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Fraudsters are impersonating the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to steal money from victims, with the FCA receiving 4,465 reports of such scams in a single year and 480 victims actually losing funds; nearly two-thirds of reports came from people aged 56 and older. Common tactics include falsely claiming recovered crypto funds, offering to help recover losses from previous scams ("double dip" scams), and using romantic "pig butchering" schemes, often employing call spoofing to appear legitimate. To protect themselves, people should never provide sensitive banking information to unsolicited contacts, verify FCA communications directly through official channels (0800 111 6

In February 2024, cybercriminals attempted to scam Tejasvi Manoj's 85-year-old grandfather through a fake email impersonating a relative requesting $2,000, but the scam was prevented when the family verified the request directly. Inspired by this near-miss and discovering that seniors lost nearly $5 billion to fraud in 2024 (a 32% increase from the prior year), the then-16-year-old Tejasvi developed Shield Seniors, a website educating adults over 60 about online scams, analyzing suspicious communications, and providing reporting resources. Her efforts earned her TIME's Kid of the Year 2025

Fraudulent sober living homes in Arizona scammed taxpayers out of more than $2.8 billion by exploiting and trafficking Native Americans. However, the subsequent regulatory crackdown has inadvertently harmed legitimate rehab programs by suspending and terminating ethical providers without due process, according to state officials.

Sophisticated criminal networks are using stolen identities to create "ghost students" and flood U.S. community college application systems to siphon millions in financial aid. The U.S. Department of Education has identified $150 million dispersed to ineligible students, including $30 million to deceased individuals, with victims including both colleges and people whose identities were stolen to fraudulently obtain student loans. These overseas fraud rings operating from countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Vietnam target community colleges due to their open-access policies and also exploit .edu email addresses for additional fraud schemes involving discounts on software and services.

I don't have access to the full article content beyond the headline and subscription information provided. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the complete article text detailing: - The specific pension scam(s) involved - How victims were targeted and defrauded - The circumstances of the £80M recovery - Which pensions watchdog agency was involved - Timeline and any other relevant outcomes Could you provide the full article text so I can generate a proper 2-3 sentence summary?

Chicago residents identified online fraud as a major concern, with 90 percent of survey respondents rating protection from it as "important" or "very important." The Federal Trade Commission received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, with Illinois accounting for over 186,000 fraud reports, and the article provides expert guidance on identifying, avoiding, and responding to various types of fraud including account fraud, non-delivery scams, and impersonation schemes.

From 2014 to June 2025, cybercriminals in New Delhi defrauded residents of Rs 1,487.37 crore through increasingly sophisticated online scams targeting elderly pensioners, traders, and young adults via fake bank messages, bogus payment confirmations, and fraudulent investment platforms. Losses surged dramatically to a record Rs 817.65 crore in 2024 alone, with cybercriminals employing deepfakes, counterfeit websites, and AI-generated content to impersonate trusted institutions. While authorities have established response measures including dedicated cyber police stations and a national reporting portal, experts stress that public awareness and vigilance remain the most effective

A 78-year-old retired art teacher in Port Jefferson Station lost $15,000 to fraud after receiving a convincing fake Apple Pay notification followed by calls instructing her to withdraw cash for "safekeeping." This case exemplifies a broader wave of sophisticated scams targeting seniors across Long Island and the country, with Suffolk County alone reporting over $126 million in elder fraud losses in 2023, using tactics like AI-generated voices and fake emails that exploit family and financial networks. Elder law attorneys recommend prevention strategies including verifying identities through independent sources, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, monitoring accounts regularly, and avoiding suspicious emails and links—emphasizing that fraud prevention is both a personal security

This educational article explains why intelligent people are vulnerable to modern scams despite their cognitive abilities. Key risk factors include social isolation, financial struggles, overconfidence in security, and lack of awareness of current schemes, while scammers exploit cognitive biases (confirmation bias, optimism bias, authority bias, scarcity principle), emotional manipulation (fear, urgency, threats), and social pressure to manipulate victims into participating in fraud schemes. The article emphasizes that anyone can be scammed regardless of intelligence level, and understanding these psychological tactics is essential for avoiding fraud.

