Scams Affect Everyone
Everyone is subject to a scam. From young adults to older adults, the Federal Trade Commission has received more than 2.5 million scam-related reports, representing 10+ billion dollars in losses, according to a 2023 report (Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book).
Did you know? Of the 44 percent of total reports, young adults (ages 20–29) reported losing money to fraud often more than older people (Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book).
Fraudsters are always looking for ways to get your personal data, and it’s no surprise that we need to learn how to identify and protect ourselves from fraud and scams.
In addition to tax fraud and scams, crypto scams , student loan debt relief scams, and even peer-to-peer payment scams, here are common scams targeting youth and adults according to California’s Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DPI) and the National Council on Aging (NCOA):
Youth
Imposter
Online Shopping
Sweepstakes and Lotteries
Job Opportunities
Older Adults
Grandparent
Financial Services
Tech Support
Government Imposter
Tech Support
Romance
Lottery & Sweepstakes
Home Repair
Phishing
Utility
Learn how you can protect yourself:
Fraud and Scam Awareness
Learn about Investment Fraud, Scams, and Risks
What You Need to Know
Consumer Financial Rights
How to Get Free Credit Reports
If you think you’ve been scammed, don’t be afraid to report it. Contact the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI) immediately by calling 1-866-275-2677 or going online at dfpi.ca.gov.
For more articles and resources on fraud prevention for older adults, visit the Aging in California Resource Hub online at aging.ca.gov as well as the National Council on Aging online at ncoa.org.
Resource
Protect Yourself From Fraud Flyer (PDF - English)
