Seniors get savvy fighting back against scams

In response to a nationwide surge in scams targeting older adults, the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office has hosted two educational seminars aimed at helping seniors recognize and avoid fraud. The “Stop Scams Against Seniors” presentations, held in May and June at the Quinlan Community Center in Cupertino, drew praise from attendees and addressed a growing need for awareness and prevention.

Scammers stole a record $16.6 billion from Americans in 2024, a staggering 33% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI. Of the more than 250,000 complaints received, nearly 147,000 came from people aged 60 and older. Alarmingly, the average reported loss among seniors was $83,000, more than four times the national average.

California residents reported the highest losses nationwide, with most involving cryptocurrency and wire transfers.

Led by Reserve Deputy Bob Yee, Sgt. Mike Low, and detectives from the West Valley Patrol Division, the seminars provided a comprehensive overview of today’s most common scams – from romance and Medicare fraud to fake tech support, utility scams, and impersonators posing as government officials.

The key message: slow it down and investigate before acting on any unsolicited communication, whether by phone, email, social media, or in person.

“It’s like checking who’s at the front door before opening it,” said Reserve Deputy Yee, a former Silicon Valley tech executive. “Now, we need to take that same caution into the virtual world.”

Yee, a former Silicon Valley tech executive said he wanted to use his background and cyber security skills to educate and inform community members to avoid becoming victims.

Participants received safety tips, examples of real scam attempts, and identity theft recovery steps. Many seniors said the presentation helped them better judge when something feels off.

Detective Edgar Hernandez, who co-led the seminars, emphasized the importance of giving back.

“I enjoy supporting the seniors who helped raise and guide the next generation,” he said. “Now, it’s our turn to help protect them.”

Due to the positive feedback and rising scam reports, the Sheriff’s Office plans to continue its outreach efforts and bring the presentation to other communities across the County.

Seniors, family members, and caregivers are encouraged to stay informed, remain skeptical of unsolicited requests for money or information, and report suspected scams to local law enforcement.

For more resources and information on how to protect yourself, visit the Sheriff’s Office crime prevention webpage regarding scams.