Social Security recipients face escalating financial fraud, with seniors over 60 losing an estimated $3.4 billion to scams in 2023 alone. The article outlines seven common scam types targeting this vulnerable population: fake government calls (including a new SSA warning about fraudsters posing as federal agencies demanding payment via untraceable methods), Medicare fraud, grandparent scams, financial services impersonation, tech support scams, fake assistance programs, and romance scams. The article provides protective measures for each scam type, emphasizing verification of contacts, use of official phone numbers, and avoidance of unusual payment methods and unsolicited requests for personal information.

This educational piece examines the financial vulnerabilities facing aging populations, noting that 7.2 million Americans aged 65+ currently live with Alzheimer's dementia (projected to triple by 2060), with dementia-related costs reaching $384 billion annually and expected to surge to $1.6 trillion by 2050. Financial literacy among U.S. seniors aged 55+ has declined to 49.2%, increasing susceptibility to fraud—global elder fraud losses exceed $36 billion annually—while cognitive decline leads to poor financial decisions regarding Social Security, Medicare, and long-term care planning. The article highlights emerging solutions including AI-driven fintech platforms that reduce

Deepfake technology, powered by AI, poses a growing fraud threat to financial institutions and individuals, with estimates suggesting potential losses of Rs 70,000 crore in India in 2025. Fraudsters use hyper-realistic synthetic videos and cloned voices to impersonate executives or loved ones to authorize fraudulent transactions, with an average loss of $450,000 per business incident globally in 2024. Financial institutions are implementing advanced AI detection, blockchain-based identity verification, and employee training programs to counter deepfake fraud, as traditional KYC and facial recognition methods have become vulnerable to these sophisticated attacks.

Investment scams are now among the most common consumer scams in the UK, often initiated through phone calls, emails, or social media with promises of guaranteed returns and exclusive opportunities. Common types include fake broker scams using cloned websites and cryptocurrency trading platform scams that show fake returns before freezing withdrawals; red flags include high-pressure tactics, lack of verifiable company addresses, requests for payment to personal accounts or cryptocurrency, and unregulated platforms. The FCA and consumer protection bodies recommend verifying company details on the FCA register, taking time to research independently, and avoiding firms that pressure quick decisions or request unusual payment methods.

Cybercriminals are exploiting the summer holiday season in the UK through sophisticated scams including AI-generated fake travel websites, bogus delivery notifications (parcel scam searches up 400%), and fraudulent accommodation bookings, with victims losing hundreds to thousands of pounds and risking identity theft and account compromise. August is identified as a peak fraud month when people's guards are lowered by holiday distractions, and sharing travel details online—such as boarding passes on social media—further exposes victims to targeted attacks and personal data theft.

A June 2024 survey by Censuswide commissioned by TSB Bank found that 31% of social media users acted on financial tips from "finfluencers," with 55% of those losing money as a result. Young people aged 16-34 were particularly vulnerable, with two-thirds of 18-29-year-olds following financial influencers and 74% trusting their advice, while these scams often use Ponzi schemes or fake investments promising guaranteed returns through flashy lifestyle imagery. The FCA warns consumers to watch for unrealistic promises, pressure to act quickly, and complicated jargon, and recommends checking the FCA Warning List before investing an

**Military Consumer Fraud Alert** - California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer protection alert warning service members, veterans, and their families about targeted scams, noting that military consumers nationwide reported over 99,400 fraud complaints last year, including 44,587 imposter scams costing victims and families over $199 million. The alert identifies common threats including charity scams (fake veteran organizations), predatory schools using high-pressure tactics to exploit GI Bill benefits, and home loan scams impersonating government agencies, advising consumers to pause on seemingly too-good-to-be-true offers and verify legitimacy before engaging.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) warned the public that oversharing personal information online, particularly about relationship status or romantic interests, makes individuals vulnerable to online love scams. Scammers typically use stolen photos and fake identities to target victims aged 35 and older, especially retirees and pensioners, employing psychological profiling and pretending to share the victim's interests to build trust. The PAOCC advised the public to watch for red flags such as profiles that appear "too good to be true" and to exercise caution when interacting with unfamiliar individuals online.

