The most pressing topic of discussion was elder fraud, a growing concern that FBI representatives Sarah and Laura addressed extensively. Sarah, with a 21-year tenure at the FBI focusing on white-collar investigations, highlighted the troubling increase in scams targeting the elderly.

Sarah and Laura detailed the financial impact of these scams, citing a staggering $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 alone. They underscored the variety of scams, from fraudulent phone calls to deceptive emails, that exploit seniors’ trust. Laura stressed the importance of community awareness and encouraged seniors to report fraud through the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Reporting is crucial, as it helps build federal cases against fraudsters, with the representatives emphasizing, “If no one reports it, we’re not going to be able to put all those cases together.”

The meeting delved into specific scams, including business email compromises in real estate transactions, where scammers alter wiring instructions to divert funds. A detailed case of a Jamaican Lottery scam was shared, illustrating how scammers maintain long-term relationships with victims to extract money. Over eight years, a victim lost approximately $800,000 after being deceived into believing they had won a lottery prize.

Participants were cautioned about becoming “money mules,” unknowingly aiding scammers in transferring funds. An illustrative tactic involved scammers impersonating bank representatives, persuading victims to cut up their debit cards and later collecting the chips. This manipulation often leads to severe financial losses.

Romance scams were highlighted, where scammers create fake profiles on dating platforms, then manipulate victims into sending money. Cryptocurrency-related scams were also discussed, with victims being directed to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs, incurring high service fees and financial harm.

The session included discussions on preventive measures, urging seniors to engage trusted friends or family members when confronted with suspicious communications. The advice to “not answer the phone unless it’s someone in my contacts” was reiterated to avoid scam calls. Participants were encouraged to verify suspicious communications independently and use strong, varied passwords to protect their finances.

In addition to elder fraud, the meeting covered community programs and preventive initiatives. Plans for a Senior Medicare Patrol presentation and a first aid training session by the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office were discussed. Chris from Tim Cruz’s office outlined the CPR training format, which would include adult and infant mannequins, with limited hands-on participation slots. The collaborative effort for managing attendance was highlighted, with sign-ups coordinated through the COA and TRIAD.

Future plans also included inviting representatives from Micker Insurance to explain fire insurance policies, addressing common policyholder confusions. Recent catastrophic events in California were cited as examples of the need for better understanding of insurance coverage.