The Worst Scams Targeting Senior Citizens This Year

How Can Seniors Stay Safe From New Scams?

Scammers target senior citizens at an alarmingly high rate. In 2024, the FBI received over 147,000 complaints of elder fraud — a 46% increase from the previous year — with victims losing nearly $5 billion.

Older adults are often more trusting of strangers, less likely to be tech-savvy, and more likely to be home during the day to answer phone calls or reply to emails — making them prime targets for scammers. They may have accrued a lifetime of savings, their own home, and a promising credit score.

Scammers often target seniors specifically as they know their victims might feel like they can’t report the scam out of fear of losing their independence or being seen as incompetent

To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, it's important to know the most common warning signs of scams targeting seniors.

The 13 Worst Scams Targeting Senior Citizens in 2025

1. The phantom hacker scam
2. The grandparent scam
3. Government imposter scams
4. Elder financial abuse
5. False investment schemes
6. Tech support scams
7. Robocalls and phishing messages
8. Sweepstakes and lottery scams
9. Elder romance scams
10. Funeral scams
11. Reverse mortgage scams
12. Online shopping scams
13. Charity scams‍

1. The phantom hacker scam

The phantom hacker scam is a three-phase imposter scam that has cost Americans over $1 billion since the start of 2024, according to the FBI.

Scammers make initial contact by posing as a tech support specialist and pressuring victims into downloading remote access software. Once installed, they tell their victims to check their financial accounts for signs of fraud, but this is merely a ploy to identify high-value accounts to target. Phase one ends as scammers claim the victim will receive a call from their bank with further instructions.

Next, scammers reach out using phone number spoofing technology to make it appear as if the call is coming from the victim's bank. Posing as the bank's fraud department, they inform their victim that their bank account and device have been accessed by a "foreign hacker", and the only way to protect their funds is to move them to a "safe" account at a different institution. They'll be told to send wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or use other non-refundable methods.

In the final phase, scammers reach out pretending to be a government representative, claiming that the victim needs to keep moving funds to an "alias" account to keep them safe.

Warning signs of a phantom hacker scam:

• You receive a pop-up, email, text, or phone call claiming your device has been hacked or infected with a virus
• Someone asks you to download remote access software, such as AnyDesk or TeamViewer
• You're told to transfer your money to a different financial institution to "keep it safe"
• An authority figure tells you not to inform anyone else of what's going on

2. The grandparent scam

The grandparent scam is a type of social engineering attack in which fraudsters claim the victim's grandchild is in trouble. Imposters pretending to be the police or a lawyer call and say that their grandchild has been in an accident or is involved in a crime, and that they need to send large sums of money, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to ensure their safety.

The scammer will even use the real name of the victim's grandchild along with other identifying information that they find online to make the scam more believable. In recent cases, scammers may even use AI to mimic the grandchild's voice.

Warning signs of grandparent scams:

• You receive an unsolicited call claiming that a grandchild or loved one is in danger
• The caller asks for money as cash, gift cards, or wire transfers
• The caller won’t let you get off the phone or threatens you if you try to verify the information
• The caller uses deception, intimidation, and coercion to force you to act quickly

📚 Related: Scammer Phone Numbers: Avoid These Area Codes →

3. Government imposter scams

‍In this senior scam, fraudsters contact older people claiming to be representatives from a well-known government agency. This could include Medicare, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), or the Social Security Administration (SSA).

Fraudsters may use caller ID spoofing to make the call seem genuine. And once you’re on the line, they may parrot your Social Security number (SSN) to further legitimize the call.