Attorney General William Tong warned servicemembers, veterans, and their families about scams that specifically target the military community, noting that the Federal Trade Commission reported nearly 100,000 fraud cases in 2024 costing over $580 million. The press release detailed common scams including payday loan schemes, benefits fraud targeting senior veterans, OTP bot scams, loan and credit card fraud, car sales scams, fraudulent use of Military OneSource branding, fake military charities, and job scams. The Attorney General urged military community members to remain vigilant and report suspected fraud immediately, emphasizing that scammers often appear legitimate and exploit detailed knowledge of military incomes and benefits.

Social Security scams employ three primary tactics: fake remote job offers that request personal information and upfront fees, phishing emails impersonating the Social Security Administration to direct victims to fraudulent websites, and in-person schemes where imposters posing as government officials convince victims to provide cash or valuables. Recent cases include a victim who gave $2 million in gold bars to someone claiming to be a CIA agent and an Ohio woman who liquidated $500,000 in retirement savings to purchase gold for phone scammers. Protect yourself by avoiding unsolicited job offers and payment requests, verifying emails end in ".gov," and reporting suspicious activity to the Social Security Administration or Office of the Inspector General.

California's Attorney General issued a consumer alert during Military Consumer Month warning service members, veterans, and their families about targeted scams, noting that military consumers reported over 99,400 fraud complaints nationwide last year, including 44,587 imposter scams costing over $199 million. The alert identifies key fraud tactics targeting the military community—including charity scams using deceptive veteran-related names, predatory for-profit schools using high-pressure tactics, and home loan scams impersonating government agencies—and advises victims to verify charities through the Registry of Charitable Trusts and to pause before accepting offers that seem too good to be true.

A class action lawsuit against UnitedHealthcare alleges the company systematically misled vulnerable seniors through deceptive advertising into abandoning Original Medicare for Medicare Advantage plans, misrepresenting them as supplements rather than replacements requiring surrender of existing benefits. The case, brought on behalf of seniors including a 96-year-old cancer patient who was denied coverage and faced collections suits after giving up her Medicare benefits, was dismissed on preemption grounds but is being appealed to the Ninth Circuit. The plaintiffs argue UnitedHealthcare's decade-long fraudulent campaign violated California consumer protection laws and exploited seniors while the company posted over $22.3 billion in profits in 2023.

A 74-year-old Tucson man drained his 75-year-old wife's $250,000 retirement account after developing an online romance with a woman claiming to be a chef, whom he met on Facebook and sent money to over several months for various fabricated needs including job fees and taxes. The couple also took out a loan on their vehicle and considered a home equity loan to continue funding the scam, which ended when the account was depleted and the scammer stopped contact. Arizona has the highest rate of elder fraud in the nation at 289 cases per 100,000 seniors, with authorities reporting that social media romance scams, phishing, and AI-

Legal experts from LSC-funded organizations discuss how civil legal services address critical needs of aging Americans, with LSC programs assisting over 312,000 seniors age 60+ annually with issues including wills, powers of attorney, and advance directives. Seniors face particular vulnerability to scams and fraud, and these legal crises compound other challenges like housing costs and medical issues that threaten their safety, stability, and ability to age independently with dignity.

**Health Insurance Scams Targeting Seniors** The FBI has warned of a growing wave of health insurance fraud targeting older adults, typically initiated through unsolicited phone calls from individuals posing as representatives of major insurance companies who pressure victims to pay for full-year coverage upfront with promises of discounts and low costs. Red flags include offers that sound too good to be true, requests for immediate full-year payment, reluctance to provide written information, and aggressive pressure tactics—tactics that legitimate insurance agents do not employ. Seniors can protect themselves by verifying coverage with their healthcare providers, contacting their state insurance commissioner to verify licensing, carefully reviewing complete written policies, avoiding upfront payments, an

Seniors aged 60 and older face significant financial fraud threats, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to coordinate education and prevention efforts. Common scams targeting older adults include Social Security impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to demand fund transfers to gift cards), tech support scams (requesting remote device access and fabricating charges), lottery scams (claiming foreign winnings while requesting fees), and romance scams (exploiting dating platforms to solicit money). Additional resources on these scams are available through the Justice Department's elder justice website.

