Protecting Seniors from Scams
Scammers are constantly finding new ways to target older adults. They often use fear, urgency, trust, or the promise of financial gain to convince someone to share personal information or send money. While scams can affect anyone, seniors are frequently targeted because scammers may assume they have retirement savings, strong credit, or are more likely to answer phone calls and emails.
The good news is that many scams share common warning signs. Learning to recognize them can help protect you and your loved ones from becoming victims.
Common Scams That Target Seniors
Government Impersonation Scams
Scammers may pretend to be representatives from Medicare, Social Security, the IRS, or another government agency. They often claim there is a problem with your benefits, taxes, or personal information and demand immediate action.
Remember that legitimate government agencies generally do not call unexpectedly demanding payment, gift cards, wire transfers, or sensitive personal information.
Prize and Sweepstakes Scams
Have you received a call, email, or text saying you’ve won a vacation, cash prize, or new car? If you never entered a contest, be skeptical. Many scammers use fake prizes to collect personal information or convince victims to pay fees to claim their winnings.
A good rule of thumb is simple: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Tech Support Scams
Scammers may contact you claiming your computer has a virus or security issue. Some create pop-up warnings that urge you to call a phone number immediately. Once contacted, they may request remote access to your device or ask for payment to fix a problem that does not exist.
Never give remote access to your computer unless you initiated contact with a trusted technology provider.
Romance and Friendship Scams
Scammers often create fake online relationships through social media, dating sites, or messaging apps. After building trust, they may ask for money, gift cards, or financial assistance due to a supposed emergency.
Be cautious of anyone you have not met in person who asks for money or financial help.
Investment and Financial Scams
Fraudsters frequently promote investment opportunities that promise guaranteed returns, little risk, or unusually high profits. These offers may involve fake investments, cryptocurrency schemes, or other financial products.
Every investment carries some level of risk. Be wary of anyone promising guaranteed profits or pressuring you to invest quickly.
Warning Signs of a Scam
Many scams follow similar patterns. Watch for these red flags:
- Pressure to act immediately
- Requests for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payment apps
- Promises of guaranteed winnings or returns
- Requests for personal information such as Social Security numbers, banking details, passwords, or Medicare numbers
- Unexpected calls, emails, texts, or social media messages
- Threats that something bad will happen if you do not respond right away
- Offers that seem unusually generous or too good to be true
How Seniors Can Help Protect Themselves
Slow Down and Verify
Scammers want you to react quickly. Take time to verify who is contacting you before sharing information or sending money. Contact the organization directly using a phone number from its official website or a trusted document.
Protect Personal Information
Never provide sensitive information over the phone, through email, or by text message unless you are certain of the recipient’s identity. This includes Social Security numbers, Medicare numbers, banking information, passwords, and account details.
Talk to a Trusted Family Member or Advisor
Before making large purchases, investments, donations, or financial decisions, discuss the situation with someone you trust. A second opinion can often identify warning signs that may have been overlooked.
Research Organizations Before Sending Money
Whether you are donating to a charity, hiring a service provider, or responding to a business offer, take time to research the organization and verify its legitimacy.
Monitor Financial Accounts
Regularly review bank statements, credit card transactions, and investment accounts for suspicious activity. Reporting fraud quickly can help limit financial losses.
Stay Educated
Scam tactics change frequently. Keeping up with current fraud trends can help you recognize suspicious activity before becoming a victim.
Final Thoughts
Scammers rely on urgency, fear, and excitement to catch people off guard. Taking a few extra moments to verify information, ask questions, and consult trusted family members or advisors can make a significant difference.
When it comes to protecting yourself from fraud, one simple rule applies to nearly every situation: if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Agents
We hope that this information on protecting seniors from scams is useful to you. If you want to learn more about identifying scams, read our article How to Identify and Avoid Medicare Scams.Â
Empower Brokerage is dedicated to helping you make informed decisions about your health and finances. Whether it’s through webinar training, one-on-one calls, seminars, or marketing plans, we want you to be successful!
Give us a call at 888-539-1633 or leave a comment below if you have any questions.
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This article was updated on August 6, 2026.