You might have heard that scams mostly affect older adults, but reports to the Federal Trade Commission tell a different story. Last year, adults under 60 — our Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z neighbors — were more likely to report losing money to fraud than people 60...
News Archive
Protection & Security
We are committed to educating our community members about scams targeting seniors in Santa Clara County; as well as providing up-to-date information offering protection against such scams. This page offers timely data about scams reported, steps to take when targeted, and how to avoid these scams. Guidance is made available as scams are identified.
Receive updates on identified scams targeting seniors by visiting the national database: fraud.org.
Be Alert for Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults
Scams targeting older adults are increasing. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), “In 2021 there were 92,371 older victims of fraud resulting in $1.7 billion in losses. This was a 74% increase in losses compared to 2020.” Scammers tend to target...
Protect Yourself from Scams and Find Support
Everyone has a right to safety and justice. However, it is estimated that millions of older adults, from all walks of life encounter harmful scams every year. Providing necessary supports to keep everyone safe and engaged as we age is crucial. Ageism (biases against...
FTC Warns of Scams Related to Economic Payments
Becca Kelly Slaughter, Acting Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), validates that the American Rescue Plan is now law. That means a lot of individuals will soon be getting desperately needed economic impact payments of up to fourteen hundred dollars. ...
Protect Yourself Against Health Insurance Scams
The Coronavirus pandemic has had a dramatic health impact on Americans, in addition to leaving many unemployed and uninsured. As a result, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has...
County Warns of Scammers Sharing Unofficial Sources on COVID-19 Vaccines
Santa Clara County officials advised that there has been a lot of misinformation on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine being shared within the community. Some community members have reported to the County that they received text messages...
Be Alert for Phishing Scammers Impersonating Legitimate Organizations
When internet fraudsters mimic a legitimate business to trick consumers into giving out their personal information, it is called “phishing.” It is not just a problem for consumers but also for the companies the scammers are impersonating. Information about this...
Be Alert for “Coronavirus Utility Company Scams”
Every day, millions of individuals who have lost their jobs are finding it difficult to pay their bills. As the Coronavirus continues to spread, scammers are taking advantage of people’s heightened economic anxiety. The latest strategy circulating is where scammers...
Be Alert for “Coronavirus Mask Exemption Card Scam”
To help limit the spread of the Coronavirus, many states require people to wear face coverings in places open to the public. There are cards circulating online and on social media that says the card holder has a disability that prevents them from wearing a face mask,...
Medicare Fraud Alert: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Testing
As the novel 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-2019) spreads locally and worldwide, people’s concern and anxiety are high. This has created a situation ripe for fraud with multiple new COVID-19 scams targeting seniors. The California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) is warning...