Military families lost $584 million to scams in 2024, a $100 million increase from 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission, with scammers targeting service members and veterans for their stable pensions and financial assets. Common schemes include the "update your file" scam (requesting personal information via calls, texts, or emails), PCS rental fraud (fake military housing listings demanding upfront deposits), and predatory lending offers targeting military members with unusually favorable terms that hide high interest rates and fees. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service partnered with AARP to launch Operation Protect Veterans, a crime prevention program providing education on recognizing and avoiding these scams.

The Larimer County Sheriff's Office issued a public alert about a surge in fraud targeting Northern Colorado residents, particularly seniors and small business owners, including romance scams, bank impersonation, fake government texts (DMV, law enforcement), and business invoice schemes that pressure victims to pay via Bitcoin, gift cards, or money apps. Common red flags include unsolicited requests for personal information, urgent threats, and payment demands via untraceable methods, with victims urged to verify requests directly with official sources and report fraud to law enforcement and agencies like the FTC and IdentityTheft.gov.

The DVLA warned drivers not to share photos of their V5C vehicle logbooks on social media or selling sites, as scammers can use the personal information contained in these documents (such as registered keeper addresses and reference numbers) for identity theft. The alert emphasized that drivers should avoid sharing private information online and report suspicious communications to Action Fraud or Police Scotland, with additional guidance provided for those who have already compromised their details, including notifying their banks and changing passwords. The warning was part of a broader government effort to alert the public about various online scams, including a separate bogus "Energy Support Scheme" text message scam from the Department for Work and Pensions.

An elderly woman was targeted by the "California Efficiency Group" (CEG), a fake home service company that used social engineering tactics—including a rigged water test and false health claims—to gain access to her home and pressure her into replacing her functioning water filtration system with a cheap substitute for $48 monthly payments. The scam was interrupted before she signed paperwork, but the scammers photographed her driver's license, likely for identity fraud or unauthorized billing purposes. The case highlights how seniors are vulnerable to manipulation through false authority and emotional appeals regarding health and safety concerns.

The FBI and FTC are warning the public about evolving scams that exploit advancing technology, including AI-generated voice impersonations of law enforcement and government officials. Elderly Americans are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, tech support scams, grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, sweepstakes scams, and home repair scams, with millions falling victim annually. The agencies also warn against business email compromise, charity fraud (especially after disasters), cryptocurrency job scams, VA benefits overpayment scams, and card skimmers, recommending victims verify charitable organizations through trusted databases and use credit cards rather than cash, gift cards, or wire transfers for donations.

The Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection warns that the military community lost $584 million to fraud in 2024 across 99,443 reported incidents, with service members, veterans, and their families targeted at higher rates than the general population due to their steady income, benefits, and frequent relocation. Common scams include imposter fraud, online shopping scams, and investment-related schemes, though protection strategies such as placing "Active-Duty Alerts" on credit reports, using free FTC credit monitoring, and researching purchases before completing transactions can reduce vulnerability.

Sophisticated fraudsters in Kerala are targeting elderly pensioners through phone scams impersonating government officials, using stolen personal data (pension details, Aadhaar numbers, nominee information) to build trust before requesting OTPs to access bank accounts. Kerala's Cyber Operations Division reports 2,000-2,500 daily fraud complaints with approximately 125 resulting in cases, causing an estimated loss of ₹1-1.5 crore daily, though 90% of losses are under ₹1 lakh per victim. The Pension Directorate has warned pensioners that legitimate government officials never contact them by phone or online to update life certificates, and victims should report frau

In 2024, military consumers filed over 200,000 scam reports with the FTC, with 31,833 reporting financial losses totaling $584 million (median loss of $700). Scammers target servicemembers, retirees, and their families through two main housing scams: home loan fraud (impersonating VA officials to demand immediate payment or property transfers) and rental housing fraud (advertising fake properties with military discounts to collect deposits before renters discover the fraud). Consumers are advised to verify all housing-related requests through official channels, avoid unrealistic discounts, tour properties in person, and use legitimate military housing resources like Military By Owner and Homes.mil.

