Seniors are among the most common targets of scammers in the United States because they are thought to have assets, such as retirement savings or equity in their homes. In common elder fraud attempts, scammers may pretend to be financial professionals, government employees, or other people seniors trust to trick them into giving away money or revealing personal information.
Being aware of common senior scams and understanding the tactics scammers use can help you and your loved ones stay vigilant, recognize red flags, and prevent scammers from stealing your information.
- How Common Are Scams Against Seniors
- What Are the Types of Scams Targeting Seniors?
- What Methods Do Scammers Use to Target Seniors?
- What Are the Warning Signs a Senior Has Been Scammed?
- How Can Seniors Protect Themselves from Scams?
- Elder Fraud FAQs
How Common Are Scams Against Seniors?
Scams against seniors are unfortunately very common. A 2023 survey found that 75% of adults between 50 and 80 years old reported being targeted by scammers. Of those, 39% said they fell victim to fraud, including having their financial accounts hacked or money stolen.
The amount of money seniors lose to fraud is rising fast. Reports to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reached $2.4 billion in 2024, up from $600 million in 2020. Often, there's no way to recover the money scammers take, which puts seniors’ retirement savings and financial security at risk.
Beyond the financial hit, scams can also affect mental well-being, causing feelings of shame, anxiety, and anger. But with education and vigilance, it’s possible to protect your family and yourself from scams targeting the elderly.
What Are the Types of Scams Targeting Seniors?
There are many types of elder scams, from fake investment opportunities and phony lottery winnings to text or email messages from people pretending to be family members or government agencies. While the details of these schemes vary, the goal is the same: to steal money or personal information. Here are some of the most common scams targeting seniors.
Investment Scams
Scammers convince you to “invest” in stocks, cryptocurrency, or businesses, but the investment opportunity isn’t real. Seniors report losing the most money to this type of scam, according to the FTC.
Government Impersonation Scams
Scammers pretend to work for government agencies like the Social Security Administration (SSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or Veterans Affairs (VA). They may say you’ll lose your benefits or be in legal trouble if you don’t give them money or information.
Grandparent Scams
In this type of scam, fraudsters pretend to be your grandchild or another loved one and claim they’re in trouble and need money. With new technology, they can even copy your loved one’s voice, making the call sound very convincing.
Romance Scams
With a romance scam, you enter into a long-distance, virtual relationship with someone you meet online, but they are catfishing (i.e., pretending to be someone they're not). Once they gain your trust, they’ll start asking you for money.
Lottery or Prize Scams
You’re told you’ve won a prize, even though you haven’t entered into any contests or purchased any lottery tickets. The scammer says you need to pay taxes or other fees to claim the prize, but the prize doesn’t exist.
Phishing Scams
You receive an email or text that looks like it came from your bank or other trusted business, claiming you need to click a link to fix a problem with your account. The goal is to steal your login information.
Tech Support Scams
In technology scams, fraudsters say there’s a problem with your phone, computer, or other electronic device and claim they can help you fix it—for a price—despite there being no problem with your device.
What Methods Do Scammers Use to Target Seniors?
Fraudsters use a variety of methods to target seniors, including phone calls, text messages, emails, social media, and traditional mail. They also utilize a few tell-tale tactics to get seniors to cooperate with the scam, such impersonation, creating a sense of urgency, and manipulating emotions.
Impersonation
Scammers pose as trusted people or organizations, such as banks, government agencies, or family members. They create fake websites, spoof caller ID or email addresses, or use AI to make their schemes more convincing. Some scammers even create deepfakes using AI tech—that is, photos, audio, or videos that seem real but aren’t.
Links & Attachments
With emails and text messages in particular, scammers will create phishing links or attachments that, when clicked or downloaded, will steal personal information, such as usernames and passwords, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, and more. These messages often come from senders who appear legitimate but are actually scammers in disguise.
Sense of Urgency
Fraudsters typically create a false sense of urgency. They want you to act immediately, without having time to stop and think. For example, you might receive a message that looks like it came from your bank claiming you need to act now or lose your account.
Emotional Manipulation
Another favorite method of scammers is emotional manipulation. They know how to play on your emotions—like excitement, fear, or panic—to cloud your judgment. They’ll also play on the emotional connections you have with spouses, partners, family members, or friends to convince you to help them.
