DENVER – Attorney General Ken Salazar and the American Association of Retired Persons have joined forces to help protect the elderly from con artists. According to Salazar, nationally last year alone elderly victims lost $40 billion to con artists. "The mission is simple: to ensure that no senior is left to suffer alone and in silence, at the hands of those who exploit them," said Salazar. Fraud against the elderly ranges from such acts as predatory lending, to insurance scams, contests and telemarketing. Money from the tobacco lawsuit and other consumer fraud settlements totaling $1 million will fund the program for three years. The statewide program will consist of an early warning system; a statewide database to track scam artists and patterns of exploitation; and a toll-free number for the elderly to call for help or with questions about possible scams. For more information or to volunteer contact director Janice Friddle, at (303) 831-1807.