Help Take Action Against Online Scams
For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and beyond, Early Warning Services, LLC, the company behind Zelle®, and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) have launched a national campaign to educate and empower older adults with knowledge on how to spot and avoid online scams.
Online payment scams targeting older adults are on the rise. In fact, in 2023, most internet fraud complaints were filed by adults age 60+, with losses in that group reaching a staggering $3.4 billion.1
But we’re taking action, shining a light on financial abuse in the form of online payment scams and we need your help.
What is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)?
Highlighted every June 15, WEAAD aims to raise awareness about the abuse and neglect some older adults may experience. It serves as a reminder to governments, organizations, and communities to take steps to prevent elder abuse and protect the rights and dignity of seniors worldwide.
How to help NCOA and Zelle stop and prevent online scams
We invite you to explore the articles, tips, and video assets and links below to learn how older adults can identify scams and protect themselves, and ways that you can help. If you like these resources, share them. We’ve even provided sample social media messaging to help you get the word out to your community.
Click on the bullets below for scam-related resources, and corresponding social media copy for Facebook, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter:
- Scam Tip #1: Pause and Reflect (for online scams targeting older adults)
- Scam Tip #2: Understand the Psychology (for ways to protect against online scams)
- Scam Tip #3: Confirm Information (for how to send money safely online)
- Scam Tip #4: Report It (for ways to stop online scammers)
- Scam Tip #5: Limit Your Details (for how to stay safe when having conversations online)
- Scam Tip #6: Contact the Business (for how to spot business imposter scams)
- Tips for Maximizing the Reach of Your WEAAD Scam Prevention Social Posts
Online Scam Prevention Tips and Resources
Scam Tip #1: What Are the Top Online Scams Targeting Older Adults?
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Link to resource on NCOA's website created in partnership with Zelle | |
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Download the graphics for Scam Tip #1: Pause and Reflect by platform below | |
| Social Platform | Sample Messaging Copy to Use |
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Facebook/Instagram |
90-year-old Phyllis didn’t bank on getting scammed. But after accepting “help” from thieves posing as tech support reps, she lost $20,000 of her savings. #PaymentScams like this are on the rise—and #OlderAdults are a frequent target. But knowing the red flags can help you protect yourself. Learn how you can protect yourself today.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless |
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90-year-old Phyllis was a trusting person. But after accepting “help” from #Scammers posing as tech support reps, she was defrauded of $20,000. People over 60 are especially vulnerable to #PaymentScams like this. Learn about the most common #Scams targeting #OlderAdults.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless | |
| Threads |
After accepting “help” from con artists posing as tech support reps, 90-year-old Phyllis was scammed out of $20,000. People over 60 are especially vulnerable to payment scams like this. Discover the top online scams targeting older adults.👇 https://bit.ly/4bB8kyU |
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After accepting “help” from thieves posing as tech support reps, 90-year-old Phyllis was #Scammed out of $20,000. Learn about the top #OnlineScams targeting #OlderAdults.👇 #WEAAD | |
Scam Tip #2: How to Avoid an Online Scam
| Link to resource on NCOA's website created in partnership with Zelle Watch and share video on '3 Ways to Help Avoid an Online Scam' | |
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Download the graphics for Scam Tip #2: Understand the Psychology by platform below | |
| Social Platform | Sample Messaging Copy to Use |
| Facebook/Instagram |
Think a #OnlineScam can't happen to you? Think again. Criminals are getting more skilled—and they know how to manipulate your emotions. You can beat #Scammers at their own game by understanding the mind tricks they use. Here are the big ones to watch out for.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless |
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When it comes to #PaymentScams, online scammers are getting craftier by the day. Their livelihood depends on deceiving and manipulating unsuspecting consumers. But knowledge is power. Learn the psychological tricks #Scammers use (and the steps #OlderAdults can take to outsmart them).👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless | |
| Threads |
The manipulative techniques online scammers use are increasingly sophisticated. They excel at deceiving and manipulating unsuspecting consumers. But knowledge is power. Learn the psychological tricks scammers rely on (and the steps older adults can take to avoid falling for them).👇 https://bit.ly/3yByrXL |
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Online #Scammers are getting craftier by the day—but knowledge is power. Learn the psychological tricks they use (and the steps #OlderAdults can take to outsmart them).👇 #WEAAD | |
Back to the top
Scam Tip #3: Sending Money Digitally: 5 Safety Tips for Older Adults
| Link to resource on NCOA's website created in partnership with Zelle | |
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Download the graphics for Scam Tip #3: Confirm Information by platform below | |
| Social Platform | Sample Messaging Copy to Use |
| Facebook/Instagram |
Do you use Zelle, Venmo, or CashApp to send money? These #MoneyTransfer platforms can be a quick, easy way to send money to someone you know without carrying cash. They're also quite safe—as long as you understand how to use them wisely. Here are 5 safety tips to keep in mind when making digital payments.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless |
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Venmo, Zelle, and CashApp can be a convenient way for #OlderAdults to send and receive money with people they know. And if they’re used wisely, they can be safe. Learn 5 tips to keep in mind when making digital payments.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless | |
| Threads |
From Venmo and Zelle to CashApp, digital payment services allow us to send money electronically to people we know. But it’s important to know how to use them wisely. Learn 5 tips older adults should keep in mind when making digital payments.👇 |
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Venmo, Zelle, and CashApp can be a convenient way for #OlderAdults to send money to people they know. But they must be used wisely. Learn 5 tips here.👇 #WEAAD | |
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Scam Tip #4: 3 Ways to Stop Scammers in Their Tracks
