The Eagle

Words to the wise..

Romulus Scam Awareness meeting warns seniors of increasing fraud schemes

Senior citizens in Michigan are being financially swindled at an alarming rate, according to new reporting from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The national number of reported financial losses by seniors to scams is even higher, the report indicates.

The increasing reports of fraudulent schemes designed to mislead elder residents was the topic at a recent Scam Awareness class for seniors at the Romulus Senior Center.  Romulus Police Ofc. Rodney Cofield talked to the audience about the most prevalent scams being reported and offered some advice to help prevent them from becoming victims of such schemes. The class, organized by Romulus Senior Services Director Rose Swiden, was timely according to recent statistics revealed by the

More than 1,743 fraud reports reporting financial losses had been filed by seniors in the first three months of 2025, according to statistics released.

The most prevalent scams are perpetrated by business imposters, government imposters and online shopping.

Elderly Americans in Michigan aged 60 to 69 have lost a huge $8,344,465 to fraud this year so far - resulting in a per-person loss of $414. Nationally, the number is even higher. In the first quarter of this year, there were 60,379 reports of all types of fraud among those aged 60 to 69 across the country, with 29 percent of these resulting in a financial loss. The stolen sum exceeded $354.9 million. Those totals obviously do not include the losses which go unreported.  

The most prevalent scam in the state so far this year so far is business imposters. Many scammers target elderly people because they’re more likely to trust official-sounding calls and emails and may be pressured to act quickly if they think the correspondence is coming from a reputable organization, according to official reports. 

Fraudsters know that seniors may be more trusting, less familiar with online platforms or purchases, or unaware of how sophisticated modern scam attempts have become. It’s essential that families and communities talk openly about these risks and warning signs to prevent vulnerable individuals from falling victim, officials advise. Summer also carries an elevated risk, with sales and an uptick in travel and home improvement projects, especially among those who are retired. Scammers may impersonate well-known retailers and take advantage of elderly residents, FTC officials warned. 

Three key tips to help the elderly avoid becoming a victim of fraud this summer include a caution to be suspicious of ‘too good to be true’ deals. Scammers may offer fake discounts or sweepstakes to elderly consumers. Always verify companies through the Better Business Bureau (BBB) before agreeing to anything, experts advised.

Residents are advised not to answer unfamiliar robocalls. Elderly people are often targeted by phone scams pretending to be Social Security or Medicare. Use call-blocking apps to limit spam calls and never share personal details over the phone, the experts advised. If unfamiliar with blocking numbers, ask a trusted family member for help.  Scammers ramp up phishing emails and fake charity requests in the summer so seniors are advised to also ask a family member for help in double-checking emails or messages for authenticity before clicking anything.

For more information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones from elder fraud scams visit: https://www.fbi.gov/.../common-frauds-and-scams/elder-fraud. Some information was provided by http://ChicksX.com.