Council on Aging - Southern California

08/21/2026

Today, August 21, we celebrate National Senior Citizens Day and recognize the wisdom, experience, and contributions of older adults throughout our communities.

At Council on Aging – Southern California, we are proud to help older adults remain healthy, connected, and protected through free and trusted programs, resources, education, and advocacy.

Today and every day, we celebrate the older adults who enrich our families and communities. 💙

Learn more about COASC and our programs at coasc.org.

08/20/2026

💳 How someone asks you to pay can be a warning sign of a scam.

The FTC warns: if someone insists you pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, a wire transfer, or a payment app, stop and think. 🚩 Scammers prefer payment methods that can make it difficult to get your money back.

🛡️ Learn more ways to recognize and prevent scams from the Council on Aging – Southern California Senior Protection Program (SPP): coasc.org/spp

Let’s say someone contacts you unexpectedly and says you have to pay to fix a problem, get a prize, or something else. But then they say the only way to pay is by bank transfer, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, payment app, or gift card. Well, reports to the FTC show that’s a scam.

08/17/2026

🚨 Lost money to a scam? Watch out for the next scam.

The FTC warns that scammers may target people who have already lost money, promising to recover it — often for an upfront fee. Don’t pay anyone who guarantees they can get your money back. ⚠️

🛡️ Learn how to recognize scams and protect yourself with the Council on Aging – Southern California Senior Protection Program (SPP).

👉 coasc.org/spp

They’re the worst of the absolute worst: scams that target people who have already lost money to a scam. If you or someone you know paid a scammer, here’s what to know to avoid scammers who pretend to be helpers.

08/13/2026

📈 “Learn to trade. Get rich. Quit your job.” Sound familiar?

Social media is filled with investment and trading programs promising big returns and financial freedom. But the FTC warns: no one can guarantee you’ll make money with little or no risk — or guarantee they can teach you to trade successfully. ⚠️

Before paying for an investment training program:
🔎 Research the company, its leaders, and promoters.
💻 Search their names with words like “review,” “scam,” or “fraud.”
🗣️ Take your time and get a second opinion from someone you trust.
🚩 Be skeptical of guaranteed earnings or low-risk promises.

🛡️ The Council on Aging – Southern California Senior Protection Program (SPP) helps older adults and families recognize scams and protect their financial well-being.

Learn more: coasc.org/spp

Learn to trade online! Get rich! Quit your job! Social media is flooded with people flashing fancy cars and exotic trips, claiming you can have the same lifestyle just by “learning to trade.” But they rarely mention the truth: trading is risky, there are no guaranteed returns, and you can lose a...

08/12/2026

Someone in Orange County is waiting to meet you.

Right now, isolated older adults are waiting to be connected with volunteers through the Council on Aging – Southern California Friendly Visitor Program.

Friendly Visitors provide something simple but incredibly meaningful: regular conversation, companionship and connection.

A visit. A phone call. Someone who listens. Someone who cares.

Your time can become the bright spot in someone's week.

💙 Become a Friendly Visitor today.

Learn more and volunteer: coasc.org/friendlyvisitor

08/10/2026

🛍️ See a deal on social media that looks too good to be true? It might be.

Scammers can use convincing ads, fake websites, and big discounts to get you to click, buy, or share personal information. ⚠️ Before you shop, pause and verify the seller independently.

🛡️ Learn how to recognize scams and protect yourself with the Council on Aging – Southern California Senior Protection Program (SPP): coasc.org/spp

You’re browsing your social media feed when an ad grabs your attention mid-swipe: that designer bag you’ve been dreaming of is 50% off for a limited time only! You’re dying to get your hands on one, so you don’t think twice about clicking on the ad. Why would you? The ad is right there in yo...

07/24/2026

🎉 Exciting news!

Council on Aging – Southern California is honored to receive a $500,000 grant from Health to expand community enrollment services for Medi-Cal and CalFresh in Orange County.

This investment will strengthen our Behavioral Health & Wellness Department by training Community Enrollment Counselors who will provide free, one-on-one enrollment assistance. Our team will help eligible residents understand changing Medi-Cal requirements, complete applications, maintain health coverage, and connect with essential nutrition benefits through CalFresh.

Access to health care and vital benefits can make a meaningful difference for individuals, families, and older adults. We're proud to partner with CalOptima Health to help ensure our community has the trusted support needed to navigate these important programs.

Read the full press release: https://www.coasc.org/medi-cal-enrollment-assistance-orange-county/

Council on Aging – Southern California received a $500,000 CalOptima Health grant to expand Medi-Cal and CalFresh enrollment assistance in Orange County.

07/22/2026

🚩 Can you spot the red flags of a scam?

If someone promises something that sounds too good to be true, trust your instincts—it probably is. The safest response is to hang up, delete the message, or walk away.

At Council on Aging – Southern California, our programs work together to help protect older adults:

🔹 HICAP provides trusted Medicare counseling and helps beneficiaries identify, prevent, and report Medicare fraud and billing errors.

🔹 The Senior Protection Program (SPP) educates older adults, caregivers, and long-term care residents about everyday scams, financial exploitation, identity theft, and elder abuse, helping them stay safe and know where to turn for help.

Knowledge is one of the best defenses against fraud. Learn more at coasc.org/spp.

Can you spot a "red flag" when it comes to fraud schemes? Listen for these "too-good-to-be-true" claims and if you hear them, hang up.

07/22/2026

🚨 Scam Alert: Beware of fake military debt relief offers.

Scammers may pretend to represent trusted military organizations, banks, credit unions, or credit bureaus and promise to reduce or forgive your debt—for a fee. These calls often sound official, but they're designed to steal your money.

Remember:
✔️ Legitimate debt relief companies cannot charge you upfront before providing services.
✔️ Be cautious of unsolicited calls offering "exclusive" military or veteran debt forgiveness programs.
✔️ Always verify offers directly with your lender or a trusted source.

At Council on Aging – Southern California, our Senior Protection Program (SPP) helps older adults, veterans, caregivers, and families recognize scams, prevent fraud, and protect their financial well-being. Staying informed is one of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim.

Scammers promise to solve your debt problems to trick you into paying them instead of your actual lender. If a caller offers to help you enroll in a special “military debt forgiveness” program, pause. That’s probably a scam. Learn how debt relief scammers might target the military and how to a...

07/18/2026

Fraudulent letters claim you've inherited millions from someone who shares your last name. The story may sound convincing, but it's designed to gain your trust and steal your personal or financial information.

If you receive an unexpected inheritance letter:
✔️ Don't respond or send money.
✔️ Never share personal or financial information.
✔️ Verify any claims through trusted sources before taking action.

At Council on Aging – Southern California, our Senior Protection Program (SPP) is committed to helping older adults recognize scams, prevent fraud, and protect their financial well-being. Awareness is one of the strongest defenses against scammers.

Learn more about protecting yourself from scams through our Senior Protection Program: https://www.coasc.org/spp

We’ve written about this scam before, but like a bad sequel, it’s back. People are telling the FTC they’ve gotten letters in the mail from law firms about unclaimed life insurance money. Have you gotten one of these? The “lawyer” says that one of their clients, with your same last name, di...