WISCONSIN — This coming Sunday marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. This comes as experts and analysts warn scams against seniors are on the rise.

"Scammers target our seniors financially as well as their personal and private information," said Michelle Reinen, administrator of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection's (DATCP) Division of Trade and Consumer Protection. "Nationally, we have seen losses — in 2024 across the nation — for those [scam victims] over 70; more than $1,000 per individual was the median-loss amount. When you're in your 60s or less, it's around $500, so you can see it's a significant difference, the older you are."

Reinen said scammers continue to find new ways to reach their potential victims and the development of artificial intelligence tools will only make matters worse.

"They will use whatever ploy possible," Reinen said. "Keeping things a secret, using urgency, threats with the government or fines that you may owe, maybe even warrants out for an arrest — all of those need to be red flags."

The DATCP offered these tips to help protect seniors from such scams: 

Watch the full interview above.