Pennsylvania Lawmakers Hold 'Stop the Scam' Town Hall for Pittsburgh Seniors

Event aims to educate older residents on identifying and avoiding online fraud as tech-enabled scams continue to rise.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:53pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a senior citizen's hand holding a smartphone, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the need to educate older adults on avoiding technology-based scams.A town hall event in Pittsburgh aims to arm seniors with the knowledge to avoid the growing threat of online fraud schemes targeting older adults.Today in Pittsburgh

Several Pennsylvania state lawmakers held a town hall event in Pittsburgh to help seniors recognize and avoid common scams, as the state's residents lost an estimated $2.9 billion to online fraud last year. The main advice given to attendees was to take time to think through decisions, avoid making emotional choices, and never share personal information, as scammers often use government logos to appear legitimate.

Why it matters

As technology continues to advance, state officials believe these types of scams targeting vulnerable older adults will only become more prevalent and harder to regulate. The town hall was an effort to proactively educate Pittsburgh's senior population on the latest tactics used by fraudsters in order to protect them from financial losses and identity theft.

The details

The town hall event was held at the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers building in the city's South Side neighborhood. Lawmakers emphasized that legitimate government agencies will never demand immediate payment or threaten arrest, tactics commonly used by scammers. Attendees were advised to carefully scrutinize any unsolicited calls, emails, or messages requesting personal information, even if they appear to be from official sources.

  • The town hall took place on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The players

Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans

A statewide advocacy organization representing retired workers and seniors in Pennsylvania.

Sen. Nick Pisciottano

A Pennsylvania state senator who spoke at the town hall event.

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What they’re saying

“Technology is getting harder and harder to kind of regulate, and we're doing the best we can on that front. The best thing that people can do to protect themselves is to be smart about the decisions they make. Don't make emotional decisions. Take time to think through these things and see if they're legitimate.”

— Sen. Nick Pisciottano, Pennsylvania State Senator

What’s next

The Pennsylvania Alliance for Retired Americans plans to hold similar town hall events in other cities across the state to continue educating seniors on the latest scam tactics and how to avoid becoming victims.

The takeaway

This town hall highlights the growing challenge of protecting older adults from sophisticated online fraud as technology advances. By proactively educating seniors on common scam methods, lawmakers hope to empower them to make more informed decisions and avoid falling prey to financial exploitation.