Technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected, manage daily tasks, and access information with just a few clicks — but as our digital world grows, so do the risks that come with it. Unfortunately, your aging parent may be more exposed to financial exploitation.
According to a recent report by the FBI, American seniors lost around $4.885 billion to scammers in 2024, representing a shocking 46% increase from the previous year. A recent filing by the Federal Trade Commission suggests the actual losses are much higher. Even though you can’t prevent every attempt at financial exploitation, learning about senior scams in 2026 can help you protect your loved one from sharing their personal information or losing money.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover common types of scams targeting seniors and how to recognize and avoid them. We also go over possible warning signs that your older family member has been scammed and what to do next.
Why Are Seniors Targeted by Scammers
Scammers can target anyone, regardless of their age. However, according to the FBI’s recent statistics, seniors are the most affected demographic.
Here are several reasons why seniors may be targeted:
- Having worked hard all their lives, many seniors have built up savings, pensions, and good credit, making them prime targets for criminals.
- Many older adults value courtesy and personal connection, which can make certain online scams harder to recognize at first. Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of this trust by disguising fraudulent requests as legitimate or urgent messages.
- Older adults experiencing cognitive decline or changes in vision might have a harder time recognizing suspicious requests or spotting scam warning signs.
- Seniors who spend a lot of time alone may feel isolated. Scammers can exploit this loneliness to gain their trust and steal from them.
- A recent report revealed that many senior fraud victims are unlikely to report being scammed due to feelings of embarrassment, fear of losing independence, or even a lack of awareness that they’ve been exploited. Unfortunately, this often works to the scammers’ advantage.
Educating yourself on how to protect your loved one from scams can help you keep them from losing money to criminals.
Image Credit: Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Report 2024
Below are some crucial steps you should take to help protect your aging parents from fraud:
Know the Key Signs of an Email Scam
Seniors are online more than ever, and hackers are aware of this. According to a new FBI report, email phishing scams remain one of the most frequently used methods by online criminals.
Phishing scams are a type of email fraud. Scammers send fake emails that appear to be from a trusted company or organization. The goal is to trick your parent into clicking a link, sharing personal information, or sending money. Hackers have become much more sophisticated, making this type of scam harder to recognize. Many now utilize AI and other tools to craft emails that appear polite, professional, and convincing.
These fake emails often pressure seniors to act quickly. They may claim a subscription has expired, a payment is overdue, or an account will be locked unless action is taken. Others pretend to be charities asking for urgent donations, delivery companies reporting a problem with a package, or banks warning of “suspicious activity.”
The FBI also notes that scammers frequently target unsuspecting seniors with emails claiming to be from well-known government agencies, including Medicare, the Social Security Administration, or the IRS. These messages are designed to create fear and urgency, making it easier for scammers to steal money or personal details.
Because of this, it’s important to carefully examine emails before opening links or attachments. One wrong click in a suspicious email can give scammers access to your parent’s personal information or entire life savings.
Here are some key signs of phishing scams and fake emails to watch for:
- The sender’s email address looks slightly off (for example, john@gmail.com vs. john-security@gmail.com)
- Minor misspellings or extra words in the email address or domain name
- Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your parent’s name
- Urgent language pushing immediate action (“Act now,” “Final notice,” “Account suspended”)
- Requests for personal information, passwords, or payment details
- Unexpected attachments or links
- Poor grammar or awkward wording, even if the email looks official
- Links that don’t match the real website when you hover over them
- Claims of prizes, refunds, or benefits your parent didn’t apply for
- Emails pretending to be from government agencies asking for payment or personal details
Ignore and Delete Unsolicited Mail
As your parent gets older, normal age-related changes, like decreased vision or mild cognitive decline, can make it harder to spot the red flags we discussed earlier. For this reason, it’s often safer to encourage your family member to ignore and delete any emails they don’t recognize or weren’t expecting, especially if they show signs of being suspicious. If an email comes from an unfamiliar sender, asks for personal information, or creates a sense of urgency, it might be better to delete it than take a risk.