Older adults lost nearly $5 billion to fraud and scams in 2024, with losses increasing 41% from $3.4 billion in 2023 and average individual losses reaching $83,000, according to a U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging report. The report highlights an alarming rise in AI-powered schemes and traditional fraud methods including imposter scams, investment fraud, healthcare scams, and gift card fraud, with cryptocurrency losses alone reaching nearly $3 billion. The number of older adults reporting fraud jumped 43% in 2024, prompting calls for increased federal protection and consumer education initiatives.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed SB 649 into law, establishing third-degree felony charges for using artificial intelligence to create non-consensual deepfakes or voice clones to defraud or harm residents. The law specifically targets AI-generated scams affecting older adults, such as fake grandchild voice impersonations used to extort money, with Pennsylvania's Department of Aging reporting nearly 18,500 financial exploitation cases in FY 2023-24—nearly double the number since 2017. This legislation strengthens protections for Pennsylvania's fifth-largest older adult population by giving law enforcement new tools to prosecute AI-driven fraud schemes.

Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted of operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded elderly Americans out of millions of dollars by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and convincing victims their Social Security numbers had been compromised. Victims, including a 70-year-old who lost $600,000 and a widowed mother of eight who lost over $300,000, were directed to transfer funds to bank accounts controlled by the defendants, who then laundered the money. Parikh was convicted of money laundering conspiracy and two substantive money laundering counts, while Patel was convicted on all charges

Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted for operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded millions of Americans, primarily elderly victims, by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and claiming their Social Security numbers had been compromised. The defendants collected over $1 million from victims through controlled bank accounts, including $600,000 from a 70-year-old New Jersey resident and $300,000 from a recently widowed mother of eight, which they laundered and kept portions of for themselves. Parikh was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of money laundering, while Patel

Steven McBee Sr., patriarch of the reality TV show "The McBee Dynasty," pleaded guilty in November 2024 to a multi-million-dollar federal crop insurance fraud scheme spanning 2018-2020, in which he underreported crops and misrepresented planting dates to illegally obtain over $4 million in USDA benefits and subsidies. He faces up to 30 years in prison, must pay restitution, and forfeit $3.2 million to the government, with sentencing scheduled for September 2025. McBee Sr. will not appear in season 2 of his family's Bravo show, which premieres June 30,

Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted for operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded millions of Americans, predominantly elderly victims, by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and threatening arrest to pressure victims into transferring funds to bank accounts they controlled. Victims testified to losing significant sums, including a 70-year-old who transferred over $600,000 and a widowed mother of eight who lost more than $300,000, with the defendants retaining thousands for themselves before laundering the remaining funds. Both were convicted of money laundering and conspiracy charges, with Patel also convicted of wire fraud conspiracy

Arizona's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit received the Inspector General's Award for Fighting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2025, marking the second time in five years the office earned this honor. In fiscal year 2024, the unit achieved 91 indictments, 41 convictions, and recovered over $74 million, with joint investigations yielding an additional $140 million in recoveries through cases involving drug diversion, patient abuse, unnecessary surgeries, and fraudulent billing schemes across 44 provider types.

**Article:** Pension savers at risk of 'worrying scams' as inheritance tax overhaul looms Pension savers face increased fraud vulnerability as unclear legislation surrounding April 2027 inheritance tax changes on pensions prompts many to hastily withdraw large sums from regulated schemes. Fraudsters are exploiting this uncertainty by targeting worried individuals with fake "IHT-free" investment solutions, with financial experts warning that unprotected withdrawals significantly increase scam risk. Experts recommend savers seek professional guidance before making pension decisions driven by inheritance tax concerns to keep savings protected from fraudulent schemes.

Wisconsin residents reported receiving fraudulent letters impersonating a Canadian law firm claiming they were eligible to claim a $10 million life insurance policy (requesting $980,000 in processing fees) and a fake Medicare letter threatening penalty fees and requesting personal information from a soon-to-be Medicare enrollee. The article advises consumers to pause before acting, verify the sender's legitimacy, research common scam templates, and take preventative steps such as opting out of prescreened offers and reducing unsolicited mail through services like OptOutPrescreen.com and the DMA Mail Preference Service.

