Phone Scams Targeting Older Adults and How to Respond

Phone scams cost Americans billions of dollars each year, and older adults are frequent targets. Scammers are skilled at creating panic or excitement so you act before you think. Knowing their most common stories is one of the best defenses.

Common phone scams

The grandparent or family emergency scam. A caller pretends to be a grandchild or other relative in trouble, such as in jail or the hospital, and begs for money, often asking you to keep it secret. Some scammers now use artificial intelligence to imitate a loved one's voice.

Government impostors. Callers claim to be from Social Security, Medicare, the IRS or the police, and say you owe money, your benefits will stop or there is a warrant for your arrest. See Social Security impostor scams.

Tech support scams. A caller, or a pop-up on your computer, says your computer has a virus and asks for remote access or payment.

Bank and "fraud department" scams. A caller says your account has been hacked and asks you to move money to a "safe account" or share a security code.

Prize, lottery and sweepstakes scams. You are told you won, but must pay taxes or fees first.

Medicare and health scams. Callers offer "free" genetic tests, back braces or new Medicare cards in exchange for your Medicare number.

Romance scams. Someone you met online builds a relationship and then needs money for an emergency or travel.

Charity scams, especially after disasters.

Warning signs

• Urgency: you must act right now.
• Secrecy: do not tell your family or your bank.
• Unusual payment: gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps or cash picked up by a courier.
• Requests for personal information: Social Security, Medicare or bank account numbers, or a one-time security code.
• Threats or promises that sound too extreme or too good to be true.

How to respond

• Hang up. You do not have to be polite to a scammer.
• Call back on a number you trust, such as the number on your bank card or statement, or a family member's known number.
• Never give out a security code sent to your phone. Real companies will not ask for it.
• Talk it over with someone you trust before sending money.

Cut down on scam calls

• Let unknown numbers go to voicemail. Real callers will leave a message.
• Use call-blocking tools. Most phone companies offer free tools that label or block suspected scam calls. Smartphones also have settings to silence unknown callers.
• Register on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov or 1-888-382-1222. It will not stop scammers, but it reduces legitimate sales calls, so any sales call you still get is more likely to be a scam.
• Do not press buttons in a robocall to "opt out," which can lead to more calls.

If you lost money or shared information

Act quickly:

1. Contact your bank, card company or payment service immediately and ask them to stop or reverse the payment.
2. If you paid with gift cards, call the card company and keep the cards and receipts.
3. Report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to your local police.
4. Call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311 for help reporting and finding resources.
5. If you shared your Social Security number, visit IdentityTheft.gov and consider a free credit freeze.

Being targeted is nothing to be ashamed of. Scammers are professionals. Reporting helps protect others. See also protecting yourself from financial exploitation.