Common Scams Targeting Seniors

Sadly, many fraudsters prey on older, less digitally savvy people, exploiting their trust and vulnerability. With the advent of AI, these scams are becoming harder to detect. It’s important to be aware of the common tactics used, and take proactive steps to protect yourself and your loved ones.

Common Types of Scams

Imposter Scams:
What it is: Scammers impersonate legitimate businesses, such as banks or utility companies. They may call, email, or text, claiming there’s a problem with your account or that you owe money.
How it works: They often use scare tactics, demanding immediate payment or personal information. They might threaten to disconnect your services or take legal action. AI has made these scams even more convincing with deep fakes and voice cloning.
Delivery Status Scams:
What it is: Scammers send fake delivery notifications via email or text, claiming there’s an issue with your package delivery.
How it works: They provide a link to a fake website that looks like a legitimate delivery service. The site may ask for personal information, payment details, or try to get you to download malware.
Tech Support Scams:
What it is: Scammers pose as tech support representatives from major companies like Microsoft or Apple.
How it works: They may call or display pop-up messages on your computer, claiming your device has a virus or security issue. They’ll then offer to “fix” the problem for a fee, often gaining remote access to your computer.
Flattery / Fake Relationship Scams:
What it is: A sophisticated and emotionally manipulative scam involving building trust and then defrauding the victim.
How it works: Scammers initiate contact through social media or texting, building a romantic or friendly relationship over time. They then introduce a “lucrative investment opportunity,” often convincing the victim to invest large sums of money.
Other Email and Texting Scams
What it is: Scams sent via email or text encouraging you to click a bad link to install malware, obtain your personal info, or trick you into transferring money.
Examples:
- Fake online shopping websites – Fake websites offer low prices to trick you into sharing your credit card information. If it sounds too good to be true, always double-check.
- Sweepstakes, giveaways or prize scams – These financial scams may ask for your bank account information or for you to pay a deposit to get the prize.

How to Protect Your Senior Loved Ones

Educate: Talk to your parents about these common scams and how they work. Emphasize that it’s okay to hang up or ignore suspicious messages and to NEVER click a link sent in a text or email from a sender they do not know.
Never give out personal information: Remind them never to provide sensitive information like Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords over the phone or email.
Be wary of urgent requests: Scammers often pressure victims to act quickly. Teach your parents to take their time and consult with a trusted family member or friend before making any decisions.
Monitor their accounts: Help them monitor their bank and credit card accounts for suspicious activity. Set up fraud alerts if you can. Make sure that they are keeping an eye on their credit score.

By staying informed and taking proactive steps, you can help protect your loved ones from falling victim to these increasingly common scams.