Do you have aging family members or friends? Crimes against the elderly skyrocketed in the last year, with seniors losing a collective $3 billion to fraudsters through home repair scams, investment scams and other pitfalls.

Con artists are particularly fond of elderly widows. The scam is to find those who may be lonely or infirmed, and slowly shower them with attention and small gifts in order to gain their confidence. I've heard of one con man who began befriending an older woman when she simply asked him for directions. By the time he was done, she had given him Power of Attorney over her funds, and he steadily looted her over time for $180,000!

Here's your assignment. If you have elderly friends or relatives, you need to stay involved in their lives. Be nosy! Visit. To someone who is shut in, just your presence brings them joy. It may seem dull at times, but never forget, someday you will be in those shoes.

Do you have siblings? Some families find it's a good plan to divide up responsibilities when you have elder parents -- one kid takes them shopping, another entertains them, and a third handles money issues. Regardless of how it's handled, be aware and be present in the financial lives of your elders.

That can mean being a second signature on a checkbook, or an authorized person on a checking account. Know about the investments they have. Remember, be nosy! You don't want to find out your parents are destitute because you were looking the other way.

Your parents were there to raise you. It's time for you to pay back.