Government imposter scams have different risks. Here are a few examples:

• Medicare scams. Scammers claiming to be Medicare representatives call their victims to “verify” their Medicare number. If you oblige, they’ll use it to steal your health benefits (i.e., medical identity theft). Or, they might claim that the victim needs to pay a fee to receive a new card or special treatments and ask for their credit card numbers.
• IRS scams. During tax season, scammers will call elderly people claiming to be from the IRS and saying there’s an issue with their return. They’ll collect information to “secure” your tax file, but in reality, they’ll use it to file phony tax refunds and commit identity theft.
• Social Security scams. Imposters claim your SSN has been suspended due to an alleged crime. In order to reinstate it, they will demand payment usually in the form of gift cards.
• FBI or law enforcement scams. Scammers will even call claiming that there is a warrant out for the victim’s arrest. If they don’t pay a fee or relinquish their financial information, they could go to jail.

Warning signs of government imposter scams:

• You get an unsolicited call from someone claiming to be from a government agency
• The caller uses threatening language and wants you to pay them using gift cards or wire transfers
• The caller asks for your sensitive information, like your SSN, Medicare number, or credit card

Remember, these agencies will almost never reach out to you over the phone — especially if it’s something as grave as a crime. If they do call, hang up and call the agency’s official phone number.

4. Elder financial abuse

The sad reality is that most cases of elder abuse are committed by friends and family, or those in routine close proximity to the victims.

Elder financial abuse happens when someone the victim knows and trusts — like a family member, close friend, or caregiver — tries to gain access to the senior’s savings, credit, or assets. For example, they could trick their victim into signing over access or power of attorney, open a credit card or line of credit in their name, or even threaten to withhold care if they don’t receive access.

Warning signs of elder financial abuse:

• Unfamiliar charges, new accounts and suspicious loans, or credit inquiries that you or your elderly loved one didn’t make
• Calls from companies or credit providers about debt you didn’t take out
• An elderly parent or grandparent has unexpected financial struggles

5. False investment scams 

In an investment scam, criminals pose as financial advisors or people with insider knowledge on "guaranteed" investments. They'll call unannounced with what appears to be a lucrative investment opportunity. However, this is an attempt to extract transaction fees or steal “investments” from their targets.  

There are several types of investment scams that specifically target seniors:

• Ponzi schemes. A Ponzi scheme uses the money from new investors to pay existing ones (rather than generating any actual returns). Ponzi schemes target seniors by promising high returns with little to no risk.
• Illegitimate bonds and certificates of deposits (CDs). In these scams, fraudsters use low-risk investments to trick wary seniors into investing. But these investments either don’t give the return that they promise or don’t exist at all.
• Charitable gift annuities. Here, a donor gives a large sum of money as a gift in return for a fixed income stream. But often, these charities don’t exist and you’re putting money right into the scammer’s pocket.
• Prime bank scams. In this scam, con artists claim to have access to “secret overseas markets.” But the whole narrative is a scam and any money you send is stolen.

Warning signs of false investment scams:

• They promise high returns with little or no risk involved. No investment is 100% safe or can guarantee returns
• The “advisor” uses high-pressure sales tactics to get you to act quickly and without doing your due diligence
• You’re unable to withdraw your principal investment

When it comes to avoiding senior investment scams, remember the golden rule of fraud: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

6. Tech support scams

In this type of fraud, scammers masquerade as a tech support representative from a company you trust like Apple or Microsoft. They’ll claim that your computer or device is at risk of being infected by viruses and then trick you into granting them remote access or paying for software that you don’t need.

Sometimes, the goal is to trick the victim into downloading what they think is helpful software. But when they do, it’s actually malware that opens up the potential for cyber attacks that target the victim’s banking information.

This scam often happens through phone calls, but it’s also common to see pop-up ads on websites targeting seniors.

Warning signs of tech support scams:

• You receive unsolicited phone calls about tech support. Companies like Apple will never proactively call you about these issues
• A pop-up ad on a website claims that your device has viruses or promises to “speed up” your computer
• The caller uses fear tactics to trick you into downloading software or clicking on links in emails

📚 Related: The 7 Latest Geek Squad Scams (and How To Avoid Them) →

7. Robocalls and phishing messages

With robocalls and spam attacks, vast numbers of emails or calls are made to exploit inexperienced or vulnerable targets. These messages all follow a similar pattern: The call or message claims to be from a company or group you know and trust — like your bank, the IRS, or even companies like Netflix. But if you engage, they’ll try to wrest personal information, passwords, or financial account information from you.

