BRADENTON, Fla. — As the holiday season approaches, local law enforcement agencies across the Tampa Bay area are sounding the alarm about the rising rate of scams that target the elderly.
They say the holidays are one of the most vulnerable times for seniors to fall victim to scammers because many of them could be trusting, lonely and have family living far away.
They could also fall victim in their attempt to navigate online shopping searching for deals on holiday gifts for loved ones or just unfamiliar with advancing technology. They are advising seniors to beware and be on alert.
"I'm from New York and I am hip to that," Sheila Bloom, a senior Sarasota neighbor said. "I've heard so many of those stories, I don't fall for them. I check everything out."
Authorities said that's a good habit to have because elderly fraud is "out of control."
"It's an epidemic and it's not just here in Florida. I have detective friends in Washington state all the way to Kentucky. We're all having the same problems and it's. It's just an epidemic plaguing this country," Detective Jim Currulla with the Bradenton Police Department said.
Just last week, detectives with Bradenton Police's Elder Fraud Unit arrested and charged 56-year-old Jeffrey Moynihan, Jr. for scamming a Texas senior posing as South Africa-born Billionaire and owner of Tesla, Elon Musk.
Police said Moynihan's scam started back in 2023 when he befriended the 74-year-old via Facebook as "Elon Musk." Over the next several months, the two exchanged messages and calls, in which "Musk" encouraged the woman to invest in his businesses, according to law enforcement.
"He would be using daily snippets from the real Elon Musk's either Instagram or his own Twitter feed and so he would say 'Well today I'm hanging out with the President' or 'I can't talk today because we're having a rocket launch' or 'Sorry I’m busy today with family in South Africa' and he would call and go, 'Did you see me on the news last night," Currulla said.
Police said banking records showed at least $250,000 was sent to the fake account, but the woman's husband who discovered the correspondence between the two and that money was missing from their bank account reported that she gave about $600,000 to the scammer.
According to Bradenton police, so far this year, their Elder Fraud Unit has investigated scam cases that resulted in nearly $3 million in total losses. They say advancing technology such as artificial intelligence-powered deep-fake videos and calls makes it easier to fool people, especially seniors. They also say these scams are being carried out by people both within and outside the county.
The scams can come in various forms including Pig Butchering, Sweet Heart Swindler/Romance Scams, fake investment deals, lottery wins, links and text messages that freeze their devices and force them to send money or gift cards.
At the Sarasota Senior Center, volunteers say they frequently get calls from their senior patrons related to fraudulent calls and messages or needing help with their devices or banking.
"It's very destructive to an elderly person who is so frazzled as it is," Deb Kern, volunteer at the Senior Friendship Center Sarasota said.
Police say if you're unsure whether the voice or video on the other end of your device is who they claim to be — end the conversation immediately. The next thing to do is to call the person you feel is being impersonated directly with the contact you already have on your device to verify.
Never call the number a person on the other end had instructed you to call. In addition, if you've been threatened by a person on the other end or sent money you can call your local law enforcement and your bank directly.
Both law enforcement and advocates for seniors advise family members to get more involved in the lives of their elderly loved ones.
"I would suggest that everyone take charge. One person in every family takes charge of a different area in that senior's life and learns about it and works with them because they need to not have many voices talking to them," Kern said.
Most importantly, the advice is to be present in the lives of their seniors and visit frequently or guide them on safe ways to stay active and build new relationships in their communities.
Here are details about trending scams that target the elderly and how to spot them.
1. Romance Scams (Sweetheart Swindlers)
What Happens: The Scammer pretends to be seeking a romantic partner online and over time builds up a trusting relationship. Down the line, they convince the person to send them money for medical, business or family emergencies or travel.
Why It Works: Seniors may require companionship and trust the scammer's profession of love.
Damage: Victims can lose a lot of money, feel hurt, betrayed and vulnerable.
2. Tech Support Scams
What Happens: Scammers claim to be tech support from Microsoft, Apple or their cable company. They convince victims to give them access to their devices and install malware or steal personal and financial information.
Why It Works: Older adults may be trusting, and not be familiar with the technology or how to check if they're dealing with a real or fake situation.
Damage: Victims lose money or access to their devices, and their banking information is stolen.
3. Bogus Investment (Pig Butchering) and Lottery Scams
What Happens: Scammers claim the person won a prize or they have an investment deal with a promise of a great windfall. They ask for money upfront to claim the lottery winning or to start the investment.
Why It Works: Seniors who need extra money may get excited and not question it.
Damage: loss of savings and retirement funds, debt or financial ruin.
4. Grandparent Scams
What Happens: Scammer pretends to be a grandchild in danger. They claim to be in jail, involved in an accident, stranded while traveling in a foreign country or have been kidnapped. The scammers ask for money quickly, feign urgency or make threats related to safety.
Why It Works: Fear, seniors may not feel the need to check if it's true because the number, video or voice they're seeing or hearing may be of their loved one.
Damage: loss of significant amounts of money, guilt or anxiety.
5. Phishing and Email Scams
What Happens: Scammers send fake emails or messages that clone real companies or people. The recipient is tricked into giving away personal information or clicking a link that can download malicious software onto their device or divert them to another page for more elaborate deception.
Why It Works: Senior may be unable to tell if the message is real or fake.
Damage: Theft of identity, data, money and other financial information.
Ways to Keep Safe:
Be Alert: Know what the common or new scams are and how to spot them.
Always Double Check and Verify: Be sure the person who is contacting you is who they claim they are before sending money or information. Call the number you have or ask another trusted loved one to help call that person in case your phone line/device has been compromised.
Don't Volunteer Information: Be discreet and never share personal details over the phone, email, online with strangers or out loud in public.
Report It: Call your local police department or sheriff's office if you detect you have been scammed or are in the middle of a situation that feels like one or involves threats and requests to send money through unfamiliar methods or to unknown individuals.