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Elder Fraud

Under the right conditions, anyone could fall for a scam, but scammers are especially successful at targeting people with certain risk factors, like social isolation, loneliness, limited sight or mobility, and cognitive aging. Scammers are also attracted by the pensions and life savings of retirees. There are many ways to help Seniors protect the nest eggs they’ve worked so hard to secure, and protecting our elders and our veterans is the highest priority of the Postal Inspection Service Fraud Program.

White House Roundtable on Elder Fraud

Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale participated in a White House Roundtable discussion, hosted by President Trump, to address the issue of elder fraud and the measures taken by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service to inform and protect our Senior community.

Protect Yourself from Elder Fraud

  • Consult with a friend

    Ask someone you trust for advice before making any large purchase or financial decision.

  • Review financial statements

    Go over credit card and bank statements to ensure that only authorized purchases are listed.

  • Register for Do Not Call

    Register for the Do Not Call list and only pick up the phone if you personally know the caller.

  • Never pay for a prize

    Remember that no legitimate lottery will ask for money to claim your prize.

  • Avoid free seminars

    Avoid free lunch or free dinner seminars where investment schemes and other phony offers are frequently promoted.

  • Don't return unknown calls

    Be aware that people who have been scammed are at higher risk of being targeted again. Even just returning a scammer’s phone call can put you at risk, as scammers often sell the personal contact information of respondents to other scammers.

Have You Witnessed This Scam?

If you’ve encountered a phony coronavirus scam, and the U.S. Mail® has been used in any way, we want to help. Please report the crime.

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