How to Recognize Elder Fraud and Report It

What elder fraud looks like, and why it works on older adults

Elder fraud is any scam or theft targeting someone over 60, and it works because scammers exploit the specific ways older adults live: they have savings, they answer the phone, they trust institutions, and they may be isolated or grieving. The fraud itself looks ordinary — a call about a grandchild in trouble, an email about a package, a text about a bank account, a visitor at the door. What makes it fraud is that the person on the other end is lying about who they are and what they want, and they're counting on you to act before you verify.

Older adults lose an estimated $28 billion per year to fraud, but that number only counts cases that get reported. Many people don't report because they're embarrassed, or because they don't realize what happened until weeks later, or because they don't know where to report it. The scammers know this. They also know that older adults are more likely to have a landline, to keep cash at home, to own their house outright, and to have good credit — all things that make them valuable targets.

Key Takeaways

• Common elder fraud includes grandparent scams (fake emergencies from family), tech support scams (pop-ups claiming your computer is infected), and impersonation scams (callers pretending to be from Social Security, Medicare, or your bank).
• Legitimate organizations never ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency over the phone or email.
• If you think you've been scammed, report it to your local police, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the Federal Trade Commission — all three keep records that help catch repeat offenders.
• Telling family members about a scam attempt, even if you didn't send money, helps them watch for the same scammers targeting other relatives.

The most common elder fraud schemes and how to spot them

Grandparent scams start with a call or text from someone claiming to be a grandchild in an emergency — arrested, in a car accident, stuck in another country. They ask you not to tell the parents and to send money immediately by wire transfer or gift card. A real grandchild would call their parents first, and a real emergency would go through official channels (a lawyer, a hospital, an embassy) that you can verify independently.

Tech support scams pop up on your computer screen or come through a phone call claiming your device has a virus or security problem. They ask you to call a number, download software, or give remote access to your computer. Legitimate companies like Microsoft and Apple never contact you this way. If you see a pop-up, close your browser entirely (not just the pop-up window) and restart your computer. If someone calls claiming to be from tech support, hang up and call the company's official number from your phone bill or their website.

Impersonation scams come from someone claiming to work for Social Security, Medicare, the IRS, your bank, or your utility company. They say there's a problem with your account and they need to verify information — your Social Security number, your Medicare number, your account password, or payment information. Government agencies and banks never ask for this information by phone or email. If you're unsure, hang up and call the official number on your bill or statement.

Romance and catfishing scams develop slowly through dating websites or social media. The person builds a relationship with you over weeks or months, then asks for money for a medical emergency, travel, or a business opportunity. They may ask you to buy gift cards or open a bank account in your name. Real relationships don't move to money requests, and people who won't meet you in person or video call are not who they claim to be.

Red flags that separate scams from legitimate contact

Pressure to act fast is the single strongest warning sign. Scammers create urgency because it stops you from thinking clearly or checking with someone else. Phrases like "act now," "this is time-sensitive," "don't tell anyone," or "you have to decide right now" are almost always a sign of fraud. Legitimate organizations give you time to verify and to ask questions.

Requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or prepaid card are red flags. These payment methods are irreversible — once the money is sent, it's gone. Real companies and government agencies accept checks, credit cards, or bank transfers that can be disputed if something goes wrong. If someone asks you to buy a gift card and read them the code on the back, that's fraud.

Requests for passwords, Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, or banking information over the phone or email are always suspicious. Legitimate organizations already have this information if you're their customer. They won't ask you to confirm it by email or phone. If you're not sure whether a call is real, hang up and call the organization's official number yourself.

Callers who won't give you a callback number, who get angry when you ask questions, or who claim you'll be arrested or lose benefits if you don't act immediately are running a scam. Real government agencies and companies have customer service lines you can call back, and they don't threaten people into compliance.

