Kathy Stokes

Kathy Stokes, Director of fraud prevention programs at AARP, shares her expertise on protecting older adults from fraud. She recounts a chilling scam involving a fake Microsoft employee, illustrating the vulnerability of seniors. Kathy emphasizes the importance of open communication about cyber threats and offers practical strategies for families to educate their loved ones. She encourages involving seniors in fraud prevention discussions to empower them and suggests actionable measures like freezing credit and using AARP's Fraud Watch Network for support.

Kathy Stokes, director of Fraud Prevention Programs at AARP, focuses on financial fraud education for older adults. She discusses the alarming rise of investment fraud, revealing $10 billion in reported losses in 2023 alone. Emotional manipulation and sophisticated scams are on the rise, targeting vulnerable populations. Kathy emphasizes the need for skepticism and the use of resources like BrokerCheck to verify advisors. Trusted contacts and proactive measures are essential in safeguarding against deception, along with stronger law enforcement coordination to combat these issues.