Video Transcript

My name is Steven Shapiro, and I’m a supervisory special agent with the FBI. Elder financial fraud and senior exploitation is a growing problem, and a despicable crime. Over the past three years, we’ve seen instances of fraud nearly double in the New York City metropolitan area. Financial scams targeting the elderly are pervasive, involving thousands of victims who suffer staggering financial and emotional losses.

Scammers are expert manipulators who often engage in romance, inheritance, tech support, and money mule scams, and frequently pose as U.S. government officials.

Remember, a representative for the U.S. Gov will never call you by telephone or email you to demand payments; never demand payments over gift cards or other stored value cards; and never call you by telephone or email and threaten to arrest you. Criminals will.

Report instances of fraud immediately by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI, or by reporting tips online at ic3.gov.

Hang up the phone on scammers, and help us fight elder fraud together.