LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Scammers are getting smarter — and seniors are often their favorite targets. But a Louisville nonprofit is helping older adults fight back with knowledge and awareness.
Dozens of seniors packed ElderServe on South 28th Street Wednesday afternoon for a free community workshop on how to recognize scams, protect personal information and stay safe online.
“With all the recent scams and what we’ve seen this week, we felt it was even more necessary to make sure our seniors are prepared and protected,” said Rev. Tim Findley Jr., CEO of ElderServe.
Findley said the timing couldn’t be more important.
In recent weeks, Louisville police and WDRB News have reported several scams targeting seniors — including a man accused of stealing an 89-year-old woman’s home,a “grandparent scam” that tricked another family, and even a local pastor charged with stealing credit cards from elderly women.
“Too many of our seniors don’t have the kind of resources or people behind them to recover the money,” Findley said. “We want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to ensure that they’re not taken advantage of.”
Findley said ElderServe itself has even been targeted by scammers.
“Early on, we had scammers actually call ElderServe and go through a whole banking issue trying to get money from us,” he said. “It was a significant amount, and we’ve taken steps to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
For seniors like Toni Smith, Wednesday’s workshop was both eye-opening and empowering.
“My aunt, several years ago, was a victim of a pigeon drop,” Smith said. “It took her a long time before she revealed that to the family.”
Smith said she’s been approached by scammers herself — including two people who tried to talk her into giving them a ride from a local store.
“I said, didn’t your mother tell you not to talk to strangers? And why am I talking to you?” she recalled. “When I turned and looked back, they were gone.”
Like many seniors, Smith has learned to be cautious when answering unknown phone numbers or messages.
“I don’t answer a number that I don’t know,” she said. “And when I do, I never say ‘yes’ because they can record that and use it as consent for something.”
Smith said workshops like this one help her stay one step ahead.
“I just want to keep myself aware of the new scams that are going on,” she said. “Because a long time ago it was face-to-face, but now it’s all about technology.”
After learning about purse snatching and identity theft, Smith said she’s already making changes.
“After today, I will not be carrying this big bag to the store anymore — I’ll go to my smaller bag,” she said.
Findley said that’s exactly the goal.
“There are characters and groups who are targeting seniors,” he said. “Every family, every senior, every organization should be prepared — because someone you know is being targeted right now.”
ElderServe plans to continue its “Workshop Wednesday” series, focusing on scams, safety and senior wellness.
“We want our seniors to feel empowered, not afraid,” Findley said. “Awareness is the first line of defense.”
More Coverage:
Police charge Louisville pastor, another man with stealing credit cards from elderly women
Caught on camera: Louisville family confronts man accused of stealing 89-year-old’s home
Louisville woman targeted in 'grandparent scam' that uncovered $3 million fraud network
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