Spam emails are especially dangerous. If you click on a link or download an attachment, you could unwittingly download malware that gives the hacker remote access to your device.

Warning signs of robocalls calls and phishing messages:

• You receive automated messages that claim that you’re in trouble or at risk — the IRS and other agencies will never use automated calls to get in touch with you
• An email or caller asks you to “verify” sensitive information in order to secure an online account
• An email or message includes a link or an attachment that you don’t recognize or weren’t expecting

8. Sweepstakes and elder lottery scams

Fraudsters reach out to an elderly victim and claim that they’ve won a contest, lottery, or sweepstakes that they never entered. But to receive winnings, they’ll need to pay upfront fees and taxes and supply their banking information for the transfer. 

Scammers will often string along their victims for months or years, claiming that they need additional payment. But any money that’s sent goes straight to the scammer. 

Warning signs of sweepstakes and lottery fraud:

• You or a loved one receives a notification that you have won a large sum of money from a contest you never entered
• The person you speak with asks for upfront payment through non-traceable methods (gift cards, wire transfers, etc.)
• They ask for your banking information to complete the deposit

📚 Related: How To Spot (and Avoid) Publishers Clearing House Scams →

9. Romance scams

‍In this type of elder fraud, scammers create fake personas on dating apps or social media to lure their targets. Con artists will research you online and use details that you’ve shared publicly to entangle you.

Once they establish a rapport, scammers begin to request money, often in the form of gift cards, travel expenses, or healthcare costs.

Many victims of romance scams are pressured into fraudulent investments, especially involving cryptocurrencies. Victims over the age of 60 lost $2.8 billion to similar scams last year, according to the FBI. Always keep yourself safe and be aware of the dangers of online dating.

Warning signs of elderly romance scams:

• The “relationship” moves at a frantic pace, with the other person claiming to be irrevocably invested
• They promise to meet up in person or on video chat but always come up with an excuse at the last minute
• They ask for money or financial help for family or healthcare issues

10. Funeral scams

‍In one of the most vile forms of elder fraud, con artists target deceased people with funeral scams. Scammers raid obituaries and then attend funerals claiming that the deceased has an outstanding debt.

Warning signs of funeral scams:

• Someone you don’t know demands payment at a funeral
• You’re approached by an individual who claims to know the deceased but has no tangible evidence of their relationship

📚 Related: How To Stop Car Extended Warranty Scam Calls For Good →

11. Reverse mortgage scams

Many seniors would have built equity in their homes that they want to turn into a reliable and steady income. Reverse mortgages are available to homeowners over the age of 62 as a way to access their home equity.

But scammers target the elderly with billboards, ads, and fliers for reverse mortgage scams. They’ll claim to be helping you get access to your equity. But in reality, they either steal the money or even commit deed fraud and “steal” your home.

Here are a few other variations of a reverse mortgage scam:

• Mortgage relief: Seniors in need of financial aid might want to use a reverse mortgage to avoid foreclosure. Scammers target them with claims of fast approval on loans in exchange for an upfront fee. 
• Fraudulent contractors: Sometimes scammers will come to your home and offer free consultations. They’ll convince elderly homeowners to take out a reverse mortgage and pay for pricey and unnecessary repairs or home “updates.”

Warning signs of reverse mortgage scams:

• High-pressure sales tactics that try to get you to consent to a reverse mortgage without doing your due diligence
• Someone claims that they need power of attorney in order to finalize a reverse mortgage
• Contractors or vendors suggest that you take out a reverse mortgage to pay for costly repairs

12. Online shopping scams (Fraudulent products, non-delivery, etc.)

Senior citizens are especially vulnerable to online shopping scams. The FBI received over 7,600 complaints of fraudulent products and non-delivery last year — with losses of nearly $77 million.

Online shopping scams come in many different forms. You could buy fraudulent pharmaceutical drugs or health and beauty products. Or, you could use your credit card details on a phishing site that is set up by hackers.

Warning signs of online shopping scams:

• Poor design or spelling errors on the website
• Too good to be true deals on expensive or luxury items
• Non-reversible payment methods, such as cryptocurrency or gift cards

📚 Related: The 10 Latest Costco Scams You Didn't Know About →

13. Charity scams

Charity scams prey your desire to help others. Fraudsters pretend to be a legitimate charity and steal donations and personal information. Fraudsters will also often call elderly victims in the wake of a natural disaster.

They’ll claim to be helping victims and solicit donations. But if you send money or give them your financial information, they’ll disappear with them. 

Warning signs of charity scams:

• The charity doesn’t appear on official sites like Charity Navigator or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.
• You find evidence of fraud when you Google the charity’s "name + fraud/scam/complaint"
• The charity’s name is very similar to a larger organization you’re familiar with

How To Prevent Senior Citizen Scams

If you’re worried about elder fraud, there’s plenty that you can do to prevent it from happening to you or your elderly relatives.

• Be suspicious of all unsolicited contact. Know that these scams exist, and always ask yourself, “What if?” when confronted with an unusual request for money either online or in person. Aura's spam call and text protection can block known spam (or scam) callers and filter unwanted messages. You can even set up intent-based filtering to allow our AI Call Assistant to forward legitimate calls.
• Slow down before acting on unsolicited contact. Scammers rely on fear and creating a sense of urgency to get seniors to make hasty decisions. As an aid to yourself or senior relatives, it helps to post notes next to phones, computers, and doors with the following tips (or some variation of them):‍
  
  • STOP: Take a moment and think about the situation. Does anything feel suspicious?‍
  • LEAVE: Hang up, close the door, or close the email. If someone is pressing you to act now, they could be a con artist.‍
  • ASK: Call a family member for advice, search online for more details, and find out if the organizations you're speaking to are real. You can also ask a visitor for identification.‍
  • WAIT: Take the time to absorb what you’ve learned and make a plan of action. Don’t rush any decisions.‍
  • ACT: Only visit legitimate websites and call verified, safe phone numbers. You can use independent review websites and email address lookup services to check someone's identity.‍
• Have a family password. Consider creating a secret family password. You can use this in phone calls, texts, or emails to let the recipient know that a transaction is genuine. ‍
• Encorage open communication. Many elderly victims don’t report fraud out fear, embarrassment, or lack of resources. But anyone can get scammed — no matter the age. Forgo any judgement and instead encourage open communication. This not only helps you identify scams in progress, but can also make elderly relatives more comfortable with speaking up if they are in a precarious situation. 
• Share examples of fraud. Share stories about your near-encounters with fraud. Ask your more tech-savvy family members to share examples of scam emails or messages they’ve received. Be sure to point out how you knew the emails were fake so that your elderly family members can identify it in the future.
• Monitor your credit and bank accounts for signs of fraud. Scammers are almost always after access to you or your loved ones' bank accounts and credit. Credit monitoring services like Aura track your credit report at all three major bureaus and alert you to changes, inquiries, or credit score changes. Aura can also monitor linked bank accounts to alert you to suspicious activity.
• Report fraud and scams. If you or a relative have been the victim of a senior citizen scam, report it. Visit identitytheft.gov to report identity theft and get an official affidavit from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and reportfraud.ftc.gov to share details of the scam. Then, follow the steps of the fraud victim’s checklist to recover your funds and secure your accounts.

Unfortunately, some people will always look to prey on the most vulnerable members of society. With modern technology, scammers have more avenues to exploit people than ever before.

Keep up-to-date on the latest scams targeting senior citizens. Look for the warning signs of identity theft and fraud and talk about anything that feels suspicious. 

For added protection, consider signing yourself and your family up for Aura. We’ll monitor your accounts for signs of fraud and keep your devices safe from hackers and scammers.