National program helps seniors spot scams as losses mount

DENVER – Scams targeting older Americans are on the rise, and federal officials warn that the tactics are becoming harder to detect.

The Federal Trade Commission says scammers impersonate IRS agents, police officers or other officials (often over the phone or online) to steal thousands of dollars at a time.

The FTC says scams involving losses greater than $10,000 have quadrupled in recent years. The FBI reports that seniors filed the most scam complaints last year, with average losses totaling $83,000, up 43% from the previous year.

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In response, AARP launched Senior Planet, a national program that offers free fraud awareness classes to Americans age 60 and older. The program teaches participants how to identify red flags, spot false communications, and avoid sharing sensitive information under pressure.

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Rick Planos, a Senior Planet instructor in Illinois, says his involvement is personal. His mother lost more than $2,500 in gift cards to a scammer who convinced her her grandson had been arrested.

“My mom was distraught,” Planos said. “First, she was distraught because one of her grandchildren was arrested, and then it turned out that wasn’t true. And then she was distraught because she was scammed.”

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Now, Planos teaches scam prevention classes in his community.

“I spend a lot of time teaching for AARP. I took what happened to us and put it into some kind of positive energy to protect other people,” Planos said.

In Denver, Senior Planet regularly offers in-person classes, but the program is also available online and in several other states, including Texas, Maryland, and New York.

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“It’s important to talk about where the risks and dangers are,” said Aaron Santis, program leader for Senior Planet Colorado. “But we also use technology as a tool to enrich people’s lives.”

Carolyn Gibson, a recent student, said she joined to learn more about new technologies like artificial intelligence and how to protect yourself from scams.

“I came here to find out who this AI is, what this AI is. The people here have been very helpful,” Gibson said.

Instructors encourage participants to slow down, check, and never feel rushed to share information, especially if contacted by someone claiming to be from a government agency. According to the website, Senior Planet helps seniors learn new skills, save money, get fit and make new friends.

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The FTC reminds consumers that government agencies will never call to demand money. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up, visit the agency’s official website and report the scam directly.

Senior Planet helps seniors learn new skills, save money, get fit and make new friends, according to its website.