Scam Awareness for Older Adults — How to Spot and Avoid Fraud
Safety & Security
Protecting your information and peace of mind
Scammers target older adults at alarming rates — by phone, email, text, and even at the front door. The best defense is knowing what to look for. Here are the most common scams, how to recognize them, and what to do if you think you've been targeted.
Phone Scams — The Most Common Threat
Phone scams are the number one way fraudsters reach seniors. They often impersonate trusted organizations to create panic.
The Medicare or Social Security Call
Someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, Social Security, or a government agency. They say your benefits are suspended or your card has expired. They ask for your Social Security number or Medicare ID to 'verify' your account.
- Government agencies will NEVER call you out of the blue asking for personal information. They communicate by mail.
- Hang up immediately. Do not press any buttons or say 'yes' — scammers can record your voice.
- If you are worried, call Medicare or Social Security directly using the number on your official card or statement.
The Grandparent Scam
A caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble — they need bail money, car repair money, or emergency medical funds. They often say 'Don't tell mom and dad.'
- Hang up and call your grandchild or their parents on a number you know belongs to them.
- Scammers scrape family details from social media, so the caller may know real names.
- Never wire money, send gift cards, or give bank info based on a phone call. No legitimate emergency works this way.
The Tech Support Scam
A caller claims your computer has a virus or your internet has been hacked. They offer to fix it remotely and ask for payment or access to your computer.
- No real company — not Microsoft, not Apple, not your internet provider — will call you unsolicited about a problem with your device.
- Never give someone you do not know remote access to your computer.
- Hang up and run a scan with your own antivirus software if you are concerned.
Email and Internet Scams
Phishing attempts try to trick you into clicking links or downloading attachments that steal your data.
- Phishing emails look like they come from your bank, Amazon, or a delivery service. They say your account is locked or a payment failed and give you a link to 'fix it.'
- Hover over links before clicking (on a computer) — the real destination often reveals a fake address. On a phone, do not tap — go directly to the company's website or app instead.
- Look for poor grammar, urgent deadlines, and generic greetings like 'Dear Customer' — real companies use your name.
- Never open attachments from unknown senders. They can install harmful software.
- Use strong, unique passwords for each important account — a simple notebook by your desk is more secure than using the same password everywhere.
Medicare and Health Insurance Fraud
Scammers may call offering free medical equipment, genetic testing, or 'new benefits' — all they need is your Medicare number.
- Medicare will not call to offer free equipment or services. These calls are always scams.
- Never give your Medicare number to anyone who calls you. Treat it like a credit card number.
- Review your Medicare Summary Notice every quarter. If you see charges for services or equipment you did not receive, report it immediately at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Romance Scams
Scammers build trust over weeks or months on dating sites, Facebook, or even Words With Friends. Once a connection forms, they ask for money.
- Be suspicious of anyone who quickly wants to move the conversation off the dating site to private text or email.
- Never send money or gift cards to someone you have only met online, no matter how convincing their story.
- Do a reverse image search of their profile photo — scammers often steal photos from real people.
- If they always have an excuse to avoid video calls or in-person meetings, it is a red flag.
Door-to-Door and In-Person Scams
Fraudsters may show up at your home offering unnecessary services or using distraction techniques.
- Be wary of unsolicited offers for home repairs, driveway paving, tree trimming, or roof inspections — especially after storms.
- Scammers may pose as utility workers to gain entry to your home. Always ask for ID and call the company to verify before letting anyone inside.
- Never pay cash upfront for services. Reputable contractors do not demand full payment before starting work.
- The 'distraction burglary' — one person keeps you talking at the front door while another enters through the back. Always lock back doors before answering the front.
What to Do If You Are Targeted
If you think you've been scammed or are in the middle of a suspicious interaction, follow these steps.
- Stop and hang up. Do not engage or try to outsmart a scammer. They are professionals.
- Do not be embarrassed — scammers are skilled manipulators. It can happen to anyone.
- Report it: call the FTC at 1-877-382-4357 or visit reportfraud.ftc.gov.
- If you gave out financial information, call your bank or credit card company immediately.
- Consider freezing your credit with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — it is free and prevents anyone from opening accounts in your name.
Universal Red Flags
Any ONE of these means hang up or delete the message:
Slow Down and Check
Staying safe is mostly about pausing before acting. Take an extra ten seconds to think. Talk to someone you trust before sending money or sharing information. Scammers depend on haste and secrecy — the best tool you have is slowing down and checking with a friend or family member who has your back.