By Trish Svoboda

In an ongoing commitment to safeguard the senior community, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has alerted the public about the escalating risk of impersonation scams. These fraudulent schemes are preying on senior citizens in Kansas and across the nation, with scammers posing as government officials in an attempt to steal personal data and funds. By impersonating representatives from the IRS and other government entities, these con artists use intimidation and deception to take advantage of their victims.

“Scammers often target seniors, attempting to steal personal information through phone calls, emails or text messages by pretending to be from the IRS or other agencies or businesses,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Preventing these types of scams requires assistance from many different places. By partnering with other federal agencies and others in the tax community, we can reach more seniors and other taxpayers to help protect them against these terrible scams.”

This initiative is part of a broader campaign happening this week leading up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) on Saturday, June 15. WEAAD, recognized annually since June 15, 2006, seeks to increase awareness of the neglect and abuse endured by elderly individuals, drawing attention to the underlying cultural, social, economic, and demographic factors.