AARP Florida Joins U.S. Senate Committee in Miami-Dade to Combat Fraud Targeting Seniors

The fight against scams and fraud targeting older Americans took center stage in Miami-Dade County this week, as Jeff Johnson, State Director for AARP Florida, testified before the Senator Rick Scott and the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging during a field hearing focused on protecting seniors from financial exploitation.

Hosted in partnership with the Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s Office, the hearing brought together local, state, and federal leaders to address what has become a multi-billion-dollar national crisis. Fraud against Americans over 60 resulted in $4.8 billion in reported losses in 2024 and experts believe the true figure is far higher due to widespread underreporting.

Florida, home to more than 4 million seniors, has become both a retirement haven and a hotspot for scams. In 2024 alone, Floridians reported more than $1 billion lost to fraud, with nearly $400 million stolen from residents aged 60 and older.

“Fraud in America is at crisis levels,” Johnson told the committee, underscoring that criminals are increasingly sophisticated, often operating as part of transnational networks using stolen data, AI technology, and cryptocurrency to siphon money from local communities. “These are retirement savings—money meant for hobbies, travel, and grandchildren—being stolen and sent overseas to criminal enterprises,” he said.

Johnson shared harrowing stories, including that of Edward, a Florida man in his sixties who lost more than $400,000, the proceeds from selling his home, after cybercriminals drained his bank account. Instead of securing new housing, Edward suddenly faced the threat of homelessness.

AARP Florida has long prioritized fraud prevention and victim support through initiatives like the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, public education campaigns, and advocacy for policies that strengthen law enforcement’s ability to investigate and prosecute perpetrators. Johnson emphasized that combating fraud is not only a matter of consumer protection but also of changing the narrative, shifting blame from victims to the criminals themselves.

The hearing also spotlighted new legislative efforts, including the STOP Scammers Act, which would give the Treasury Department authority to label scam networks as “Foreign Financial Threat Organizations” and freeze their assets, and the GUARD Act, designed to support investigations into scams targeting retirees.

For Johnson and AARP Florida, the mission is clear: empower communities, remove the stigma of reporting fraud, and push for strong, coordinated action at every level of government. As scams become more sophisticated, they say, the response must be equally aggressive—because no one, regardless of age or income, is immune.

For tips on spotting scams and resources for victims, visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network at www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.