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Gwen Willis is on a mission to transform victims into informed individuals—empowering people of all ages with the knowledge they need to protect themselves and their loved ones from online deception and financial fraud.
Why This Matters
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans aged 35 and older has fallen victim to scams. Many cases go unreported, especially among older adults. — Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Online defenses are struggling to keep up as digital crime surges. The rise in scams—from phishing to impersonation fraud—shows that awareness alone isn’t enough. Gwen’s work bridges the gap between information and action.
Key Statistics
Here’s what the latest data tells us:
FBI & IC3 Reports
| Year | Complaints | Total Losses | Top Crimes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 800,944 | $10.3 billion | Phishing, Investment Fraud, Data Breaches |
| 2024 | 859,532 | $16 billion | Phishing, Extortion, Data Breaches |
| $6.5 billion lost to Investment Fraud (esp. crypto) | |||
| Nearly $5 billion was lost by individuals over 60 |
FTC 2024 Breakdown
- $12.5 billion total losses (↑25% from 2023)
- 📉 Investment scams: $5.7 billion
- 🕵️ Imposter scams: $2.95 billion
- 🧓 Elder fraud: $3.4 billion (↑14%)
- 🏛️ Government impersonation: $789 million
- ❗ Fraud reports are steady at 2.6 million, but losses spiked:
- 38% of consumers lost money in 2024 (up from 27% in 2023)
The Call to Action
Gwen’s leadership in storytelling and advocacy is more urgent than ever. Her books, workshops, and free resources offer actionable strategies to forecast, prevent, and respond to fraud—especially for vulnerable communities.
Front Stairs of the Clayton County, Georgia Courthouse
Common Scams Targeting the Elderly
Scam Types & Descriptions
- Tech Support Scams Scammers pretend to be from tech companies, claiming your computer has a virus and asking for money or remote access.
- Grandparent/Grandchild Scams Impersonate a grandchild in distress—request urgent financial help.
- Lottery/Sweepstakes Scams Claim you’ve won a prize—but require a fee to collect it.
- Romance Scams Build fake online relationships, then manipulate victims into sending money.
- Investment Scams Promise high returns for upfront payments—often too good to be true.
- Charity Scams Pose as fake charities, especially after disasters or news events.
- Home Repair Scams offer overpriced or unnecessary repairs and pressure you to act fast.
- Internet/Email Scams Use phishing or fake websites to steal info and money.
- Funeral/Cemetery Scams Target grieving families—offer fake services or plots.
- Health Scams Push fake cures or dangerous medical advice.
- Government Impersonation Scams Pose as IRS, Social Security, or other officials to demand payment or personal info.
- Social Security Scams Threaten to suspend benefits unless you share sensitive information.
What You Can Do
- ❗ Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, emails, or visits
- 🔒 Never give out personal information to strangers
- 💰 Don’t send money to people you haven’t met or verified
- 🕵️ Confirm with official sources before acting
- 📞 Hang up on suspicious calls
- 🛑 Report suspected scams to the authorities
- 📚 Educate yourself and others
- 🌐 Visit the FTC Scam Resources
10 Practical Tips to Protect Yourself Online and Off
Whether you’re shopping, banking, or connecting with loved ones, these safety tips are designed to keep your information secure and your awareness sharp.
Security Essentials
- Use Strong Passwords: Avoid birthdays, pet names, or “123456”—aim for unique combinations of letters, symbols, and numbers.
- Avoid Password Reuse: Never use the same password across accounts. A compromised one can give access to everything.
- Think Before You Click: Don’t open links from unknown email aliases. Phishing attempts often mimic real platforms.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Adds an extra layer of protection—even if your password gets stolen.
Financial Safety
- Set Banking Alerts Use spending or transaction notifications to catch suspicious activity early.
- Use Direct Logins: Always sign in to trusted websites (e.g., Amazon.com) directly—not through email links.
- Freeze Your Credit: Prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened in your name. It’s free and reversible.
Technology Hygiene
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi Networks: They’re convenient—but unsecured networks make you an easy target for hackers.
- Keep Your Devices Updated: New operating systems include security patches. Don’t skip updates.
On-the-Go Awareness
- Be Alert at Point of Payment: At quick-service locations, visually inspect card readers before inserting your card. If something looks odd or tampered with—pause.
About Us
Key Statistics:
- $61.5 billion lost to internet crimes in 2023 (FTC Report).
- Romance scams alone accounted for $1.14 billion in losses.
Scams targeting the
elderly are prevalent and can take many forms, including tech support, grandparent, lottery, romance, investment, charity, home repair, internet, funeral, health, government impersonation, and Social Security scams.Here’s a breakdown of some common scams and how to identify them:
Common Scams Targeting the Elderly:
· Tech Support Scams:
Scammers pretend to be from tech companies, claiming your computer has a virus or needs repair, and ask for money or access to your device.
· Grandparent/Grandchild Scams:
Scammers impersonate a grandchild in trouble and ask for money, often claiming an emergency.
· Lottery/Sweepstakes Scams:
Scammers claim you’ve won a prize but require you to pay a fee to receive it.
· Romance Scams:
Scammers build fake relationships online or through phone calls to gain trust and then ask for money.
· Investment Scams:
Scammers offer high-return investments that are too good to be true, often requiring upfront payments.
· Charity Scams:
Scammers pose as charities and ask for donations, sometimes using current events to gain sympathy.
· Home Repair Scams:
Scammers offer unnecessary or overpriced home repairs, often pressuring seniors into immediate action
· Internet/Email Scams:
Scammers use phishing emails or fake websites to steal personal information or money.
· Funeral/Cemetery Scams:
Scammers prey on grieving families, offering fake funeral services or cemetery plots.
· Health Scams:
Scammers offer fake cures or medical advice, often targeting health concerns.
· Government Impersonation Scams:
Scammers impersonate government officials (IRS, Social Security, etc.) to steal information or money.
· Social Security Scams:
Scammers impersonate Social Security representatives to steal personal information or threaten to stop benefits.
- Be skeptical of unsolicited calls, emails, or visits.
- Never give out personal information to strangers.
- Don’t send money to anyone you don’t know or trust.
- Verify information with official sources before acting.
- Hang up on suspicious calls.
- Report suspected scams to the authorities.
- Educate yourself and others about common scams.
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers resources and information on scams
Servant Leadership in Action
Gwen Willis embodies servant leadership through:
- Empathy and Active Listening:Engaging communities to foster open dialogue.
- Accessible Education:Conducting community book signings and events.
- Collaboration:
Partnering with local law enforcement and organizations to host events discussing crime trends and prevention strategies.
- Empowerment:
Providing free books to elderly citizens through donations and non-profit initiatives.
Upcoming Initiatives:
- Workshops and speaking engagements on cybercrime awareness.
- Partnership opportunities with organizations to support her mission.
Each book comes with informative flyers and printed materials, offering readers practical tools and resources to safeguard themselves against cybercrime.
