Amid rise in real estate scams, Contra Costa DA offers guidance to protect older residents

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office hosted a workshop this week to combat rising real estate fraud schemes targeting older adults. Supervising Deputy District Attorney Dana Filkowski led the event, which aimed to educate community members, including attorneys and social workers, about preventing elder financial abuse. Filkowski noted that residents aged 50 and older face heightened risks due to increased trust and limited familiarity with digital platforms. She explained that older homeowners are often attractive targets for scammers, complicating recovery efforts once fraud occurs. The workshop highlighted the Major Financial Crimes Unit's role and shared foundational knowledge on fraud prevention strategies.

Filkowski stressed that understanding rights in today's complex real estate market is crucial. She aims to continue these outreach efforts to safeguard vulnerable homeowners. The DA’s Office also operates a Fraud Hotline for those affected by fraud.