Scams targeting older adults cost victims billions each year, and the most common ones follow predictable patterns you can learn to spot

Scammers target seniors because they often have savings, own homes, and may be less familiar with modern fraud tactics. The good news: most senior scams use the same few methods, and once you know what they look like, you can stop them before money changes hands. This guide walks you through the scams that actually happen, how to recognize them at the moment they're happening, and what to do if you've already been contacted.

The scams described here are not theoretical. They are reported to Adult Protective Services, the FBI, and state attorneys general every day. Knowing the real names, the real opening lines, and the real red flags means you can hang up, delete, or report before a scammer gets your money or your information.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS will never call you first about taxes owed; scammers posing as the IRS threaten arrest and demand when ready payment by gift card or wire transfer.
  • Tech support scams start with a pop-up or cold call claiming your computer has a virus, then ask for remote access to your device and your banking information.
  • Romance scams build trust over weeks or months, then ask for money for a supposed emergency, medical bill, or travel cost.
  • Grandparent scams claim your grandchild is in jail or in an accident and needs cash wired when ready, before you can verify the story.
  • If you're unsure whether a caller or message is real, hang up and call the organization directly using a phone number you find yourself, never one the caller provided.

IRS and Tax Impersonation Scams

The IRS impersonation scam opens with a call, email, or text claiming you owe back taxes and threatening arrest, wage garnishment, or loss of your driver's license. The caller uses a fake name, a spoofed phone number that looks official, and high-pressure language. They demand when ready payment by gift card, iTunes card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency — methods that cannot be reversed once sent.

The real IRS will never call you first about taxes owed. The IRS initiates contact by mail, not by phone. If you owe taxes, you will receive a written notice in your mailbox before any collection action. The IRS does not threaten arrest over the phone, does not demand payment by gift card, and does not ask for your Social Security number or banking details during a call.

If you receive a call like this: hang up when ready. Do not give any information. If you're concerned about your tax status, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040 using the number on your tax return or on the IRS website — never use a number the caller provided. You can also report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at tigta.gov.

Tech Support and Computer Virus Scams

A pop-up appears on your computer screen claiming your device has a virus, is infected with malware, or has been hacked. The pop-up includes a phone number and tells you to call when ready. Alternatively, you receive a cold call from someone claiming to be from Microsoft, Apple, or your internet provider, saying they've detected a problem on your computer and need remote access to fix it.

Once you call the number or allow remote access, the scammer takes control of your screen and shows you fake error messages to convince you the problem is real. They then ask you to pay for software, a service plan, or a "security update" — often $200 to $500. During this process, they may also ask for your banking information, credit card number, or passwords, which they use to steal money or identity information later.

Legitimate tech companies do not call you unsolicited to warn you of viruses. Microsoft, Apple, and your internet provider do not initiate contact this way. If you see a pop-up, force-close your browser (hold down the power button if needed), restart your computer, and do not call any number shown on the pop-up. If you're concerned about your device's security, call your computer manufacturer or internet provider using a number you find yourself.

Romance and Catfishing Scams

You meet someone online through a dating site, social media, or a messaging app. The person is attractive, kind, and interested in you. Over weeks or months, they build a relationship with you, learning about your life, your family, and your finances. Then they tell you they have an emergency: a medical procedure they cannot afford, a business problem, a travel cost to come visit you, or a family crisis.

They ask you to send money by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency. They may ask you to open a bank account in your name and transfer money into it, or to receive a check, deposit it, and wire the funds elsewhere. Some scammers ask you to buy gift cards and read them the codes. The money is gone once sent, and the person you've been talking to disappears.

Real people you meet online will not ask you for money, especially not early in a relationship. If someone you've never met in person asks for cash, stop communicating and report the profile to the platform. Be skeptical of anyone who moves quickly to professions of love, who avoids video calls, or who always has a reason they cannot meet you in person. If you've already sent money, report it to the platform, your bank, and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Grandparent and Family Emergency Scams

You receive a call or text from someone claiming to be your grandchild. They say they've been in a car accident, arrested, or hospitalized and need money when ready — usually $1,000 to $10,000. They ask you to wire the money or buy gift cards. They may sound panicked or ask you not to tell the rest of the family because they're embarrassed.