Tiron Alexander, 35, was convicted of wire fraud for impersonating a flight attendant and fraudulently accessing airline employee portals to book over 120 free flights across five major carriers (American, Delta, United, Southwest, and Spirit) between 2018 and 2024. Alexander used fabricated badge numbers and false hire dates to exploit non-revenue travel benefits reserved for actual crew members, flying 34 times on one airline alone before his arrest in March 2024. He faces sentencing in August 2025 on charges of wire fraud and unauthorized airport access by deception.

This UITS News article is primarily an educational resource covering IT services and updates at Indiana University, with one fraud awareness component. The article includes tips for spotting scam emails and text messages that impersonate trusted sources and request personal information, alongside announcements about new Microsoft 365 AI tools, VPN upgrades, email domain changes, digital accessibility requirements, and various student and faculty programs.

Seniors age 60 and older face increasing vulnerability to financial scams facilitated by internet and smartphone technology, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to combat elder fraud through education and awareness. The article outlines four common scams targeting older adults: Social Security Administration impostor scams (using caller ID spoofing to request money transferred to gift cards), tech support scams (gaining remote device access and charging fabricated fees), lottery scams (requesting upfront fees for fake foreign lottery winnings), and romance scams (conducted through dating sites and social media to solicit money). Seniors should verify caller identities independently, avoid granting remote device access, reject unsolicite

A 75-year-old man in New Delhi lost Rs 20 lakh (half his life savings) to a cybercrime scheme involving unauthorized bank transfers and fixed deposit withdrawals, forcing his family to postpone a wedding. The incident reflects a broader crisis: cybercrimes targeting elderly Indians increased 86% from 2020 to 2022, with criminals exploiting seniors' digital illiteracy through fraudulent calls, links, and "digital arrest" schemes. In response, police departments and NGOs across India—including Kolkata Police, Bengaluru Police, and HelpAge India—have launched awareness campaigns and digital literacy workshops to educate seniors on cybersecurity an

During Operation Triple Threat, Florida law enforcement confiscated approximately 40 smuggled cellphones from three state prisons and identified inmates using them to perpetrate romance scams, jury duty/toll violation schemes, and service payment frauds against seniors statewide. At least three confirmed cases resulted in losses, including a 92-year-old man defrauded of over $800,000 by inmate Otiz Swinton Jr., who used prison cellphones to pose as a romantic interest. Authorities urged seniors to protect themselves by refusing to share financial information with unknown callers and reporting suspicious contact to local law enforcement.

During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Valley Program for Aging Services warned Shenandoah Valley seniors about rising scams in which impersonators call posing as Medicare or Social Security representatives, requesting personal information like Medicare numbers or banking details and threatening loss of benefits. Common schemes also include fake DNA screenings, rebates, and medical equipment offers, with residents reporting unauthorized charges on their Medicare statements for services never received. The organization encouraged seniors to hang up on unsolicited calls and regularly review their Medicare statements, offering local reporting resources including VICAP and the Senior Medicare Patrol.

Investment and cryptocurrency scams remain the riskiest threat for adults 55+, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams for specific age groups, according to the BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides practical prevention strategies including: avoiding unsolicited callers (especially those claiming to be government agents or bank employees), recognizing red flags like pressure to act or unusual payment requests, hiring only licensed contractors through verified sources, remaining alert to emergency/grandchild scams, and hanging up on calls about "free" medical equipment or government impersonations. Key advice emphasizes registering with the National Do-Not-Call Registry, verifying unexpected claims through official sources, and maintaining healthy

Hawai'i's Senior Medicare Patrol is promoting Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 1-7) to educate residents on identifying and reporting fraud, which costs the U.S. over $60 billion annually and threatens seniors' access to critical services. The program offers free counseling, presentations, and resources to help Medicare beneficiaries protect their information, recognize billing errors, and report suspicious activity, with particular emphasis on guarding against increasingly sophisticated scams targeting Hawai'i's elderly population. Residents can contact SMP Hawai'i at 1-800-296-9422 or attend a free webinar on June 7 to learn prevention strategies.