How to Protect Yourself or Loved Ones from Financial Scams

November 24, 2025


 


The Connecticut Intelligence Center, a law enforcement partnership within the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP), is putting out a warning about a dramatic increase in financial scams targeting senior citizens, both here in Connecticut and in the United States.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received 859,532 complaints in 2024, with losses reported at $16.6 billion, a 388% increase from 2023. In 2024, “false pretense” scams cost an estimated $31.9 million to Connecticut victims, most of whom were 65 or older, according to the 2024 Crime in Connecticut Report.

What to watch out for:

  • High pressure, urgent timeline (“you must send money now”).
  • Requests to pay with cash, gift cards, wire transfer, prepaid cards, personal checks, or cryptocurrency.
  • The caller says you must not contact family or police.
  • Caller ID spoofing (it may show a local number or government agency, but it is fake).
  • Unwilling to meet in person or hesitant to identify themselves with official credentials.

What to do if you believe you are a victim:

  • Contact the local police to report the incident.
  • Do not transfer money and do not give any payment information.
  • Do not give any personal information or confirm/repeat social security numbers, birthdates, bank information, or account numbers.
  • Verify by calling the family member with a known number, not one provided by the caller.
  • If you have already made a payment, contact your bank or the payment service immediately.


Where to go for help: