Seniors are being targeted by increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
Learn directly from FBI Elder Fraud agents and certified trainers who track these crimes daily. Ask questions, get answers, protect yourself.
Free Interactive Workshop Live Q&A with fraud-fighting experts
Financial security is one of the essential foundations of healthy aging. When scams strip seniors of their savings, the consequences reach far beyond money. Financial exploitation can disrupt housing stability, limit access to healthcare, and erode the independence and peace of mind that older adults have worked a lifetime to build.
At the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, we advance physical wellness, mental well-being, financial security, and social connection to support seniors’ longevity. Our workshops help safeguard older adults through fraud awareness and prevention, giving seniors the knowledge they need to recognize scams and protect their assets.
Through education, trusted partnerships, and programs supported by Wells Fargo and other community partners, we are working to ensure older adults can age with greater stability, confidence, and protection from financial exploitation.
In partnership with the FBI, Wells Fargo, SDG&E and Regal Medical, the San Diego Seniors Community Foundation is pleased to host a series of 1-hour elder fraud prevention workshops for seniors, caregivers, and neighbors.
Registration is now open for the following Elder Fraud sessions:
Scammers rely on fear and silence. If you are scammed, knowing what to do next can help protect you and others in your community.
Here’s What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed
1. Contact Local Law Enforcement
Contact the local Sheriff or Police department to let them know that you have been a victim of a scam.
2. Report the Scam to the FBI
Submit a report at IC3.gov, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
3. Contact Your Bank or Card Provider
Call your bank, credit card company, or financial institution immediately.
4. Verify Contact Information Safely
Use the phone number on your card or the official website. Do not use contact details shared by the scammer.
5. Get Help and Support
Have questions or need guidance? Contact us for support and next steps.
6. Learn How to Prevent Future Scams
Attend a Free Elder Fraud Prevention seminar near you.
WHAT IS IC3.GOV?
The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a partnership between the FBI and the National White Collar Crime Center. It serves as the nation’s central hub for reporting online scams, financial exploitation, and cybercrime including crimes that specifically target older adults.
When you file a complaint at IC3.gov, your report goes directly to the FBI, where it’s reviewed and shared with other law enforcement agencies working to investigate, track, and stop fraud against seniors.
Knowledge is one of the strongest defenses against fraud.
Watch short videos from trusted experts to learn how scams work, what red flags to look for, and how to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Common Types of Elder Fraud Scams
Scammers use many different approaches, but most fall into a few common patterns. Knowing how they work can help you spot red flags early.
Romance Scams
Someone builds trust over time, then slowly asks for money using emotional stories or sudden “emergencies.”
Tech Support Scams
A call or pop-up claims something is wrong with your device and pressures you to pay for help you don’t need.
Grandparent or Emergency Scams
A panicked call claims a loved one is in trouble and asks you to act fast before you can check the story.
Government Impersonation Scams
Calls or messages claim to be from Social Security, the IRS, or law enforcement and threaten serious consequences if you don’t respond.
Sweepstakes, Lottery, or Inheritance Scams
You’re told money is waiting for you—but only after you send fees, taxes, or personal information.
Home Repair Scams
Unsolicited contractors push urgent or unnecessary repairs and ask for payment upfront.
Investment Scams
Promises of high returns with little risk, often paired with pressure to act quickly or pay fees in advance.
Charity Scams
Requests for donations play on generosity, especially after emergencies, but the cause isn’t real.
How Scammers Try to Gain Your Trust
Scammers often use the same patterns again and again. Knowing these tactics can help you pause, verify, and avoid being pressured into a decision.
They pretend to be someone you recognize—or use familiar names and numbers to seem legitimate.
They reach out repeatedly, especially to people who live alone or spend time online.
They create urgency so you feel you must act immediately, often without time to verify.
Phishing and Spoofing Messages are designed to look real and convince you to click links, share information, or download files.
They ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and other methods that are difficult to reverse.
Technology is used to copy a loved one’s voice, making urgent requests sound frighteningly real.
Fake videos or calls appear to show trusted people asking for money or sensitive information.
They pretend to be someone you recognize—or use familiar names and numbers to seem legitimate.
They reach out repeatedly, especially to people who live alone or spend time online.
They create urgency so you feel you must act immediately, often without time to verify.
Phishing and Spoofing Messages are designed to look real and convince you to click links, share information, or download files.
They ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, and other methods that are difficult to reverse.
Technology is used to copy a loved one’s voice, making urgent requests sound frighteningly real.
Fake videos or calls appear to show trusted people asking for money or sensitive information.
They’ve Worked a Lifetime for Their Security.
Let’s Not Let Scammers Steal It.
Elder fraud surged 84% nationwide in one year, with $22.5 million lost locally in just five months.
Despite this crisis, less than 3% of all private philanthropic dollars go toward senior causes.
Scams using AI, video, and social media are exploiting seniors —targeting even highly educated professionals.
The Elder Fraud Prevention Fund is California’s frontline defense against senior scams—providing education, protection, and advocacy to safeguard older adults.
We partner with the FBI Elder Fraud Task Force and the San Diego DA’s Office to equip seniors and families with lifesaving fraud prevention strategies.
Fraud isn’t going away, but neither are we. Your gift helps build a lasting fund that shields seniors from exploitation for generations to come.
Protecting older adults from fraud takes more than awareness. It takes strong partnerships, consistent outreach, and trusted presence in the community.
In 2025, San Diego Seniors Community Foundation expanded protection, connection, and digital safety for thousands of older adults across Southern California.
Explore the full scope of our impact.
Every day that passes, another senior loses their savings, dignity, and trust. But together, we can turn the tide— stopping scams before they happen, holding fraudsters accountable, and ensuring no senior suffers in silence.
Stand with us.
Help us protect seniors from fraud.
More than 400 seniors attended the first series of six presentations in September 2023. Please complete an interest form to be considered to host an upcoming presentation with requested audience sizes between 60 to 100.
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