HARRISBURG, Pa. - A yearlong study conducted by the state Department of Aging found seniors are conned out of 10 million dollars a year in Pennsylvania. And as WLVR’s Megan Frank reports, in many cases the scams come from people they know.
The Department of Aging study examined over 400 cases of financial exploitation. The average loss to a victim was $40,000.
The scams ranged from fake lottery tickets to romantic ploys. But the study found the most common way that older folks were conned was by family.
Rob Torres is the secretary of aging.
"Family members typically have a trust-based relationship with one another. The older adult may be dependent on family support. Most of the exploitation is done through bank withdrawals, use of debit cards or checks," said Torres.
After having their assets drained, Torres says many older adults turned to the state for financial help.
Torres is pushing for an update to the Older Adults Protective Services Act. The agency wants more groups added to the list of those that must report elder abuse, including financial scams.