Today is National Senior Citizens Day, and Attorney General Jeff Landry is reminding seniors that education is the best line of defense against fraud.

Research shows that Americans aged 65 and older are the prime targets of scams and that they receive more junk mail and telephone solicitations than any other age group. In 2022, over $18 million was stolen from Louisiana seniors.

“It is absolutely awful to see our elderly friends, family, and neighbors being taken advantage by fraudsters,” said Attorney General Landry. “So my office and I will continue to do all we can to educate seniors on how to best recognize scams and con artists to avoid becoming fraud victims.”

Attorney General Landry’s Office offers a special consumer publication on elder fraud prevention which contains information on how to avoid telemarketing, mortgage, contractor, charity, and other types of frauds commonly perpetrated on senior citizens. Some of the many tips for seniors are as follows:

• Never give out a Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account information over the phone unless the senior initiated the call.
  
• Resist high pressure to make a decision immediately.
• Never send money by courier, overnight delivery, or wire to anyone who insists on instant payment.
• Ask the caller to send written information about the product or service being offered.
• Remember: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.