Senior Living: STOP. CHECK. VERIFY.

October 2, 2026

Senior fraud prevention session helps elders recognize scams and know what to do when something doesn’t seem right.

By Vivian LaMoore, Inaajimowin Editor

Scammers are getting better at what they do. They can make a phone number appear legitimate, create convincing emails and websites, impersonate banks and government agencies, and use personal information to make their stories believable.

But one of their most effective tools remains surprisingly simple: getting someone to act before they have time to think.

Jessica Danberg and Jackie Dionne of the Minnesota Department of Commerce recently met with elders at the District I Senior Living Unit for a Senior Fraud Prevention session focused on recognizing scams, protecting personal and financial information, and knowing what to do when something does not seem right.

Dionne, the department's Tribal liaison, discussed outreach and enforcement efforts, while Danberg, a Senior Financial Fraud Investigator and former law enforcement officer, walked participants through some of the increasingly sophisticated scams targeting older adults.

And the attempts are constant. According to information presented by Danberg, 71 percent of adults age 60 and older report receiving scam attempts daily. In 2025, Minnesotans age 60 and older reported more than $111 million in losses to the FBl.

Danberg stressed that scammers target older adults because they believe they have money to steal - not because older people are less intelligent or capable of recognizing fraud.

The schemes include romance scams, grandparent and family-emergency scams, cryptocurrency fraud, take tech support, fraudulent emails and websites, and scammers impersonating banks, businesses and government agencies.

While the stories vary, the tactics often have something in common. Scammers create urgency, fear or intimidation so a person acts before thinking. They may demand payment through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards or even gold. They may also tell victims to keep the situation secret or lie to family members or bank employees.

Those are red flags.

So are requests for account information to "verify" your identity, requests to allow someone remote access to your computer or phone, instructions not to tell anyone about an "investigation," promises of unusually high investment returns and demands that money be sent immediately. Caller ID should not be trusted simply because the number appears legitimate.

Danberg encouraged participants to slow down and independently verify what they are being told. Call the family member supposedly in trouble. Contact your bank using a number you know is legitimate. Go directly to an organization’s official website rather than clicking a link in an unexpected email or text.

She also emphasized that scams can happen to anyone, sharing examples of fraudulent attempts involving herself and members of her own family.

Financial exploitation of Native elders can be particularly difficult to identify because many cases are never reported Danberg pointed to historical trauma and mistrust, shame and stigma, isolation, jurisdictional complexities and limited resources as barriers that can prevent American Indian elders from reporting fraud or seeking assistance.

That makes the way family members and others respond especially important.

The message from Danberg's presentation was clear: The victim did not "fall for" something. A criminal deliberately manipulated and deceived them. Instead of judgment, victims need someone willing to listen, help them determine what happened and work with them on what to do next.

Minnesota law also provides some protection. Under the Minnesota Safe Seniors Financial Protection Act, anyone can report suspected financial exploitation involving someone age 65 or older or a vulnerable adult. The law also allows qualifying financial institutions to temporarily delay certain transactions or disbursements when financial exploitation is suspected.

If something feels wrong, stop before sending money or providing information. Talk to someone you trust and verify the story independently.

And if money has already been sent, report it. Asking for help may not only protect you — it could help prevent the same criminal from targeting someone else.

THINK YOU MAY HAVE BEEN SCAMMED?

The Minnesota Department of Commerce Senior Fraud Line can be reached at 651-539-1600 or 800-657-3602 for Greater Minnesota. Suspected financial exploitation can also be reported to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at 1-844-880-1574.

Jessica Danberg, Senior Financial Fraud Investigator:

651-539-4089, Jessica.danberg@state.mn.us

AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360

National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311)

Internet-related fraud can also be reported to the FBls Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.