Canton PD Warns Seniors To Be Wary Of Scams

Canton Police Department

CANTON, CT — Local police are warning senior citizens and their loved ones to be on alert for scams that aim to separate the elderly from their hard-earned cash.

The Canton Police Department, along with the Connecticut Intelligence Center (CTIC), is warning residents about a dramatic increase in financial scams targeting seniors in Connecticut.

According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), there were 859,532 scam complaints in 2024, resulting in $16.6 billion in losses — a 388 percent increase from 2023, wrote the CPD.

In Connecticut alone, “false pretense” scams cost victims an estimated $31.9 million in 2024, with the majority of victims 65 or older, according to the 2024 Crime in Connecticut Report.

Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, often relying on fear, urgency, and deception to steal money or personal information from elderly residents.

Common Warning Signs of a Financial Scam

• High-pressure tactics or urgent demands (“You must send money now!”)

• Requests to pay using gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid cards, personal checks, or cryptocurrency

• The caller tells you not to contact family or police.

• Caller ID spoofing—the number may appear local or from a government agency, but is fraudulent.

• Refusal to meet in person or hesitation to provide official credentials.

If You Believe You Are a Victim

• Contact the Canton Police Department immediately.

• Do not send money or share payment information.

• Do not give personal information, including Social Security numbers, birthdates, or bank details.

• Verify the claim by calling the family member or agency using a known number, not one provided by the caller.

• If a payment was already made, contact your bank or payment service right away