WATCH: PCA President & CEO Najja R. Orr shares tips to protect against elder fraud
The Philadelphia division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently released its annual Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Elder Fraud report, highlighting the growing issue of elder fraud across the nation. PCA President and CEO Najja Orr, MBA, DBA, discussed these issues on Fox 29’s Good Day Philadelphia, underscoring the importance of raising awareness and reporting elder fraud incidents.
The report reveals that tech support fraud and investment fraud are among the most reported schemes impacting older Americans, resulting in significant financial losses. In Pennsylvania, tech support, personal data breaches, and non-payment/non-delivery scams were the most reported, with investment scams causing over $50 million in losses.
Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, Wayne A. Jacobs, emphasized the importance of educating older populations to prevent future victimization. Older adults are often targeted due to their trusting nature and financial stability, making them attractive to scammers. Orr shared several ways to protect against elder fraud including recognizing scam attempts, avoiding unsolicited communication, and safeguarding personal information.
PCA will be hosting a panel discussion June 11 focusing on preventing financial exploitation and protecting yourself from scams. Representatives from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office will share protection tips and offer victim testimony highlighting the impact of financial exploitation.
If you or someone you know is an older adult experiencing abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation, you can contact Older Adult Protective Services by calling PCA’s Helpline at 215-765-9040. Staff are available 24/7 to accept confidential calls to report abuse made by anyone, including the older adult in need.
Watch: Good Day Philadelphia: FBI warns of rise in scams against older Americans
