Outsmart the Scammers

Every year, scammers steal billions from older adults — not because their victims are naive, but because the tactics are genuinely sophisticated. Criminals mine personal details from social media, mail, and mutual contacts to craft stories that feel completely believable. The result? Worldwide, people age 60 and older lost a combined $3.4 billion to financial fraud last year alone.

The most common schemes — tech support scams, grandparent scams, and government impersonation — all share one playbook: build trust, then exploit it. But awareness is a powerful defense. Read on to learn how to spot these scams before they strike, and what to do if you or someone you love has already been targeted.

The latest scams in 2026

TOAD Scam

A TOAD (Telephone-Oriented Attack Delivery) scam is a phishing attack that uses voicemail and email to trick victims into giving up sensitive information. Attackers will first send an email referencing an unauthorized charge or missing payment, creating a sense of urgency. The email may seem to come from a bank, credit card company, or utility. The email includes a phone number for assistance where the person on the other end impersonates a trusted authority figure and gets the victim to reveal personal data like passwords or financial information.

Never use the provided number and always contact the company directly using the phone number on their website. Always be skeptical of communications that use words like “urgent” or requires immediate attention, especially if it involves money or personal information. As always, before answering strange emails, do a little detective work to find out if it’s authentic and never give out personal information over the phone or in an email. If you think you’ve been hacked, change passwords immediately. Report scams to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. The agency may investigate and help recover lost funds.

Online Job Scams

Since the pandemic, a lot of people seek out work-from-home job opportunities, but beware of scammers when searching remote job listings. These employers may actually be trying to steal your personal information or money. Remember, if the opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your intuition. Here are some tips to avoid being scammed:

If the job offers a high salary or incredible perks, do some research online about the company.

If the employer is overly eager to hire you, it may be a scam especially if they are willing to hire you on the spot.

You should never have to pay to work. Investing in a company to get a job is a common scam.

Potential employers should seem professional and well-spoken. If written communication has poor grammar or misspelled words, it’s likely a scam.

The Top Scams, especially among older adults:

The grandparent scam. Advances in AI mean fraudsters can clone voices of family members (like grandchildren) or create convincing fake calls/videos to persuade seniors to send money in a fake emergency. These aren’t just pranks — they’re being reported nationally. The “it’s really my grandson!” trick is now believable — and fast. That reduces time to think critically. The grandparent scam is so effective because it exploits people’s emotions.

In this scam, fake grandchildren ask for help with car repairs, late rent, a medical emergency, or even to post bond. They pretend to be in distress. They may even beg the grandparent not to tell anyone.

In other versions of this scam, a caller claims to be an arresting police officer, doctor, or lawyer trying to help the grandchild. They prey upon emotions to pressure victims into sending money as quickly as possible. And who among us wouldn’t readily help a cherished relative in desperate financial need? Especially since con artists can now clone real voices of real relatives and use them to commit fraud.

People who run grandparent scams often ask to be paid through gift cards or wire transfers. These don’t always require identification to collect, which means victims have no way ever to recover their money. Some victims report that scammers showed up at their homes, posing as “couriers” to pick up the money.

Financial services scam. Scammers often pose as banks, mortgage companies, or debt collectors, sending calls, texts, or emails that look legit. They might claim your account’s been compromised, offer fake loan deals, or threaten arrest over bogus bills. Their goal? To scare you into giving personal info or sending money, often through peer-to-peer apps. Remember — if it feels rushed or threatening, it’s probably a scam.

Phishing or Tech support scams. Tech support scams top the list of fraud targeting older adults. A pop-up claims your device has a problem and urges you to call for help. The scammer then asks for remote access and charges a fake repair fee. Don’t fall for it — real tech support won’t cold-message you. Additionally, emails, pop-ups or text messages that look legit (banks, Social Security, antivirus software) trick victims into clicking links, sharing credentials, or downloading malware — enabling identity theft or account access. These are among the most common online scams. Keeping devices secure with firewalls and virus protection, along with understanding phishing tactics, can help prevent these threats.

Government impersonation scams. In government imposter scams, callers pretend to be from the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare. They threaten arrest, deportation, or loss of benefits unless you pay or share personal info. Scammers often spoof real government numbers to seem legit. Don’t fall for it — real agencies don’t demand payment by cash, wire, or prepaid cards.

Romance scams. With online dating on the rise, romance scammers are cashing in. They create fake profiles and develop an emotional connection over weeks/months to gain trust, then ask for money for visas, medical bills, urgent needs or travel. This scam category has accounted for massive losses across age groups, including older adults.

Medicare and health insurance scams. Medicare scams target adults 65+, with fraudsters posing as reps to steal personal info or bill for fake services. Scammers often follow medical trends like genetic testing to trick victims.

Sweepstakes and lottery scams. In sweepstakes scams, fraudsters call claiming you’ve won a prize — but to claim it, you must pay fees or taxes upfront with cash or gift cards. Scammers often pose as legit companies like Publishers Clearing House, but no prize ever comes. Victims can be targeted for months or even years after the first payment.

Robocalls and phone scams. Scammers use robocalls to run various scams, like the “Can you hear me?” call — recording your “yes” to authorize charges. They also fake urgent calls about lawsuits, unpaid fines, or expiring warranties, often spoofing trusted numbers to trick people. While some robocalls are legit, many are tools for fraud.

Business imposter scams. The FTC reports that business imposter scams hit adults 60+ hard. Scammers pose as trusted companies or charities, spoof caller IDs, and pressure victims to send money, gift cards, or personal info.

Learn to recognize these red flags:

• You’re told to act quickly and not to tell anyone

• A caller or email asks for private information (account numbers, passwords, PINs, etc.) or to confirm personal or account details

• You’re threatened with fines or legal action if you don’t comply

• You’re asked to click a link or download an attachment

• You’re asked to send money or packages to a third party on someone else’s behalf

• You receive a call, email or text claiming to be from the FBI, IRS or Medicare

• You receive an unsolicited call, text or email claiming you’ve won something (e.g., lottery)

• You receive an email or text with a tracking link for a package you didn’t order

• You see a pop-up on your computer screen warning of a virus or someone asks to remotely access your computer to “fix” a problem

• You’re pressured to pay in unusual ways (gift cards, wire transfers, etc.)

• You’re offered an investment opportunity promising guaranteed returns or "no risk"

• Someone you met online or by phone expresses romantic interest quickly and asks for money or gift cards

• A new “friend” or advisor pushes you to make financial decisions without consulting family or a trusted advisor

If You Think You've Been Scammed, Act Quickly

Discovering you've been targeted by a scam can feel embarrassing or overwhelming — but it happens to millions of people every year, and it is never your fault. The most important thing you can do is act fast.

Stop all contact and payments

• Stop communicating with the scammer immediately

• If you've authorized a payment, contact your bank or credit card company right away to report the transaction and request a reversal or freeze

• If you shared account credentials, change your passwords immediately and enable two-factor authentication

Report it

• Local police — File a report, especially if money was lost. You'll need this for insurance or bank claims.

• FTC (Federal Trade Commission) — Report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov

• FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — File a complaint at ic3.gov, especially for online or phone scams

• Your state attorney general's office — Many have dedicated fraud units

• AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline — Call 1-877-908-3360 for free guidance from trained volunteers

Protect yourself from further harm

• Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)

• Monitor your bank and credit card statements closely for unauthorized transactions

• If your Social Security number was compromised, report it at IdentityTheft.gov

Tell someone you trust

Scammers count on victims staying silent out of shame. Telling a family member, friend, or trusted advisor can help you recover faster — emotionally and financially — and may help prevent it from happening to someone else.