FTC's 'Never Ever' Rules: Your New Shield Against Senior Imposter Scams

The widely circulated advice for seniors to "be careful" with scams, while well-intentioned, often falls short against sophisticated imposter schemes. The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) "Never Ever" campaign aims to rectify this by providing clear, actionable rules about what legitimate government agencies and businesses will *never* ask of you

"To help the public spot imposter scams, EJCC members launched the Never Ever campaign, which is aimed at promoting messaging on the key actions that government and businesses will Never Ever take."

. This initiative, supported by various federal bodies including the Treasury Department

Under @SecScottBessent leadership, Treasury is working around the clock to protect Americans – particularly seniors – from scams, fraud, and financial exploitation. This Administration is committed to ensuring that older Americans can live out their golden years without fear of…

— Treasury Department link

and the Department of Justice

Today, the Justice Department issued its fifth annual report to Congress on its efforts to combat and address elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and fraud. https://t.co/hx2ASrhjVf

— U.S. Department of Justice link

, directly combats the billions lost annually to these fraudulent tactics. For instance, a core tenet is that no government entity will ever tell you your money isn't safe and needs to be moved to protect it

"As part of a national “Never Ever” campaign, federal agencies are working together to help everyone recognize and avoid government imposter scams. Remember: Never ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn't safe. Move it to protect it.”"

. Similarly, legitimate organizations won't demand payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. The campaign, also promoted by the FCC

"To raise awareness about Imposter Scams, the FCC joined with the Elder Justice Coordinating Council and companies across the country as part of the “Never, Ever” campaign to shine a light on government and business imposter scams, which often target older Americans."

and the Senate Aging Committee

During today’s hearing, Chairman @SenRickScott announced his NEW bipartisan Financial Literacy Booklet that ensures America’s seniors have the information they need to fight against fraud and prepare for retirement.

— Senate Aging Committee link

, aims to cut through the manipulative tactics scammers employ by providing these definitive "never ever" boundaries, empowering seniors with specific knowledge rather than general caution

"The Never Ever Campaign cuts through the lies and manipulation scammers use to gain trust and create a false sense of urgency. Its core message is simple: When someone asks you to do something a legitimate organization would never ask of you, that is a red flag."

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The "Never Ever" campaign, a collaborative effort involving multiple federal agencies, targets the heart of imposter scams by outlining specific actions legitimate organizations will never take. This moves beyond the vague admonition to 'be careful.' For example, the Social Security Administration (SSA) clarifies that no government representative will ever tell you your money isn't safe and needs to be moved to protect it

"As part of a national “Never Ever” campaign, federal agencies are working together to help everyone recognize and avoid government imposter scams. Remember: Never ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn't safe. Move it to protect it.”"

. The U.S. Treasury also emphasizes its commitment to protecting seniors from fraud

Under @SecScottBessent leadership, Treasury is working around the clock to protect Americans – particularly seniors – from scams, fraud, and financial exploitation. This Administration is committed to ensuring that older Americans can live out their golden years without fear of…

— Treasury Department link

. Similarly, legitimate businesses and government bodies will not demand payment through gift cards, wire transfers to individuals, or cryptocurrency. These clear boundaries are designed to be easily recalled and applied, acting as an immediate red flag when a caller or message violates them

"The Never Ever Campaign cuts through the lies and manipulation scammers use to gain trust and create a false sense of urgency. Its core message is simple: When someone asks you to do something a legitimate organization would never ask of you, that is a red flag."

. This structured approach provides a much-needed concrete defense against the sophisticated tactics employed by fraudsters.

For decades, the advice given to seniors about scams often boiled down to a generic plea to 'stay vigilant.' While important, this advice lacks the actionable detail needed to counter the highly specific methods scammers use to create fear and urgency. The "Never Ever" campaign, launched by the Elder Justice Coordinating Council and championed by agencies like the FTC

"To help the public spot imposter scams, EJCC members launched the Never Ever campaign, which is aimed at promoting messaging on the key actions that government and businesses will Never Ever take."

and FCC

"To raise awareness about Imposter Scams, the FCC joined with the Elder Justice Coordinating Council and companies across the country as part of the “Never, Ever” campaign to shine a light on government and business imposter scams, which often target older Americans."

, directly addresses this deficiency. It provides a list of definitive 'nevers,' such as never being asked to pay a fee to receive a benefit, or never having your money threatened. This specificity is critical because scammers often impersonate trusted entities like the SSA or IRS, using official-sounding language and fabricated threats to coerce victims. The campaign aims to equip seniors with knowledge that cuts through this deception, as highlighted by efforts from groups like the Senate Aging Committee promoting financial literacy

During today’s hearing, Chairman @SenRickScott announced his NEW bipartisan Financial Literacy Booklet that ensures America’s seniors have the information they need to fight against fraud and prepare for retirement.

— Senate Aging Committee link

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The "Never Ever" campaign represents a significant, coordinated effort across federal agencies to combat elder fraud. It's not just an FTC initiative; it's backed by the Department of Justice, which releases annual reports on elder abuse

Today, the Justice Department issued its fifth annual report to Congress on its efforts to combat and address elder abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and fraud. https://t.co/hx2ASrhjVf

— U.S. Department of Justice link

, and supported by legislative efforts like the Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act

We voted YES on the Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act. This bipartisan bill establishes a grant program at the Securities and Exchange Commission to fund state-level efforts to protect older adults from bad actors looking to take advantage of them. States…

— Rep. Nancy Mace link

. The Treasury Department has also explicitly stated its focus on protecting seniors from scams and financial exploitation under Secretary Scott Bessent

Under @SecScottBessent leadership, Treasury is working around the clock to protect Americans – particularly seniors – from scams, fraud, and financial exploitation. This Administration is committed to ensuring that older Americans can live out their golden years without fear of…

— Treasury Department link

. This multi-agency approach acknowledges the scale of the problem, with imposter scams alone costing victims billions

"To help the public spot imposter scams, EJCC members launched the Never Ever campaign, which is aimed at promoting messaging on the key actions that government and businesses will Never Ever take."

. By providing consistent messaging across different government touchpoints—from the FTC's consumer advice to the SSA's operational clarity

"As part of a national “Never Ever” campaign, federal agencies are working together to help everyone recognize and avoid government imposter scams. Remember: Never ever will someone from the government say: “Your money isn't safe. Move it to protect it.”"

—the campaign aims to build a robust defense network that empowers seniors with specific, memorable rules to identify and resist fraudulent attempts.