Common Senior Scams

Scams have become a daily threat, and seniors are the number one target. In 2013, people over 60 lost over $160 million to scams, according to data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Ten years later, that same age group lost more than $3.4 billion in a year. 

Seniors are more connected than ever before, using smartphones, online banking, and social media at high rates. Unfortunately, their digital presence has made them more vulnerable to fraud. Scammers exploit trust, limited awareness, and financial stability, putting seniors at risk for major losses. While they represented 24% of scam victims, people over 60 bore over 40% of all scam-related losses in 2023.

Defending yourself and others from elder scams takes a multi-step approach, but knowing what you're up against is a great place to start.

"Senior scam" is a broad term for any scheme that affects older adults, also commonly referred to as "elder fraud." Fraudsters design these scams to trick you into giving away your money and information.  

While scams can affect all age groups, certain types of fraud target seniors because of their age and life circumstances. Scammers intimidate, deceive, and manipulate their victims. They may use phone calls, emails, social media messages, and in-person visits. 

Why do scams target seniors?

Scammers often prey on seniors because of assumptions and stereotypes. The list below covers several common reasons that older individuals may become targets for scams.

• Trusting Nature: Older adults tend to trust others more than other age groups, making them vulnerable to deception.
• Polite: Seniors are often polite and accommodating, meaning they engage with scammers for longer.
• Financial Status: Many seniors have savings, property, and good credit, which attract scammers. 
• Age: Seniors fit the age profile for grandparent, funeral, and reverse mortgage scams. 
• Digital Literacy: Older adults may struggle to keep up with new technologies and are likelier to accept and share online misinformation than younger adults.    
• Cognitive Limitations: Aging and age-related conditions affect cognitive abilities, making seniors more susceptible to scams. 
• Social Isolation: Seniors face higher risks of social isolation and loneliness, which shrinks their support groups and makes them more vulnerable to emotional manipulation. 
• Underreporting: Shame, embarrassment, and fear prevent many seniors from reporting elder fraud, which encourages scammers and helps them escape consequences.

Along with fraudulent efforts aimed specifically at them, seniors encounter the same scams that affect everyone. Recognizing these scams is crucial for prevention, so we compiled a list of the most prevalent and harmful scams affecting seniors today. 

Some of the most effective senior scams come from the people you know and trust. According to an AARP report, strangers stole $8 billion from seniors in 2023, while people known to seniors stole over $20 billion. 

Elder financial abuse may occur as a caretaker simply stealing cash or the person handling your finances rerouting funds into their own accounts. Scammers may also develop a relationship with you online, gaining your trust before asking for money.

While not the most common tactic, investment scams are by far the costliest to seniors. In 2023, investment losses exceeded $1.2 billion — more than double the losses from any other scam. In these schemes, fraudsters pose as financial advisors or insiders and pitch fake investments as low-risk opportunities with guaranteed returns. 

Your savings and disposable income make you an attractive target for investment scammers.

Funeral scammers take advantage of grieving seniors in the wake of a loved one's death. They scour obituaries looking for new widows and widowers to call, pretending to be creditors or funeral directors in need of payment or debt settlement. They hope that, amid the fog of grief, you will pay without questioning the charge.

Government imposters stole nearly $180 million from older adults in 2023 by posing as organizations like the Social Security Administration (SSA) and Medicare. These scammers target seniors because of their reliance on government programs.  

Some scammers claim they've found a problem with your SSA account, and you need to provide your SSN or pay a fine to resolve it. Others ask for your Medicare number or money to process a fake assistive device claim.

In this scam, fraudsters hope that you'll pay whatever it takes to help your grandchild. They call posing as a younger family member, claiming that they were arrested, kidnapped, or involved in an accident. The scammer may even use artificial intelligence to mimic their voice and pressure you into sending money.

Grandparent scams are sophisticated and organized. In 2025, authorities took down a criminal ring that defrauded hundreds of grandparents for $21 million.

In this scam, fraudsters call you to tell you that you've won a lottery or sweepstakes prize. To claim your winnings, however, you need to provide personal information or pay upfront fees. 

