March ’26 Senior Resources Guide: Staying Safe in a World of Scams

by Suzanne Pollak, JCA senior writer

Everyone has been told not to share personal information with strangers or give money for a scenario that seems too good to be true. Yet during 2024, scammers stole $12.5 billion from Americans, according to the Federal Trade Commission. It actually is even worse, because some victims are just too embarrassed or ashamed and don’t report what happened and how much they lost.

We are all quite confident we would never fall for such obvious schemes, yet unfortunately, millions of people find themselves in deep financial trouble and without the money they had saved for their retirement or to pass on to their children when they are gone. Are the scammers really that good, or are we – especially older adults – simply that easy? The good news is that the blame rests solely on the people who use the internet and other methods to obtain your money. Their goal is to get your money any way possible. When one scheme fails
to work for them, they make some adjustments and try another way. And all too often, the illicit requests come when we are vulnerable, or just too polite or nice to think anyone would take our money.

In the most recent Senior Resources Guide, written by the Jewish Council for the Aging and printed in the Washington Jewish Week, we delve into various schemes and what you can do to stay safe.  

>>Read the full guide

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