May 15th Is Senior Fraud Awareness Day in Palm Beach County

In 2023, the United States Congress declared May 15th “Senior Fraud Awareness Day.” The goal is to raise awareness, create better policies, and improve protections for seniors across the country. Florida is one of the most heavily affected states when it comes to senior scams, mostly due to its high elderly population. How can you protect your family from senior scams? Could a Palm Beach County elder law attorney help?

Florida Power & Light Warns of New Senior Scams 

A day before Senior Fraud Awareness Day, Florida Power & Light (FPL) took the opportunity to warn residents about new utility scams that have been sweeping through the Sunshine State. FPL says that families should ignore anyone claiming to be from the utility company if they’re demanding payment.

FPL also advises families to call the phone number on their paper bill if they need to speak with a representative. The phone numbers you find online could be incorrect, and they could lead you to scammers. Another major piece of advice is to completely ignore caller ID. Scammers have found a way to fool you into thinking that someone from the company is calling you. Even if you see that “Florida Power & Light” is calling, you should always be wary of scammers.

Although it’s encouraging that FPL is warning residents of these issues, the fact that scammers are now impersonating state utility companies is alarming.

Florida FBI Agent Explains How Dangerous Senior Scams Have Become 

Before Senior Fraud Awareness Day, an FBI agent in Florida spoke to WINK News about how dangerous these scams have become. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, Florida residents lost about $300 million to scams in 2024 alone. Many of these victims were senior citizens. The FBI agent noted that scammers “specifically target the over 60 crowd.” The agent also explained that most of these scammers are “professionals” and “very good at what they do.”

In response to this growing threat, the FBI has launched a new program called “Take a Beat.” The idea is to encourage seniors to step back, take a moment, and think about what they’re doing before they fall for a scam. Remember, no matter how serious someone’s demands might seem, you always have the right to hang up and think about what’s going on. You also have the right to call a friend or family member for advice. If the scammer really is a representative of a utility company, you can simply call them back later using the company’s official phone number.

Schedule a Consultation With a Palm Beach County Elder Law Attorney 

Senior Fraud Awareness Day may be a good opportunity to schedule a consultation with an elder law attorney in Palm Beach County. During this initial meeting, you can discuss the newest threats seniors face from various fraudsters. You might also talk about protections against this fraud, including asset protection strategies. Continue this conversation by scheduling a consultation with Kitroser Lewis & Mighdoll today.

Sources: 

congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/senate-resolution/217/text

wgcu.org/consumer-affairs/2025-05-14/florida-power-light-gives-tips-for-avoiding-utility-related-scams

winknews.com/making_ends_meet/elder-fraud-is-here-the-fbi-says-take-a-beat/article_34cabc01-ce89-439b-b0d2-896bbdc9bb09.html