The scammer has found your name and your grandchild's name online through social media or public records. They use this information to sound convincing. They create urgency by saying the situation is an emergency and the money is needed right now, before you have time to verify the story with other family members.

If you receive a call like this, do not send money. Hang up and call your grandchild directly using a phone number you have for them. Call other family members to confirm the story. Real emergencies can wait the five minutes it takes to verify. If you've already sent money, contact your bank or wire transfer service when ready and report the scam to your local police department and the FBI.

Charity and Donation Scams

After a natural disaster, public tragedy, or holiday season, you receive a call, email, or text asking for a donation to help victims. The organization has a name similar to a real charity — for example, "American Red Cross Foundation" instead of "American Red Cross" — or claims to be raising money for a specific cause like disaster relief or children's hospitals.

You're asked to donate by wire transfer, gift card, or by providing your credit card number over the phone. The money goes to the scammer, not to any charity. Some fake charities do send you a thank-you letter or tax receipt to appear legitimate, but the money was never used for the stated purpose.

Before donating to any charity, verify it using the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at irs.gov or Charity Navigator at charitynavigator.org. Call the charity directly using a phone number you find yourself, not one provided in the solicitation. Legitimate charities will not pressure you to donate when ready or ask you to pay by gift card or wire transfer. If you want to donate, use their official website or mail a check.

How To Protect Yourself Right Now

Do not give out personal information — your Social Security number, banking details, passwords, or credit card number — to anyone who calls, texts, or emails you unsolicited. Legitimate organizations already have this information if they need it, and they will not ask for it over the phone or email.

Hang up on any caller who creates pressure or urgency. Real emergencies and real organizations can wait while you verify. If someone claims to be from your bank, the IRS, Social Security, or a government agency, hang up and call the organization directly using a number you find yourself. Do not use a phone number, email address, or link provided by the caller.

Be skeptical of requests for payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. These payment methods cannot be reversed. If someone asks you to pay this way, it is almost always a scam. Legitimate businesses and government agencies accept checks, credit cards, and bank transfers that can be disputed.

If you use online dating or social media, do not share your full name, address, phone number, or financial information with people you have not met in person. Scammers use this information to impersonate you or to build trust before asking for money.

What To Do If You've Been Scammed

If you've sent money to a scammer, act quickly. Contact your bank or wire transfer service when ready and tell them the transaction was fraudulent. If you sent money by wire transfer, ask if it can be recalled — some services can stop the transfer if it hasn't been picked up yet. If you used a gift card, contact the company that issued it and report the card number as fraudulent.

Report the scam to your local police department and file a report with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. If the scam involved a phone call, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. These reports help law enforcement track scam patterns and sometimes recover money.

If the scammer has your Social Security number, banking information, or other sensitive data, place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. You can also freeze your credit to prevent someone from opening accounts in your name. Contact your bank and credit card companies to monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.

Tell a trusted family member or friend what happened. Scammers often contact victims a second time, claiming they can recover the lost money for a fee. This is another scam. Do not send more money.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do scammers get my phone number and personal information?

Scammers buy lists of phone numbers and names from data brokers, find information on social media and public records, or use random number generators. They do not need to know much about you to start — they use what you tell them during the call to sound more convincing. Limit what you share online and be cautious about who you give your phone number to.

What should I do if I'm not sure whether a caller is real?

Hang up and call the organization directly using a phone number you find yourself — on your bank statement, on the official website, or in the phone book. Never use a number the caller provided. A real organization will not mind if you verify by calling back. This is the safest way to confirm whether someone is legitimate.

Can I get my money back if I've already sent it?

It depends on how you sent it. Wire transfers and gift cards are rarely recoverable once sent. If you used a credit card or bank transfer that can be disputed, contact your bank when ready. Report the scam to law enforcement and the FTC — some money is recovered, though it can take months or years. Do not send more money to anyone claiming they can recover your loss.

Should I be worried if a scammer has my information?

If they have your Social Security number, banking details, or passwords, place a fraud alert on your credit report and monitor your accounts closely for unauthorized activity. Change your passwords for email and banking. If they have only your name and phone number, the risk is lower — they may call again, but you now know to hang up.

Where can I report a scam?

Report to the FBI at ic3.gov, the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov, your local police department, and your state attorney general's office. If the scam involved a specific organization (your bank, a charity), report it to that organization as well. These reports help authorities track patterns and warn the public.