You can also help by removing these messages together. Many email providers allow you to delete suspicious emails and mark them as spam or block the sender entirely. This helps prevent similar emails from appearing again and reduces the likelihood that your loved one will accidentally open or respond to them in the future.
Don’t Trust Anyone That Asks for Money Over the Phone
One common way criminals use stolen data is by making scam phone calls. These callers often already know a little about your parents, which helps them sound believable. They may claim to be calling from a bank, a utility company, a medical provider, or even a government agency, asking your loved one to verify information or make a payment right away.
Some scammers go even further by using advanced technology to automate calls or make the voice sound like someone your parent knows and trusts. In some cases, they pretend to be a grandchild, a close family friend, or a caregiver, hoping to catch your loved one off guard and act quickly.
Common scam calls targeting seniors include:
- A caller claiming a loved one is in trouble and needs money immediately
- Someone pretending to be from the IRS or Social Security, demanding payment to avoid penalties
- A fake bank or credit card alert asking for account details
- A “tech support” call saying there’s a problem with your parent’s computer
- A prize or lottery call that requires a fee to “release” the winnings
Many seniors were taught that it’s rude to hang up or refuse a polite request. Gently remind your parent or someone you care for that it’s okay, and important, to hang up if a caller asks for money or personal information. Encourage them to pause, end the call, and check with you or another trusted person before taking any action.
Don’t Trust Automated Messages
If a message sounds computer-generated and asks for money or personal information, it’s often another tactic scammers use to target seniors. These automated messages can come through phone calls, voicemails, text messages, or even emails, and they’re designed to sound official and urgent.
Common examples include recorded calls claiming there’s a problem with Social Security benefits, automated voicemails saying a bank account has been locked, or AI-generated emails warning of suspicious activity that requires “immediate action.” Some messages may even say “press 1” to speak with an agent, which connects your parent directly to a scammer.
One of the warning signs of a scam to watch for is if these messages don’t address your parent by name. Scammers often use vague language, like “your account” or “your benefits,” without providing clear details. They also rely on fear, urgency, and pressure to get a quick response.
Help your parent understand that legitimate organizations rarely use automated messages to demand payment or request sensitive information. If a message asks them to share personal details, click a link, or send money, it’s best to ignore it, delete it, or hang up.
Don’t Trust Anyone Asking for Gift Cards
Another trick scammers use on unsuspecting seniors is asking them to pay for things like overdue bills, taxes, medical fees, tech support, or emergency expenses using gift cards. These requests often come through automated phone messages, texts, or emails that sound genuine and official.
Your parent may receive a recorded call or message claiming there’s a serious problem, like unpaid taxes, a frozen bank account, or a loved one in trouble. The message then instructs them to buy gift cards from a specific store and share the card numbers over the phone or by email to “resolve” the issue. Scammers like gift cards because once the numbers are shared, the money is gone and very hard to recover.
Reassure your loved one that legitimate businesses, charities, or government agencies will never ask for payment using gift cards. It’s also worth noting that organizations including the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, banks, and utility companies do not accept gift cards as payment.
Use a Secure Password
A weak password can also put your parent’s privacy and finances at risk. It’s best not to use passwords that are easy to guess, like their year of birth, the name of a pet, or simple sequences like “123456.” Additionally, reusing the same password for multiple accounts or writing passwords down in plain text can also make it easier for hackers to access sensitive information. To create a strong password, encourage your loved one to use a combination of letters (both uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols.
Many seniors, understandably, avoid using unique passwords because they can be hard to remember. Consider installing a password manager app that lets your loved one generate strong, unique passwords, store them securely, and even alert them if a password has been exposed in a data breach.
If you suspect an account has been compromised, it’s usually a good idea to help your parent change the password immediately. And if possible, set up two-factor authentication (2FA) so that logging in requires both the password and a second verification step, like a code sent to their phone.
Warning Signs Your Parent May Be a Victim of Scam
While learning how to protect seniors from scams is a crucial first step, it’s not always possible to prevent every fraud. Unfortunately, some scams go unnoticed, and many seniors may feel embarrassed or uncomfortable admitting they’ve been scammed, or may not even realize it has happened.
