Protect Yourself from Fraud and Scams

As technology continues to advance, scammers are finding new ways to target individuals, making fraud more common and increasingly difficult to identify. Adults aged 60 and older are cited by the FBI and the National Cybersecurity Alliance as the group most frequently targeted and suffering the greatest financial losses due to fraud. A recent report on senior fraud in Michigan found that, in 2025, Michigan older adults lost nearly $170 million to fraud, an 84% increase from the previous year. The number of victims 60+ also surged to 5,731 older adults, up 82% from 2024. Both victim counts and financial losses grew substantially faster than the national averages, indicating an accelerating problem for older adults in Michigan. Scams Targeting Older Adults in Michigan In a recent scam alert, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel shared some of the most common scams targeting older adults, including toll or ticket scams, grandparent family emergency scams, artificial intelligence scams, phishing scams, and investment romance scams. What To Look For and What You Can Do “Technology has made fraud more sophisticated, personalized, and convincing than ever before, says Marcus Brian, Chief Information Officer for Brio Living Services. He offers the following advice to help avoid scams: “The safest approach is to treat unexpected requests for money or personal information with skepticism. Pause, independently verify who is contacting you, and never rely solely on the phone number, link, or contact information provided in the message itself.” Many scams share common warning signs. Watch for these red flags:

• You receive an unexpected call, text, email, or message asking for immediate action.
• You feel pressured to act quickly or make a decision on the spot.
• You are told to keep the conversation secret.
• You are asked for personal information, financial details, or money.
• You are instructed to pay using gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or other unusual payment methods.
• You are told you have won a prize or inherited money but must pay a fee to claim it.
• You are asked to withdraw money from your bank while staying on the phone with the caller.
• You receive vague information or cannot get clear answers to your questions.
• You are threatened with consequences if you do not comply or are promised something too good to be true.

Elder fraud is a serious and devastating crime, as older adults who have spent their lives saving for the future can lose money that is often difficult, if not impossible, to recover. According to the University of Michigan's National Poll on Healthy Aging, scams and their harmful effects disproportionately impact older adults with lower incomes, disabilities, social isolation, and other cognitive or health-related challenges. According to the Administration for Community Living, strong communities and regular social connection are key to reducing isolation and ensuring we have someone to turn to when something feels “off.” At Brio Living Services and Avenues, we are committed to helping keep older adults safe from fraudulent activity. Nicole Maag, Chief of Residential Services at Brio, says, “Educating residents is paramount. The best defense against fraud isn’t skepticism, it’s conversation. When in doubt, we know asking someone is the biggest deterrent to prevent scams and fraud. Protecting residents from scams is about more than safeguarding money. It’s about protecting dignity, independence, and peace of mind for residents and their families.” If You Think You've Been Scammed If you believe you or someone you know has been scammed, it’s important to remain calm and act quickly. Stop communicating with the scammer and contact your bank or credit card company immediately to secure your accounts and report any unauthorized transactions. Be sure to save any emails, text messages, receipts, or other documentation related to the incident. Then report the fraud to the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team, your local law enforcement agency, and the Federal Trade Commission. Protecting Yourself and Others If you see something, say something. Reporting suspected fraud can help protect both you and others from becoming victims.