderly Americans about the signs of elder fraud. While elder abuse can be perpetuated in any number of ways, the FBI has seen a double digit increase in fi nancial fraud involving adults over the age of 60, prompting eff orts from the I Bureau to bring awareness to these types of crimes. According to the FBI’s latest Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) data, there have already been $1.6 billion in losses from January to May of 2024, up nearly $300 million from the same period last year. In 2023, a total of $3.4 billion in losses were reported, and elder fraud complaints increased by 14% from the prior year. Here in the Boston Division, which includes all of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, total reported losses in 2023 were $89,553,975. 397 victims in Maine lost $7,162,225. 1,610 victims in Massachusetts lost $63,674,965. 408 victims in New Hampshire lost $11,339,097. 274 victims in Rhode Island lost $7,377,688. The reported losses are most likely much higher because older Americans are less likely to report fraud due to the fact that they either don’t know how to report it, are embarrassed, or don’t know they have been scammed. “Scam artists are doing everything they can to defraud our seniors out of their hardearned money, and the FBI is doing everything it can to make sure they don’t succeed,” said Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Boston Division. “Educating our aging family members and friends about these elder fraud schemes is critical to protecting them. We need to work together to put these fraudsters out of business for good. If you are being victimized, or know someone who is, please report it to us at ic3. gov.” Criminal actors frequently target older adults, who they perceive to be more vulnerable, trusting, and have considerable fi nancial savings. They also assume seniors own real estate, have good credit, and are less likely to report fraud. Among the most common elder fraud schemes reported to IC3.gov in 2023 were tech support scams, confidence and romance scams, investment scams, and government impersonation scams. From 2021 to 2023, elder victim and dollar losses to investment scams has sharply increased; victimization and losses increased 209% and 419% respectively, more than any other kind of fraud, largely due to the rising use of cryptocurrency. While anyone can become a victim of fraud, there are some steps that can be taken to protect yourself and your loved ones: Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, emails, texts, mailings, and door-to-door service off ers. Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to lure victims into immediate action, typically by instilling trust TUESDAYS 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM JULY 2 - AUGUST 20 EVERETT RECREATION CENTER 47 ELM ST. EVERETT, MA 02149 FREE FOOD GAMES SPORTS MUSIC FOR AGES 12-18 LEARN MORE AND REGISTER ONLINE AT EVERETTRECANDENRICH.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL ERIC.MAZZEO@CI.EVERETT.MA.US FRAUD | SEE PAGE 11 SOLAR PANELS | FROM PAGE 7 answers, consider it a red fl ag. For more information: · Sign up for BBB’s weekly Scam Alert emails at https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1900156/1902645/ · Find solar panel installers near you and solar energy contractors near you at https:// www.bbb.org/near-me/solar-installation · Read BBB’s guide to going solar at https://www.bbb.org/ article/news-releases/26112bbb-tip-a-consumers-guideto-going-solar Report solar installation scams to BBB Scam Tracker. Your report can help expose common scam tactics and reduce scammers’ eff ectiveness.
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