World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Empower, Educate, Prevent
Date:
Dear Colleague,
On June 15, 2026, the Social Security Administration will join federal partners and stakeholder groups in commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). This year, we are focusing on raising awareness about imposter scams targeting older adults.
Watch a video message from Commissioner Frank J. Bisignano: https://youtu.be/ywVdGAq1Icw.
Recent reports from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) show that financial losses among consumers aged 60 and older have quadrupled between 2020 and 2024, reaching $2.4 billion. In 2025, the FTC received over 375,000 reports of government imposter scams, with losses totaling $917 million. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, including artificial intelligence, to target older adults with tech support, sweepstakes, romance, and government impersonation scams.
As part of a national “Never Ever” campaign, federal agencies are working together to help everyone recognize and avoid government imposter scams. Remember:
- Never ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn’t safe. Move it to protect it.” Only a scammer will.
- Never ever will someone from the government threaten to suspend your government benefits if you don’t pay immediately. Only a scammer will.
- Never ever will someone from the government demand that you pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift cards.
Below are key resources you can share to help support older adults and their families:
- Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams: Provides up-to-date information on scam tactics, how to recognize and avoid scams, and how to report them.
- Elder Justice Coordinating Council Impersonation Scams: Offers federal consumer-related materials to avoid government imposter scams.
- Eldercare Locator: Connects older adults and caregivers with trusted local resources and services.
- WEAAD Toolkits: Shares nationwide events and resources to help prevent elder abuse.
We invite you to join us in raising awareness and sharing resources to help older adults stay safe from financial exploitation. Thank you for your partnership in protecting older adults.
Nick Perrine
Chief Communications Officer