Senior Safety and Support Symposium: Protecting Yourself from Scams

The Senior Safety and Support Symposium at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston on July 20th highlighted the growing problem of scams targeting older adults. Melissa Smarr and Christine Reedy from Fairfax County Consumer Affairs delivered a comprehensive presentation showing just how common many different types of scams have become—and how important it is to know the warning signs.

The Scale of the Threat
One of the biggest takeaways from the presentation was just how widespread fraud is. According to the Federal Trade Commission, about 11% of adults become victims of scams each year, which is more than 25 million people, resulting in an estimated $50 billion in losses. The presenters also shared that there are around 80 different scams actively affecting Fairfax County residents at any given time. What's particularly sobering is that this number excludes many victims who never report what happened due to embarrassment or fear, meaning the real numbers are likely much higher.

Common Scams Targeting Our Community
The presentation covered several of the most common scams currently targeting older adults. Impersonation scams continue to be one of the biggest threats, where scammers impersonate government officials, family members, celebrities, or other trusted individuals. One example the presenters discussed was a fake toll violation text message that looked incredibly realistic, complete with official-looking court seals and QR codes. It's easy to see why so many people fall for these tactics.

Romance scams were another major topic. The presenters shared a particularly heartbreaking story of a widow who lost $263,000 after developing a relationship with someone online who turned out to be a scammer. The scammers in these cases take their time to build trust and target people who may be lonely or vulnerable.
Other scams discussed included fake job opportunities, cryptocurrency investment scams, Medicare fraud, tech support scams, and a newer threat known as the "digital arrest" scam, where callers threaten victims with arrest for supposedly missing jury duty.

Recognizing the Warning Signs
Throughout the presentation, the speakers emphasized that recognizing the warning signs is one of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim. Some of the biggest red flags include:

• Unexpected phone calls, texts, or emails that ask for personal information
• Pressure that creates a sense of urgency
• Demands for secrecy
• Requests for unusual forms of payment such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency

The speakers also reminded attendees that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Protection Strategies That Work
A key message from the presentation was the phrase "Pause, Question, Protect." Before responding to any unexpected request, it's important to take a moment to pause, question why the person is contacting you, and protect your personal information.
There are many other practical ways to protect yourself as well:

• Call trusted phone numbers independently or let unknown calls go to voicemail
• Never share passwords through email or text
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account
• Enable multi-factor authentication
• Freeze your credit cards if you believe your personal information has been compromised

​Resources for Victims
​Residents facing fraud have several avenues for assistance:
Fairfax County Police Department operates a dedicated Financial Crimes Unit (five detectives) investigating identity theft, check fraud, embezzlement, and other financial crimes. Complaints can be filed online at their website, though the process takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour.
Fairfax County Consumer Affairs, where Reedy works, offers free consumer specialist assistance and accepts complaints. The office is open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Virginia Attorney General's Office provides support for consumers throughout the state outside of Fairfax County jurisdiction.
Federal Trade Commission operates as the nation's consumer protection agency, pursuing legal action against fraudulent companies and providing free educational materials.

The takeaway is clear: scams are sophisticated and widespread, but awareness and caution can make a real difference in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.

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Article submitted by Ashley Gurney a James Madison University JMU Justice Studies Major with an interest in preventing elder fraud.