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Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). WEAAD gives all of us a chance to raise awareness about elder financial abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

An issue that continues to impact the wellbeing of people of all ages — including older adults — is scams. In 2025, people reported losing about $16 billion to scams, compared to $12.8 billion the previous year. And because not everyone who experiences a scam reports it, this likely represents only a fraction of the actual amount lost.

This year, the FTC is joining other government agencies, businesses, and organizations across the country to help raise awareness about the top reported scam: imposters. These scammers pretend to be someone they’re not — like someone from a government agency or well-known business — to trick you into giving them money or your personal information.

How can you help spread the word about imposters? Use the “Never Ever” campaign toolkit at ejcc.acl.gov, which has information and resources to help your friends, family, and community recognize, avoid, and report imposter scams. And know that:

  • 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 transfers, or gift cards.

Find more at ejcc.acl.gov. Use the campaign’s hashtags, #StopGovImposters and #StopBizImposters, to share what you know with others. And if you spot an imposter scam (or any other type of scam), report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. 

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