Government Says 'Never Ever' to Scammers, But It's Not That Simple

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC), has launched the "Never EVER" campaign to combat government and business imposter scams targeting older Americans

"Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC), announced the Federal Elder Justice Action Plan, a government-wide strategy to protect older Americans' rights, strengthen accountability, and make help easier to find. The announcement also launches “Never EVER,” a national campaign that advances the Action Plan's prevention goals by helping people recognize and avoid government and business imposter scams."

. This initiative highlights a critical issue, as imposter scams resulted in $3.5 billion in losses from over 1 million reports in 2025 alone

"Today, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Elder Justice Coordinating Council launches its Never Ever Campaign, a nationwide effort aimed at raising awareness about impostor scams. ... In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1 million reports of impostor scams, amounting to $3.5 billion in losses."

. The campaign emphasizes key phrases scammers might use, like falsely claiming "Your money isn't safe. Move it to protect it." Federal agencies stress that legitimate government entities will never make such demands

"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.” Only a scammer will."

. Resources are available through the EJCC to help individuals recognize and avoid these fraudulent schemes [c3, c5].

The statistics surrounding imposter scams are staggering. In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) documented over one million reports of these fraudulent schemes, leading to a devastating $3.5 billion in financial losses

"Today, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Elder Justice Coordinating Council launches its Never Ever Campaign, a nationwide effort aimed at raising awareness about impostor scams. ... In 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received more than 1 million reports of impostor scams, amounting to $3.5 billion in losses."

. This figure represents not just money, but often life savings, impacting the financial security and well-being of countless individuals, particularly seniors who may be more vulnerable. The "Never Ever" campaign, launched on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, directly confronts this crisis by arming the public with knowledge

"Resources: Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC). Never Ever Campaign: https://ejcc.acl.gov/imposters"

. The initiative underscores a critical truth: recognizing the tactics is the first line of defense against these predatory practices

"Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC), announced the Federal Elder Justice Action Plan, a government-wide strategy to protect older Americans' rights, strengthen accountability, and make help easier to find. The announcement also launches “Never EVER,” a national campaign that advances the Action Plan's prevention goals by helping people recognize and avoid government and business imposter scams."

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The "Never Ever" campaign zeroes in on specific, tell-tale signs of imposter scams. A core message is that no legitimate government agency will ever tell you, "Your money isn't safe. Move it 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.” Only a scammer will."

. Scammers often impersonate trusted entities like the Social Security Administration or the IRS, creating a false sense of authority and urgency. They might claim you owe money, have a warrant for your arrest, or that your Social Security number has been compromised, all designed to bypass rational thought and trigger a panicked response. Understanding these specific phrases is crucial for anyone, but especially for older adults who are frequently targeted [c2, c3].

While the "Never Ever" campaign provides a memorable framework, its success hinges on broader efforts. The Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) is central to this strategy, aiming to protect older Americans' rights and improve access to help [c1, c3]. However, the sheer volume of reported scams suggests that awareness alone is insufficient. Financial institutions and government agencies must collaborate on preventative measures, including enhanced fraud detection and easier reporting mechanisms. The goal is to make it harder for scammers to operate and easier for victims to seek recourse, moving beyond a reactive stance to a proactive defense

"Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC), announced the Federal Elder Justice Action Plan, a government-wide strategy to protect older Americans' rights, strengthen accountability, and make help easier to find. The announcement also launches “Never EVER,” a national campaign that advances the Action Plan's prevention goals by helping people recognize and avoid government and business imposter scams."

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