Scams & Fraud
Older adults are inundated with calls, mail, and messages from fraudsters trying to trick them into sending money or revealing personal information. The resources on this page provide information about how older adults can protect themselves against scams and fraud. There are also agencies that investigate reports of scams and try to help victims.
Click on the v-shaped arrow to the right of each program description to view more information.
General Information
Anyone can report a scam or fraudulent business to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB's website has a searchable database of reported scams and information about how to recognize and avoid scams.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 10399 Old Placerville Road, Sacramento, CA 95827 (local BBB)
Phone: (916) 443-6843
Website: https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker
The FBI provides information about common scams and how older adults can protect themselves. This website also explains how anyone targeted or victimized by a scam can file a report with the FBI.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 2001 Freedom Way, Roseville, CA 95678 (Sacramento Field Office)
Phone: (916) 746-7000 (Sacramento Field Office)
Website: https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/elder-fraud
Anyone who believes they or someone else has been a victim of an Internet crime can file a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Complaints may be referred to law enforcement or regulatory agencies for possible investigation.
Anyone who has been a victim of identity theft or targeted by a fraud, scam, or unscrupulous business may report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC uses these reports to investigate and bring cases against bad actors. This federal agency also provides information about how to avoid scams, what to do if you are a victim, ways to keep personal information secure, and how to sign up for the Do Not Call Registry.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20580
Phone: (202) 326-2222 or (877) 382-4357
Website: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/
Note: anyone can sign up to receive free email alerts about new scams
This website provides information about internet-based fraud and scams, including educational resources specifically for older adults and caregivers.
This non-profit organization provides a variety of services to advocate for crime victims, including a resource center, helpline, and attorney referral service.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Phone: (855) 484-2846 (crime victim helpline) or (202) 467-8700 (main number)
Email: info@victimsofcrime.org
Website: https://victimsofcrime.org/
This non-profit organization provides information about common scams and helps victims of telemarketing or internet fraud file reports with local and federal agencies.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1701 K St NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (202) 835-3323
Email: info@nclnet.org
Website: https://fraud.org/
This hotline, run by the US Department of Justice's Office of Victims of Crime, receives reports of fraud against anyone 60 or older. Specially-trained case managers guide callers through the reporting process and may refer them to other services as needed. The website also provides information about common scams and helpful resources.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone reporting fraud against someone 60 or older
Phone: (833) 372–8311
Website: https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope
This interactive website educates the public about different types of scams and how to avoid falling for them. Users can also sign up for email alerts about new scams.
This program seeks to combat elder abuse, neglect, and financial fraud and scams targeting older adults. It offers public education and professional training, investigates and prosecutes those who perpetrate scams, funds research, and connects victims and family members with information and resources.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20530-0001
Phone: (833) 372-8311
Email: elder.justice@usdoj.gov
Website: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice
Consumer Scams & Fraud
This website provides information about how Californians can file a complaint against a fraudulent business. It also provides information and tips about scams and other consumer issues.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone in California
Email: can send message through Questions or Comments page on website
Website: https://oag.ca.gov/consumers
This state agency licenses and regulates dozens of professions. Consumers can look up licensed professionals, file complaints, and get information and alerts about scams.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone in California
Address: 1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112, Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (800) 952-5210
Website: https://www.dca.ca.gov/
This federal agency investigates and takes action against companies that violate consumer protection laws. In addition to receiving complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices, they provide public educational materials and a searchable database of consumer complaints on their website.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 1700 G St. NW, Washington, DC 20552
Phone: (855) 411-2372
Email: CFPB_OlderAmericans@cfpb.gov (email for the Office of Older Americans within the bureau)
Website: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/
Note: consumer complaints can be mailed to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, PO Box 27170, Washington, DC 20038
This unit investigates and prosecutes those who engage in unfair, fraudulent, or dishonest business practices in Sacramento County. In addition to handling consumer fraud complaints, it provides information about scams, how to avoid them, and strategies to resolve consumer issues.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone in Sacramento County
Address: 906 G Street, Suite 730, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 874-6218
Email: ConsumerEnvironmental@sacda.org
Website: https://www.sacda.org/in-the-courtroom/consumer-environmental-protection/consumer-unit/
Government Scams & Fraud
Anyone who suspects their identity has been misused to defraud Medi-Cal or whose health care providers are fraudulently billing the program for unnecessary or unperformed services can make a report to this unit for investigation and possible prosecution.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Phone: (800) 722-0432
Website: https://oag.ca.gov/dmfea/medical
Note: reports can be made by calling the hotline or through the on-line complaint form on the unit's website
This agency provides public education and investigates fraud and scams related to state unemployment, disability, or paid family leave benefits.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: PO Box 826880, MIC 33, Sacramento, CA 94280-0225
Phone: (800) 229-6297
The IRS provides information about tax scams and how to protect yourself from them on its website.
