May 15

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day

Don't let fraud ruin your golden years - keep yourself safe and informed with National Senior Fraud Awareness Day!

Yearly Date

May 15

Observed in

Introduction

Mark your calendars for May 15th, it's National Senior Fraud Awareness Day! This day was created to raise awareness about the various forms of financial fraud and scam that target seniors. It is especially important to be aware of these scams as they can cause serious financial and emotional damage. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help seniors protect themselves against fraud and scams. So let's all join together on May 15th to spread the word about how seniors can safeguard their finances!

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day Timeline

1960

Early Fraud Schemes

In the 1960s, seniors became the target of various fraud schemes, including phony investment seminars and fake health products, marking the beginning of senior-targeted fraud.

1973

Formation of AARP

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) was founded, providing resources for seniors, including information on avoiding scams and fraud.

1984

Social Security Scams

During the mid-1980s, scams involving Social Security benefits began to become frequent, perpetuating the need for awareness and prevention of senior fraud.

2000

Internet Age Frauds

With the growth of internet usage, a new era of online fraud targeting seniors emerged, including email phishing and online identity theft.

2013

US Senate Recognizes Problem

The U.S. Senate held its first hearing on scams targeting seniors, highlighting the increasing recognition of this issue at the national level.

2018

Inaugural Senior Fraud Awareness Day

The first National Senior Fraud Awareness Day was celebrated, marking an important step in raising public awareness and combatting financial fraud against seniors.

How to Celebrate National Senior Fraud Awareness Day

1 Host an educational event

Organize a panel discussion with experts on senior fraud prevention, or put together a workshop about how to spot and stop fraud. Invite local seniors and spread the word about the importance of fraud awareness.

2 Volunteer

Organize a volunteer event to help seniors in your community understand the risks of fraud. Offer to answer questions, provide advice and support, or even help seniors set up online accounts or other technology.

3 Spread the word

Use your online presence to spread awareness about senior fraud. Post helpful articles, infographics and videos on social media, or create your own content about fraud prevention.

4 Write an article

Write a blog post or newspaper article about how seniors can protect themselves from fraud. Be sure to include tips for identifying common scams and how to report any suspicious activity.

5 Start a conversation

Talk to the seniors in your life about fraud prevention. Ask them if they have any questions or concerns, and offer to help if they need it. Encourage them to stay informed and know what to look out for.

Why National Senior Fraud Awareness Day is Important

Protects seniors

Fraudsters often target senior citizens, who are more likely to be vulnerable to scams and other forms of exploitation. By increasing awareness and preventing these deceptive practices, National Senior Fraud Awareness Day helps protect seniors from falling victim to fraud and identity theft.

Raises awareness

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day brings attention to the problems that can arise when older adults are targeted by scammers and con artists. It also encourages people to take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims themselves or knowing what to do if they do fall prey to a scam.

Encourages reporting

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day helps raise awareness about the importance of reporting any suspicious activity or suspected fraudulent behavior. By participating in this day of action, you can help spread the message that fraud should not be tolerated and must be reported immediately in order for justice to be served.