10 Scams That Target Older Adults — and How to Spot Them

The scams that work on older adults are not random

Scammers target older adults because they often have savings, own homes, and tend to be polite to strangers. The ten scams listed here are the ones that show up most often in police reports and elder services data. They work because they use real fear — fear of losing money, fear of legal trouble, fear of being alone — rather than because older adults are less intelligent. Many of these scams fool people of all ages.

The pattern is almost always the same: the scammer creates urgency, asks you not to tell anyone, and requests payment or personal information over the phone, email, or in person. If someone is pushing you to decide right now, that is the warning sign.

Key Takeaways

• The IRS, Social Security, and Medicare will never call you first to demand payment or threaten arrest — they send official mail.
• Tech support scams use fake error messages and caller ID spoofing to make it look like Microsoft or Apple is calling, but real companies do not cold-call about viruses.
• Romance scams and grandparent scams both build trust over weeks or months before asking for money, and they often ask you to keep the relationship secret.
• Lottery and prize scams tell you that you have won something you never entered, and they always ask for money upfront to claim the prize.
• If someone is pressuring you to move fast, not tell family, or send money by wire transfer or gift card, stop and call someone you trust before going further.

Government impersonation scams (IRS, Social Security, Medicare)

A caller says you owe back taxes, your Social Security number has been suspended, or your Medicare is being cancelled. They sound official, the caller ID may show a government number, and they say you need to pay or provide personal information immediately or face arrest or loss of benefits.

The real IRS, Social Security Administration, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services do not work this way. They send official letters in the mail first. They do not threaten arrest over the phone. They do not ask you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or iTunes card. If you are unsure, hang up and call the official number on your bill or the back of your insurance card — not a number the caller gave you.

Tech support scams

You see a pop-up on your computer that says your device has a virus or security problem. The message gives you a phone number to call. When you call, someone claims to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your internet provider and says they can fix it remotely — but they need to access your computer and may ask for payment.

Real tech companies do not send pop-ups telling you to call a number. They do not cold-call you about viruses. If your computer is actually having problems, open a new browser window, go directly to the company's official website (not a number from the pop-up), and contact them from there. Do not let anyone you did not call access your computer remotely.

Grandparent scams and romance scams

A caller or online contact says they are your grandchild in an emergency — they have been arrested, in a car accident, or stuck abroad and need money wired immediately. They ask you not to tell the rest of the family because they are embarrassed. Alternatively, someone you have been talking to online for weeks or months says they love you, want to meet you, but need money for a plane ticket, medical bill, or business emergency.

Real grandchildren call from their own phone or have someone call from a hospital or police station, not from a blocked number. They do not ask you to keep emergencies secret from the rest of the family. Romance scams almost always move toward a request for money after building trust over time, and the person often has a reason they cannot video chat or meet in person. If you are unsure, hang up and call your grandchild directly or ask another family member to verify the story.

Lottery, prize, and sweepstakes scams

You receive a call, email, or letter saying you have won a lottery, prize, or sweepstakes. You do not remember entering, but the caller has official-sounding details. They say you need to pay taxes, fees, or shipping upfront to claim your prize, or they ask for your bank account information to deposit the winnings.

Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes do not ask you to pay money to claim a prize. If you won something, the organization contacts you through official channels and does not require upfront payment. If you did not enter a contest, you did not win it. Throw away the letter or hang up the call.

Charity and donation scams

After a disaster or during the holiday season, you receive a call or email from someone claiming to represent a well-known charity. They describe urgent need and ask for a donation by wire transfer, gift card, or credit card over the phone. The caller may use a name similar to a real charity or claim to be collecting for a cause you care about.

Real charities have websites where you can verify their name and mission. They do not pressure you over the phone or ask for donations by wire transfer or gift card. If you want to give to a cause, hang up, look up the charity's official website yourself, and donate through their site. The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Navigator both list verified charities.

Home repair and contractor scams

A contractor shows up at your door after a storm or offers to inspect your roof, driveway, or foundation for free. They find urgent problems and pressure you to sign a contract and pay a deposit that day. They may ask for payment upfront before starting work, or they take the deposit and never return.

Legitimate contractors give you a written estimate, let you think it over, and do not pressure you to decide on the spot. They do not ask for full payment before starting work — usually they ask for a deposit of 25 to 50 percent. Get at least three estimates from contractors you find yourself (not ones who came to your door), check their references, and verify their license with your state or local licensing board before signing anything.

Utility and internet bill scams

You receive a call or email saying your electric, gas, water, or internet bill is overdue and your service will be shut off unless you pay immediately. The caller may threaten to send police or say they are calling from your utility company. They ask you to pay by wire transfer, gift card, or by giving your bank account number over the phone.

Utility companies send bills in the mail and give you time to pay before shutting off service. They do not threaten to send police for unpaid bills. They do not ask for payment by gift card or wire transfer. If you are unsure whether your bill is overdue, hang up and call the number on your actual bill — not a number the caller gave you.

Investment and financial scams

Someone calls or emails offering an investment opportunity that guarantees high returns with little risk. They may claim to have insider information about a stock, a real estate deal, or a business opportunity. They pressure you to invest quickly before the opportunity closes and ask for money to be wired or sent by check.

Legitimate investments do not may provide returns. Anyone promising may provide high returns is lying. Real financial advisors are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission or your state, and you can verify their credentials on the SEC website. If someone is pressuring you to invest quickly, that is a warning sign. Take time to research, talk to someone you trust, and never send money to someone you have not met in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I think I have been scammed?

Stop sending money immediately. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to your local police department, and to your bank or credit card company. If the scammer has your personal information, consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report by calling one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion).

How can I tell if a caller ID is real?

Caller ID can be faked — a technique called spoofing. A number that looks like it is from the IRS, your bank, or a government agency may not be. If you are unsure, hang up and call the organization back using the number on your bill or their official website. Do not use a number the caller gave you.

Is it safe to give my Social Security number over the phone?

No, not to someone who called you first. Real government agencies and banks already have your Social Security number. If you call them back using a number you know is real, it is safer — but still ask whether they really need it before you give it.

What is the safest way to send money if I need to?

Wire transfers and gift cards are hard to reverse, which is why scammers ask for them. If you must send money, use a method you can stop — a credit card or a check. But if someone is pressuring you to send money quickly, that is a sign something is wrong. Talk to someone you trust first.

Where can I report a scam I have seen targeting other older adults?

Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to your state's Attorney General office, or to the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116. You can also contact your local Area Agency on Aging, which tracks scams in your community.