San Diego County’s cross-departmental “Elder Justice Task Force” announced on November 25 that in the past year, scams targeting the elderly in the county have resulted in losses of over $130 million.
According to a report from the city news agency, officials released this statistic in conjunction with an ongoing awareness campaign to remind the public to beware of increasingly sophisticated online and phone scams, which are causing victims to suffer escalating losses.
Established in 2020, the Elder Justice Task Force in the county has identified over 4,600 local victims, with total losses exceeding $325 million, leading to charges against over 70 defendants at the state and federal levels.
However, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan noted that the actual number of victims and financial losses may be higher as many victims are reluctant to report due to shame or embarrassment.
Stephan stated that the only ones who should feel ashamed are the criminals who deceive these good-hearted people out of their hard-earned money.
Authorities remind potential victims that when faced with suspicious requests, they should “pause, hang up, and tell someone.”
Common scams include phone calls impersonating authority figures or emergency alerts in online pop-up ads claiming urgent issues. Scammers may pose as law enforcement officials, bank personnel, or use artificial intelligence to mimic the voices of family members.
Many scams claim that the victim’s identity has been stolen and funds need to be transferred immediately to ensure safety.
The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office highlights that seniors can protect themselves by remembering the mantra “pause, hang up, tell someone” and taking the following measures:
– Remember that legitimate institutions will never ask you to transfer money elsewhere to “ensure safety.”
– Hang up and call a verified official phone number you know, not the one provided by the caller.
– Use call-blocking tools to reduce scam harassment.
For more scam cases and prevention information, visit:
https://www.sdcda.org/preventing/Elder-Scam-Prevention-Campaign-Materials
“We have had enough of criminals continually preying on San Diego County’s most vulnerable population, some of whom have even been swindled out of a lifetime of savings,” Stephan said. “We aim to educate the elderly and their families on how to identify scams and take concrete actions when they suspect being targeted by scammers.”