What Every Californian Should Know About Senior Fraud, and How to Keep Your Data Safe

Key Takeaways:

• Senior fraud is rising in California, with adults 60+ losing over $1.4 billion in 2024, and scammers often exploit personal data to appear trustworthy.
• Data brokers may sell lists targeting older adults; exercising privacy rights helps keep your information off these lists.
• Key protections include using DROP to delete your data from brokers, enabling an opt-out preference signal, and following CalPrivacy’s online safety tips.
• Multiple agencies offer support for fraud victims, including AARP, APS, IC3, the California Attorney General, DFPI, and the FTC.
• Sharing these resources and promoting tools like DROP helps protect loved ones and reduce elder fraud statewide.

Every year, millions of older Americans are targeted by scammers. In California alone, consumers over the age of 60 lost over $1.4 billion in 2024, according to FBI data. May 15 is National Senior Fraud Awareness Day and a reminder that these crimes happen because scammers are skilled, persistent, and increasingly sophisticated. They may use your own personal information against you — your name, address, health history, and more — to make their approach feel real and trustworthy. That’s why protecting your privacy is one of the most powerful things you can do to protect yourself from fraud.

Data Brokers and Older Adults

Companies known as data brokers collect and sell consumers’ personal information. Certain data brokers sell lists specifically targeting older adults.

In a recent CalPrivacy enforcement settlement, a Texas-based marketing firm was ordered to stop selling Californians’ personal information after an investigation discovered the company was selling “senior lists” with names, addresses, phone numbers, and emails, along with lists of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other health conditions for use in targeted advertising.

To avoid your information being placed on lists like these for sale, it’s important to exercise your privacy rights to reduce your risk of fraud.

Protect Your Privacy

Here are three concrete steps you can take right now:

• Use DROP — California’s free Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP) allows you to send a single request to 575 registered data brokers to delete your personal information. Visit privacy.ca.gov/drop to learn more and sign up.
• Set an opt-out preference signal (OOPS) — This tool automatically sends a signal to every website you visit, telling them not to sell your personal information.
• Check CalPrivacy’s Privacy Tips — Visit CalPrivacy’s tips page for practical guidance on how to protect your personal information online, from securing your accounts to limiting what you share online.

By practicing these steps, you can keep your personal information safer, reducing the chance of being targeted by a fraudster.

Elder Fraud Resources

You can file a complaint with CalPrivacy if you believe a business violated your privacy rights or misused your personal information.

If you or a loved one has been affected by fraud or identity theft, these organizations are also available to help:

AARP Fraud Watch Network
AARP offers free fraud guidance and a helpline to support fraud victims and their families.
Contact: 877-908-3360
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. ET

Adult Protective Services (APS)
APS is a state-mandated program in all 58 California counties that provides free assistance to elders (60+). County APS staff investigate reports of financial abuse and exploitation to assist victims regardless of their income.
Phone: 833-401-0832 (Enter your zip code to reach your local county office.)
Hours: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
The national reporting system for internet-based fraud and scams, complaints are reviewed and may be referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement for possible investigation. If you need help filing a report, the National Elder Fraud Hotline is available to walk you through the process.
Phone: 833-FRAUD-11 or 833-372-8311
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3 p.m. PT

California Attorney General
The California Attorney General’s Office protects Californians’ privacy and consumer rights by addressing fraud and deceptive business practices.  Their website includes resources for seniors with information on common scams and practical tips to avoid them, along with an online form where consumers can file complaints about suspected fraud or misconduct.
Phone: 800-952-5225
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. PT

Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI)
DFPI can help if you’ve been targeted by a financial scam, with dedicated programs like Preventing and Reporting Elder Financial Abuse and Seniors Against Investment Fraud offering targeted support for older adults.
Phone: 866-275-2677 
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. PT

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
The FTC provides scam‑prevention tools useful for older adults, including its Pass It On resources that explain common schemes like tech support, imposter, romance, and investment scams. You can report scams directly through their ReportFraud.ftc.gov portal. They also offer IdentityTheft.gov, a step‑by‑step resource for recovering from identity theft.
Phone: 877-382-4357
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. ET

Share Resources with Loved Ones

Fraud doesn’t discriminate. It targets people of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. This Senior Fraud Awareness Day, share this post with someone you love and let them know that help is available if they ever need it.

To help spread the word about DROP, you can share our Reducing Elder Fraud with DROP flier. The flier can be emailed or printed and is available in eight languages.