Scammers may set up fake organizations like the National Sweepstakes Bureau or pose as official groups like the Publishers Clearing House. They often target older adults because they tend to have high participation rates in contests and sweepstakes.

Mortgage scammers prey on seniors who own homes — even those in independent living communities. Fraudsters promise mortgage relief or help with accessing home equity with reverse mortgages. If you accept, they'll charge exorbitant fees or steal money throughout the process. 

While reverse mortgages can provide access to your home's equity, these loans may come with high fees. Oftentimes, the information and services these scammers sell are available for free.

Online shopping scams are common, particularly around the holidays. Scammers try to lure victims with social media ads promising top products for bargain-basement pricing. These scams often appear on Facebook because of how active and responsive older adults are on the platform.

If you click through the ad, you could find yourself on a fake website designed to steal your information. You might also buy counterfeit products or buy something that never arrives. 

It can be difficult to detect phishing phone calls, texts, and emails these days. Scammers can spoof the phone numbers of legitimate companies, use robocallers, and copy official communications and websites to convince you that they represent a well-known organization. 

This fraud has many variations, including scammers posing as someone from Amazon, your doctor's office, or your bank. They usually claim there's a problem with your account that requires your information, but they'll steal whatever information you provide.  

Tech support scams are the most common schemes affecting seniors. More than half of the victims who lose money to this type of fraud are over the age of 60. 

The scam involves a fraudster posing as a tech support representative. They may call you about a fake issue with your computer or use malicious pop-ups to convince you to contact them. They may trick you into paying for an imaginary service, providing sensitive information, or giving them remote access to your device.

This new type of scam targets senior drivers for unpaid tolls or late fees. It often starts with a message that includes a malicious link where victims are asked to provide information and pay with a credit card. The scammers hope that seniors don't track toll payments or that they'll provide information to dispute the charge.

Take action as soon as you suspect you've been scammed. You may not recover all your losses, but you can prevent further fraud with the appropriate steps. 

Your exact response should depend on the type of scam, but the list below covers some general guidelines to follow. 

• Cut off contact. Stop talking to the scammers immediately to reduce your risk of furthering the scam. Do not alert them or try to get more information from them.
• Freeze your credit. Freeze your credit with each of the three major credit bureaus to prevent scammers from using your credit.

  • Equifax: (888) 298-0045

  • Experian: (888) 397-3742

  • TransUnion: (800) 916-8800

• Contact your lawyer. If you have an elder law attorney, contact them for guidance and a response plan.
• File a Federal Trade Commission report. The FTC has reporting channels for fraud, scams, and identity theft. Your report can support investigations and future banking and credit disputes.
• Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline. Report the fraud at (833) FRAUD-11 or (833) 372-8311 and connect with a case manager for help through the process.
• Alert your bank and credit bureaus. Place an alert on your bank account and credit file to inform lenders that you could be at risk of fraud.   
• Update your online accounts. If you provided details or login credentials for any account, change your passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). 
• Report the scam to the FBI. File a complaint with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). While this may not trigger an investigation, it could help authorities identify patterns.

Senior scams have become complex and difficult to detect — but not impossible. By taking steps to set up safeguards, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from senior scams and elder fraud. 

• Stay informed. Keep up with the latest scams affecting seniors through the FTC's consumer advice section and AARP Fraud Watch Network.
• Be skeptical. Question every unsolicited call, message, or email, even if it appears to come from someone you trust. 
• Strengthen your online accounts. Set up strong passwords and enable 2FA on all your online accounts.
• Use digital security. Install antivirus software and safe browsing tools to protect yourself while online. Our internet safety for seniors guide can give you a starting point.
• Limit what you share. Adjust your social media privacy settings and remove any publicly available personal information.
• Monitor your accounts. Review your credit reports and bank statements regularly to spot fraudulent activity. 

Senior scams are a fast-growing problem. Even seniors in monitored assisted living communities, memory care facilities, and nursing homes are at risk. While there are many steps you can take to help prevent elder fraud, awareness is one of the best defenses. Understanding why scammers target seniors, what the common scams look like, and how to respond to a scam can protect you and your finances. 

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