BURLINGTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Vermont), published as received.

BURLINGTON – First recognized on June 15, 2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides an opportunity for dialogue and action on the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation – crimes that are often overlooked or unreported. In 2026, government agencies and business across the United States are using this day to raise awareness about imposter scams and providing information about how to recognize and avoid them.

In imposter scams, criminals pretend to be someone they are not – including government agencies and well-known businesses. The scammers attempt to trick people into giving them money, access to financial accounts, and/or access to personal information. They make up complicated stories about so-called emergencies, in an attempt to cause panic and force quick action before a person has time to think critically and/or talk to someone they trust.

Government imposter scams are a serious problem: in 2025, the FTC received more than 375,000 reports about government imposters, with reported losses of $917 million.

Common imposter scams that have targeted Vermonters in recent months include:

  • “Juror Scams,” where scammers impersonate a U.S. Marshal, court clerk, or local law enforcement officer to threaten recipients with fines and jail time for “failing to appear” for jury duty or obtaining personal information by seeking to “verify” identity.
  • “DMV” or “Toll Scams,” where scammers pretend to be seeking collection of unpaid tickets, fees or tolls, threatening recipients with suspension of a license or registration if they do not pay immediately.
  • “Family Emergency Scams,” where scammers impersonate law enforcement, or falsely claim a relative is in distress or under arrest, and demand payment for rescue or “bail” money for the relative’s release.
  • “Money Protection Scams,” where a scammer pretends to be with a government agency who “noticed” suspicious activity in an account, and seeks transfer of the funds to a “safekeeping” account.

“The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont is working tirelessly with our federal investigative partners to pursue scammers who reach into Vermont to cause fear and confusion for the sake of illicit profit,” stated First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. “We have had successes identifying these criminals to hold them accountable in the criminal justice system, and we will continue to prioritize investigation and prosecution of these offenders. But the best method to address this risk is prevention. I encourage everyone to become aware of the common methods used by scammers and help protect each other from these forms of abuse.”

Here are some tips on how to avoid falling victim to a financial scam:

  • Slow down, breathe, and take your time. Scammers thrive on panic and urgency; slowing down phone and text interactions will help you spot the signs of fraud.
  • Don’t share personal or financial information with anyone you don’t know.
  • If someone contacts you and makes demands, write down the phone number and hang up.  Independently find the agency phone number from a trusted source before calling back.
  • If the person asking for money or information claims to be a relative, a friend, or someone you know, do not respond right away. Instead, contact the person independently or ask a trusted family member or friend for help.
  • In-person collection is a red flag; government agencies will not send someone to your home to collect cash.

Talk to someone you trust if you’re worried about a problem with your account or identity — especially if a stranger says they’re from the government or the situation is serious or involves a crime. Visit ejcc.acl.gov/imposters for more on imposter scams. And if you spot an imposter scam — or any other type of scam — please report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The Department of Justice also has a National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11, as well as resources for elder abuse awareness, prevention, and reporting at https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice. The U.S. Administration on Aging also helps connect older adults and their families to services through its Eldercare Locator, reachable at 1-800-677-1116 and eldercare.acl.gov.