Arrowhead Credit Union, a San Bernardino, California-based credit union serving members across Southern California, took part in Congresswoman Linda Sánchez’s 20th Annual Senior Fair at Cerritos College on Wednesday, August 12, by hosting three sessions of classroom discussions on fraud and scam prevention. The presentations were given by Community Impact Financial Coaches Courtney Thompson and Veronica Balderas, who explained how vulnerable many people can be to fraud and scams in their everyday lives — especially older adults.

The scale of the problem was underscored by a 2025 complaints report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), which stated: “In 2025, over 201,000 victims ages 60+ reported losses of more than $7.7 billion to the IC3. This represents a 37 percent increase in losses over losses reported in 2024. The average loss for 60+ victims exceeded $38,000. More than 12,000 elderly victims lost over $100,000.” The IC3 serves as the FBI’s central hub for public reports of internet-enabled crime and publishes an annual Elder Fraud Report documenting how these schemes affect older adults.

“We take fraud very seriously and really believe that the more you are aware of common fraud and scam tactics, the more confident you’ll feel to speak up, ask questions, research, and ultimately prevent it from happening to you,” said Thompson. “Our team has made it a point to become an active voice in the community and attend events like this to help the community gain a clearer understanding of the fraud and scams that specifically target them. Seniors are particularly vulnerable, and it’s important they stay educated.”

Each presentation gave audiences insight into the differences between fraud and scams, while informing them of phishing tactics to look out for while on the internet or when answering the phone. Among the common tactics discussed were scammers impersonating a bank or a family member in trouble, text message scams, and romance scams that prey on victims’ emotions — approaches that federal agencies including the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission have repeatedly flagged in consumer warnings aimed at older adults. Thompson and Balderas also provided practical tips to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud and scams, covering ID protections, digital banking tools, and general online safety. For those who suspect they have been targeted, complaints can be filed directly with the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov or with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

During the question-and-answer portion, many attendees shared personal experiences or nodded along with what they were hearing. Mario, an attendee at the Senior Fair, said, “I hope a lot of people take it very seriously and investigate the fraud and scam situation because it’s everywhere. We just have to read up on what we can do to prevent this and how to educate ourselves.”

The event was hosted by Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, a constant advocate for older adults who represents California’s 38th Congressional District, which spans parts of Los Angeles and Orange counties. Her office released a statement about the event that said, “It gives us a chance to connect with the seniors who need these resources the most. From Social Security to free health screenings, just making sure that everything that they need is in one place, a one-stop shop. It’s really important to give the to meet with the seniors themselves and see what issues we can help improve with federal agencies.”

The fair included free health screenings, assistance with Medicare, Social Security, veterans benefits, and other government programs, as well as information booths on local food and housing assistance. Some of the participants at the fair included AARP, the nonprofit organization serving people age 50 and older; the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation, California’s state regulator for financial services; and the Social Security Administration, the federal agency that administers Social Security benefits. Approximately 900 people attended the fair, which continues to grow every year.

“This was our first time at this event in Cerritos,” said Balderas. “Everyone who came to our presentation learned valuable strategies to stay safe and gained a better understanding that fraud can happen to anyone. We wanted attendees to leave feeling less alone and empowered to speak up if they suspect fraud.”

Source: GlobalFinTechSeries