Senior Fraud Prevention

The Fraud Squad: Senior Fraud Prevention Initiative helps seniors recognize, resist and report scams.

The Fraud Squad is a live, peer-to-peer educational program operating under the support and approval of AmeriCorps Seniors and sponsored by Family Services of Central Massachusetts, an affiliate of the Seven Hills Foundation.

It’s not a lecture — it’s a front-row seat to how scams really work.
Through short, dramatized skits based on real cases, senior volunteers bring fraud prevention to life. Each scene shows how scams begin, how emotions are manipulated, what red flags are missed and how they can be stopped before damage is done.

A Live, Interactive Learning Experience

A typical performance runs about an hour, with time built in for discussion led by a narrator.
The Fraud Squad is active learning at its best — you don’t just sit and listen, you watch it happen, participate, and remember. Audience members aren’t passive observers; they become part of the story.

Audience members explore together how scammers use urgency, trust, fear, and excitement to get people “under the ether” — that emotional fog where logic shuts down. Seeing these tactics play out in real time helps participants recognize the emotional hooks that make scams work and learn how to interrupt that moment of pressure before it leads to a costly mistake.



For Senior Centers & Community Hosts

The Fraud Squad is one of Worcester County’s most requested senior-education programs.
Senior centers, housing communities, religious groups, and social clubs book months in advance because the Fraud Squad is trusted, easy to host, and consistently in high demand.

Performances deliver measurable impact — increasing scam awareness, building confidence to respond, and providing grant-ready data through attendance and survey feedback.
Hosting requires little setup — a table, two chairs, and an audience — yet delivers a powerful, memorable learning experience that strengthens community awareness and connection.

For Older Adults — Your Front-Row Seat to Prevention

• See How Scams Work — watch them play out in front of you.

• Spot Red Flags — hear how they’re used in real time.

• Be Ready to Say “No.” Know what to watch for and how to respond.

A quick Q&A follows each skit, with a short discussion at the end of the session to reinforce what everyone learned.  Attendees leave with recognition of scam tactics, confidence to pause and question, and clarity about what to report and who to trust.



For Volunteers — Seniors Teaching Seniors

The Fraud Squad is powered by senior volunteers, not actors. Players read from scripts, use simple props, and rely on expression and authenticity to bring stories to life. If you enjoy teamwork and helping others stay safe, this is a meaningful, flexible role that makes a visible difference.
To volunteer, contact: Fraud Squad Program Coordinator – 508.368.3059 – lholmes@fscmcb.com

In One Sentence

The Fraud Squad turns fraud prevention into live, relatable storytelling — powered by seniors teaching seniors how to recognize, resist, and report scams.

Upcoming Fraud Squad Player Performances

Join us at one of our upcoming live events to see scams come to life — and learn how to stop them before they start. Check back often — new performances are added throughout the spring and fall seasons.

• Wednesday, October 22, 2025:
  Sturbridge Senior Center, 480 Main Street, Fiskdale, MA at 12:30pm
• Tuesday, October 28, 2025:
  Spencer Senior Center, 68 Maple Street, Spencer, MA at 11:45am
• Wednesday November 12, 2025:
  AMSI Brain Injury Community Center, 15 Salem Street, Worcester, MA at 10:30am
• Thursday, November 20, 2025:
  Spencer Senior Center, 68 Maple Street, Spencer, MA at 11:45am
• Tuesday, December 2, 2025:
  Leicester Senior Center, 40 Winslow Ave, Leicester, MA at TBD

Get Involved: Host a Performance - Volunteer - Contact Us!

Want to bring the Fraud Squad to your community, learn more, or join the team?
All inquiries go directly to the program coordinator.
Fraud Squad Coordinator: (508) 368-3059
Email: lholmes@fscmcb.com