Scammers are criminals who will say and do anything to steal your identity and money. Scammers love seniors who are trusting, respectful of authority, and have a shaky grip on information technology. Every day, at least 1,000 American older adults lose anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars to scammers using computers and smartphones to rip us off from anywhere around the world.

We can all be grateful that America continues to be a nation of law and order, and the officers and agents of law enforcement are working harder than ever to bring scammers to justice. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken a lead role in fighting scammers who prey on seniors. Each year they compile reports to describe shifts and developments in elder scams, and roll up their findings into the annual Elder Fraud Report. The latest report was just released, summarizing scams against American seniors for 2023. It should be required reading for every person living in the Valley old enough to collect Social Security. You can find this report online by visiting www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/ 2023.

Across the United States, scams against older adults grew 11% from the year before, with seniors reporting losses of $3.4 billion. Tech-support scams outranked every other category, reflecting what we have seen in northeast Ohio. Tech-support scams occur when you believe there is something wrong with your computer, and you reach out for help. Unfortunately, the “helpers” you often find are just slick crooks duping you into paying for phoney computer protection services.

Though tech-support scams happen more than other scams, the report indicates that the most money is lost in investment scams. Hang up on anyone contacting you promising high returns on cryptocurrency, precious metals, hedge funds, stocks, or other securities. Heed the advice our parents pounded into us when we were growing up — “If it sounds too good to be true, it is.”

The report ranks all the states from high to low, in terms of complaints filed by citizens of each state. California ranks first in scam complaints from seniors, followed by Florida and Texas. Ohio ranks eighth in the nation for scam complaints filed by people over 60 years of age. Ohioians reported losses of more than $64 million in 2023. Losing a bundle of money to a scammer is usually catastrophic to folks too old to rejoin the workforce.

What can we do to protect ourselves from scammers? The absolute best way to detect a scam is to know about scams. Take the time to read up on the latest scams on the AARP website. Information is your best defense against becoming a victim. If you find yourself in a high-pressure situation where you are being told to buy gift cards, make a wire transfer, or use a cryptocurrency machine send money for any reason, stop what you’re doing — call and friend or family member. Scammers are serious students of older adult psychology, and know how to work you into a panic.

Spring time is back in full force. With rain aplenty this year, the grass and trees are getting green again faster than ever. The days are getting longer, and the ice cream stands are opening again for the season. Scammers are always going to be lurking out there, but don’t let them keep you from enjoying the beauty of our wonderful, blossoming Mahoning Valley. I mean, where else in America can you get a delicious Briar Hill-style pizza?

Dave Long of Poland, a Youngstown State University graduate, is a retired public affairs officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection who later worked as an Elder Scam Prevention Outreach specialist in Rochester, N.Y., before moving back to the Mahoning Valley.

Protect yourself

Dave Long answers questions during a series of monthly talks on the latest scams, why scammers target seniors and how to protect personal information at 1 p.m. the fourth Thursday of every month at the Poland Township Government Center, 3339 Dobbins Road, Poland.

To report a scam or to ask questions, seniors may call county Senior Services Units. In Mahoning County, call Bob Schaeffer at 330-480-5078. In Trumbull County, call Don Hyde at 330-675-7096.