Not Alone: Senior Scam Stories
The following is from the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE).
Empowering Seniors against Targeted Scams and Frauds through Storytelling
Real Experiences, Legal Guidance & Prevention Tips
Fraud and scams are increasingly targeting older adults across Canada.
Behind every statistic is a real person — a parent, a neighbour, a friend — whose trust was exploited.
NOT ALONE: Senior Scam Stories is a video series created by the Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE) through funding from the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This project empowers seniors through storytelling, legal education, and practical prevention tips.
If you have been targeted or scammed, you are not alone.
The Senior’s Stories
The project opens with a seven-part series, seniors who courageously shared their lived experiences of being targeted by scams. Their stories highlight the emotional impact, financial consequences, and how sophisticated these scams are. Each story sheds light on different types of scams — including impersonation scams, romance scams, banking fraud, cheque fraud, and high-pressure tactics — and how easily anyone can be targeted. These are stories of vulnerability, but also resilience.
Click here to view the videos.
Legal Guidance for Seniors – Scam Awareness & Protection
ACE asked a panel of two legal professionals to share:
- What they are seeing in their work supporting older adults
- Practical steps seniors can take
- Possible legal remedies and complaint processes
- Where to seek help
The panel provides accessible information about scams to watch out for, reporting options, documentation, and community legal supports available to seniors. Click here to view the videos.
Why This Project Matters
Targeted scams can have devastating financial and emotional impacts on seniors, including:
- Loss of life savings
- Shame and isolation
- Fear of seeking help
- Erosion of trust
By sharing real experiences and legal information, this project aims to:
✔ Reduce stigma
✔ Educate seniors so they can spot a scam before it happens
✔ Encourage reporting
✔ Promote prevention strategies
✔ Empower seniors to seek support
✔ Build community awareness
Who Should Watch?
- Seniors and older adults
- Family members and caregivers
- Community organizations
- Service providers
- Financial institutions
- Anyone who wants to better understand and prevent scams targeting seniors