| Link to resource on NCOA's website created in partnership with with Zelle Watch and share video on '3 Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams' | |
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Download the graphics for Scam Tip #4: Report It by platform below | |
| Social Platform | Sample Messaging Copy to Use |
| Facebook/Instagram |
While digital tools have brought convenience to our lives, they’ve also opened new doors for scammers. Financial expert Amanda Clayman shares 3 techniques #Scammers use—and what you can do to stay financially safe.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless |
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Modern-day technology makes finding information easier and simplifies many daily tasks. But it's also given #Scammers many more ways to exploit unaware older consumers. Financial wellness expert Amanda Clayman shares 3 examples of the techniques they use.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless | |
| Threads |
Online scams of all kinds are on the rise, and older adults are a frequent target for criminals. Financial wellness expert Amanda Clayman shares 3 common examples of the tactics they use.👇 https://bit.ly/3Km5CRQ |
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Digital tools have given dishonest #Scammers more ways to exploit older consumers. A financial expert explains 3 deceptive tactics they use.👇 #WEAAD | |
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Scam Tip #5: How to Stay Safe When Having Conversations Online
| Link to resource on NCOA's website created in partnership with Zelle Watch and share video on '3 Ways to Avoid Social Media Scams' | |
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Download the graphics for Scam Tip #5: Limit Your Details by platform below | |
| Social Platform | Sample Messaging Copy to Use |
| Facebook/Instagram |
For one Mississippi man, it started with a friendly conversation with an internet stranger. It ended with losing his life savings of over $500,000. Learn 9 warning signs of #InvestmentFraud, also known as a 'pig butchering' scam' and how you can stay safe when talking to people online.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless |
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Have you heard of what's known as a 'pig butchering' scam? This growing type of #InvestmentFraud often targets older people, using the guise of friendship or romance to scam them out of significant sums. In fact, it cost one Mississippi man most of his life savings—to the tune of $500,000. Learn 9 warning signs of this #Scam and how #OlderAdults can protect themselves when talking to people online.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless | |
| Threads |
A 'pig butchering scam' is an especially devious type of investment fraud that often targets older people. It cost one Mississippi man most of his life savings—to the tune of $500,000. Learn 9 red flags associated with this scam, plus strategies older adults can use to stay safe when talking to people online.👇 https://bit.ly/4ceK85t |
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Investment fraud, often called 'pig butchering' scams are one of the latest #FinancialScams targeting #OlderAdults. Learn how to stay safe when talking to people online.👇 #WEAAD | |
Back to the top
Scam Tip #6: 5 Business Imposter Scams to Watch Out For in 2024
| Link to resource on NCOA's website created in partnership with Zelle | |
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Download the graphics for Scam Tip #6: Contact the Business by platform below | |
| Social Platform | Sample Messaging Copy to Use |
| Facebook/Instagram |
You probably get calls, texts, or emails from familiar businesses each day. But the caller or sender may not be from a real company at all. Worse, they could be out to steal your money or your personal information. Here’s what you need to know about business #ImposterScams (and how to avoid them).👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless |
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Whether carried out by phone, text, email, or social media, business #ImposterScams capitalize on the trust consumers have in familiar brands and companies.👇 Learn how these #Scams work and the steps #OlderAdults can take to protect themselves. #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless | |
| Threads |
What is a business imposter scam? It’s when con artists pose as trusted brands or organizations to part consumers from their hard-earned money. Help the older adults in your community protect themselves with these actionable tips.👇 https://bit.ly/4aGPchJ |
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Business #ImposterScams prey on consumer trust in familiar brands and companies. Learn how they work—and steps #OlderAdults can take to protect themselves.👇 #WEAAD #EmpowermentIsAgeless | |
Tips for Maximizing the Reach of Your Scams Prevention Social Posts
Using social media best practices can help more people see your posts and carry the message of this campaign further. Below are some tips.
- Use the @ sign on each social media platform to tag your and NCOA’s social handles:
- Facebook at @ncoaging
- Instagram at @ncoaging
- LinkedIn at @national-council-on-aging
- Threads at @ncoaging
- X (formerly known as Twitter) at @ncoaging
- Post often—but try to schedule posts on each platform at times your audience is active and most likely to see them.
- Use the bitly links the NCOA team has provided so we can monitor the effectiveness of our campaign through click volume.
- Search using the #WorldElderAbuseAwarenessDay, #WEAAD, #WEAAD2024, and #ElderAbuse hashtags to find other organizations and thought leaders talking about the topic of elder abuse.
- Where you can, try to incorporate the following hashtags, where character count allows: #WeAgeWell, #EquityinAging, #EquityPromise (if you can only have one, please include #WeAgeWell).
- Limit your hashtag use to 3-5 per post (using too many could give the impression your post is spam).
- Try a mix of popular and more specialized hashtags: Popular ones can help you reach more users, while focused hashtags can help you connect with a targeted audience.
- Feel free to adjust the social posts in our WEAAD toolkit—or add new ones—that reflect what your organization will be doing to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day this year, as well as other opportunities beyond WEAAD.
This content on online scams was developed in partnership with Zelle®. Zelle and the Zelle related marks are property of Early Warning Services, LLC.
Sources
1. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Internet Crime Report 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2023_IC3Report.pdf
Join Zelle during WEAAD!
See why Zelle is partnering with NCOA on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to take steps to prevent abuse and protect the rights older adults worldwide.
The Top 5 Financial Scams
Financial scams targeting older adults can be devastating, leaving you in a vulnerable position and without time to recoup your losses. Learn how to identify and stop the top 10 financial scams.
