This handbook first defines fraud, then discusses why the elderly are targeted, the growing scope of the problem, and why these crimes often go unreported or unsolved. The second section clearly explains 28 of the most common types of fraud--including home improvement scams, health frauds, identity theft and magazine sales--in a manner that allows readers to recognize and avoid the predatory actions of others (whether strangers, friends, or even family members). The third section provides a list of resources and actions to take and for those who believe themselves to be the victim of fraud. The book also contains a list of related acronyms, an index and a bibliography.