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More than 105,000 Americans over the age of 65 were scammed for a total of almost $1 billion in 2020, according to a study by the FBI.1 Nearly 2,000 older Americans lost over $100,000 each from these scams.
Scams are a real issue in today’s digital world, and older adults are a major target. Hackers have more ways to contact you, access your personal information, and find creative ways to get into your wallets. In this article, we’ll cover eight common ways scammers target you and what you can do to protect yourself.
One of the most common scams targeting seniors is the grandparent scam. Scammers will call, email, or text you posing as a grandchild.
The scammer will sound scared, frantic, or distressed, making it seem like they’re in an emergency. They may say they’ve just been arrested, gotten into a car accident, or been robbed. They may try to make the scam sound more convincing by name-dropping family members or bringing up family-related information they’ve found on social media.
Did You Know? Some internet providers offer online scam protection. Visit our list of the best internet providers for seniors to learn more.
Then, while your sense of urgency is high and the adrenaline is pumping, the scammer will ask you to wire them money. Of course, they remind you not to tell mom and dad because, well, they just wouldn’t understand. You love your grandkids and hate to see them in distress, so you wire the scammer money and never hear from them again.
The Social Security scam is one of the most common scams targeting older Americans. The Social Security Administration received more than half a million Social Security scam reports in 2021 for a total of $63.3 million.2
Pro Tip: You can get senior protection plans with popular cell phone providers. T-Mobile cell phone plans, for example, come with a scam ID feature to help you avoid spam calls and scammers.
How does it work? A scammer will call you claiming to be a Social Security Administration (SSA) representative. They will tell you your Social Security number has been suspended or is at risk of being suspended. They might even say there’s a warrant out for your arrest if you don’t comply. They will either ask you for thousands of dollars to pay off what you owe or get a hold of your Social Security number (SSN) for identity theft purposes.
According to the Social Security Administration, you should do the following if you get a call about your Social Security information:3
This scam usually comes in the form of an email, text, or call. You’ll receive a message or call saying you’ve won money, a free vacation, or gift cards from a contest you never entered. They’ll tell you that you have to pay a small fee in order to process your gift. After paying the small fee, they’ll be gone forever — with your money.
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are great ways to stay connected with family, but they can also be access points for scammers. Social media accounts get hacked all the time, and you may receive a message from a friend’s clone profile or a hacker who has infiltrated your friend’s account. They may ask you for money, credit card information, your SSN, or other personal information.
Scammers go after a common asset to many older Americans: Medicare and Medicaid health insurance. Medicare scams are similar to Social Security scams. You’ll receive a call from someone claiming to be a Medicare representative. The scammer may ask for your Medicare number or tell you that you need to sign up for a new plan to receive your medication. They might say they want to send you an upgraded card with a fee, even though all Medicare cards are free. The scammer could pretend to be your doctor, offering you free medical materials.
Pro Tip: New to Medicare or have questions about how to enroll? Visit our guide to Medicare enrollment to ensure you enroll safely and make the most of your benefits.
Most malware and viruses are sent through emails and social media messages. Hackers will send you an email or message with a link or pop-up window. The email may look like a legitimate business, nonprofit, or other organization. The scammer will try to get you to click a link in the email or provide your personal information. If you click the link, the scammer will have access to your computer, and they may try to steal your personal information, identity, or money.
Charity scams prey on older Americans’ most generous tendencies. A scammer will call or email you, pretending to be from a philanthropic organization. They’ll ask for a donation through a money wire, gift card, or check. Rather than contributing to a good cause, your money is going directly to a scammer’s bank account.
Funeral fraud is one of the cruelest and most unfortunate scams. Scammers will keep track of obituaries to find new targets. They’ll contact a widow or widower, or they’ll show up to the funeral. Once they’ve contacted you, they’ll claim your late loved one has outstanding debt or payments you must pay off.
Another form of this scam comes from the funeral homes themselves. The person posing as a funeral home representative may ask you to pay for unexpected costs for features you didn’t request. They also overcharge and rush you into agreeing to pay for the service.
FYI: You can take advantage of burial insurance to help bring funeral costs down for you or your loved ones.
To learn more about other scams that are common amongst seniors, check out our YouTube video below.
While there are a lot of scams to be aware of today, there are ways for you to fight back and protect yourself. Remember:
Scammers may be vigilant, but you can protect yourself and your family with the proper knowledge and resources. Check out our guide on the best identity theft protection for seniors to learn more about ways to keep yourself safe and remain empowered against scammers.
Scribd. (2020). 2020 IC3ElderFraudReport.
CNBC. (2022). These Social Security scams will try to steal your savings. Here’s what to watch out for.
Social Security Administration. (2022). Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams.