If you’re like us, every month you reluctantly hand over your hard-earned cash to pay your credit card bills. And while it’s the right thing to do, sometimes it feels like you’re not making any headway on the debt.

Each year, many seniors fall victim to credit card schemes, forged checks and bad investment scams. Not only are many of them coping with health problems and spiraling medical costs, but they are particularly vulnerable targets for financial scammers. In addition to federal efforts to protect older Americans, many states have put programs in place to try to prevent elderly residents from being scammed.