Scams targeting older adults
These scams impersonate authority and exploit trust — a grandchild in trouble, an agency demanding payment, "tech support," or a relationship built patiently over months. The aim is to move money quickly and quietly.
How it works
A call claims a family member is in jail and needs money now. A "government agency" threatens arrest over taxes. A pop-up locks your screen and demands you call a number. An online companion asks for help, then money.
Different stories, one structure: create strong fear or strong affection, then ask for an irreversible payment. The payment method is often the clearest tell of all.
Common forms
Red flags
Spot it in the wild
The classic grandparent scam, with three tells together: panic, a request for secrecy, and gift-card payment. The voice may even sound right (see Deepfakes). Hang up and call the grandchild back on their own number — the story falls apart instantly.
What to do instead
The right response
Pause and verify. Call the family member back on their known number. No real agency collects payment by gift card. When something feels off, talk to someone you trust before you act — that one step stops most of these cold.
If you fell for it
- 1Stop, and call the family member directly on their known number to confirm.
- 2If you sent gift cards, call the card company right away — funds can sometimes be frozen if you act fast.
- 3If you wired money or sent crypto, contact your bank or the platform immediately.
- 4Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the AARP Fraud Watch Helpline at 1-877-908-3360.
- 5Tell someone you trust — these scams rely on isolation, so breaking that is protective.
Test your judgment
See if you can spot scams like this one in our quiz.