As scams targeting older Americans surge, AARP launches Senior Planet, a national program designed to help seniors identify fraud and protect themselves from financial losses.
Scams targeting older Americans are on the rise, prompting federal officials to issue warnings about increasingly sophisticated tactics used by criminals. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), scammers are impersonating IRS agents, police officers, and other officials, often through phone calls or online communications, to steal significant sums of money.
The FTC reports that scams involving losses exceeding $10,000 have quadrupled in recent years. Additionally, the FBI has indicated that older adults filed the highest number of scam complaints last year, with average losses soaring to $83,000—an increase of 43% from the previous year.
In response to this alarming trend, AARP has launched Senior Planet, a national initiative that offers free fraud-awareness classes to Americans aged 60 and older. The program aims to equip participants with the skills needed to identify warning signs, recognize fraudulent communications, and avoid sharing sensitive information under pressure.
Rick Planos, an instructor for Senior Planet in Illinois, shares a personal connection to the issue. His mother fell victim to a scam, losing over $2,500 in gift cards after being misled by a scammer who claimed her grandson had been arrested. “My mom was distraught,” Planos recounted. “First, she was distraught that one of her grandchildren was arrested – and then it turned out that wasn’t true. And then she was distraught that she got scammed.”
Planos now leads scam prevention classes in his community, channeling his family’s experience into a mission to protect others. “I spend a lot of time teaching for AARP. I took what happened to us and put it into some kind of positive energy to protect other people,” he said.
Senior Planet conducts regular in-person classes in Denver and offers the program online, reaching seniors in several states, including Texas, Maryland, and New York. Aaron Santis, program lead for Senior Planet Colorado, emphasizes the importance of discussing risks while also leveraging technology to enhance participants’ lives. “It’s important to talk about where the risks and dangers are,” Santis noted. “But we’re also using technology as a tool to enrich people’s lives.”
Carolyn Gibson, a recent participant in the program, expressed her motivation for joining. “I came over here to find out who is this AI, what is this AI. The people here, they’ve been very helpful,” she said, referring to her interest in new technologies and the need for scam protection.
Instructors at Senior Planet encourage participants to take their time, verify information, and never feel rushed into sharing personal details—especially when contacted by someone claiming to represent a government agency. The program not only focuses on fraud awareness but also helps seniors learn new skills, save money, improve their health, and foster social connections.
The FTC reminds consumers that legitimate government agencies will never demand money over the phone. If you receive a suspicious call, it is advisable to hang up, visit the agency’s official website, and report the scam directly.
As scams continue to evolve, initiatives like AARP’s Senior Planet play a crucial role in empowering seniors to recognize and combat fraud, ultimately helping to protect their financial well-being.
Source: Original article