5 Scams Aimed at Seniors and How to Help Protect Yourself or Your Loved One

Scammers count on that sense of urgency to cloud your judgment. They impersonate loved ones, government officials, or bank representatives, spinning stories that stir up fear, trust, or confusion.

These scams often touch on sensitive topics like your health, your Social Security, or even the loss of a loved one because they know it’ll make you react emotionally. They also rely on natural politeness and trust to get what they want.

Protecting yourself isn’t just about having good cybersecurity habits (like keeping your devices updated). It’s also about building routines that make you a tough target. Here are five common scams and simple ways to help protect yourself.

1. The grandparent scam

You get a call from someone claiming to be your grandchild. There’s been an emergency, like a car accident, an arrest in a foreign country—and they need money fast. They might even hand the phone to a fake “lawyer” or “police officer” to make it sound more convincing.

What you can do

• Pause and think. Does this story add up? Did you know they were traveling?
• Verify before acting. Call another family member or reach out directly to your grandchild.
• Watch out for odd payment methods. Scammers often ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency methods that are hard to trace and nearly impossible to reverse.

2. Social Security, Medicare, or IRS Scams

These scams usually start with a call saying there’s a problem with your account. They’ll ask you to “verify” personal details. Their goal? Steal your identity or file fake claims in your name. They might even spoof real phone numbers or quote official-looking documents.

What you can do

• Never share personal info over the phone.
• Hang up and verify. Look up the official number yourself and call to check.
• Know the signs. The IRS won’t threaten you with police action or demand specific payment methods.
• Be cautious with unknown numbers. Especially if they call early in the morning or late at night.

3. Tech support scams

A pop-up appears on your screen saying your computer has a virus. It offers a fix if you just click the link. But instead of helping, it installs malware to steal your info. Sometimes, scammers call pretending to be from a tech company and ask for remote access to your computer.

What you can do

• Never click on pop-ups. Legitimate tech companies won’t ask you to do that.
• Keep your system updated and consider installing antivirus software. If that sounds tricky, ask a trusted family member or hire a local tech expert.

4. Fake financial or sweepstakes emails

These phishing emails or texts promise prizes or warn you about your bank account. They look real and often ask you to click a link. But that link leads to a fake site designed to steal your login info.

What you can do

• Don’t click on links. Instead, open your browser and type in the website address yourself.
• Use unique passwords. If scammers get one password, they’ll try it on other accounts. Unique passwords help stop them in their tracks.

5. Deceased debt scams

Scammers read obituaries and contact grieving family members, claiming the deceased owed money. They pressure you to pay up.

What you can do

• Talk to someone you trust. Don’t make decisions alone. Reach out to a relative or attorney.
• Set up bank alerts. You’ll get notified about large withdrawals or charges. You can even let a family member receive alerts too.

If you’ve been scammed, don’t be ashamed. It happens to people of all ages. The key is to act fast. Report the scam to your bank or financial institution right away. The sooner you do, the better your chances of stopping further fraud and maybe even recovering some of your money.