New data finds that seniors in Connecticut and nationwide are falling victim to scams more often.
The AARP research shows 4 in 10 seniors lost money to fraud or had sensitive information stolen. The group’s scam-tracking map shows 39 reported scams in Connecticut, though not all victims report being scammed.
Kelli Lefler, associate state director for community outreach with AARP Connecticut said, despite warnings about fraud, people aren’t changing their behavior to prevent being scammed.
"A lot of us are still not using multi-factor authentication, or we might still be using that same password we use across the board," said Lefler, "which I think at this point we all know is a risk, but gosh, it just seems so much easier to use that same password over and over again."
Connecticut lawmakers considered taking action on consumer protection measures to keep people safe from cryptocurrency scams. The General Assembly considered legislation to protect people from retail theft and gift card scams.
Though the bill received positive feedback during public comment, it didn’t make it out of committee.
The Federal Trade Commission finds that scams are becoming more common. The agency reported consumers lost almost $13 billion in 2024 to fraud, but they estimate the amount could be much higher due to unreported losses.
Lefller noted that imposter and romance scams are the most common frauds older Connecticut adults fall victim to. She said one red flag to watch for is when a person reaches out from an unknown number.
"So, if you get a text message from a number you don’t know asking you to play a round of golf, it might seem very innocent, but that’s just a way of phishing for you to answer," said Lefler. "Let them know, ‘Hey, I’m sorry you’ve got a wrong number.' And then all the sudden, you’re talking back and forth with somebody you don’t know."
Other red flags include being approached by a company or agency saying something bad will happen if you don’t respond, an unknown person asking someone to move to another form of communication, and if someone has excuses not to meet in person.
Source: Public News Service
