10 Tips to Protect Seniors from Being Scammed

Millions of older adults fall victim to financial fraud or confidence schemes each year. Financial abuse targeting older adults is a widespread issue, with the FBI estimating that seniors lose more than $3 billion each year to fraudsters.

So why are older adults common targets? There are many factors. Older Americans have had more time to accumulate wealth, which is often invested in their homes and retirement savings. Some scams target older adults because of perceived or real frailty or cognitive decline. They may be reluctant or unable to challenge a caller on the phone if their hearing is limited or to examine the finer details of a fraudulent website or phishing email if they are visually impaired. Today’s older adults also grew up in a more trusting time. They may feel embarrassed to share their experience with loved ones or law enforcement or worried they will lose some autonomy.

You may not realize it, but scams targeting older adults are a form of elder abuse. At Hebrew SeniorLife, our Center for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect is dedicated to combating the incidence of elder abuse in Massachusetts. One way we do that is by educating older adults on how to identify scams and protect themselves from exploitation.

Common scams targeting older adults

One of the best ways to protect yourself from scams at any age is to familiarize yourself with the schemes that scammers use to steal money, bank information, and other personal details.

Here are some of the top ways that scammers are reaching out to older adults:

High-pressure business call scams 

Pre-recorded phone calls are sometimes called “robocalls” or “spam” calls. If you receive a pre-recorded phone call trying to sell you something, the call is almost always illegal and probably a scam. You may also receive a call from your utility company threatening to immediately turn off your service or saying your car’s extended warranty is about to expire. Those are very likely scams.

The best thing you can do if you receive a pre-recorded or high-pressure phone call attempting to sell you something is to hang up and block the phone number. You can learn more about how to block phone numbers on cell phones or landlines from the Federal Trade Commission. You can also report the number to the Federal Trade Commission’s National Do Not Call Registry. If you are located in Massachusetts and suspect the call is from a legitimate business that is not authorized to contact you, you may also report the call to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Government impersonation scams

Government impersonation scams are precisely what they sound like — a scammer poses as a representative of the government to steal financial or personal information from you. According to the Federal Trade Commission, three common forms of government impersonation scams include Internal Revenue Service scams, Medicare impersonator scams, and Social Security Administration scams. 

Romance scams

A scammer gains your affection and trust by using a fake online identity. The scammer then uses the illusion of a romantic or close relationship to manipulate and/or steal from you. This type of scam can occur on dating and social media sites.

Tech support scams

Scammers claiming to be from legitimate technology companies demand payment for unnecessary tech support services or to fix a problem that doesn’t exist. They may request remote access to your computer to fix the alleged problem, allowing them to install dangerous malware or steal your personal information. Sometimes, scammers will create fake websites with a number to call to receive support. 

New and trending scams

Scammers are constantly finding new ways to exploit people. In addition to this list, scammers are reaching out to older adults through fake lotteries and sweepstakes, grandparent scams, scams that utilize artificial intelligence and deepfakes, and a constantly growing list of ways to cause harm.

To keep yourself informed, the Federal Bureau of Investigation offers up-to-date information on common senior scam types and how to protect yourself on its website. The U.S. Department of Justice has a list of trending elder fraud threats to help you recognize financial exploitation. The National Council of Aging also offers educational resources on avoiding scams, including a mobile app that detects AI face-swapping scams during video calls.

Tips to prevent a scam

In addition to being familiar with common types of scams, recognizing warning signs can help prevent you from becoming a victim.

While it can be tricky to spot a scam at the moment if your emotions are heightened, scammers tend to follow similar patterns. According to the Texas Attorney General, the cornerstone of senior scams is that they will try to get you to believe that something very good — such as winning a prize — or very bad — such as going to prison or losing your home — is happening to you. 

Above all else, listen to your gut. If something feels off about a stranger’s request, it’s okay to be skeptical and investigate further before taking action.

Here are 10 tips that can protect older adults from being scammed:

1. Don’t act quickly.
   Scams are based on fear and urgency. Always take a little extra time to think it through and evaluate the legitimacy of what you are being asked to do.
    
2. Avoid odd payment types.
   Scammers often ask you to send them money via wire transfer, money order, cryptocurrency, payment app, or to pay them by purchasing gift cards. Be suspicious of demands for these alternative forms of payment.
    
3. Notice threatening behavior.
   Often, scams present themselves as urgent situations requiring immediate action. If you receive threats or hostility for asking questions, that’s a sign that the person is a scammer.
    
4. Be suspicious of fake caller IDs.
   Using computer software, scammers can make phone calls and emails that look like they’re coming from legitimate companies, government organizations, or your local area code. Often, it is best to ignore people who contact you uninitiated. At the very least, avoid sharing private information. It is safer to look up the organization’s contact information and contact them yourself.
   
   Also, scammers can pretend to be a social media connection who you don’t know very well. A con artist could use a fake local number to text you. As you may only have the connection’s social media or work phone, you might think the “connection” is contacting you from a personal cell phone.
    
5. Be cautious of impersonation.
   Con artists can sometimes pretend to be the government or charities. Before making investments or online payments, be sure that you have confirmed that the organization is a legitimate business by asking for information about the company and checking that they are registered with the Better Business Bureau. Before giving money away, research charities on sites like Charity Navigator and CharityWatch.
    
6. Do not reveal personal information.
   Con artists can try to get you to provide them with personal information like your Social Security number, account numbers, passwords, credit cards, or other identifying information they sell to fraudsters.
    
7. Avoid suspicious links.
   Don’t click on links in unsolicited emails, texts, or social media messages.
    
8. Ask a trusted friend or family member, or your financial institution.
   Before giving out your credit card number or money, ask a friend or family member if the request or situation seems suspicious — particularly if you don’t know the person telling you they need help. If you find yourself withdrawing money from an account or charging a large amount on a credit card and have concerns, share those concerns with the bank teller, or call your credit card company. Often, financial institutions know about the latest scams and may be able to help.
    
9. Add extra security to your accounts and monitor your credit.
   Many online accounts let you turn on multifactor authentication, which requires you to enter a code sent to your phone or email or generated with an app before accessing your account. Enabling this extra security measure can keep scammers out of your accounts even if they get ahold of your username and password. You may also wish to check your credit occasionally, particularly if you are concerned you may have already been scammed. The Federal Trade Commission offers helpful information online about obtaining free credit monitoring or reporting services.
    
10. Report to federal and state authorities.
    If you feel that you or someone you know may be experiencing elder abuse, there’s no need to be ashamed — it can happen to anyone. The faster you report the crime, the better your chance of minimizing the consequences. If you live in Massachusetts, complete an online report at the Executive Office of Aging and Independence website or call their 24-hour, toll-free elder abuse hotline at (800) 922-2275. Many other states maintain their own elder abuse hotlines. To report scams and fraud, you can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office.

Elder abuse prevention resources at Hebrew SeniorLife

Financial exploitation is just one form of elder abuse. At Hebrew SeniorLife, we are committed to bringing attention to the issue of elder abuse and talking about it within our communities. Working together to recognize the signs and symptoms and take action, we can help older adults stay safe.

In addition to providing emergency shelter, our Center for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect works with those affected by elder abuse to connect them to health care, social, and financial resources. Older adults can access these services regardless of whether they are staying in our shelter, and there are no financial eligibility criteria. To make a referral, inquire about services, or explore education opportunities, visit the Center’s website.

Susan Evensen Tena, LICSW, Center for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect at Hebrew SeniorLife, Program Director, contributed to this post.

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