Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on June 15, AARP Pennsylvania is calling on lawmakers, industry leaders, and the public to confront the growing threat of fraud and financial exploitation targeting older adults.

“Fraud is not just a nuisance — it is a form of elder abuse that is robbing Pennsylvanians of their financial security and peace of mind,” said AARP Pennsylvania State Advocacy Director Teresa Osborne. “Behind every statistic is a real person — often someone who never expected to be targeted, but was manipulated by increasingly sophisticated scams.”

AARP Pennsylvania is also raising awareness about one of the fastest-growing tools used by scammers: cryptocurrency kiosks (also known as crypto or bitcoin ATMs). These machines, commonly found in everyday locations like convenience stores and gas stations, are being exploited by criminals who pressure victims to convert cash into digital currency that is nearly impossible to recover.

“Scammers create a sense of urgency and direct victims to these kiosks because once the money is sent, it’s gone,” Osborne said. “That’s why prevention is critical.”

In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, AARP encourages Pennsylvanians to:

•Talk openly with family and friends about scams.

•Learn to recognize common fraud tactics, including urgent payment demands.

•Report suspected scams to law enforcement and financial institutions.

•Help spread awareness in their communities.

“Elder abuse — including financial exploitation — is widespread, underreported, and deeply damaging,” Osborne said. “On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we call on everyone to be part of the solution — because protecting older adults means protecting families, communities, and the financial integrity of our Commonwealth.”