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.

1

Miami

Image: Avi Werde

Miami’s name comes from the Mayaimi people, who lived around Lake Okeechobee. The name itself is thought to refer to the "big water" of the lake, a defining feature for the region's Indigenous inhabitants.

2

Chicago

Image: Neal Kharawala

The name "Chicago" comes from the Potawatomi word shikaakwa, meaning "wild onion" or "wild garlic." These plants were once abundant along the banks of the Chicago River, and early French explorers who heard this term adapted it into the city's name.

3

Philadelphia

Image: Chris Murray

The name "Philadelphia" comes from the Greek words philos (love) and adelphos (brother). Founded in 1682 by William Penn, the city was intended to be a haven for religious freedom and peaceful coexistence—hence its name.

4

Cincinnati

Image: Matt Koffel

Cincinnati's name comes from the Society of the Cincinnati, a patriotic organization formed in 1783 to honor officers of the Continental Army. The society itself was named after Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a legendary hero of the Roman Republic.

5

California

Image: Vital Sinkevich

The name "California" comes from Las Sergas de Esplandián, a 16th-century Spanish novel by Garci Rodríguez de Montalvo. The book describes a mythical island where gold could be found in great quantities. When Spanish explorers reached the Baja Peninsula, they mistakenly believed it was an island and, inspired by the novel, named it after the fictional paradise.

6

Boise

Image: Attorney Sluice

The name "Boise" comes from the French word boisé, meaning "wooded" or "forest." French fur traders were some of the earliest European explorers in the region, and they named the Boise River after observing the thick forests that lined its banks.

7

Albuquerque

Image: Raychel Sanner

Albuquerque was named by the Spanish in the 18th century, but its origins trace back to the Latin words albus (white) and quercus (oak), referring to the white oak trees that are found in the area.

8

Mississippi River

Image: Mathew Benoit

The Mississippi River gets its name from the Ojibwe word Misi-ziibi, meaning "Great River." Certainly a fitting name, given the river’s key role in the development of American trade and transportation, a vital route for settlers and Indigenous people alike.

9

Yellowstone National Park

Image: Meina Yin

Yellowstone National Park takes its name from the Yellowstone River, which was in turn named by fur trappers who used the word "yellow" to describe the river’s striking sandstone cliffs . Established in 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park in the U.S., preserving its unique geological and natural wonders.

10

Appalachian Mountains

Image: Elijah Mears

The Appalachian Mountains, among the oldest in the world, take their name from Apalachee , a term used by the Spanish to refer to a Native American tribe in northwestern Florida . Interestingly, the name was later applied to the distant mountain range, despite no direct connection between the two—perhaps they had run out of names?

11

Niagara Falls

Image: Sergey Pesterev

Niagara Falls takes its name from the nearby Niagara River, which derives from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra , meaning "the strait" or "narrow water." Unsurprisingly, given their breathtaking beauty, the falls have long been a significant natural landmark for both Indigenous peoples and European explorers.

12

Adirondack Mountains

Image: Ty Finck

The Adirondack Mountains in New York are believed to take their name from the Algonquin word adirondacks , meaning "they eat trees" or "bark eaters." This name likely referred to another group of Indigenous inhabitants who relied on the region’s lush forests for food and shelter.

1

Avocado Toast

Image: Brenda Godinez

Let’s get this right out of the way first with a recipe that is as close to perfection as possible. Avocado toast has been a staple of breakfast menus for the last ten years or more, usually paired with scrambled eggs and seeds.

For this version, add a poached egg and top it with tuna salad or alfalfa sprouts for a healthy and satisfying meal.

2

Peanut Butter & Pomegranate

Image: Khysrow Akbari

Peanut butter? Sure. Pomegranate? Not so much, right? You might be surprised by this one, but this odd pairing works quite well. The classic PB flavor is complemented by the fresh fruit , with its natural sweetness and juiciness helping to combat peanut butter's stickiness, plus some extra fiber.

The recipe is simple: just spread a layer of peanut butter on your toast and sprinkle a healthy dose of pomegranate arils on top.

3

Fig, burrata & prosciutto

Image: Kaufmann Mercantile

As with a couple of the following recipes, this very Italian version of breakfast toast might seem a bit sophisticated, but it’s really not. Indeed, a combination of fig, burrata, and prosciutto does look and sound impressive, but it is very easy to make.

If you want to go the whole nine yards, start with sourdough bread as the base. Top it with a slice of prosciutto, a spread of burrata, and the pulp of a fig. The sweet and salty combination is delicious.

4

Spinach & blue cheese rarebit

Image: Towfiqu barbhuiya

For those who don’t know, rarebit is a hot cheese sauce served on toasted bread . This upgraded version adds spinach leaves and tangy blue cheese, balanced by delicate crème fraîche and wholegrain mustard.

The flavor and texture mix of the creamy cheese, the crunchy toast, and the spicy mustard create a combination that will provide a nice kick to your breakfast.

5

Ricotta, blackberry & pine nut

Image: Nick Sarro

The first completely sweet (or almost completely) toast on our list is packed full of health benefits, thanks to the vitamins C and K, manganese , and more found in blackberries.

For this recipe, simply spread some ricotta cheese on your toast, pack it with blackberries, and sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top. The creamy, tart, and crunchy combination will give your mornings a delicious health boost.

6

Boiled egg, avocado & quick pickled radish

Image: Jo Lanta

Yes, we said that the first item on this list was the only avocado toast recipe you will need, but in this one, avocado isn’t the star —just another ingredient alongside the mighty radish.

Place thin slices of quick-pickled, crunchy radishes on your toast , then add some avocado slices on top. Lastly, top with a soft-boiled egg. Done. The spicy-creamy combination of radish, avocado, and egg is a heavenly experience for brunch lovers.

7

Pesto eggs with crushed peas

Image: David Todd McCarty

What are pesto eggs, you might wonder? This recipe is a great way to use up the last bit of pesto in the jar by placing it in a frying pan, along with two eggs and two tomato slices .

Once the eggs are cooked to your liking, place the pesto, tomato slices, and eggs in a blender and give it a quick spin to mix everything together. Spread the resulting mixture on two pieces of toast and enjoy!

8

Air fryer yogurt custard toast

Image: Olga Petnyunene

If you have an air fryer, it will come in handy for this delicious breakfast recipe. Start by beating together 1 egg, 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt, and 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup in a bowl.

Once you’ve done this, spread the resulting mixture over two pieces of toast, add some raspberries on top , and air-fry for 7 to 8 minutes until the custard has set and the bread is crisp.

9

Breakfast Toasts With Cheese

Image: Jez Timms

Cheese is an almost always welcome ingredient in any dish, and breakfast toasts are no exception. From salty to neutral , from soft and creamy to hard , cheese comes in many varieties that can be part of your morning menu.

Ricotta is a versatile option that can be spread on toast with lemon juice, basil leaves, and honey, or with sliced pears, walnuts, and honey. Soft goat cheese pairs well with figs and thyme for a Mediterranean-inspired breakfast. Blue cheese can also be combined with sliced pears, walnuts, and honey. The possibilities are endless.

10

Breakfast Classics

Image: Chris Lawton

The last item on our list is devoted to the timeless classics that have always been there for us and have stood the test of time. From the delicious bacon and eggs toast with spinach leaves to the more upscale smoked salmon with lemon juice and sliced scallions , or a bagel with cream cheese, smoked trout, and cucumber , or even a simple toast topped with butter and your choice of marmalade or caramel, the classics are always there for you.