Irvine, CA – Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris hosted a series of Senior Scam Stopper℠ Seminars in Costa Mesa, Irvine, and Tustin to help older adults and their caregivers recognize, prevent, and report financial scams. The seminars, held in partnership with the Contractors State License Board, California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, and Council on Aging – Southern California, provided valuable education and resources to protect constituents from fraud and financial exploitation.
“Financial scams targeting seniors are on the rise—and they can devastate victims and their families,” said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine). “These seminars empower older adults with the knowledge and tools to protect themselves and their loved ones. Together, we can stop scams before they start.”
Attendees learned how to identify the most common scams targeting older adults—including romance scams, contractor fraud, and identity theft—and heard directly from state agencies about how to report fraud and seek assistance. Community organizations also provided information on programs that support seniors’ safety, well-being, and financial independence.
Recent data underscores the urgency of addressing this issue. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, in 2024, Americans aged 60 and older reported 147,127 cases of financial fraud, resulting in $4.8 billion in losses—a 46 percent increase in complaints and 43 percent increase in losses from the prior year. The U.S. Department of Justice identifies financial exploitation as the most common—but also one of the least reported—forms of elder abuse, costing victims billions of dollars each year. A recent AARP analysis estimates that elder financial exploitation costs victims about $28.3 billion annually.
For more information on Senior Scam Stopper resources, visit https://a73.asmdc.org/senior-scam-stopper-resources.