https://open.spotify.com/playlist/36YZOXOgybNDl68DaciMoq?si=e029ac9f294e4578

🔺 Problem

“Starring Jerry as Himself” Blends Fact and Fiction in a Tale of Scams and Family.

"Starring Jerry as Himself" skillfully exposes the heart-wrenching social issue of scamming elderly Asian Americans out of their hard-earned life savings. The movie unfolds the real-life ordeal of Taiwanese immigrant retiree Jerry Liu, who, having fallen victim to a Chinese fraud ring. The narrative delves into the increasing prevalence of scams targeting the elderly, shedding light on the vulnerability of retirees like Jerry who are often portrayed as cognitively sound until they fall victim to elaborate schemes. This issue, on the rise in recent years, also finds resonance in films like "The Empty Nest" and "Reclaim.”

What makes "Starring Jerry as Himself" stand out is its unique blend of fact and fiction. Jerry Liu plays himself in the film, and his children also appear as themselves. The film is not only a testament to the emotional resonance achieved through the presence of the real-life Jerry, his ex-wife, and children but also benefits from outstanding performances by the cast.

"Starring Jerry as Himself" delves into the remarkable exploration of family dynamics, sacrifice, and the rekindling of creative ambitions, offering a poignant reflection on the material aspects of family relationships—a theme rarely explored with such depth in Asian American cinema. The film not only sheds light on a pressing social issue but also weaves a touching narrative about the complexities of familial bonds 💛

“In terms of phone scams, 2019 has seen thousands of dollars lost according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Stephens got some scammer payback after this caller tried to get her social security number and home address in a faux IRS phone scam.”

“In terms of phone scams, 2019 has seen thousands of dollars lost according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Stephens got some scammer payback after this caller tried to get her social security number and home address in a faux IRS phone scam.”

🗞️ Important Facts

• Elder fraud is a growing problem, with seniors losing an estimated $3 billion each year due to scams targeting them.
• 88,262 of scam victims are over 60 years old. However, the highest number of scam victims are between 30-39 years old, with a total count of 94,506 victims at a total loss of 1.3 billion in 2022.
• The average loss per elderly victim was $35,101. 5,456 victims lost more than $100,000.
• Tech Support scam type is the most pervasive, with 17,810 victims in 2022.
• Romance scams targeting seniors have resulted in losses of over $200 million. These scams exploit the desire for companionship and can have devastating financial and emotional consequences for older individuals. Let this be another motivator to stay connected and involved in our elderly loved one’s lives 🥺
• Elder financial exploitation is severely underreported in New York State: only 1 in 44 cases of abuse is reported to authorities even though 42 out of every 1,000 elderly New Yorkers is a victim.
• The Seniors Fraud Prevention Act, pending in the U.S. Senate, aims to strengthen efforts to combat scams targeting seniors. This legislation is a step in the right direction towards providing better protection for our elderly population. “In a nutshell, the measure would allow so-called registered open-ended investment companies — which can include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, hedge funds, some annuities and other pooled investments — or their agents to postpone a requested redemption of a security or fund for up to 25 days if it’s believed to be done to exploit the [65 years or older] investor.” CNBC. (2023, February 15).

❓FAQ