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-Editorial
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan unveiled a large-scale campaign aimed at preventing scams targeting older residents, citing data showing seniors in the county lost more than $130 million over the past year. The figures were reported by the county’s Elder Justice Task Force (EJTF), which coordinates efforts to investigate and prosecute financial exploitation of older adults.
The campaign, which began in September and will continue through the end of December, seeks to educate seniors, their families, caregivers, and the public about common scams and how to respond to them. Officials said the effort has already generated nearly 26 million advertising impressions and is projected to reach approximately 3.5 million residents in San Diego County through a mix of outdoor media, print, radio, and digital platforms.
“The goal is to help senior citizens and their families recognize scams and take appropriate action if they suspect they are being targeted,” Stephan said at a news conference alongside law enforcement partners. “Through education and collaboration, we aim to reduce victimization while continuing our work to prosecute offenders and recover funds for victims.”
The Elder Justice Task Force, created in 2020, brings together resources from local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office, the DA’s Office, the Law Enforcement Coordination Center, the county’s Aging and Independence Services, and local law enforcement. Since its formation, the task force has identified more than 4,600 victims and tracked over $325 million in losses. However, officials say the true number is likely higher because elder fraud is often underreported due to embarrassment or shame.
Special Agent in Charge Mark Dargis of the FBI San Diego Field Office said the bureau is committed to protecting seniors from financial exploitation. “Ensuring seniors are safe is part of our mission,” Dargis said. “We aggressively investigate those who seek to harm this population and hold scammers accountable.”
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said early reporting can help recover funds and prevent losses. “Scammers who target seniors don’t just steal money — they steal dignity and security,” Gordon said. “By reporting suspicious activity quickly, victims and law enforcement can stop scams before funds are lost.”
Since October 2023, the EJTF has investigated dozens of suspects, filed cases against more than 70 defendants in state and federal court, and recovered over $16 million through federal seizure warrants, bank coordination, and restitution. The DA’s office alone has returned over $274,000 directly to victims through prosecutions.
Officials say scams targeting older adults have become increasingly sophisticated, with tactics including impersonation of government agencies, banks, or family members, sometimes using AI-generated voices. Common schemes include alerts about unauthorized bank transactions, warnings of alleged criminal activity tied to Social Security numbers, and notifications of hacked computers. Victims are often pressured to transfer funds, deposit cash into cryptocurrency ATMs, or hand over money or valuables.
The DA’s outreach campaign promotes the message “Stop. Hang Up. Tell Someone.” Officials say the simple, repeatable call-to-action can help seniors respond quickly and reduce the risk of falling victim. The campaign provides information in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese and is designed to reach communities through repeated messaging on multiple platforms, including traditional, digital, and community-based channels.
The Federal Trade Commission has reported a sharp increase in scams targeting older adults in recent years, with losses of $10,000 or more per victim increasing more than fourfold since 2020. Total losses for higher-value cases over $100,000 rose from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024.
Authorities recommend that seniors verify contacts independently, avoid moving money at a caller’s request, and use call-blocking tools to limit scam attempts. Officials emphasized that ongoing vigilance, early reporting, and public education are critical to reducing financial exploitation and protecting the county’s older residents.
