Most common scams affecting older adults

Michael Dayoub
Jul 28
2 min read

It’s a lot to read, but informative.

Remember: if an email or call is unusual, hang up, don’t reply or click. Call back your known contacts through their usual channel. Never give a possible imposter your authorization codes over the phone. Never click new links unless you’re sure they’re legit. Don’t pay surprise invoices. Don't send money without triple checking. If someone on the phone says “don’t tell anyone” it is likely a scam. Don’t let fake support people guide you into installing “debugging” software on your device. Slow down. Call us if you’re not sure.

https://www.ncoa.org/article/what-are-the-top-online-scams-targeting-older-adults/

🕵️‍♂️ Top Online Scams Targeting Seniors

1. Impostor Scams

Fraudsters pose as authority figures—gov’t agents, utility companies, banks—or even loved ones.
In 2023, this was the 2nd highest cause of consumer fraud losses, totaling around $2.7 billion (National Council on Aging).

2. Tech Support Scams

Scammers claim your computer has issues and offer “repair” services—often demanding remote access and payment.
This scam was among the most common targeting older adults (National Council on Aging).

3. Government Impersonation Scams

They impersonate the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare, threatening account freezes, arrest, or deportation unless immediate payment is made—often via untraceable methods like gift cards or wire transfers (National Council on Aging).

4. Romance / Sweetheart Scams

Scammers create fake dating profiles, entice victims emotionally, then ask for money under various pretexts (e.g., emergencies, visas).
In 2023, people aged 60+ lost over $369 million to these scams (National Council on Aging).

5. Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams

Victims are told they’ve won a prize—but must send money first for “fees” or “taxes.” The prize never arrives (National Council on Aging).

6. Robocalls & Voice Scams

Automated calls often ask “Can you hear me?” to record your voice and then use it for fraudulent charges or identity theft later (National Council on Aging).

✅ What You Can Do to Stay Safe

Pause and Reflect: Don’t rush—hang up, step back, and verify requests with trusted sources (bank, family, official numbers) (National Council on Aging).
Verify Authority: Don’t trust caller ID—scammers often spoof numbers. Independently verify credentials before taking action (National Council on Aging, National Council on Aging).
Never Share Personal Info: Don’t give out Social Security numbers, PINs, or one-time codes—especially unsolicited (National Council on Aging, National Council on Aging).
Avoid Untraceable Payments: Scammers often demand gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—these are red flags (National Council on Aging).
Talk It Over: Get a second opinion—show a suspicious message or call to a friend or family member before acting (National Council on Aging, National Council on Aging).