Related Topics
Modern-day technology has its perks. It makes finding information, performing tasks, and communicating easier. It allows us to see the smiling faces of our friends and family from hundreds of miles away. But digital tools have also given dishonest scammers many more ways to exploit unsuspecting consumers.
The real story on older adults and scams
Scams of all kinds are increasing, and older adults are a frequent target for scheming crooks.  According to a report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), adults age 60 and older filed more than 201,000 scam complaints in 2025, with reported losses topping $7.7 billion. Compared to 2024, complaints increased by 37%, while reported losses rose by 59%.1
While the numbers are startling, the personal stories are heartbreaking. In one recent incident of the "grandparent scam," a type of imposter scam, an 86-year-old Philadelphia grandmother lost $6,000 after receiving an urgent-sounding phone call that seemed to be from her granddaughter. Scammers used AI voice-cloning technology to mimic her granddaughter’s voice and convince her to send money for an emergency. Learn more about AI scams.
Another real-life example is an older woman named Abigail, who believed she was in an online relationship with someone posing as a celebrity. The "romance" scammer used AI-generated videos, convincing voice messages, and emotional manipulation to gain her trust. Abigail ultimately lost more than $81,000 and her paid-off home.
Warning Signs of a Scam at a Glance
- You're pressured to act immediately.
- Someone asks you to keep the conversation secret.
- They request payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps.
- They claim to be from a government agency, bank, or utility company and threaten consequences.
- They ask for passwords, verification codes, or financial information.
- The offer sounds too good to be true.
- They create an emotional emergency involving a loved one.
How can older adults fight back against scammers? According to financial wellness expert Amanda Clayman, the best defense against scams is simply being aware.
If you know their tricks, you can stop a scammer in their tracks,” Clayman said.
Learn about three common types of trickery scammers use—and what you can do to protect yourself.
What are some ways scammers try to exploit seniors?
1. Targeting those who are socially isolated
Con artists often target older adults who live alone. Finding out their status can be as easy as scrolling through the obituaries or reviewing social media profiles. These scammers know adults who are socially isolated are less likely to consult a family member who may suspect something is not right.Â
Being isolated can also lead to a state of loneliness. A University of Michigan Study found that feeling lonely or suffering a loss made older adults more vulnerable to financial fraud.2 When you’re sad and struggling, it may be tempting to talk to a friendly-sounding person on the phone. You may also be more drawn to the promise of money or free prizes they offer you.Â
Stop and stay financially safe: If an encounter with a stranger via phone, email, or text is making you feel anxious or uncertain, do not take any further action. Instead, reach out to a person you know and trust, whether it’s a family member, friend, neighbor, or someone at your local senior center. Tell them what happened and ask for their advice. Talking things over can help you and the other person identify red flags—before any damage is done.
Christine Kieffer, Senior Director of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation, says having open conversations about scams is vital. “One of the most important things you can do is encourage everyone to have a plan to tell someone else before they react,” she said during a panel at NCOA's Age+Action Conference. “It’s easy to do and it should be at the top of the list.”
2. Posing as an authority figure or someone you know
Most of us were taught as children to respect authority. Scammers know this and use it to their advantage. That’s why many scams targeting seniors involve someone posing as an authority figure to pressure the person into doing what they want. In some cases, like the one of the grandparent scam mentioned above, scammers pretend to be someone close to you—like a friend or close family member.Â
A few examples of these scams are below:
- You receive a call from someone claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the Social Security Administration (SSA). They aggressively insist you owe hefty taxes, fines, or other fees and threaten criminal charges if you do not comply.
- A text message that seems to be from your electric company states your bill is overdue. The sender warns you your service will be terminated if you do not pay up quickly. This is an example of a phishing scam—a popular type of internet hoax. These scammers use email, texting, social media, and other methods to get you to send money or to steal your personal data.
- You get an email alert telling you there’s a problem with your bank account. It appears to be from your financial institution. The email asks you to verify your account information to fix the “problem.” Learn more about business imposter scams like this.
- You receive a frantic phone call from someone claiming to be a family member. The caller says he was arrested after a car accident and desperately needs money for bail. Wanting to help, you quickly wire money, only to later learn your real relative was never in trouble at all.
Stop and stay financially safe: The first thing you can do to avoid imposter scams is to verify whether the company or agency trying to contact you is legitimate. You can't rely on Caller ID for this. That's because phone numbers, email addresses, and even websites can be spoofed to mimic familiar organizations. Reach out to the organization directly using phone numbers or email addresses listed on their official organization website. Tell them about the communication you received and ask them to confirm that it's real. Keep in mind that government agencies will generally never call, email, text, or contact you on social media to ask for personal information or money. Likewise, if a caller claims to be someone you know, hang up and call that person directly to make sure it’s them who reached out to you.
3. Creating a sense of urgency and/or scarcity
One tried-and-true trick scammers use is creating a false sense of urgency around a situation. Their goal is to get you to act on impulse, without really thinking through the details of their request.
They may say things such as:
- A price is good for a limited time only (e.g., 24 hours).
- A product is in short supply and will soon run out.
- An offer is open only to a limited number of people.
- There will be a negative consequence if you don’t act, such as:
- You could be arrested and/or jailed.
- Your bank account will be frozen.
- Your utilities will be cut off.
- You’ll lose out on a large sum of money.
Stop and stay financially safe: If a deal seems too good to be true—for example, a product is for sale at a dramatically lower price than its retail value—this should instantly raise your suspicions. Even if you feel eager to respond, slow down, take a deep breath, and ask questions first. Getting all the information up front can help you avoid basing decisions on emotion (instead of common sense).
If you do decide to buy a product or service online, it’s a good idea to use a credit card as your payment method. This is because most major credit cards have built-in safeguards that can protect you against fraudulent activity. This is not the case with online payment apps (e.g. Zelle, Cash App, Venmo) and other direct forms of payment, which are much like sending cash. You may not be able to get your money back if something goes wrong. That’s why it’s essential to only send money to people you know and trust when using digital payment options.
If you’ve been scammed, report it
Did you realize you’ve been scammed? The first place you call should be your financial institution.
You can also report what happened to agencies like the Better Business Bureau®, IC3, and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Another option is to call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).
“These agencies are increasingly committed to holding dangerous criminals accountable,” Clayman says. “Sharing what happened to you can help prevent it from happening to another older adult.”
Even if you didn't fall for a scammer's deception, you should still report a questionable phone call, email, or message. Your report provides critical data that helps authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FBI, track fraud trends, build larger cases, and warn the public.
The bottom line
Most scams aren't sophisticated because of technology—they're effective because they manipulate emotions. If someone pressures you to act quickly, asks you to send money, or tells you to keep a secret, stop before responding. Taking just a few minutes to verify who you're dealing with could save thousands of dollars and a great deal of stress.
Sources
1. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Internet Crime Report 2025. Found on the internet at https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2025_IC3Report.pdf
2. Sur, Aparajita et al. Contextual and Social Predictors of Scam Susceptibility and Fraud Victimization. Michigan Retirement and Disability Research Center. Found on the internet at https://mrdrc.isr.umich.edu/pubs/contextual-and-social-predictors-of-scam-susceptibility-and-fraud-victimization/
