Avoiding Scams and Fraud for Older Adults

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A senior Caucasian woman is receiving help from her caregiver daughter in paying her bills.

Top 5 Scams Targeting Older Adults

Older adults are frequent targets of payment scams. Learn what red flags to look out for, so you can keep yourself or a senior you know safe.

Jul 17, 2024

What Are the Top Online Scams Targeting Older Adults? Read Article

Scammers use psychological tricks to engage and manipulate older adults. Learn about some common schemes—and how you can protect yourself.

Jul 17, 2024

How to Avoid an Online Scam: 5 Ways to Protect Yourself Read Article

Payment Scams Content Made Possible by Our Partner

Home improvement scams often target older adults. Learn the telltale warning signs as well as what you can do to ensure a contractor is trustworthy.

Jul 17, 2024

What Is a Home Improvement Scam? Learn 8 Warning Signs Read Article

Jul 17, 2024

3 Ways to Stop Scammers in Their Tracks Read Article

Jul 17, 2024

Text Message Scams: How to Identify, Report, and Help Protect Yourself Read Article

Jul 17, 2024

What Are Common Social Security Scams? A Guide for Older Adults Read Article

The Top 5 Financial Scams

Financial scams targeting older adults can be devastating, leaving you in a vulnerable position and without time to recoup your losses. Learn how to identify and stop the top 10 financial scams.

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More on Avoiding Scams and Fraud for:

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Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platforms offer a fast, convenient way to send money online. Learn five tips for doing it safely and securely.

Jul 17, 2024

Sending Money Digitally: 5 Safety Tips for Older Adults

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been a rapid rise in the theft of government benefits, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). A proposed federal law would require all SNAP EBT cards to have security chips to prevent hackers from stealing benefits from older adults.

May 24, 2024

How the Government Is Securing SNAP Benefits from Scammers

Business imposter scams prey on consumers who put their trust in familiar brands and organizations. Learn how older adults can spot these scams and protect themselves.

May 23, 2024

5 Business Imposter Scams to Watch Out For in 2024

A pig butchering scam is a newer type of online scam that often targets older adults. Learn how it works, what red flags to look out for, and how you can protect yourself.

May 7, 2024

How to Stay Safe When Having Conversations Online

A SARS COVID-19 vaccine vial and syringe appear in a close up in front of a one-hundred U.S. dollar bill.

Jan 16, 2024

5 Tips to Avoid COVID Vaccine Scams

A close up shot of a stack of credit cards.

Dec 8, 2023

The Top 5 Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults

A young female caregiver helps her grandmother with her financial paperwork.

Nov 20, 2023

Government Imposter Scams: What They Are and How to Spot Them

Medicare scams are common and come in all different forms. Learn about the warning signs of a scam—and smart ways to keep your information safe.

Oct 30, 2023

5 Warning Signs of a Medicare Scam—and How to Protect Yourself

These tips, including watching out for fake product reviews and using a credit card for purchases, can help ensure a safe online shopping experience.

Sep 6, 2023

10 Tips for Safe and Secure Online Shopping

A senior couple is sitting on their patio looking at a tablet together, while smiling.

Jul 6, 2023

How Older Adults Can Improve Their Personal Cyber Security

A senior Caucasian woman is at her mailbox collecting letters, looking straight on at the camera.

May 25, 2023

Did You Receive a Letter from the Social Security Administration? Here’s What You Need to Know

While digital health products offer many benefits, they also bring concerns about health information privacy and security.

Mar 11, 2022

Digital Health Products: Is Your Information Safe?

Several emoji hearts are flying above a phone, indicative of online dating.

Feb 7, 2022

Sweetheart Scams: How to Avoid Being a Victim

Phyllis Weisberg lost $20,000 to scammers. Protect yourself and learn how to report financial fraud if you suspect you’re a victim.

Jan 25, 2022

Phyllis Weisberg: A Tech Support Scam Victim's Story

A senior caucasian man is transferring money to an unknown source using his cell phone.

Jan 19, 2022

Protecting Yourself Against Tech Support Scams

A fishing hook is stuck into a credit card over a computer, indicating phishing.

Dec 9, 2021

How to Prevent Phishing Scams: A Guide for Seniors

A senior Black female is using her laptop at her kitchen table, thinking about how to create a great password for her email.

Nov 10, 2021

How to Create Strong Passwords: A Simple Guide

A retired Veteran is looking intensely at his laptop computer at his kitchen table.

Nov 9, 2021

How Veterans Can Avoid the Benefits Buyout Scam

Older Hispanic man getting mail out of his mailbox outside.

Sep 28, 2021

Junk or Not? How to Sort Your Medicare Mail

A close-up shot of a red keyboard key that says "Fraud Prevention" in all caps.

Dec 21, 2020

22 Tips for Seniors to Avoid Scams

An older adult receives a phone call from unknown number.

Jun 22, 2020

COVID-19 Fraud: A Warning from the Senior Medicare Patrol

A man holds a cell phone in his hand that says "Unknown Caller", likely indicating a scam.

Mar 18, 2020

4 Coronavirus Scams to Avoid

A doctor takes a nasal swab from a senior woman for genetic testing.

Oct 17, 2019

Genetic Testing Fraud: A Concerning Trend for Seniors

An older female caregiver has her arms around her senior female loved one as they both stare happily outside.

Jun 21, 2018

What Is a Representative Payee and Who Can Become One?

The word "SCAM" is spelled out in wooden blocks on an old picnic table.

Apr 26, 2018

Senior Money Scams: 8 Tips to Protect Yourself

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