The Office of the Inspector General investigates and addresses reports of fraud or abuse involving Social Security benefits. Anyone who has been targeted by a Social Security scam, such as a caller falsely claiming to represent the agency, can report the incident to this office. The Inspector General also provides information about Social Security scams on its website.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: Social Security Fraud Hotline, Office of the Inspector General, PO Box 17785, Baltimore, MD 21235
Phone: (800) 269-0271
Website: https://oig.ssa.gov/
Anyone who has been targeted by an IRS scam or fraud can report the incident to this agency.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Website: https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/reportcrime_misconduct.shtml
This federal office investigates and addresses complaints of scams involving HHS services, including Medicare and Medicaid. The office also issues consumer alerts and other scam-related information on its website.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 30 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20201
Phone: (800) 447-8477
Website: https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/
Note: fraud reports can be mailed to Office of Inspector General, ATTN: OIG HOTLINE OPERATIONS, P.O. Box 23489, Washington, DC 20026
Identity Theft
The California Attorney General's website offers information about what victims of identity theft can do, including how to register with the California Identity Theft Registry.
The city's website provides information about how to prevent identity theft as well as what steps victims of identity theft can do to mitigate the damage and report the crime to federal, state, and local authorities.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Website: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/police/how-do-i/report-identity-theft
This federal government website is a one-stop resource for people to report identity theft to law enforcement and get information about how to recover.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Email: can send message through Chat function on website
Website: https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/
This national non-profit organization offers free information about preventing identity theft and assists identity theft victims.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 2514 Jamacha Rd., Ste. 502-525, El Cajon, CA 92019-4492
Phone: (888) 400-5530
Email: itrc@idtheftcenter.org
Website: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/
Investment Scams & Fraud
This federal agency investigates complaints of fraud or suspicious activity involving futures contracts as well as cryptocurrency or other digital assets. It also provides consumer information about commodity futures trading scams on its website.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: Three Lafayette Centre, 1155 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20581
Phone: (866) 366–2382
Email: Questions@cftc.gov
Website: https://www.cftc.gov/
This state agency regulates California financial businesses and professionals such as banks, credit unions, and investment advisers. Through its Seniors Against Investment Fraud program, DFPI educates older Californians about common scams, financial and investment fraud, and unscrupulous sales tactics targeted at older adults. DFPI also investigates complaints filed by consumers.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 2101 Arena Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (866) 275-2677 (Seniors Against Investment Fraud program) or (866) 275-2677 (general inquiries)
Email: outreach@dfpi.ca.gov or Ask.DFPI@dfpi.ca.gov
Website: https://dfpi.ca.gov/
Older adults can call this agency to report concerns about how their brokerage accounts are being handled or get help reviewing investment portfolios or account statements. FINRA also provides a variety of investor educational materials and tools to do a background check on a broker or brokerage firm.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone (program targeted to older adults and caregivers)
Address: 1735 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006
Phone: (844) 574-3577
Email: message can be sent through Contact Us page on website
Website: https://www.finra.org/investors/have-problem/helpline-seniors
Real estate fraud that occurs in Sacramento County can be reported to the Special Prosecutions Unit for investigation and possible prosecution.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone in Sacramento County
Address: 906 G Street, Suite 730, Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 874-9045
Email: daoffice@sacda.org
Website: https://www.sacda.org/in-the-courtroom/real-estate-fraud/
As part of its mission to protect investors, the SEC issues alerts about investment scams and provides investor educational materials. This federal agency also investigates complaints about investment-related wrongdoing, such as Ponzi schemes or misleading investment information.
Cost: no cost
Who Is Eligible: anyone
Address: 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549
Phone: (800) SEC-0330 or (202) 551-6551
Website: https://www.sec.gov/
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This page was created by Catheryn Koss.