Fraud targeting the elderly is on the rise and resulted in nearly $5 billion in financial losses throughout the U.S. in 2024.
This is one reason TARCOG wants to help the community learn about the most common scams and how to outsmart fraudsters at its upcoming Fraud & Scam Summit 2025. TARCOG’s Senior Medicare Patrol Fraud & Scam Summit will be Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Sandridge Ballroom at Athens State University. TARCOG’s event is free to the public but pre-registration is required by noon on Monday Aug. 4.
According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center data, in 2024 there was a total of $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints of financial scams targeting seniors across the U.S. This was a 46 percent increase in complaints from 2023, as well as a 43 percent increase in losses.
The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at TARCOG empowers and assists Medicare beneficiaries their families and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors and abuse. The Fraud & Scam Summit will also provide an overview of scams and fraud in Alabama and cover topics like:
- How to recognize and avoid common scams
- Identity theft prevention tips
- The role of caregivers in spotting and reporting fraud
- Steps to take when you suspect financial abuse
- Key contacts and reporting agencies for immediate help
In addition, exhibitors from state programs, community partners, nonprofit and community organizations and area businesses will be there to share educational information and valuable resources to attendees.