Shame, Fear, and Fake Benefits: How Scammers Target Seniors and Families

Learn how scammers trick seniors and families using shame, fear, and fake perks—stay safe and smart! Shame, Fear, and Fake Benefits: How Scammers Target Seniors and Families This community-driven workshop uncovers how modern fraudsters weaponize emotion and authority to deceive everyday residents, seniors, and local business owners. The event opens with a powerful FBI video demonstrating how teenagers are targeted and impacted by financially motivated sextortion schemes operated by foreign actors. From intimate digital blackmail to sudden utility disconnection threats, bad actors exploit shame, panic, and confusion to force quick, costly mistakes. Attendees will gain practical tools to identify high-pressure tactics across everyday situations. The session breaks down real-world schemes, including fake jury duty arrest warrants, high-interest "free" solar installs, and urgent robocalls warning of immediate power shutoffs. It also exposes predatory healthcare traps, such as Medicare card exchanges and "free" medical equipment offers that secretly drain legitimate insurance benefits. Shame, Fear, and Fake Benefits: How Scammers Target Seniors and Families This community-driven workshop uncovers how modern fraudsters weaponize emotion and authority to deceive everyday residents, seniors, and local business owners. The event opens with a powerful FBI video demonstrating how teenagers are targeted and impacted by financially motivated sextortion schemes operated by foreign actors. From intimate digital blackmail to sudden utility disconnection threats, bad actors exploit shame, panic, and confusion to force quick, costly mistakes. Attendees will gain practical tools to identify high-pressure tactics across everyday situations. The session breaks down real-world schemes, including fake jury duty arrest warrants, high-interest "free" solar installs, and urgent robocalls warning of immediate power shutoffs. It also exposes predatory healthcare traps, such as Medicare card exchanges and "free" medical equipment offers that secretly drain legitimate insurance benefits. Led by SCORE Northern Nevada at the Northwest Reno Library, this presentation strips away the mystery behind sophisticated digital and door-to-door scams. Participants will learn simple, actionable steps to verify callers, protect sensitive personal data, and report fraud safely—empowering families to protect their savings, privacy, and peace of mind. In conclusion, the presenter will discuss SCORE Northern Nevada, the valuable benefits of meeting one-on-one with SCORE mentors, and the lasting positive impacts these free resources bring to our local community. Startup founders will be given the opportunity to sign up for a SCORE Mentor onsite.