How Scammers Prey on Older Adults—and What We Can Do About It
Scams don’t just steal money — they steal peace of mind, trust, and dignity. And while anyone can be targeted, older adults are disproportionately affected.
Massachusetts residents over the age of 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022. (Boston25 New)
In 2024, Massachusetts residents aged 60 and over reported losses of approximately $99.8 million to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. (FBI.gov)
That represents 3,224 reported victims, with some losing their entire life savings. Key word there – reported. Many scams go unreported. Remember, reporting a scam can help aid professionals and could potentially protect others from facing that same scam. Knowledge is power. These aren’t just statistics — they’re real people: retirees, grandparents, widows, and veterans who spent lifetimes building security, only to have it erased in moments.
This should make you angry! How can we protect ourselves and our loved ones from this?
How to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones
Knowledge truly is power — but it only works when shared. The City of Lowell has a great section on their website on steps we can take. Check it out.
AARP advises to be wary of your new online “friend.” and offers important information on how to report a scam though their Fraud Watch Network.
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office protects older adults from scams through various initiatives, including a dedicated Elder Justice Unit, the Elder Hotline, and public education.
Resources like these make a difference, but the first line of defense is awareness—knowing how to spot a scam before it strikes.
For Older Adults
- Pause before acting. If something feels urgent, it’s likely a scam.
- Verify independently. Hang up and call the official agency or company using a verified number.
- Never send money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Use security tools. Enable spam filters, update devices, and use strong passwords with two-factor authentication.
- Protect personal information. Limit what you post online and share only what’s necessary.
- Report it. If you suspect fraud, contact:
- The FTC Federal Trade Commission
- The FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Local law enforcement
For Families and Caregivers
- Encourage open dialogue. Ask your loved ones about unusual calls or messages.
- Offer judgment-free support. Shame keeps scams in the shadows; empathy brings them to light.
- Set up tech safeguards together. Enable scam blockers, such as “silence unknown callers” for an iPhone, enabling a service through your carrier, or even installing an app such Robokiller. Also, always monitor accounts with permission.
- Create a “call list.” Make sure older adults know who to contact before sending money.
- Stay informed. Follow updates from the FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network, or your state’s Attorney General.
Why Are Older Adults Targeted?
Scammers are strategic, and several factors make older adults particularly vulnerable:
- Accumulated Wealth: Years of saving and investing often mean greater assets to exploit.
- Trust and Politeness: Many in older generations were raised to be courteous and respectful, even to strangers. Scammers weaponize that trust.
- Social Isolation: Loneliness can make older adults more likely to engage with callers or online “friends.”
- Technological Gaps: Pop-ups, spoofed caller IDs, and phishing emails can easily appear legitimate to those less familiar with new tech.
- Cognitive Decline: Mild memory loss or slower processing may impair judgment, especially under pressure.
Add to this a cruel new twist — scammers now use AI-generated voices and videos to impersonate loved ones in distress, making deception even more convincing.
The losses go far beyond dollars. Victims often experience shame, fear, anxiety, and depression. Many withdraw from social activities, feeling embarrassed or betrayed. Some face serious health consequences from stress and in tragic cases, lose their independence altogether. It’s not just a financial crime. It’s emotional abuse, exploitation, and in many ways, elder neglect by society if we fail to intervene.
The Top Scams You Need to Know
Each scam is built around the same formula: urgency + trust + emotional manipulation. Here are some top offenders:
- The Grandparent Scam
An urgent call: Scammers impersonate grandchildren or relatives, claiming to be in crisis and needing immediate financial help. Victims are told to “keep it a secret” from mom or dad preying on the grandparents’ emotions and trust. These scammers ask to send gift cards or wire transfers, and grandparents often lose thousands before realizing it was a lie.
- Financial Service & Debt Scams
Emails or texts appear to come from banks, mortgage companies, or debt collectors, demanding immediate payment. They might say your account is “locked” or that you owe a bill you’ve never seen. These messages often include official-looking logos and fake websites designed to steal your information.
- Tech Support Scams
A pop-up warns: “Your computer is infected—call this number!” The scammer then offers “help” for a fee or tricks the victim into granting remote access. The FBI reports that tech support scams generated the most complaints among older adults in 2023, costing nearly $600 million.
- Government Impersonation Scams
These scams involve callers pretending to be from the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare. They threaten arrest, fines, or loss of benefits unless immediate payment is made—usually through prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or even gold purchases.“The government will never ask people to purchase gold or precious metals,” officials warn. In Massachusetts alone, seniors lost over $18 million last year to this type of fraud.
- Romance & Relationship Scams
Scammers build emotional connections online through dating apps or social media. Once trust is established, they fabricate emergencies — a medical bill, a visa issue, a stranded flight — and ask for money. Victims often believe they’re helping a genuine partner, when in fact, they’re being groomed and exploited.
In 2023, older adults reported over $400 million in losses to romance scams alone.
Other Common Scams
- Robocalls and Phone Scams: Automated messages demanding immediate action.
- Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams: “You’ve won!” — but you must pay taxes or fees to collect.
- Investment or Crypto Scams: “Guaranteed returns” that vanish overnight.
- Healthcare and Medicare Fraud: Offering “free” services or devices in exchange for personal data.
- Phishing & Email Fraud: Links that appear from trusted sources but install malware or steal credentials.
As America ages and technology evolves, scams will only become more sophisticated. Our elders deserve respect, safety, and protection from exploitation. The best defense is awareness: talking about scams openly, reducing stigma, and empowering older adults to trust their instincts.
If someone pressures you to act fast, pay in an unusual way, or keep it secret — stop. It’s a scam.
