Securities regulators estimate that at least 5 million elderly Americans become victims of financial fraud and other scams each year. With this kind of abuse only expected to increase, these regulators are strongly recommending that seniors formally appoint one or more children, relatives or friends as "trusted contacts" with their bank, brokerage company, financial advisor and other financial institutions. These trusted contacts can't make transactions or even view their friends' or parents' accounts. They're simply additional people the institution or advisor can reach out to if they're unable to reach the account owners to inform them about suspicious activities or other account-related red flags.