Bradenton PD launches unit dedicated to elder fraud prevention: ‘They come through all the time’ [Video]

BRADENTON, Fla. – One police department in Tampa Bay has already investigated dozens of elder fraud cases this year. The Bradenton Police Department says it’s become such a problem that it created an Elder and Vulnerable Adult Fraud Unit.

The unit is dedicated to investigating, but mainly preventing, elder fraud cases.

Police say scammers are using more and more tactics to target elderly victims.

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One senior citizen lost nearly $50,000 from clicking on a phishing message.

“It was from social media, and they come through all the time,” Officer Deana McNeal said. “You never know who you’re talking to.”

Police say the woman clicked on a Facebook message that claimed her account was hacked. The message told her to call a number for assistance.

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“And that …