The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging recently held a field hearing in Florida to address the increasing risks of scams and financial fraud targeting older Americans. The hearing, titled “Protecting Florida’s Seniors: Fighting Fraud and Financial Exploitation,” brought together expert witnesses and government officials at various levels, along with community leaders, to discuss ways to better protect seniors and share best practices for preventing, reporting, and responding to fraud.
The event followed the committee’s release of its annual Fraud Report, which details financial threats faced by the aging population and offers guidance on identifying and reporting scams.
According to WMNF’s coverage by Chris Young, “A report from the U.S. Senate Aging Committee found that fraud and scams cost seniors over $4.8 billion last year.”
Senator Rick Scott addressed these concerns alongside state leaders and law enforcement in Miami-Dade County. He noted that the true number of affected seniors could be higher than reported due to underreporting.
“Many seniors don’t report being scammed out of fear, shame, or the simple belief that nothing can or will be done,” Scott said.
Scott urged seniors not to hesitate in contacting local law enforcement if they fall victim to a scam. He also highlighted legislative efforts he has introduced aimed at combating scams targeting older adults.
Read the full article in WMNF HERE.
