In late October, The New York Times ran a heartbreaking story spotlighting a 79-year-old man who had a history of falling for online scams. Prior to his death, the man had given various con artists approximately $1 million in retirement savings, including his granddaughter’s college fund. He refused to listen to anyone who told him he was being misled, including his own son.

Tragically, this is not an isolated event. Approximately one in 18 cognitively intact community-dwelling elders are targets of fraud and financial scams each year. According to additional Times reporting, most are over the age of 70 and lose an average of nearly $42,000.

With the giving season in full swing, it's crucial to be attuned to these kinds of scams, their ability to sway aging loved ones and available protective measures.

During the holidays, it is customary and admirable to seek ways of being generous. Many among us make charitable gifts to organizations helping those in need and/or give to individuals in our families and communities.

But this........

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