TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Growing up, the police always taught us to be wary of voices we haven’t heard from, and understand that there’s no foreign prince or someone who needs money getting home.
But now, people are dealing with much more realistic scammers who go as far as to read through obituaries to make a quick buck.
An article from two FSU professors found scammers are targeting seniors for an interesting reason, partially understanding of technology, but also because they have more disposable income than the younger generation.
The professors said that stress and grief can contribute to an earlier death.
“Time and time again, the older adults who did experience fraud were fearful of telling their children or their siblings because they might lose that independent living situation that they would be forced out of their home to come live with family or put into an assisted living facility,” Julie Brancale, an assistant professor at the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, said.
Scams are so sophisticated now, it’s less about age. Videos look realistic, and voices on the phone are almost indistinguishable.
“And some of the research has even shown that they pass away much earlier than someone who had not experienced financial exploitation. So the consequences were far-reaching beyond just the money lost,” Brancale said.
In the Big Bend, the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office no longer posts its jail log because scammers have been using it to call unsuspecting family members.
BitCoin ATMs now quickly whisk away money. Scams are evolving quickly.
“They’re growing, their wealth is accumulating… They’re a bigger target and therefore what we know about the criminal enterprise, if there’s an opportunity, people are going to figure out different ways, unfortunately, to get access to that money,” said Thomas Blomberg, the Dean of Florida State University’s College of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from scams. Be skeptical, call your bank on your own time. Report fraud right away; the same technologies are slowly making it easier to get your money back.
Most importantly, don’t feel shame or guilt. This can happen to anyone, and a good support network can make all the difference.
The professors also shared that they are taking their article and working with other colleges at FSU, like those focusing on health or cyber technologies, because they say it’s one thing to know this stuff is happening, but it’s another to combat it when the tech seems to evolve so quickly.
The professors said elderly Americans are not only being targeted because of technology, but also because they control so much of the wealth.
“By 2050, 90 million Americans will be 65 or older… they control somewhere between 65 and 70% of all the invested wealth… they’re a target,” Blomberg said.
To keep up with the latest news as it develops, follow WCTV on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Nextdoor and X (Twitter).
Have a news tip or see an error? Write to us here. Please include the article’s headline in your message.
Be the first to see all the biggest headlines by downloading the WCTV News app. Click here to get started.
Copyright 2025 WCTV. All rights reserved.