Phyllis Weisberg, 90, never thought she’d fall for a scam. Though widowed and living alone, she maintained robust social connections and confidently used her mobile phone and laptop computer to conduct daily business and stay in touch with family and friends.
Still, tech support scammers convinced Phyllis she needed urgent help with her device. These cybercriminals quickly—and illegally—got into her bank account and stole $20,000.
Sadly, crimes like these happen every day. Tech support scammers often pose as “helpful” service representatives, offering to fix issues related to compromised email or bank accounts, a computer virus, or even expired software licenses. And their primary targets: older adults like Phyllis.
Scammers have commonly focused on people age 60 and older because they buy into common stereotypes: that seniors aren’t comfortable around technology; are more financially secure; may experience memory issues; are socially isolated; and tend to be more trusting.
The rise of tech support scams targeted at older adults
Tech support scams targeting older adults are a major issue. According to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), tech support fraud is second on the list of top reported crime types among this age group.
In 2024, 16,777 people age 60+ filed tech support fraud complaints with the IC3. In total, these victims lost more than $982 million to tech support scammers alone.1 That’s nearly a 167% increase in lost dollars over the previous year.2
How do older adults fall victim to tech support scams?
Scammers use a variety of convincing techniques to target and engage their would-be victims. These include:
- Telephone: Cybercriminals “spoof” (fake) phone numbers and business names on Caller ID to get you to pick up. When you do, they impersonate a computer support technician, a bank representative, someone from a billing department, or even a government official.
- Search Engine Advertising: Cybercriminal syndicates create fraudulent websites and then pay for “sponsored ads” so that those sites show up higher on the list when you search for related terms. Clicking on the link exposes you to identity and financial theft.
- Pop-Up Messages: This is a favorite trick for tech support scammers. You receive an on-screen message that your computer is infected with a virus. The message includes a phone number that connects you to a fraudulent tech support company when you call it.
- Email: Scammers send you an unsolicited phishing email claiming that your credit card or other account shows unauthorized activity. Just like the pop-up scam, this email includes a phone number and encourages you to call the “fraud department.” Both are fake.
Tech support fraud is becoming increasingly common and often targets vulnerable individuals. Legitimate tech support will never proactively reach out to fix an issue—whether by phone call or through a website. If something feels suspicious, it’s best not to engage, avoid granting access to your devices, and never share personal information.
How can older adults avoid being a victim of a tech support scam?
Think of cyberspace as a freeway: the best way to navigate is defensively. Just like fastening your seatbelt, using some basic internet safety practices can help ensure that your online experience is safe and enjoyable. We’ve outlined these five top cyber security tips so you can stay protected.
“My first reaction was total embarrassment—that I would do anything that stupid,” Phyllis said. “All I can do is warn other people and just hope that this will help one person to avoid doing this. It would be a blessing to me,” she continued.
How to take action if you feel like you've been a victim of a tech support scam
Awareness is a powerful first step in protecting yourself. NCOA has resources that can help, including:
- How to protect yourself against tech support scams
- How to prevent phishing scams
- How to create strong passwords
- How to improve your personal cyber security
Lastly, if you think you’ve been the victim of a tech support scam, don't hesitate to tell someone. You are not alone, and there’s no reason to be embarrassed. If a scammer has stolen money, contact your local police and your financial institution to report the crime.
You can also report the scam online to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and report it to your local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field office or submit a tip to the FBI online. The FBI also encourages you to file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
When reporting a tech support scam or any other online scam, the FBI recommends including as many of the following details as possible:
- Names of the scammer and/or company
- Dates of contact
- Methods of communication
- Phone numbers, email addresses, mailing addresses, and websites used by the perpetrator
- Methods of payment
- Where you sent funds, including wire transfers and prepaid cards (provide financial institution names, account names, and account numbers)
- Descriptions of your interactions with the scammer and the instructions you were given
Phyllis spoke out. You can, too.
When you do, you perform an important public service: providing detailed information to investigators that might help lead them to an arrest.
Sources
1. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Internet Crime Report 2024. Found on the internet at https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf
2. Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center. Elder Fraud Report 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2023_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf
