The most common scams targeting older adults and how they work

Scammers target seniors because they often have savings, own homes, and may be less familiar with modern fraud tactics. The schemes fall into a few repeating patterns: someone calls claiming to be from the IRS or Social Security, a grandchild texts asking for emergency money, a romance develops online and leads to requests for cash, or a pop-up on a computer warns of a virus and demands payment to fix it. These are not new ideas — they work because they create urgency and fear, and because the person on the other end knows how to sound official or trustworthy.

What makes these scams hard to spot is that they often use real details. A caller might have your Social Security number or know your grandchild's name. A fake website looks identical to the real one. A text message comes from what appears to be your bank. The scammer's job is to move fast enough that you do not have time to verify, and to make the consequence of not acting seem worse than the risk of sending money.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS, Social Security, and banks never call, text, or email asking you to send money or give personal information — if someone claims they do, it is a scam.
  • Scammers create fake urgency by claiming your account is frozen, a grandchild is in jail, or a virus is destroying your computer — real emergencies do not work that way.
  • Before sending money or giving information, hang up and call the organization directly using a phone number you find yourself, not one the caller provided.
  • If you have already sent money or given information, contact your bank and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov right away.
  • Trusted family members, a financial advisor, or your bank can help you verify whether a request is real before you act.

How to recognize a Social Security or IRS scam

Social Security and IRS scams are among the most common because these agencies have real power over money and benefits. The caller claims your account has been frozen, there is a problem with your taxes, or you owe money. They may say they are about to arrest you or suspend your benefits. The goal is to scare you into acting without thinking.

The truth: the IRS does not call you first. They send a letter. Social Security does not freeze your account over the phone. Neither agency asks you to pay by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency. If someone calls claiming to be from either agency and asking for money or personal information, it is a scam. Hang up. Do not give them anything. If you are worried about a real tax or benefits issue, call the agency yourself using the number on your official statement or on their website — not a number the caller gave you.

Spotting romance scams and catfishing

Romance scams begin on dating websites, social media, or apps. Someone creates a fake profile, starts a conversation, and over weeks or months builds a relationship with you. They seem interested, kind, and often say they are falling in love. Then they hit a problem: they need money for a medical emergency, a business opportunity, travel to meet you, or to pay off a debt. They ask you to send it by wire, gift card, or cryptocurrency.

What makes these scams work is that they feel personal. You have been talking to this person for months. They know details about your life. The request seems like something a real partner would ask. But a real person who cares about you will not ask you to send money in secret, and they will not disappear after you send it.

If you are dating online, be cautious of anyone who moves quickly to declarations of love, avoids video calls, or has reasons they cannot meet in person. Before sending money to anyone you have only met online, tell a family member or friend what is happening and ask them to listen to the story. A person outside the situation can often see the pattern more clearly than you can.

Tech support scams and fake virus warnings

A pop-up appears on your computer screen warning that your device has a virus, is infected with malware, or has been hacked. It tells you to call a number right away or click a button to fix it. The number connects you to someone who sounds technical and convinces you that your computer is in danger. They ask you to pay to remove the virus or to give them remote access to your computer so they can fix it.

Real antivirus software does not work this way. Microsoft, Apple, and legitimate security companies do not send pop-up warnings that demand you call a number. If you see a pop-up like this, close your browser or restart your computer. Do not call the number. Do not click the button. If you are worried your computer actually has a problem, contact a tech support person you have used before or ask a family member to help you find one.

The grandchild emergency scam

You get a call or text from someone claiming to be your grandchild. They are in trouble — they were arrested, got in a car accident, or need money for a medical bill. They are crying or sound scared. They ask you to send money right away and tell you not to tell anyone, especially not their parents. The request feels urgent and real.

Before sending money, call your grandchild directly at a phone number you have for them. Call their parents. A real emergency will still be an emergency after you have verified it is real. Scammers count on you acting fast and not checking. Real family members will understand that you need to confirm the story before sending thousands of dollars.

What to do if you think you have been scammed

If you have already sent money or given personal information, act quickly. Contact your bank or credit card company right away and tell them what happened. If you sent money by wire transfer or gift card, the money may be gone, but your bank needs to know so they can watch your account for more fraud. If you gave your Social Security number, passwords, or banking information, ask your bank to freeze your accounts and consider placing a fraud alert on your credit report.

Report what happened to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also call 1-877-438-4338. The FTC collects these reports to track scam patterns and warn other people. Reporting does not recover your money, but it helps law enforcement understand where scams are coming from.

Tell a family member or trusted friend what happened. Scammers often contact victims again after a first scam, and having someone else aware means they can help you spot it. Do not feel ashamed — these scams are designed by professionals who know how to manipulate people, and they work on people of all ages and backgrounds.

Steps to protect yourself before a scam happens

Set up a straightforward rule: before you send money or give personal information to anyone who contacted you, hang up or close the message and call the organization back using a number you find yourself. This one step stops most scams. If the IRS really needs to reach you, they can wait while you call them back. If your bank really froze your account, it will still be frozen in five minutes after you verify the call was real.

Keep your passwords and personal information written down somewhere safe that only you can access — not on a sticky note on your monitor, but in a locked drawer or a password manager. Do not share your Social Security number, banking information, or passwords with anyone who calls or emails you, no matter who they claim to be.

If you use a computer, keep your operating system and browser updated. Scammers sometimes use outdated software to get in. If you are not sure how to update, ask a family member or a local tech support person. Do not click links in emails or texts from people you do not know, and do not read files unless you are certain they are safe.

Consider setting up alerts with your bank so you get a notification whenever money leaves your account. Many banks offer this for free. If someone tries to drain your account, you will know right away and can stop it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I already gave someone my Social Security number?

Contact your bank and ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This makes it harder for someone to open new accounts in your name. You can also freeze your credit for free through Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. Tell your bank to watch for suspicious activity. If you see charges you did not make, report them right away.

Can I get my money back if I sent it by wire transfer or gift card?

Money sent by wire transfer or gift card is usually gone and cannot be recovered. This is why scammers ask for these methods — they are fast and hard to reverse. If you sent money this way, report it to your bank and the FTC when ready. In rare cases, law enforcement can recover money if they catch the scammer, but this is not common.

How do I know if a call from my bank is real?

Hang up and call your bank back using the number on your debit card or statement. Do not use a number the caller gave you. Real banks understand this and expect you to verify. If the bank really needed to reach you, they can wait while you call them back.

What if I am not sure whether something is a scam?

Ask a family member, friend, or your bank before you do anything. There is no penalty for being cautious. A real person or organization will not pressure you to act when ready without verifying. If someone is pushing you to decide right now, that is a sign something is wrong.

Where can I report a scam I received but did not fall for?

You can report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or by calling 1-877-438-4338. You can also report it to your local police department. Reporting helps law enforcement track where scams are coming from and warn other people.