AARP Hearing Center
Financial scams are devastating millions of older Americans — draining savings, undermining independence, and leaving victims to navigate the fallout largely on their own. As criminals grow more sophisticated and organized, it’s clear that our response must be stronger, faster, and fairer.
New national survey findings from AARP show overwhelming public support for federal action to combat fraud and protect victims.
Americans 50-Plus strongly support funding law enforcement to stop scams
Across the country, adults age 50 and older recognize that state and local law enforcement need better tools to keep up with today’s fraud schemes.
Nine in 10 adults age 50-plus support providing additional federal funding to help state and local police departments better identify, investigate, and stop financial scams targeting older adults, including funding to hire and train staff and to invest in specialized tools and technology. Support is broad and bipartisan, with nearly half expressing strong support for this approach.
This funding would help law enforcement respond more quickly to fraud reports, coordinate across agencies, and increase their ability to hold scammers accountable — before more Americans are harmed.
Victims shouldn’t be taxed on money stolen from them
For many fraud victims, the financial harm doesn’t end when the scam does. Under current law, some victims may still owe taxes on money that criminals stole from them.
The public overwhelmingly rejects this outcome.
More than 8 in 10 adults 50-plus support legislation that would allow fraud victims to subtract stolen funds when filing their taxes, ensuring they are not taxed on money they no longer have. Nearly half strongly support this policy, underscoring the clear belief that victims should be treated fairly — not punished — for crimes committed against them.
A clear mandate for action
These findings send an unmistakable message: Americans want lawmakers to take fraud seriously, invest in prevention and enforcement, and stand with victims.
Strengthening law enforcement capacity and removing unfair tax burdens are practical, targeted steps Congress can take now to better protect older adults and deter financial crime.
Methodology
Interviews were conducted February 12 to 16, 2026, among 1,031 U.S. adults 50 and older as part of the Foresight 50+ Consumer Omnibus. Funded and operated by NORC at the University of Chicago, Foresight 50+ is a probability-based panel representative of the U.S. household population 50 or older. Interviews were conducted online and by telephone. Data are weighted by age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, region, and AARP membership.
For more information, please contact Joanne Binette at jbinette@aarp.org. For media inquiries, contact External Relations at media@aarp.org.
MORE FROM AARP
