AARP Backs Bill to Help Police Fight Elder Fraud

According to the FBI, criminals defrauded Americans 60 and older out of $3.4 billion in 2023 — an 11 percent increase over the previous year. The average amount per person? Nearly $34,000 — which can be a life-changing loss for many older adults. The cost is likely higher than the official tally, since incidents of fraud often go unreported.

AARP is fighting for a bipartisan bill that would deliver resources to state and local law enforcement to help authorities investigate financial crimes, including those targeting older adults.

If passed, the Empowering Law Enforcement to Combat Financial Fraud Act, sponsored by U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), would direct grants to law enforcement agencies to hire agents, train police and secure specialized software to fight these crimes.

In a news release Monday, Nunn pointed to a common scam, often aimed at retirees, in which criminals try to convince someone to invest their money in a fake opportunity.

“Your bill will give law enforcement the tools they need to lock up these criminals who victimize America’s seniors,” wrote Bill Sweeney, AARP senior vice president for government affairs, in a letter to the bill’s sponsors. “This strong approach will help us tackle fraud and secure justice for victims.”

Through our AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline and support groups, we often hear from older adults who have been targeted. “Their stories are heart-wrenching — even more so because so many of these criminals are able to get away with it,” Sweeney wrote.

Our support of the bill is just one of the ways AARP works to protect older adults from fraud and scams. We also endorsed federal legislation this year targeting deepfake scams fueled by artificial intelligence, and a bill that would end the practice of requiring fraud victims to pay taxes on their losses. At the state level, we successfully pushed for stronger regulations on cryptocurrency ATMs, which are increasingly used by criminals to commit fraud. And our advocacy helped pass a law to crack down on fake extended warranties in New Hampshire.

AARP offers a wealth of resources to help older adults protect themselves. To stay ahead of the latest tactics, visit our Fraud Resource Center, listen to our podcast The Perfect Scam and use our scam-tracking map to find or report scams where you live. If you’ve been targeted, call our Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 for support.