Scam Awareness for Seniors

Millions of seniors fall victim to scams every year. According to the FBI, elder fraud accounts for more than $7 billion in losses annually. Scammers are sophisticated, targeting victims through phone calls, texts, emails, and malicious links on websites.

Why Scammers Target Senior Citizens

Criminals target older adults for several reasons. Seniors tend to be more trusting, making them easier to deceive. They are also more likely to have strong financial assets. Additionally, they are less likely to report crimes - whether out of embarrassment, fear that relatives will question their ability to manage their finances, or simply not knowing how to do so.

Common Scams Against Seniors

Relative in Need Scam

Scammers pose as a family member who was in an accident, needs car repairs, or has been arrested and needs money fast. Using AI-cloned voices or posing as an attorney or other professional, they pressure victims to wire money or purchase gift cards immediately, creating a sense of panic to provoke quick action.

Romance Scam

As more seniors turn to online dating, scammers have followed. They create fake social media profiles to build trust and emotional connection, then begin requesting money for various reasons. Victims often send cash and gift cards without realizing they're being defrauded.

Financial Services Scam

Via phone, text, or email, scammers impersonate banks, mortgage companies, or debt collectors. They may claim your account has been compromised, offer better rates, or threaten arrest over unpaid bills - all to extract sensitive information such as account numbers or Social Security numbers. They are skilled at appearing legitimate, spoofing both email addresses and phone numbers.

Tech Support Scam

Criminals pose as technology support representatives offering to fix a nonexistent computer issue, or trick victims into clicking a malicious link that freezes their screen with instructions to call tech support. Once connected, the scammer gains remote access to the device to obtain sensitive financial information and/or tricks the victim into wiring money or buying gift cards to pay for fabricated repair services.

Government Impersonation Scam

Criminals pose as representatives from the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare, threatening arrest for unpaid taxes or the withholding of benefits unless you immediately provide your account information.

Help with Debt Scam

Seniors struggling with poor credit may fall for scams promising to remove bankruptcies and liens from credit reports, or erase bad credit history entirely for an upfront payment and/or your sensitive personal information.

Problem with Your Account Scam

Criminals claim there are suspicious charges or an issue with your account, then ask you to provide account details that grant them access.

You've Won Scam

Scammers impersonate well-known organizations, claiming you've won a sweepstakes or contest. But to claim your prize, you must first send money or gift cards to cover fees or taxes - exploiting your excitement to get you to pay.

You Owe Money Scam

You receive an email about an unpaid invoice, hoping you'll click a link that installs malware or directs you to a fake website where you'll unknowingly hand over your financial information.

Scam Warning Signs

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, be alert if someone:

●      Claims to be from the government, a bank, or a family member asking for money

●      Asks you to pay a fee or taxes to receive a prize

●      Requests access to your bank, debit card, or credit card accounts

●      Instructs you to send money immediately by wire transfer, payment app, gift cards, or courier

●      Pressures you to act right away

How to Protect Seniors from Scams

●      Register your phone number with the FTC's Do Not Call Registry

●      Do not answer calls from unknown numbers

●      Never share personal or financial information with unverified individuals

●      Create a family password or phrase to confirm the legitimacy of unexpected calls

●      Never send money, checks, gift cards, or wire transfers to unverified people or businesses

●      Resist pressure to act quickly

●      Keep your computer's security software and malware protections up to date

●      If you see a pop-up message or your screen locks unexpectedly, disconnect from the internet and shut down your computer

●      Never open email attachments from unknown senders, and be cautious with attachments in forwarded emails

●      Contact your financial institutions immediately if you suspect fraudulent activity

●      Use all available privacy settings on your social media accounts

●      Do not accept friend requests from people you do not know personally