What Are the Warning Signs a Senior Has Been Scammed?
Seniors who fall victim to fraud or scams may not tell anyone. They may not realize they were scammed, or they may feel embarrassed. However, family, friends, and caregivers may notice warning signs of financial exploitation, such as:
- Thinking that money is missing from their accounts
- Withdrawing large amounts of cash
- Buying unusual amounts of gift cards
- Getting several cashier’s checks or money orders
- Engaging in calls or texts from unknown numbers
- Being secretive about phone calls or messages
- Having a new online best friend or romance
- Letting unpaid bills pile up
- Seeming overly excited about an investment opportunity
- Appearing to be on edge or stressed
How Can Seniors Protect Themselves from Scams?
Elder scams are common and can be intimidating, but seniors, family members, and caregivers can take steps to protect themselves. By understanding scammers’ methods and adopting some simple habits, it’s possible to reduce your risk of falling victim to a scam.
Be Cautious with Unexpected Messages
Even if a text message or email looks like it’s from a trusted organization, don’t reply, click links, or download attachments. Instead, contact the organization through a verified phone number, by going directly to their website or mobile app, or through an official email address to confirm the message is authentic.
Secure Your Devices
Install antivirus software on computers, and turn on automatic updates for mobile devices and apps to help block digital scams and keep up-to-date with the latest security protocols. It may also be a good idea to seek tech tutoring to learn more about how your technology works and how to spot scams..
Use Strong, Unique Passwords
Create strong passwords, especially for important accounts like your email or banking app. It’s recommended that you come up with passwords that are long and include a random mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Never reuse passwords across different devices, apps, and websites.
Use Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is recommended by the FTC to help protect accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a one-time passcode via text, email, phone call, security key, or authenticator app in addition to your password, making it harder for a scammer to access your account.
Get a Second Opinion
If you receive a suspicious message, show it to a trusted friend, family member, or caregiver. They may spot red flags you missed and help you stay safe from a potential scam.
Create a Family Code Word
A secret code word known only by trusted family members or caregivers can help you quickly confirm a caller’s identity and avoid AI deepfakes. Make sure the code word or phrase is unique enough that you wouldn’t use it in everyday conversation. Only discuss this password in person (i.e., don’t send it via email or text, where it could be compromised during a scam). Also, don’t share it with anyone outside of your inner circle.
Trust Your Instincts
If it seems too good to be true, it most likely is. Your instincts will probably tell you that a random prize winning or financial offer seems suspicious. Trust that feeling. If you start to second-guess yourself, ask “Why are they trying so hard to give me this?”
Take Your Time
Remember that you're not obligated to be polite to someone who may be scamming you. Simply saying "I need time to think about this" works. Anyone who pressures you to decide quickly or give up personal information is likely being dishonest.
Frequently Asked Questions About Elder Fraud
How can I tell if a call, email, or message is a scam?
A phone call, email, letter, or text message may be a scam if it’s unexpected, makes you feel strong emotions, creates a sense of urgency, and/or asks you for money or personal information.
What should I do if my loved one was scammed?
If you suspect your loved one has been scammed, call the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Elder Fraud Hotline or report the scammer to the FTC to help protect other seniors. You might also offer to help them protect their finances and identity by setting up two-step verification and regularly changing passwords or, if action is necessary, stopping payments and closing accounts.
What are common scammer phrases?
Scammers often use urgent language or threatening phrases that create pressure to get their targets to act immediately. For example, they may say you need to “act now” because their offer is only “good today” or because “your account has been compromised” or is “at risk.”
How can in-home caregivers help protect seniors from scams?
In-home caregivers can help protect seniors from scams by providing companionship and being an extra layer of support. They can notice unusual calls or visitors, encourage smart use of technology, share concerns they may have with family members, and reduce the isolation and loneliness that scammers try to exploit.
Stay Safe with Senior Care Support from BrightStar Care®
If you’re concerned about an elderly loved one living alone and being susceptible to scams, in-home caregivers can provide an extra layer of support for your family.
BrightStar Care offers in-home care services for seniors that provides companionship and personal care. Our compassionate caregivers not only support your loved one’s health and wellness, but they’ll also create meaningful connections that reduce loneliness and isolation.
Whether you're looking for nurse-led home care services or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.