What to do if you think you've been scammed

If you sent money or gave personal information, act quickly. Call your bank or credit card company immediately and tell them what happened. If you sent money by wire transfer or gift card, the money may still be recoverable if you report it within hours. If someone has your Social Security number, you can place a fraud alert with the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) by calling 1-888-397-3742. This makes it harder for scammers to open accounts in your name.

Report the scam to three places: your local police department (file a report in person or online), the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov, and the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. These reports don't always lead to arrests, but they create a record. When the same scammer targets other people, law enforcement can see the pattern. You can also report to your state's attorney general office — many have elder fraud units.

If you received a scam call, text, or email, save it. Don't delete the message. If it came by phone, write down the number that appeared on your caller ID, the time of the call, and exactly what the person said. If it was email or text, forward it to the organization being impersonated (you can usually find a fraud reporting email on their website). This helps them track which scammers are using their name.

Tell your family what happened, even if you didn't send money. Scammers often target multiple family members with the same story. If your daughter knows someone called you pretending to be her, she can warn her own friends and family. You can also ask a trusted family member to help you monitor your accounts for the next few months.

How to protect yourself going forward

Verify before you act. If someone calls claiming to be from your bank, hang up and call the number on your bank card. If someone texts about a package delivery, go to the company's website directly instead of clicking the link in the text. If someone claims to be a grandchild in trouble, call that grandchild's parents before sending money. A few minutes of verification stops most scams.

Use a password manager to create strong, unique passwords for each account — this makes it harder for scammers to access your accounts even if they get one password. Enable two-factor authentication on your email and banking accounts if the option is available. This means even if someone has your password, they can't log in without a code sent to your phone.

Be cautious about what you share on social media. Scammers build profiles of you from public posts — they learn your grandchildren's names, where you live, where you bank, and what you care about. You don't have to share everything publicly. Consider limiting who can see your posts to friends only.

If you live alone or have limited family contact, ask a trusted friend or family member to check in with you regularly. Scammers count on isolation. Someone who talks to you weekly is more likely to notice if you suddenly seem stressed about money or if you mention a new online relationship.

Resources for reporting and getting help

The Federal Trade Commission's fraud reporting website (reportfraud.ftc.gov) accepts reports of any scam and sends you a recovery guide based on what happened. The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov) handles online fraud and shares data with law enforcement. Both are free and don't require you to hire anyone.

The Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can connect you to your local Area Agency on Aging, which often has fraud prevention programs and can help you report scams. The National Center on Elder Abuse (ncea.acl.gov) has information about fraud, financial exploitation, and where to report in your state.

If you've lost money and need help recovering it, contact your state's attorney general office — many have victim compensation programs or can refer you to legal aid. Some community organizations also offer free financial counseling to help you rebuild after fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I already gave someone my Social Security number?

Call the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) at 1-888-397-3742 and place a fraud alert on your credit report. This makes it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You can also freeze your credit, which blocks access entirely until you unfreeze it. Both are free and take about 15 minutes.

Can I get my money back if I sent it by wire transfer?

It depends on how quickly you report it. Wire transfers are hard to reverse, but if you contact your bank within hours, they may be able to stop the transfer before it's picked up. After that, recovery is unlikely unless law enforcement catches the scammer. Report to the FBI and FTC anyway — they track patterns and may recover money in future cases.

Is it my fault if I fell for a scam?

No. Scammers are professionals who use psychology and urgency to manipulate people. They target older adults because they're trustworthy and have savings, not because they're gullible. Millions of people fall for scams every year across all ages and education levels. Reporting it helps protect others.

What if the scammer is still contacting me?

Don't respond, don't engage, and don't give them any new information. Block the number or email address. If the contact is threatening or won't stop, report it to your local police. You can also report harassment to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, which helps them identify repeat offenders.

How do I know if a phone number or website is real?

Never use a number or website from the call, text, or email itself. Instead, look up the organization's official number on your bill, on their official website (type it into your browser directly), or by calling directory assistance. This ensures you're reaching the real organization, not a scammer pretending to be them.