Extreme Heat Warning on the San Diego County coast through Thursday 8pm. The National Weather Service says to check up on relatives and neighbors; the County lists older adults among those at high risk. The heat check. Text PJ for a check-in.
Official: National Weather Service · County of San Diego, Cool Zones. Checked Oct 6, 2026.
The San Diego District Attorney says the County's seniors were scammed out of more than $130 million in a single year in online and phone scams. Nationally, the FTC says people 60 and older reported nearly $2.4 billion in fraud losses in 2024, and that scam callers most often pretend to be the government, Medicare, Amazon or a bank.
Who to call, by scam
- Someone is taking money from a parent, or neglecting them: County Adult Protective Services, 24/7, 800-339-4661.
- A Medicare scam (a "new card" call, free swabs or braces, a fake rebate): 1-800-MEDICARE, then the California Senior Medicare Patrol, 855-613-7080. The Medicare red flags.
- A contractor scam: check any license with the Contractors State License Board, 800-321-2752, and keep the down payment to 10% or $1,000. The hiring checklist.
- Money lost to an online or phone scam: the DA says to report elder fraud to local police and to the FBI at IC3.gov; also tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Personal or bank details given away: IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
- Someone charging 10% to "find" a parent's money: searching California's unclaimed property is free. How.
Right now: the $90 Medicare rebate
Medicare is depositing a one-time $90 Part B rebate around October 8 for people in Original Medicare. It arrives on its own. Anyone who calls asking for a Medicare Number or bank details to "release" it is not Medicare. Who gets the rebate.
Contractor scams aimed at seniors
The Contractors State License Board says seniors are often targeted by unlicensed or unscrupulous contractors, and it has run Senior Scam Stopper seminars around the state since 1999 with legislators, district attorneys and community groups.
Do it with PJ
The calls, the forms, the logins and the errands in between: PJ does the legwork with your family in Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff and Del Mar. He doesn't give medical, legal or benefits advice; the programs decide. Plans start as low as $25.
More: the care ladder · every senior waitlist · senior benefits checkup.
Sources: San Diego District Attorney, elder scam prevention · San Diego District Attorney, elder abuse · County Adult Protective Services · FTC, Protecting Older Consumers 2025 · Medicare.gov, reporting fraud · Senior Medicare Patrol · CSLB, Senior Scam Stopper · CMS, $90 rebate FAQ. Checked October 6, 2026.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25.
Questions people ask
How much do San Diego seniors lose to scams?
The San Diego District Attorney says County seniors were scammed out of more than $130 million during a one-year period in online and phone scams.
Who do I call to report a scam against an elderly parent in San Diego?
If someone is taking money from or neglecting a parent, County Adult Protective Services at 800-339-4661, 24/7. For Medicare scams, 1-800-MEDICARE or the California Senior Medicare Patrol at 855-613-7080.
Know someone who needs this?
Something changed here? Text PJ and we'll update this page.
More free local tools: the North County toolkit.