That’s why it’s helpful to check in regularly and watch for scam warning signs that may suggest something isn’t right. Below are some possible signs your parent is being scammed or financially exploited:
- Unexplained withdrawals, missing money, or sudden financial problems despite having enough income
- Reluctance to discuss finances or becoming unusually secretive about phone calls, emails, or mail
- Receiving excessive phone calls, messages, mail, or packages from unknown senders
- Unusual purchases, including large amounts of gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency investments
- Mentioning a prize, lottery, or sweepstakes they don’t remember entering
- New bills or charges for services they didn’t authorize or don’t recall signing up for
- Frequent computer pop-ups, warnings, or “security alerts” they mention often
- A new “friend” or romantic interest they’ve never met in person who asks for money or financial help
- Being pressured to send money quickly or keep financial matters secret
- Increased anxiety, fear, or stress related to money or unexpected requests
These fraud indicators don’t always mean a scam is happening, but they can be important signs to watch for. If you notice any of these signs of financial exploitation, it’s best to approach the conversation gently and with empathy. Reassure your loved one you’re there to help, not judge.
What to Do If Your Parent Is Being Scammed
In 2024, the FBI received 147,127 elder fraud complaints, representing a 46% increase from 2023. When someone you love is scammed, it can be a frightening and deeply frustrating experience for both you and your family member.
Hopefully, your parent will never be affected. But if it does happen, here are some steps you might take to help protect them and limit further harm:
Ignore It or Hang Up
If your family member catches a scam early, the safest response is to ignore the message or hang up the call. Your loved one may worry that this feels rude or impolite, especially if the scammer sounds genuine.
In this situation, gently reassure your parent that hanging up is important and necessary for their own safety. For emails, it’s best to mark the message as spam and block the sender to reduce future scam attempts.
Contact Your Parent’s Bank or Authorities
Time matters when reporting elder fraud. If money was wired, transferred, or withdrawn, you should contact your parent’s bank immediately, ideally within 24 hours. If action is taken quickly, the transaction may be stopped or reversed in some cases.
If your parent is over 60, they can also call the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) to verify whether a suspicious communication is a scam or to receive further assistance with fraud recovery or help filing an FBI Internet Crime Complaint (IC3) form.
Try to keep records of key evidence, including phone numbers, emails, text messages, receipts, and bank or credit card statements. This information can help authorities track down scammers and support recovery efforts.
The Role of Senior Living in Fraud Protection
With senior scams expected to rise in 2026, it’s understandable to have questions and concerns about senior living security and your parent’s financial safety. If you believe someone you love is at risk of financial exploitation, they may benefit from the safety and security measures senior living communities often have in place, including:
- Resident safety is always a top priority in most senior living communities. Entry or access is typically carefully monitored, and trained employees are available around the clock to notice unusual behavior or suspicious visitors.
- Seniors who spend a lot of time alone may be at higher risk of being taken advantage of by criminals, as noted earlier. In a senior living community, residents have access to a variety of group activities, outings, and planned social events that offer natural opportunities to socialize with others.
- Many senior living communities have elder fraud prevention programs in place, offer educational resources, or partner with trusted organizations to raise awareness and provide assistance to residents when needed.
- Most communities also have trained team members who can recognize warning signs of financial exploitation and know how to help protect seniors from scams. This ensures that someone is always nearby to listen, identify concerns, and respond promptly.
Life With StoryPoint Communities
When a loved one is scammed, it can lead to fear, stress, and a loss of trust. We understand how difficult and upsetting this can be for seniors and their families.
At StoryPoint Group communities, we care about your loved one’s safety and well-being as deeply as you do. While it’s not always possible to entirely prevent senior scams, we take meaningful steps to help keep residents safe, including offering scam education seminars and ongoing support when concerns arise.
If your loved one could benefit from additional support services, our team is happy to help guide you through the next steps. To learn more about life with us, please call us at 1-844-275-9990 or schedule a tour of a StoryPoint Group community near you. We can’t wait to get to know you.
