What Are the Biggest Scams Involving Older Adults?

Scams targeting older adults are not new, but they are evolving. Every year, criminals refine their tactics to exploit older adults who may be more trusting, less familiar with technology or more concerned about their finances and security. 

Let’s review the biggest scams currently affecting older adults, how they work, what warning signs to look for and what to do if you or a loved one becomes a victim.

Business Impersonation Scams

According to data collected by the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC), one type of scam stands out in 2025: business impersonation scams.

So far this year, 52 percent of reports to the ITRC involving the sharing of personal information have come from scams where criminals pretend to be a trusted company. These scams are especially harmful because they exploit a victim’s confidence in household-name businesses and institutions.

Who Do Scammers Pretend to Be?

• Financial institutions. Scammers often claim to represent the victim’s bank or credit card company, warning about “fraudulent activity” and asking the victim to verify sensitive details.
• Consumer technology companies. Well-known brands like Apple or Microsoft are frequent targets for impersonation. Victims are told there’s a problem with their computer, account or subscription.
• Antivirus software providers. Criminals claim the victim’s subscription is expiring or that malware has been detected on their device, then demand payment for “renewals” or fake services.
• Amazon. A common tactic is to notify victims of a supposed “fraudulent purchase” or renewal charge and urge them to provide account credentials or banking information to resolve it.

How Do Scammers Make Contact?

• Phone calls. Older adults may receive calls from people claiming to be “fraud specialists” or “technical support agents.”
• Emails or text messages. Messages often mimic official branding and logos, warning of urgent account issues.
• Fake customer service numbers. Some victims search online for a company’s contact number and unknowingly call a fraudulent listing that connects them directly to a scammer.

In each case, the criminal creates a false sense of urgency—convincing the victim that their money, account or personal identity is at risk unless they act immediately.

Other Common Scams Targeting Older Adults

While business impersonation scams are the largest category reported to the ITRC in 2025, other fraud tactics continue to affect older adults as well.

Government Impersonation Scams

Scammers call claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration or Medicare. They may threaten legal action, suspended benefits or demand immediate payment. Older adults concerned about losing essential services may comply without realizing these agencies never demand payment over the phone.

Tech Support Scams

Criminals convince victims that their computer is infected and needs repair. Once given access, the scammer can install malware, steal files or demand payment for unnecessary “repairs.”

Lottery and Prize Scams

Victims are told they have won a sweepstakes or lottery but must first pay taxes or fees to claim the prize. No legitimate contest requires pre-payment.

Romance Scams

Online criminals build fake relationships with older adults over weeks or months, then request money for emergencies, travel or investment opportunities.

Charity Scams

Fraudsters exploit the generosity of older adults by pretending to represent charities, especially after natural disasters or crises.

Why Older Adults Are Targeted

Criminals see older adults as attractive targets for several reasons:

• Financial resources. Many older adults have savings, retirement accounts or a steady income from pensions and Social Security.
  
• Trusting nature. Older adults may be more likely to believe someone who sounds authoritative or claims to represent a trusted brand.
  
• Technology comfort levels. While tech-savvy seniors exist, many struggle to distinguish legitimate communications from sophisticated scams.
  
• Isolation. Lonely or isolated individuals may be more susceptible to emotional manipulation, especially in romance or support scams.

Warning Signs of a Scam

Understanding the red flags can help older adults and their families prevent fraud before it happens. Common warning signs include:

• Urgency. Phrases like “act now,” “your account will be closed” or “you must verify immediately” are hallmarks of scams.
  
• Unusual payment requests. Scammers may ask for payment via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. Legitimate businesses never demand these forms of payment.
  
• Unexpected contact. Calls, texts or emails out of the blue claiming to be from well-known companies or government agencies should be viewed with caution.
  
• Errors in communication. Look for misspellings, poor grammar or unofficial-looking logos in emails and texts.
  
• Requests for sensitive information. Banks and businesses will not ask for your full Social Security number, account credentials or PINs by phone, email or text.

How to Protect Older Adults From Scams

Here are steps that can help safeguard older adults and reduce the likelihood of falling victim.

1. Verify before responding. Encourage older adults to hang up, delete suspicious messages and call the company directly using a verified number from a statement or official website.
   
2. Use call-blocking tools. Many phone providers offer services that reduce robocalls and known scam numbers.
   
3. Educate about search risks. Remind older adults not to rely solely on internet search results for customer service numbers, as scammers sometimes manipulate search rankings.
   
4. Enable account alerts. Banks and online retailers often offer real-time notifications for transactions, helping catch fraud quickly.
   
5. Encourage open communication. Older adults should feel comfortable telling family members if they receive suspicious calls or requests.

What to Do if You’re a Victim of a Scam

If you or someone you love has already engaged with a scammer, it’s important to act quickly:

• Stop communication. End contact with the scammer immediately.
  
• Document everything. Save emails, text messages and call details.
  
• Notify financial institutions. Contact your bank or credit card company to report potential fraud.
  
• Change account credentials. Update passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on accounts.
  
• File a report. Report scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and, in some cases, local law enforcement.
  
• Contact the ITRC. The Identity Theft Resource Center offers free, confidential assistance to help seniors recover from scams and identity crimes.

Call the ITRC Today

Whether the scam comes by phone, email, text or even a fraudulent customer service number found online, the goal is the same: to trick older adults into sharing personal or financial information. By recognizing warning signs, staying cautious and seeking expert support, seniors can protect themselves from devastating losses.

If you or someone you know has been targeted by a scam or identity crime, reach out to the Identity Theft Resource Center today.