Older adults lose billions of dollars every year to a growing number of online scams that exploit this population, which is often unfamiliar with new technology, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Still, you can learn how to recognize scam red flags with the proper guidance and tools, making your online surfing much easier while protecting your privacy.
This guide will cover the most common online scams targeting seniors, including warning signs to watch for, step-by-step tips to stay safe, and the steps to take when you suspect fraud.
Scams That Typically Target Seniors.
The typical online scams that trick older adults into giving away money or personal information in the United States include:
Medicare and Health Insurance Scams.
It won’t surprise you that scammers often target Americans over the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare on health-related fraud.
For example, these online malicious individuals can call or email you pretending to be from Medicare, your insurance provider, or even a hospital, claiming you need a “new Medicare card,” must “update your information,” or that you may be eligible for ” free medical equipment.”
Scammers can also send you fake bills for medical services you never used or pressure you to give them your Medicare number over the phone, which gaçn them billions of dollars each year.
Red Flag: Medicare never calls, emails, or texts its users requesting their personal information or payment. Only wait for official correspondence through the mail, and share details directly with your doctor or on the official Medicare.gov website.
Tech Support Scams.
You may have seen sudden pop-ups on your computer or smartphone claiming, “Your device is infected with a virus,” and urging you to call a specified number for immediate help, or scammers can even call you directly, pretending to be from popular tech companies, such as Microsoft or Apple, but it is false.
Fraudsters aim to access your computer remotely to steal personal files, install malware, or even ask you to pay hundreds of dollars for “repairs” you never needed.
Red Flag: Genuine technology companies will never contact you to demand urgent payment through gift cards or wire transfers. Such pop-ups are almost always scams.
Romance Scams.
Such fraudsters typically operate from dating websites or social media platforms, such as Facebook, where they create fake profiles featuring attractive photos to lure the victims into their traps.
For example, they can build trust with you over weeks or months, until you feel emotionally attached and start requesting things, such as “money for a plane ticket” to visit you, or having a sudden medical emergency, and more.
The Federal Trade Commission reports that romance scams cost seniors more money than any other type of online fraud, which can drain your life savings before you realize you were lured into a fake relationship.
Red Flag: Never send money by any means to a person you have never met in person and trust; genuine relationships don’t demand financial incnetives.
Phishing Emails and Text Messages.
Phishing scams usually resemble legitimate messages from trusted companies, such as your bank, the IRS, Amazon, or even your local utility company.
They send urgent emails and texts, such as “Your account has been locked,” “Unusual activity detected,” or “Immediate action required”, requesting that you click the provided links, taking you to fake websites to steal your login details.
Such messages can also contain attachments that install malware on your device when you click on and open the links, potentially leading to irreparable damage.
Red Flag: Verify the sender’s email addresses or phone numbers closely to see if they contain lightly misspelled words, unusual domains, or request you to act immediately. They will likely be scams.
Lottery and Prize Scams.
You can also receive messages, such as “Congratulations! You have won the lottery!” by email, phone, or even physical mail, demanding that you pay “taxes,” “fees,” or “processing charges” before claiming the prize.
Scammers can even send a fake check that your bank can initially clear, thinking it is genuine, only to bounce it weeks later, while you have already sent the claimed “fees.”
Red Flag: Anyone who claims you have won a contest you never entered, or asks you to pay money up front to receive a prize, wants to scam you. Genuine lotteries and sweepstakes never require payment to process winnings.
Related Content: Best Online Safety Programs for Seniors to Protect Your Privacy.
The Senior’s Self-Defense Checklist Against Scams.
Scams’ common goal is to trick you into acting quickly without thinking, but you can still slow down and ask a few simple questions to protect yourself online.
Double-check and answer these questions first:
- Am I being pressured to act right away? Scammers often rely on urgency, like “Your account will be closed in 24 hours” or “You must respond immediately”, while real companies let you decide at your own pace.
