EverSafe Newsletter

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) 2025

RECOGNIZED ANNUALLY ON JUNE 15TH

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) was first initiated at the United Nations by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization. June 15^th now provides an annual opportunity for communities and advocates to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic effects of abuse and exploitation on seniors. As such, the day is now the focus of conferences across the US featuring speakers from various disciplines, including policy makers, financial services, law enforcement, aging services, and more. One such event, hosted by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA), included EverSafe’s Howard Tischler, who moderated a panel on how technology and AI can be used to shut down fraud in later life. For more on the event and useful resources, click here.

SCAM WATCH

SCAMMERS USING PAYPAL AND GOOGLE AS DECOYS

PayPal and Google, two of the most popular digital services, are being manipulated by fraudsters in new and sophisticated phishing scams. The schemes are similar in many ways.

The Pay Pal scam has ensnared even security-conscious individuals. The manner of phishing has evolved in that it uses PayPal’s own email system to send an alert that looks alarmingly legitimate. Scammers abuse PayPal’s “add address” or “money request” tools so that when user enters their email address the fraudster can trigger emails from what appears to be PayPal’s genuine domain (no-reply@accounts.paypal.com). The emails contain links that then take the user to phony Google login pages designed to steal personal identifying information. If you receive an unexpected email, purportedly from Pay Pal, don’t click any links if you don’t recognize the transaction. Instead, go to the official PayPal site by using the real app. Do not click links or dial phone numbers provided in the questionable email.

Is law enforcement really interested in your Google Account? Think again! If you receive an email indicating that Google has “received a subpoena to release your Google account contents,” don’t click the link. The email may appear to be from Google, but it was likely sent by a scammer.  The sender address appears legitimate (no-reply@accounts.google.com) and the email includes a link to a Google account page that looks authenticate, but it’s not. As with the PayPal scheme, it is a new phishing scheme exploiting real Google services to make the email appear legitimate.

If you’re unsure about a Google or PayPal email, EverSafe can help.  Forward the suspicious email to Hotline@EverSafe.com (without clicking links or calling phone numbers in the communication), and our team will evaluate it for you. Likewise, if you receive a questionable text or voicemail and you are unsure of its legitimacy, you may forward it to 240.630.1990 for review. If you, a loved one, or a client has clicked on a link and provided personal information or a password for an account, give us a call at 888.575.3837.

Coming soon: Stay tuned and you’ll learn about a new email monitoring tool from EverSafe!

GOVERNMENT / LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

OLDER AMERICANS ACT – REINTRODUCED

On June 18th, US Senators Bill Cassidy and Bernie Sanders of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, as well as members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, reintroduced the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act – legislation that renews funding appropriations for American seniors for fiscal years 2026 through 2030. Based on the president’s current proposed FY 2026 HHS budget, the administration is proposing funding that is the same or lower than last year for most of the Act’s programs and services. This includes home and community-based resources, nutrition programs, caregiver and family support services, and programs focused on services and protection of vulnerable older adults, including the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program. Without Congress’s reauthorization of the OAA or new appropriations legislation focused on subsidizing senior programs, there will be decreased funding for these services. This includes the Alzheimer’s disease program, which the current administration has proposed reducing from $32 million in 2025 to $17 million in 2026. This reduction is part of a larger proposal to cut the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) budget.

Older Rockers Alive and Kicking

MANY PLANNING REUNIONS AND TOURS

Billy Joel, 76, the eminent singer-songwriter whom many of us grew up with in the 1970s and 80s, announced last month that he has been diagnosed with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). NPH is usually seen in adults age 60 or over, with its prevalence increasing significantly in those 80 and older. Although expected to perform again, William Martin Joel, known as “the Piano Man”, is now focusing on his health and undergoing extensive medical treatment. He recently shared a spunky message with fans, stating, “Getting old sucks, but it’s still preferable to getting cremated,” according to ABC News. One of the oldest musicians performing today is Willie Nelson, who is 92. He continues to tour, sharing the stage with other senior superstars  like Bob Dylan, 84. A number of legendary artists are planning reunions or tours for 2025/26, including The Rolling Stones (average age 78), The Guess Who (average age 80), and Led Zeppelin (average age 78). And the oldest living Beatle, Ringo Starr, who will be 85 next month, is also still touring!