Be on the safe side
Beware! These 12 common scams are aimed at senior citizens
Image: Kaboompics.com
For many reasons, senior adults are often targeted by scammers. Unscrupulous individuals are savvy and convincing, using tactics designed to catch people off guard. There is no shame in falling victim to one of these scams—it can happen to anyone. However, in today’s world, it is highly advisable to be aware of these schemes and familiarize yourself with them to avoid falling prey. Take a look at the following 12 scams—they could help protect you or someone you care about.
1
The Government impersonator
Image: Harold Mendoza
One of the most common scams targeting senior citizens involves fraudsters posing as a member of a government agency such as the FTC, Social Security Administration, IRS, or Medicare. The basic pitch is similar to many others: the caller claims that if the target does not pay a fee or provide personal information, they will face serious consequences.
Government agencies will never call, email, text, or message you on social media to request money or personal information . Only scammers engage in such tactics.
2
Fake Prize, Sweepstakes, and Lottery
Image: dylan nolte
Another common scam involves a call, email, or letter informing the recipient that they have won a sweepstakes, lottery, prize, or even a new car. The next part of their message is the key to uncovering the racket: the scammer will request money or personal account information to "claim" the prize . No serious company will ask for such things by telephone or email to award a prize.
3
Tech Support
Image: Simon Abrams
Technology can be intimidating to anyone who is not familiar with it, and tech support scammers know this. These individuals will attempt to convince their targets that their computer or phone has a serious issue, such as a virus.
Scammers often pressure victims into paying for unnecessary services that are not really needed or offer to do the repairs remotely if the recipient grants them access. They may use pop-up error messages, phone calls, or text messages to carry out their scheme. To protect yourself, always keep your antivirus software up to date.
4
'Grandparent' Scams
Image: Nikoline Arns
Exploiting emotional connections is a basic on any scammer’s manual and grandparents are frequent targets. Fraudsters may call and impersonate a grandchild or another close relative in distress , urgently requesting financial assistance .
If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and contact the family member directly to verify their well-being before taking any action.
5
Robocalls
Image: Jenna Anderson
Robocalls use automated phone technology to dial large numbers of households. One common scam is the "Can you hear me?" call. When the recipient responds "yes," the scammer records their voice and quickly hangs up. This recorded response can then be used as a voice signature to authorize fraudulent charges on stolen credit cards or other accounts.
6
Romance Scams
Image: Mayur Gala
Online dating and loneliness may seem like a natural match, but scammers have long exploited this opportunity. Romance scammers create elaborate fake profiles, often on social media, to take advantage of senior adults' loneliness and manipulate them for money.
They may request money for visas, medical emergencies, or travel expenses to visit the US. Since they tend to last for a long time, these types of scams can rob an older person of substantial amounts of money before realizing they’ve been deceived.
7
Business Imposter
Image: Constantin Wenning
This type of scam can take a serious financial toll on senior adults. This type of ruse involves the illegal or alleged sale of financial instruments promising low risk and guaranteed returns. The use of cryptocurrency is common in these scams, as it can be difficult to trace.
8
Pigeon Drop
Image: Alexander Mils
A pigeon drop scam occurs when a scammer offers the victim a large sum of money in exchange for a smaller upfront payment . While this should immediately raise suspicion, many people still fall for it. These scams are often carried out in person at tourist spots but can also happen frequently over the phone .
A classic example is an email claiming that the sender has inherited money from a distant relative but needs a small payment from you to transfer the funds.
9
Counterfeit Cashier's Checks
Image: Gadini
Cashier’s checks have been around for a long time and have been the subject of counterfeiters ever since. While forgeries can be highly convincing, a common red flag is being asked to deposit a check under suspicious circumstances and then return a portion of the funds to a stranger —chances are, it is a scam.
10
Travel Packages
Image: Marten Bjork
A tourist hoping for a dream vacation instead found cramped rooms and terrible accommodations that fell far short of expectations —this is not a new story.
To avoid such disappointments, travelers should always request information directly from the hotel in question and confirm which features are included in their selected package. Additionally, they should never provide credit card information unless they initiate the call or email.
11
Home Repair
Image: Jimmy Nilsson Masth
Another common scam involves criminals who appear in person and charge homeowners in advance for home improvement services they never provide . These scammers often pose as employees of utility companies.
If someone receives an unexpected visit like this, they should always call the company to verify the person's identity before allowing them inside.
12
Caregivers
Image: Ani Kolleshi
This one strikes particularly hard since caregivers are supposed to help people when they are most vulnerable. Unfortunately, sometimes, unscrupulous individuals can take advantage of the senior adults they are supposed to care for and steal their money .
Always make sure to screen anybody who will be in charge of, or around, a senior adult that requires assistance.
