Indianapolis Library Program Helps Educate Hoosiers About Scams

When Alexander Hampton’s aunt was targeted by scammers a few years ago, it was a wake-up call.

A notice popped up on her computer saying a virus had been detected and she should call a phone number for help. She called and gave the criminal on the other end of the line permission to access her computer remotely.

“She trusted these people,” Hampton says of his aunt, who was in her 60s at the time. “She was only protected [by] the fact that she doesn’t do any online banking.”

Following the near miss, Hampton developed a course on how to detect and avoid fraud as part of the digital literacy offerings at the Indianapolis Public Library, where he works as a program specialist. Since 2021, the in-person course has been offered at 14 of the library system’s 25 locations. It provides real-world examples of scams involving technology.

Helping the library system to expand its fraud prevention programming is one way AARP Indiana is working to combat a rise in fraud losses among older Hoosiers. The Outsmarting Scammers series will educate participants more broadly on all fraud, not just cybercrime.

Next month, the Office of the Indiana Attorney General will offer consumer protection presentations at the Decatur branch on Saturday, April 12, and at the College Avenue branch on Monday, April 21. Topics will include common scams and data privacy. For details and to learn about other upcoming events, go to indypl.org/calendar and type “scam” into the search bar.

“It’s critical that we let older Hoosiers, who are often the targets of these criminals, know what they can do to protect themselves and their families from becoming victims,” says Addison Pollock, AARP Indiana’s community engagement director.

Katelyn Coyne, who oversees adult programming for the library system, says the focus on scam prevention fits well with the library’s strategic goals of increasing digital and financial literacy and improving patrons’ overall well-being.

Fraud can not only impact someone financially but also take a toll on their physical, mental and social well-being, Coyne says.

Losses on the rise

In 2023, individuals age 60 and over in Indiana filed fraud complaints with losses totaling nearly $38 million—up from just over $10 million in 2020, FBI data shows. Nationwide, elder fraud losses soared from $1 billion in 2020 to more than $3.4 billion in 2023, according to the FBI’s data.

Actual losses are likely to be much higher, since incidents of fraud are vastly unreported, says Kathy Stokes, director of AARP’s fraud prevention programs.

Schemes have also grown more sophisticated in recent years as criminals harness the latest technology to target people.

“As technology evolves, bad actors are going to exploit it for nefarious purposes,” says Christopher Knight, a forensic accountant with the FBI’s Indianapolis field office.

Knight was a keynote speaker at an event about artificial intelligence and fraud hosted by the Indianapolis FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association in October. He says scammers use AI to replicate voices, create convincing avatars and write flawless emails. Cryptocurrency scams are also on the rise, Knight adds.

Fraud and scams are notoriously hard to prosecute—and even when a perpetrator is discovered, victims rarely recover their losses, he says.

That’s why it’s important to be proactive and get educated. Knight’s tips on avoiding scams include:

• Don’t respond to unknown contacts: If you don’t recognize a phone number, email or text, it’s okay not to answer or reply. Avoid engaging with unsolicited communications.
• Watch for urgency: Scammers use high-pressure tactics to create fear or urgency. Take your time and don’t rush into decisions.
• Be skeptical and verify: Independently research any claims made in unexpected messages or calls before acting. Never trust unsolicited information at face value.

Stacey Shepard, a California-based journalist, writes about health care, the environment and other issues.

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