Submitted by Amanda Falcone, Liberty Bank
(June 2, 2026) — Picture this: You are 79, and you finally get the call. You won the lottery! But did you play the lottery? Did the person who called validate their statement? Should you go meet someone you don’t know to collect your millions? “If it’s too good to be true, it’s not true,” Liberty Bank Security Officer David DelVecchia warns.
DelVecchia sees it often, someone trying to take advantage of an older adult. Sometimes it’s an unknown fraudster, but he said it is more likely to be a family member, friend or acquaintance. Fraudsters don’t necessarily target people based on their demographics, DelVecchia added. “Money is money to them,” he said. “The difference is the impact. When you are older, it is harder to deal with the loss of money.”
In a recent report, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center says that seniors remain the primary target for fraudsters, with victims age 50 and older reporting more than $7.7 billion in losses in 2025. That’s why it is important to take the time to acknowledge the abuse, neglect and exploitation of older adults, and to do something about it. Team Liberty recognizes Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2026. This recognition aims to ensure dignity, safety and respect for older adults.
But Liberty does not stop there. The bank trains all teammates about the signs of elder abuse and exploitation, and Liberty teammates are in the community, talking to local organizations, libraries and senior centers about potential dangers and the things you can do to protect yourself. They also present at various conferences as subject matter experts and try to help when they meet someone who has been a victim of fraud.
What to Watch For
Sometimes, distinguishing between what is real and what is fraud is hard, but DelVecchia says there are usually a few warning signs.
- Scams often stress urgency, which creates emotion and pressures you to act immediately – without thinking.
- A romance scam attempts to fill the void of loneliness. The internet brings opportunities for connection, but fraudsters could use the trust they develop with someone to their advantage.
- Fraudsters use threats and intimidation, hoping you will act out of fear.
- Be skeptical of investment opportunities and if someone asks you to sign a document without knowing what it is.
- Be mindful of the dynamic between an older adult and their care giver. The older adult might not speak up if they are being exploited because they need assistance.
If you, or a loved one, are being exploited in some way, it is important to report your experience. Your local police department, the AARP and the Connecticut Department of Social Services can help and provide appropriate resources. The FBI can help with cybercrimes. You can log a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
By sharing your thoughts and experience, you can provide information that will help protect others, as well as yourself. DelVecchia says speaking up as soon as possible also means that you are more likely to recover your money and prevent further loss. To help better protect yourself day-to-day, it is important to verify phone calls, check your finances regularly, set up alerts on accounts, review your free annual credit report and be careful when mailing checks. Ultimately, trust your instinct.
For more information about fraud protection and prevention, click here.
