Video Transcript

Each year, millions of elderly Americans fall victim to some type of scam. And seniors in Montana are susceptible too. My name is Chad McNiven, and I'm a special agent with the FBI. I've talked to victims who have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to fraudsters. One of the most common scams is the romance scam. When a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim's affection and trust. In 2021 Montana seniors 60 and up lost more than $1.2 million to romance scams. Other prevalent scams include lottery or inheritance scams, business email, compromise, and tech support. If you're an older American or a caregiver here, are some tips on how to protect you and your family, contact an attorney before signing any legal document. Check financial statements for unusual activity. Avoid unsolicited contacts whether by phone, email, social media or at your door, and never give financial or personal information to somebody you don't know. If you believe you're a victim of fraud or know a senior who be, maybe contact your local law enforcement or your local FBI and file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.