{"id":128506,"date":"2022-05-12T12:23:59","date_gmt":"2022-05-12T16:23:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=128506"},"modified":"2022-10-18T14:28:16","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T18:28:16","slug":"ucf-developing-scam-screener-for-the-elderly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/ucf-developing-scam-screener-for-the-elderly\/","title":{"rendered":"UCF Developing Scam Screener for the Elderly"},"content":{"rendered":"

UCF researchers are developing a tool for primary care providers that could help them protect senior citizens from scammers who steal everything from the elderly\u2019s life\u2019s savings to their identity.<\/p>\n

The team led by Psychology Assistant Professor Nichole Lighthall is working on exploitation susceptibility tool kits that could screen seniors\u2019 cognitive abilities. These abilities influence their ability to think critically, a necessary skill for avoiding scams and falling victim to fraud.<\/p>\n

The FBI estimates fraud complaints cost adults over 60 more than a $1 billion in 2020, an increase of $300 million over 2019. Common schemes like non-delivery of services, phony tech support and identity theft are especially a problem in Florida, with 20% of the population over the age of 65.<\/p>\n

The research project will focus on identifying the factors that make victims most vulnerable, including pre-clinical stages of Alzheimer\u2019s disease. The research is funded by a four-year $742,833 grant from the Florida Department of Health.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important that we focus on older adults with mild cognitive impairments because they\u2019re typically operating on their own,\u201d Lighthall says. \u201cThey\u2019re living independently but may have trouble remembering things, which increases their vulnerability to deception and exploitation.\u201d<\/p>\n

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