Phone scams targeting seniors to be aware of

Phone scams targeting seniors often exploit their trust and unfamiliarity with technology, leading to serious financial and emotional harm. This article highlights common phone scams aimed at older adults and offers practical tips to help protect you or your loved ones.

A senior man sits on a couch with his mobile device confused because he was the target of a phone scam.

Phone scams targeting seniors aren’t just a passing nuisance—they're a calculated attack on a vulnerable population. Scammers often focus on older adults because they may have substantial savings, less familiarity with fraudulent tactics, or a natural tendency to trust others.

This article highlights these deceptive schemes, breaking down how they work and arming you with the knowledge needed to have proactive conversations with your loved ones to help safeguard their finances and well-being.

Educate older adults about phone scams

One of the most effective ways to shield older adults from falling victim to phone scams is through education. Understanding the tactics scammers use can make it easier to recognize red flags and avoid handing over sensitive information or hard-earned money.

Staying informed about evolving scam tactics is crucial. Scammers often use professional scripts and convincing impersonations to deceive. Recognizing the signs of these schemes helps individuals identify suspicious calls and avoid scams. Below is a list of common phone scams targeting older adults with clear descriptions.

  • Tech support scams: Scammers pose as help desk agents, claiming your computer or device is infected with a virus. They often request remote access or payment for fake "fixes."
  • Imposter scams: Callers pretend to represent family members, government agencies, or legitimate organizations. They use fear or urgency to manipulate their victims into providing money or personal details.
  • Extortion scams: These involve threatening the victim with legal trouble, arrest, or worse unless a payment is quickly made, often through gift cards or wire transfers.
  • Medicare phone scams: Common among seniors, these scams involve fake representatives asking for Medicare numbers under the guise of updating records or offering free services.
  • Social Security scams: Fraudsters pretend to be from the Social Security Administration, alerting the victim of fraudulent activity on their account to steal personal information.
  • Lottery or sweepstakes scams: Scammers claim the victim has won a prize but requires payment of fees or taxes upfront to collect their winnings.
  • Charity scams: Fraudsters pretend to represent legitimate charities, often targeting victims during natural disasters or other crises, to trick them into donating money to fake causes.
  • Election scams: Scammers exploit election periods by posing as campaign representatives, requesting donations for fake political causes, or spreading misinformation to influence voters.

5 Signs of phone scams targeting seniors

Many phone scams are specifically designed to exploit emotions, such as fear, urgency, or trust, which is why they often succeed if the recipient is caught off guard. By discussing these tactics openly and regularly, you empower your loved ones to stay alert and in control.

  1. The caller creates a sense of urgency or fear, pressuring the recipient to act quickly without taking time to verify the information or seek advice.
  2. The call is unsolicited and unexpected, often catching the recipient off guard.
  3. The caller claims to represent a government agency, using official-sounding language to establish credibility.
  4. The offer or promise sounds too good to be true, such as winning a large sum of money or receiving an exclusive benefit.
  5. The caller requests immediate payment, often through unconventional methods like gift cards or wire transfers.

What to do if a loved one's been scammed

If you discover that a loved one has fallen victim to a scam, it’s essential to act quickly and methodically to minimize the damage. Here are the steps you should take to address the situation and help protect against further harm:

  • Contact authorities immediately. Report the scam to your local law enforcement and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  • Freeze their credit. Place a fraud alert or freeze on their credit report through major credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion to prevent further financial damage.
  • Notify financial institutions. Contact their bank and credit card companies to stop any unauthorized transactions and secure their accounts.
  • Monitor for identity theft. Keep an eye out for unusual activity, such as new accounts opened in their name. Consider using identity theft protection services like Norton 360 with LifeLock for added peace of mind.

Protect your family from scams with Norton

Swift action is essential to protect your personal information and financial security, especially as scams become more advanced. Cyberthreats are constantly evolving, but with robust protection, you can stay one step ahead. Norton 360 now offers AI-powered scam detection, providing an extra layer of security to help safeguard your family from these growing threats

FAQs

What are the current scams targeting seniors?

Scammers are constantly adapting their techniques to exploit seniors. Recent scams include criminals posing as government officials, fake tech support representatives, or even distant family members in distress. These schemes often aim to steal personal information or convince seniors to send money.

What are common phone scams?

Common phone scams include prize-winning hoaxes, fraudulent calls from imposters claiming to be IRS agents, and fake tech support claiming your computer has been hacked. These scams have been around for years and continue to target vulnerable individuals.

What scams are going around at the moment?

Currently, prevalent scams include fake charity requests related to recent disasters, "too good to be true" investment opportunities, and text message phishing (smishing) that attempts to steal personal or financial details. These scams often exploit current events or trends to appear legitimate.

How do I protect my seniors from phone scams?

To protect seniors from phone scams, educate them about common scam tactics, encourage them to never share personal or financial information over the phone, and use call-blocking apps or devices to screen unknown numbers. Regularly discuss potential threats to help them stay aware and vigilant.                                                

Clare Stouffer
  • Clare Stouffer
  • Gen employee
Clare Stouffer, a Gen employee, is a writer and editor for the company’s blogs. She covers various topics in cybersecurity.

Editorial note: Our articles provide educational information for you. Our offerings may not cover or protect against every type of crime, fraud, or threat we write about. Our goal is to increase awareness about Cyber Safety. Please review complete Terms during enrollment or setup. Remember that no one can prevent all identity theft or cybercrime, and that LifeLock does not monitor all transactions at all businesses. The Norton and LifeLock brands are part of Gen Digital Inc. 

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