Advocating Against Romance Scammers

Are you a survivor of a romance scam? Interested in being a part of research that could help victims nationwide? Scan the QR code and get started!

Train the Trainer: Operation Shamrock — Operation Shamrock | Educate - Mobilize - Disrupt Cyber Scams Join us online to learn about common scams and get resources to help educate your community about protecting themselves from digital crime.

📢 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: The Abuse You Cannot Always See!

💜 June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the mistreatment, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. When most people hear the word abuse, they often picture physical harm, bruises, cuts, or injuries that can be seen with the naked eye. But some of the most damaging forms of abuse leave no visible marks at all.
Elder abuse can be psychological, emotional, financial, and sexual. It can come in the form of manipulation, intimidation, isolation, humiliation, theft, coercion, or exploitation. These wounds are often hidden beneath a smile, a moment of silence, or a change in behavior that many people overlook.

Having served as a Social Services Director in skilled nursing for over seven years, being an advocate for numerous elderly romance scam victims the past 10 years, and now with my mother residing in an Assisted Living, I have seen firsthand the importance of recognizing the signs. I understand the behaviors, the subtle changes, and the words that may indicate something is wrong. Too often, abuse goes unnoticed because it does not fit the stereotype of what people expect abuse to look like.

One of the greatest challenges facing our aging population is that society often forgets that older adults still have a voice.

As younger generations, we sometimes assume we know what is best. We interrupt. We dismiss concerns. We explain away their experiences as confusion, misunderstanding, or perception. We fail to listen.

But our elders are not invisible.
They are wise. They are educated. They have lived through experiences many of us have never faced. They have raised families, built careers, served communities, and weathered hardships that shaped the world we live in today. Their voices matter.
When an older adult falls victim to something unfamiliar, whether it is a financial scam, new technology, or a rapidly changing world, that is not the time for judgment. It is not the time for criticism, ridicule, or shame.
It is the time to step in with compassion.
It is the time to listen.
It is the time to help.
It is the time to support.
No one deserves to be demeaned because they trusted the wrong person, misunderstood a new situation, or needed assistance. Every one of us will face unfamiliar challenges as we age. One day, we too will encounter things that are new, confusing, or difficult to navigate.

And when that day comes, we will want the same things our elders want today, to be heard, respected, understood, and treated with dignity.
On this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, let us remember that protecting older adults means more than preventing physical harm. It means recognizing all forms of abuse, valuing the voices of our elders, and creating a culture where aging is met with respect rather than dismissal.

It’s a part of the manipulation. All part of the scammers disgusting game. We understand. You’re not alone.

The feeling is a form of mourning. And who wouldn’t want to avoid that feeling at all costs? Sometimes literally.
You’re not alone. We understand.

We’re honored to announce that MatchGroup has sponsored the Survivor Spotlight at the United Against Deception Ultimate Fraud Symposium. 💙

Thanks to their support, survivor speakers can attend without worrying about financial barriers , allowing their voices, experiences, and insights to be heard by professionals and advocates committed to improving support for fraud victims in the future.

Together We Protect. Together We Prevent.

The emotions and fight within is so real. Please know we understand and you’re never alone.

When we talk about romance scams, our thoughts often center on the person who was deceived, and rightfully so. But there are others quietly impacted as well: the individuals whose photos were stolen and misused to harm innocent people, and the loved ones who watch the fallout unfold in ways both seen and unseen.
Valentine’s Day can feel especially heavy for everyone touched by this kind of harm. If you have a moment, we invite you to read our latest blog and hold space for all those affected.

Valentine’s Day, Stolen Faces, and the Break Ups | Advocating Against Romance Scams Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love.Cards. Roses. Reassurance.Proof that someone chose you. But for Retired Colonel Bryan Denny, Valentine’s Day ca ...

So fun! I love being an advocate!