- Am I being asked to pay unusually? Fraudsters typically urge victims to pay with gift cards, wire transfers, and cryptocurrency, which are nearly impossible to trace and for which refunds are often not available.
- Do the message or website details look odd? Check carefully for spelling mistakes, strange email addresses, or web links that look suspicious, such as “amaz0n-pay.com” instead of “amazon.com”. Minor errors can alert you to potential fraud.
- Am I being promised something too good to be true? Classic baits that sound unbelievable include ” Free vacations,” “guaranteed prizes,” or “risk-free investments”.
- Do they ask for personal or financial information? Banks, Medicare, the IRS, and other real institutions never ask clients to confirm sensitive details through emails or text links. Call the official number on your card or statement if you doubt.
7 Simple Steps to Protect Yourself Online.
Avoiding scams also requires building habits that make it harder for criminals to reach you.
- Create strong passwords of at least 12 characters that combine letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid reusing the same password across multiple accounts. ==> See our comprehensive guide on How Seniors Can Create Strong Passwords and Manage Them.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) that adds a second lock to your accounts to prevent someone from logging in without the extra code sent to your phone or generated by an app.
- Update your software to patch security holes that scammers usually exploit so they won’t hack your device.
- Use trusted security antivirus and anti-malware software to block suspicious websites, scan files, and alert you about possible scam attempts.
- Be cautious of unexpected emails, texts, or calls and avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from untrusted senders.
- Avoid logging into banking or shopping accounts while on public Wi-Fi, which scammers can use to intercept your activity and steal your private data.
- Save the evidence from suspicious calls or emails and report them to the Federal Trade Commission or other competent authorities.
What To Do If You Suspect a Scam?
- Hang up or close your browser if a suspicious pop-up appears or a strange caller pressures you to act quickly, subject to the dire consequences.
- Change your email and bank account passwords immediately to a stronger and unique one.
- Contact your financial institutions immediately if you have sent money or shared card details to block unauthorized charges and monitor your account for fraud.
- File a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI’s IC3 at ic3.gov, and the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
- Tell a trusted family member or friend to help them avoid the same mishaps.
FAQs About Online Scams for Seniors.
What common online scam targets seniors today?
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that the most common scams targeting seniors involve pop-up warnings that claim a virus has infected your computer to pressure seniors into giving them remote access to their computer or paying for unnecessary “repairs.”
In the second place come romance scams, where criminals build fake online relationships with seniors for months before asking for money, resulting in significant financial losses.
Should I still report a scam if I didn’t lose any money?
Always report scam attempts to help allow agencies like the FTC, FBI, and AARP to issue warnings and shut down scam networks, while assisting others to know how criminals operate. Sharing what happened with family, friends, or senior groups helps them to be more cautious when they encounter similar scam tactics.
How can I detect fake email or text messages?
Look closely at messages that demand immediate action, such as “Click here to unlock your account” or “Confirm your Social Security number now,” or web links that appear legitimate at first glance, but contain minor errors, like “amaz0n.com” instead of “amazon.com”.
Genuine companies personalize their communications and never ask users or clients to reveal sensitive details over email or text.
Can seniors shop online safely?
Of course, you can shop online, but always stick to websites you know and trust. Look for the padlock symbol and the “https://” in the browser bar before entering payment information to ensure a secure connection. Avoid clicking shopping links from random emails or social media ads that scammers create for fake stores.
Conclusion: Outsmart Scammers Confidently.
Online scams may seem clever, but you can avoid their traps if you understand the most common tricks they use, ask the right questions before you act, and build safe online surfing habits.
Knowing the signs of these online malicious individuals allows you to spot them in time and navigate the internet safely, just like millions of other people.
Create strong passwords, be cautious with unexpected messages, and report suspicious activity to strengthen your own security, while helping to protect your family, friends, and the entire community.
You can also learn how to start your own blog to share your-stories online for free in the niche yiu are passionate about, leading to a part-time or full-time income over time.
Written by Emmanuel, founder of Senior Tech Basics, which helps older adults navigate technology safely, confidently, and straightforwardly.