Hello, dear readers! Today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), and while it might not be as fun as National Donut Day, it’s crucial for keeping everyone, especially our beloved elders, safe from scams. Yes, those pesky scams that seem to multiply faster than rabbits! In 2025 alone, people reported losing a whopping $16 billion to scams. And that’s only the number of people who actually reported it—imagine the ones who were too embarrassed to admit they got catfished by a fake government official!

This year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is teaming up with other cool agencies, businesses, and organizations to put the spotlight on the most notorious scam of them all: imposter scams. These scammers have more costumes than a Broadway show, pretending to be government officials or representatives from well-known businesses, all to trick you into handing over your cash or personal info.

So, how can you help? First, check out the “Never Ever” campaign toolkit at ejcc.acl.gov. It’s packed with resources to help you and your loved ones spot these sneaky imposters. And here’s the golden rule:

Never Ever fall for these lines:

  • “Your money isn’t safe. Move it to protect it.” — If you hear this, it’s a scammer, not the government.
  • “Pay up now, or your government benefits are toast!” — Nope, only a scammer talks like this.
  • “We need you to pay using a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or gift cards.” — Not even in your wildest dreams would the government ask for this!

Armed with this knowledge, you can help spread the word! Use the hashtags #StopGovImposters and #StopBizImposters on social media to share what you know. And if you ever come across one of these imposter scams—or any other scam, for that matter—don’t just sit there fuming! Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Remember, the more we talk about these scams, the less power they have over us! Stay savvy, stay safe, and let’s outsmart those scammers together!

For more tips and resources, check out the original article at ejcc.acl.gov.

Original article: https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/06/help-fight-imposter-scams-world-elder-abuse-awareness-day