Elder Abuse Awareness Month: Local officials warn seniors about rising scam threats
Andrea Turisk
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – June is Elder Abuse Awareness month and experts are sounding the alarm on a growing threat.
It might start with a phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild in trouble, or a message saying your computer has a virus, but for many older adults, these are not just harmless annoyances, they’re costly crimes.
Sgt. Lori Franklin with the Yuma Police Department (YPD) says, “Some of our seniors are losing like their whole savings account up to over $100,000.”
Advocates says this isn’t just a one-month issue. Amberly’s Place Executive Director Tori Bourguignon says abuse can happen at any time.
“Throughout the year, our elderly population are always vulnerable, and we need to pay attention and we need to do what we can to help them and to take care of them,” said Bourguignon.
Elder abuse doesn’t always leave bruises it also leaves bank accounts drained and victims vulnerable.
“Before you know it, they have their drivers license and their bank account numbers and their credit card information,” says Bourguignon.
According to the FBI, each year the elderly lose more than $3 billion to some type of financial fraud or scheme. In Yuma, in 2024, YPD says there were 278 fraudulent schemes across the board and continue to see these scams in the community.
“If someone is asking you to get a prepaid card and give you the numbers on the back that is a scam,” Sgt. Franklin explained.
YPD says one of the best easy to avoid being scammed is to slow down and verify.
“Look up the company, find the number off the internet and then call that number. Always verify what they’re asking you for,” says Franklin.
If you or someone you know suspects elder fraud or abuse, call local law enforcement or the Arizona Adult Protection Services hotline.