The warning came Monday as the agency marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, an annual observance focused on preventing abuse and exploitation of older adults.
"The best way to mitigate scams is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Tragically, some of the most common victims of this type of criminal activity are our senior citizens," Bessent said.
"Many Americans' fondest memories from childhood are with grandparents, great aunts and uncles, as well as older neighbors and friends,” he said. “It is our duty to ensure that our seniors can live out their golden years without fear of fraud or abuse, or being taken advantage of by malicious actors.”
According to the SSA, elder abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and fraud. Officials said warning signs are not always obvious, and regular contact with older family members, friends, and neighbors is especially important.
“For many older Americans, Social Security benefits provide financial stability and peace of mind. We work hard to safeguard those benefits and help people securely access the services they need online, by phone, and in person,” the SSA stated.
The SSA also highlighted concerns about government imposter scams, in which fraudsters contact victims by phone, text message, email, or social media—falsely claiming to represent a government agency.
The SSA said scammers frequently use fear and urgency to pressure people into sharing personal information or sending money.
As part of the federal government's "Never Ever" anti-scam campaign, officials warn that government employees will never tell people to move money to protect it, threaten to suspend benefits unless immediate payment is made, or demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps.
HHS also warned that imposter scams remain one of the biggest financial threats facing older Americans, with roughly one in 10 older adults experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation each year.
"The message is simple: no government agency will ever tell you to move your money to ‘protect it’—that’s a scam," said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
How to Spot and Avoid Imposter Scams
Federal officials say imposter scams often begin with an unexpected call, text, email, or letter from someone claiming to represent a government agency or well-known company.- Caller IDs that appear legitimate but are spoofed by scammers.
- Individuals using fake employee badge numbers or the names of real government workers.
- Official-looking letters featuring government seals or agency names are designed to appear authentic.
- Demands to move money to a "safe" account or transfer funds through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers.
- Claims that immediate action is required to avoid legal trouble, benefit suspension, or financial loss.