Spot the Signs: How the ‘Never EVER’ Campaign Protects Older Americans from Scammers
Research shows that roughly 1 in 10 older adults experiences some form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation every year. To directly confront this threat, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) unveiled a government-wide strategy known as the Federal Elder Justice Action Plan, alongside the national “Never EVER” campaign. This initiative turns policy into practice to disrupt financial exploitation and hold bad actors accountable.
Imposter scams are currently the top reported fraud mechanism targeting seniors. By understanding the exact tactics used by scammers, you can stop fraud before any lasting financial harm occurs.
Scammers rely on deliberate behavioral patterns to bypass your caution. According to the EJCC Imposter Resource Page, there are three core warning signs you should watch for:
- Imposters Pretend to Be Someone Else: Fraudsters frequently impersonate government officials, utility workers, or tech support agents from well-known brands to gain your initial trust.
- Imposters Say There’s a Problem: They create a sense of crisis, such as a compromised bank account, legal penalties, or a frozen asset, and offer a fake government representative to fix it.
- Imposters Pressure You: They force you to act quickly before you have time to think, insisting that you must move your funds to a “safe account” or settle a debt immediately.
The most effective shield against fraud is knowing what real government agencies, such as LTADD, will simply never do. Real government entities and legitimate financial institutions will Never EVER:
- Tell you that your money is unsafe and instruct you to wire it or transfer it to “protect it.”
- Demand immediate payment via unusual methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash couriers.
- Call unexpectedly to demand your Social Security number or private passwords to verify program eligibility. While some programs at LTADD require your Social Security number to enroll, we will never pressure or demand you provide that information over the phone. If you choose not to provide it by phone, you can submit that information through other channels.
If you receive suspicious, high-pressure communication, hang up immediately. Do not use the phone numbers, links, or call-back details provided by the caller. Instead, look up the official public phone number for your bank or the specific agency to verify the claim independently.
If you suspect fraud, help the government track down the perpetrators by filing an online report at FTC Fraud Reporting. For comprehensive toolkits, educational infographics, and additional anti-fraud resources, go to the official Elder Justice Coordinating Council platform.
