IRS chief Frank Biziknano urges action on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and warns seniors about impostor scams

Frank Biziknano, chief executive officer of the Internal Revenue Service, released a statement marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and urged the public to recognize older adults’ contributions while guarding them against financial exploitation.

Biziknano said his own experience growing up in a multigenerational household in Brooklyn shaped his view of seniors’ role in families and communities. “Our seniors should be honored, not treated harshly or neglected,” he said.

The IRS chief highlighted the agency’s efforts to help older taxpayers claim eligible tax benefits, saying an “enhanced tax deduction for seniors” provided a benefit to more than 35 million taxpayers this tax season. He also emphasized the agency’s work to protect taxpayers from fraud, saying, “The IRS will never contact anyone out of the blue to demand money or personal information. We won't make threats or insist people move their money supposedly to protect it.”

Biziknano advised anyone who receives a suspicious call or message to stop, talk to someone they trust, and consult resources, directing listeners to the Federal Elder Justice Coordinating Council’s website for information on impostor scams.

The statement framed elder abuse as a worldwide problem that governments, communities and individuals must address. Biziknano closed by urging listeners to ensure older adults can “live their golden years in peace and free from want,” calling it an opportunity for the public to give back.