How Our Money Management Program Helps to Prevent Scams

By Darlene Skog, Money Management Program Manager

Each year fraudsters running financial scams destroy the financial security of millions of individuals. For many, especially older individuals living on tight budgets, even the smallest monetary loss can be financially devastating. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) 2024 Elder Fraud Report the top 10 scams reported by those aged 60 and over in 2024 were:

*Scam definitions here.

In 2024 a staggering $4.8 billion dollars was lost by those aged 60 and over due to scams with an average individual loss of $83,000. Keep in mind that these losses only reflect the tip of the iceberg as most financial scams go unreported, especially by older individuals. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Center scams increased by 11% in 2025 and continue to be underreported by older individuals. Experts in the field of elder financial abuse, fraud, and scams recommend 7 key steps to avoid being scammed.

1. Verify that ATM, debit card, and credit card transactions were made by you.
2. Choose someone you trust to help you with bill paying.
3. Never give out your personal information, bank account information, Social Security, or Medicare numbers by phone, text, or email.
4. Banks and Government Agencies will never call, text, or email to request your financial information. If this happens, assume it is a scam.
5. Plan for illness and/or diminished capacity and select a trusted person to manage your finances if you are unable to do so.
6. Suspect a scam if someone asks you for money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency or if a mobile payment app asks you to cash their check and send a portion of the money back to them.
7. Block unwanted calls and texts.

Elder Service’s (ESCCI) Money Management Program (MMP) assists income eligible individuals aged 60 and over keep current with monthly bill paying. This popular program joined the Elder Services’ family of programs in 1999 and helps older individuals to maintain their independence and avoid falling victim to financial scams. 

Money Management’s trained and background checked volunteer bill payers meet with individuals in their homes to assist with check writing, balancing the checkbook, and bank statement reconciliation. Additionally, volunteer bill payers review the consumer’s monthly bank statement for accuracy and fraudulent activity. If a suspect expense or withdrawal is noted by the consumer, the volunteer bill payer assists the individual to dispute it, and in many cases, receive credit or reimbursement. If a scam is suspected, the volunteer bill payer helps the individual to report the suspected fraudulent activity to their bank and credit bureau and make a police report.

Elder Services’ Money Management Program has assisted thousands of individuals aged 60 and over to maintain their independence, stay current with monthly bills, and avoid falling victim to scams and fraud. To make a referral to the Money Management Program, please call ESCCI at 508-394-4630 and ask for the Information and Referral Department.

Bill Payer Deborah Davis assists a Money Management client. Photo credit: Merrily Cassidy

Money Management Program volunteers undergo an interview and reference check process, a CORI background check, and in-depth training. The MMP Program Manager provides on-going supervision, mentoring, and in-service training to volunteer bill payers. New volunteer billpayers are always welcome! For more information about volunteering for MMP, please contact Dawn Ericson-Taylor, ESCCI Volunteer Resource Center Manager, at 508-258-2490 or by email at Dawn Ericson-Taylor@escci.org.