Burlington, VT – With the approaching World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th and the alarming rise of financial fraud targeting older adults, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont is taking proactive steps to educate and protect its senior citizens. In partnership with the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Diplomatic Security Service, the office has hosted informational sessions across the state.
The outreach campaign included a presentation at the Charlotte Senior Center on May 15th, followed by events at The Residences at the Essex on June 6th, and a final session set for Shelburne Town Hall on June 24th. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to combat elder abuse, which includes physical, emotional, and financial mistreatment often overlooked or unreported.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest emphasized the importance of these efforts: “Elder abuse comes in many forms, and we must pay close attention to the threats faced by our older adults. Our office is committed to both prosecution and prevention, ensuring a safer environment for Vermont’s elderly.
As part of their scam alert, the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office of the Inspector General (OIG) warned about scammers impersonating SSA OIG agents. This new twist on government imposter scams involves fraudsters requesting in-person meetings with victims to exchange cash. The SSA has identified several variations of these scams, including those posing as IRS agents, sheriff’s office deputies, and prosecutors or court personnel.
Other prevalent financial schemes targeting older adults include tech support scams, non-delivery scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, charity scams, lottery scams, debt collection scams, money mule/money laundering scams, timeshare scams, and sham business opportunities.
To combat these threats, the U.S. Attorney’s Office offers several tips: never share personal or financial information with unknown individuals, be cautious of unsolicited requests for information, and verify the legitimacy of any communication before taking action. By following these guidelines, seniors can help protect themselves against financial abuse.
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Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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