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A scam can look like a simple text message, and the cost can be devastating. We’re joined by Detective Jaime Huertas of the Pelham Police Department, who investigates elder fraud and spends just as much time on prevention as he does on cases. He shares a real scam that took $17,000 from a senior, how the department built an operation that led to an arrest and conviction, and why shame and isolation often keep older adults from reporting what happened. If you’ve ever wondered what “red flags” actually look like in 2026, this conversation gets specific about links, mobile banking risk, and the panic tactics scammers use to rush decisions.

We also zoom out to community-level solutions through the Pelham Community Coalition. Jaime explains why the mock bedroom presentation is so eye-opening for parents and caregivers, how stigma can keep adults from showing up at schools, and why a mobile mock bedroom trailer can make education easier to access at local events. We talk about a key promise that lowers fear for families: when a caregiver finds drugs at home, the goal is removal and help, not charging a child who is struggling with substance use disorder.

The episode also highlights Outrun Addiction, a 5K fundraiser that supports scholarships for students from families impacted by substance use and helps bring motivational speakers into schools. We touch on suicide prevention, remembrance events, peer-to-peer support for first responders, and the simplest self-care advice that still gets overlooked: take time for yourself so you can show up for others. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend or family member, and leave a review so more people can find these local mental health and prevention resources.