Cybercrime Surge Targets America’s Seniors
Introduction
The Los Angeles News Center (LANC) reports a startling surge in cybercrime specifically targeting elderly citizens across the nation. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has recorded an alarming number of complaints, resulting in substantial financial losses for victims over the age of 60.
Alarming Statistics
In 2023, the IC3 received over 880,000 complaints with potential losses exceeding .5 billion. Of particular concern, the LANC highlights that elderly victims bear the brunt of these losses. Individuals aged 60 and above reported total losses of over .4 billion, an alarming 11% increase from 2022.
Cybercriminal Tactics
Cybercriminals employ a range of deceptive techniques to prey on the elderly. These include phishing emails, spoofing financial institutions, extortion attempts, and various forms of web-based fraud, such as gift card scams and cryptocurrency fraud.
California’s Senior Citizens at Risk
Among all states, California emerges as a prime target for cybercriminals. In 2023, the IC3 received over 11,000 complaints from victims over 60 residing in California, with reported losses exceeding 0 million.
Call Center Scams Target Elderly
Call center scams, where criminals impersonate customer service representatives or government employees, are a major threat to seniors. Nearly half (40%) of these complaints involve victims aged 60 and above, resulting in a staggering 0 million in losses.
Sophisticated Scams and Their Devastating Impact
Confidence scams, crypto investment scams, and tech support scams are among the most common frauds targeting seniors. These sophisticated schemes often lead to victims losing their life savings, remortgaging their homes, or even facing foreclosure.
FBI’s Urgent Warning
“Seniors are a particularly vulnerable victim group,” emphasizes Mehtab Syed, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI strongly urges those who believe they are victims of fraud or know of a senior who may be to report the incident immediately to the FBI or other law enforcement agencies.”
Common Fraudulent Schemes Affecting Seniors
1. Confidence/Romance Scams:
Criminals pose as romantic partners on dating websites, exploiting elderly victims’ desire for companionship.
2. Tech Support Scams:
Fraudsters pretend to be tech support representatives and offer to resolve fictitious computer issues, ultimately gaining remote access to victims’ devices and sensitive information.
3. Cryptocurrency Scams:
Scammers trick victims into withdrawing large sums of cash and depositing them into cryptocurrency ATMs. Once funds are converted, they are transferred to other accounts, leaving victims with nothing.
4. Investment Scams:
These frauds include Ponzi schemes, real estate investing schemes, and trust-based investing, offering unrealistic returns with minimal risk.
5. Call Center Scams:
Criminals impersonate call center representatives to extort money or personal information from elderly victims.
Shield Yourself from Cybercrime
The FBI advises seniors to take the following steps to protect themselves:
- Recognize scam attempts: Be wary of unsolicited offers, emails, and phone calls.
- Verify information: Research any contact information or offers provided. Check if other victims have reported scams involving specific parties.
- Resist pressure: Don’t fall for high-pressure tactics that create a sense of urgency.
- Guard your personal information: Never share your social security number, passwords, or financial information with unverified individuals.
- Protect your devices: Keep anti-virus software and malware protections up to date. Disconnect from the internet if you encounter suspicious pop-ups or screens.
- Contact authorities: Report any suspected scams or fraudulent activities to the FBI or law enforcement.
Data sourced from: ktla.com
