Seniors & Family
Protecting Older Adults From Scams
Older adults lose more to fraud than any other group, not because of anything wrong with them, but because the scams are designed to create panic. A little setup and a simple family agreement stop most of it.
The Scams That Target Older Adults
- The grandparent / emergency scam: a caller posing as a grandchild in trouble, begging for money and secrecy.
- Tech support pop-ups: a scary message claiming the computer is infected, with a number to call.
- Medicare, Social Security, or IRS calls: threats of lost benefits or arrest unless you pay now.
- Romance scams: an online "partner" who eventually needs money.
The tells are always the same: urgency, secrecy, and payment by gift card, wire, or crypto. Real agencies never work that way.
Block the Calls Before They Land
- Turn on Silence Unknown Callers (iPhone) or spam protection (Android).
- Turn on the free carrier scam filter (AT&T ActiveArmor, Verizon Call Filter, T-Mobile Scam Shield).
- Full steps in our spam & robocall guide.
Lock Down Money and Identity
- Freeze their credit so no one can open accounts in their name, see our credit freeze guide.
- Turn on bank transaction alerts and consider a trusted-contact or view-only arrangement at the bank.
- Never give anyone remote access to the computer because they called you, that is always a scam.
Make a Simple Family Plan
- Agree on one rule: no money decisions under pressure. "Call me first" before sending anything.
- Pick a family member to ask about anything that feels urgent or scary.
- Report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov, and the AARP Fraud Watch helpline is free for advice.
Common Questions
How do I bring this up without being condescending?
Frame it as something everyone deals with, because everyone does. Share a scam you almost fell for. Make it a team effort, not a lecture.
What if they already got scammed?
Act fast: call the bank to stop or reverse payments, freeze credit, change passwords, and report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov. It is not their fault, and shame keeps people from getting help.
Are gift-card requests always a scam?
Yes. No real business or agency will ever ask to be paid in gift cards. Full stop.
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