Scams Targeting Older Adults
Scammers deliberately target older adults: they may have retirement savings, own their homes, and were raised to be polite on the phone. The FBI and the Federal Trade Commission receive hundreds of thousands of fraud reports from older Americans every year. Understanding the common scripts — and the one rule that defeats most of them — is the best protection.
The Most Common Scripts
Government Impostor Scams
“You owe back taxes.” “Your Social Security number is suspended.” “There’s a warrant for your arrest.” Callers pose as the IRS, Social Security Administration, or Medicare. Reality check: government agencies communicate by mail first, never demand gift cards or wire transfers, and never threaten immediate arrest by phone.
The Grandparent Scam
A tearful voice calls — “Grandma, it’s me” — followed by a story of trouble and a plea for secrecy. Scammers harvest family details from social media to sound convincing. The defense is simple: hang up, then call your grandchild or their parents on a number you already know.
Romance Scams
A new online friend or romantic interest, often met on social media or a dating site, gradually asks for money — for a medical emergency, a business crisis, or travel to finally meet. These scams can run for months and devastate victims emotionally as well as financially.
Tech Support Scams
A pop-up or call warns that your computer has a virus; the “technician” requests remote access and payment. Legitimate companies do not cold-call about viruses. If a pop-up locks your screen, shut down the browser — do not call the number on the screen.
Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams
“You’ve won! Just pay the taxes and fees first.” Real lotteries deduct taxes from winnings; they never require upfront payment to collect a prize.
Why Older Adults Are Targeted — and Why It Is Not Their Fault
Scammers are professionals running tested psychological scripts: urgency, authority, secrecy, and emotion. Falling for one reflects the scammer’s skill, not the victim’s intelligence. Shame keeps many victims silent, which is exactly what scammers count on. If it happened to you or someone you love, reporting it is an act of strength — it creates the data law enforcement uses to track these operations.
Practical Protections
- Screen calls. Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. A legitimate caller will leave a message.
- Set up a code word with grandchildren and close family for emergency calls.
- Talk about scams openly. Family conversations about fraud are one of the strongest proven defenses.
- Consider call-blocking tools from your phone carrier.
- Check credit reports annually at annualcreditreport.com, and consider a credit freeze — it is free and does not affect your credit score.
Explore Elder Financial Abuse Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the one rule that stops most scams?
What is the grandparent scam?
Where do I report a scam?
Can lost money be recovered?
How can someone find legal help for an elderly parent?
Sources & Further Reading
These are official or established sources you can use to verify the information above. External links open in a new tab.
Federal Trade Commission
Report Fraud
Official FTC portal for reporting scams and fraud.
External links do not imply endorsement.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
FBI portal for reporting internet-enabled crime, including elder fraud.
External links do not imply endorsement.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Pass It On — Fraud Prevention
CFPB resources on scams targeting older adults and how to talk about them.
External links do not imply endorsement.
About this page
- Updated
Sources
- Report Fraud — Federal Trade Commission
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Pass It On — Fraud Prevention — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
“Accessed” means the date the source was consulted; it is not the publication date of this page.
Published: September 26, 2026
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LegalHelpForSenior.com provides general informational content and is not a law firm. Information on this website should not be considered legal advice. Laws and procedures vary by state. For advice about a specific situation, consider consulting a qualified attorney licensed in the applicable jurisdiction. Read our full legal disclaimer.