With $38.7 million being lost nationally to scams last year by those over 55 years of age, a new awareness program sounds timely.

 Shane Rattenbury, the Minister for Consumer Affairs, recently joined Access Canberra compliance officers at an information session at a retirement village in Downer. This was part of an ongoing education program for retirement village residents, providing key information on how to identify, avoid and report scams as well as what to do should you fall victim.

According to Mr Rattenbury, people over 55 were responsible for around half the losses seen in Australia last year through online scams, fake charity appeals and lottery scams. And it appears the scams are becoming more sophisticated.

Access Canberra will visit 32 retirement villages between now and May.

Contact Access Canberra for advice if you think you may have been scammed. For further information about scams, visit ScamWatch.