Scams are getting smarter. New AI tools and fake messages target seniors every day. Learn the warning signs, the latest tricks, and the 5 steps that stop them cold.
If you see any of these signs, stop and verify before you respond. Real organizations never use these tactics.
Scammers create panic. "Act now or lose your benefits." Real organizations give you time to verify.
No legitimate agency, utility, or government office asks for payment via gift card, wire transfer, or crypto.
Banks, Medicare, and Social Security never call, text, or email to ask for your password, PIN, or full SSN.
Prizes, lottery wins, or investment "guarantees" you never signed up for are always scams.
"Don't tell your family." Real help is never hidden. If they ask you to stay quiet, it's a scam.
If the way you pay is strange (crypto ATM, prepaid cards, wire), the request is fake.
These are the scams targeting seniors right now. Click each one to see a real example and exactly how to spot it.
Follow these in order whenever a message, call, or email feels off.
Scammers win by rushing you. Take a breath. Real organizations give you time to think and verify.
Hang up, ignore the link, and contact the organization through a number or site you already know is real.
No legitimate entity asks for these. It's the #1 sign of a scam. Use a credit card for protection, never wire or send gift card codes.
Before sending money or info, tell a family member, friend, or call your bank. Scammers hate witnesses.
Report scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the AARP Fraud Watch at 1-877-908-3360, or your local police if you lost money.
Try our interactive phishing and text-scam games. They build the reflex to spot a fake before it costs you.
Selected for our senior community through an automated research service directed by Isaac Kashaka, Bridge The Digital Divide.
The Department of Health and Human Services has formally granted CMS direct authority to exclude fraudulent providers and bad actors from participating in federal health programs. The move aims to expedite the removal of dishonest suppliers and clinical scammers targeting older adults.
Oct 21, 2026The Federal Trade Commission has begun issuing over $9.8 million in refunds to 65,022 consumers who lost money to wire transfer scams at Walmart. The action follows allegations that the retailer failed to adequately protect consumers and train staff to stop fraudulent transactions.
Oct 21, 2026On October 19, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission released its annual report to Congress detailing agency actions to protect older consumers. The report analyzes fraud trends targeting seniors and outlines regulatory enforcement against imposter scams, deceptive services, and financial exploitation.
Oct 20, 2026Don't be embarrassed. Scams are reported every minute in America. The faster you report, the more likely you can recover your money and protect others.