How to Protect Yourself From These 8 Common Scams

Scammers are clever. And older adults may be at greater risk of being targeted by these scammers. Learn how to spot a scam and keep your money safe! 

Scams are everywhere these days. And older adults tend to be hit the hardest. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center released a report on elder fraud in 2023 . According to this report, people aged 60 and above filed the most complaints about fraud. They also lost the most money. Over 100,000 victims in this age group reported losses totaling more than $3.4 billion. In 2024, the number of reports rose to over 147,000, and total losses increased to $4.9 billion.  

One reason scammers may go after older adults is that they tend to have more of their money in banks. Their money is less likely to be tied up in retirement accounts or mortgage payments. Another reason is to take advantage of common issues they may be facing. Older adults may be dealing with high medical costs, health coverage problems, technology issues, or loneliness. But everyone is at risk of getting scammed, no matter their age or money situation. 

A scammer’s goal may be to swindle you out of money. Or it may be to steal your personal information to commit identity theft . Learn how to spot scams so you can protect yourself. 

8 common types of scams 

Many scams use fear tactics to try to get you to react without thinking. They are designed to catch you off guard. Here are some common scams to look out for:

1. Government impersonation scam. These are fake calls claiming to be from a government agency or program, such as the IRS or Medicare. They may threaten to have you arrested or to cut off your benefits if you don’t pay or provide your personal information. They may also demand that you pay via cash, wire transfer, or prepaid debit cards. They can even spoof the phone number so it looks like a legitimate call.
   
   
2. Tech support scam. In these scams, the scammer claims your computer or device has a problem and you need to pay to fix it. They may contact you through a website, by email or text, or over the phone. You may even see your screen freeze or go blank before a message pops up with a number to call for help. They may claim to be from a well-known computer company and ask for remote access to your device.
   
   
3. Romance scam. Also called a sweetheart scam, these scams involve fake dating profiles. The scammers gain your trust and then ask for money. They may claim to be from overseas and request you pay for visas, medical emergencies, or travel expenses. These scams can go on for a long time.
   
   
4. Grandparent scam. These are calls from someone claiming to be a relative, often a grandchild. They may get you to give them a name by asking, “Do you know who this is?” They will claim to be in distress, like having a car emergency or needing to pay rent. Or the call may be from someone claiming to be with your relative, like a police officer or doctor. But the goal is the same: to exploit your emotions and get you to send money, often via wire transfer or prepaid cards.
   
   
5. Bank/financial services scam. A scammer may contact you through a phone call, text, or email. They may claim to be from your bank, mortgage company, or a debt collection agency. They may try to get your personal information, like your account number and password or your Social Security number. Like other scams, they will likely use threats and may try to get you to pay through untraceable means.
   
   
6. Sweepstakes/lottery scam. These scammers will claim you’ve won a prize. However, in order to claim it, they’ll say you have to send money to cover taxes or fees.  
   
   
7. Phishing scams. Phishing is when scammers send emails or texts to trick you into giving them personal information. They may try to get passwords, credit card numbers, or your Social Security number. This can lead to identity theft, and the scammers may use your information to open fraudulent accounts in your name. These emails or texts look like they come from reputable sources, such as banks, online services, or well-known companies. Learn more about how to protect yourself from phishing scams.
   
   
8. Online shopping scams. These fake online stores offer extremely low prices to lure you to the site. The website may look like a well-known store or be completely made up. You may see ads on social media or other websites offering great deals. But if you purchase from one of these online stores, you could receive a counterfeit item—or nothing at all. 
    
   Be on the lookout for these common scams. And keep reading to learn how you can recognize a scam. 
   

How to spot a scam 

When you know what to look for, you can help protect yourself from scams. Keep an eye out for these warning signs:

• Unsolicited contact: Be careful if someone you don’t know calls or emails you unexpectedly. They may ask for money or personal information, which can lead to identity theft.  
  
  
• Personal information requests: If you receive an email or phone call asking for your account number, password, or Social Security number, it’s likely a scam. A valid business will not ask for your personal information in this way.
  
  
• Urgent or high-pressure requests: Pressuring you to make a decision quickly is a common scam practice. They want you to act before you have a chance to think.  
  
  
• Untraceable payment requests: Scammers do not want you to be able to get your money back. They may ask for payment by wire transfer or prepaid cards.
  
  
• Offers that seem too good to be true: If it seems too good to be true, it likely is. These deals may offer deep discounts or promises of extraordinary results.  
   
  If you spot any of these red flags, take a step back, breathe, and give yourself space to think. Do not click links. And do not share any personal or financial information. 
  

How to safeguard your personal information 

Now you know how to spot scams. But what can you do about them? If you get a request for money or information, investigate first. Verify that the communication is trustworthy. Here’s how:

• Phone calls: If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call back using official numbers. Even if the caller ID matches who they claim to be, it could still be a scam. Phone numbers can be faked to match a real number.  
  
  
• Emails: Like phone numbers, email addresses can look valid when they’re not. Click on “From” to see the exact email address. Check for spelling errors, especially in the domain (the part after the “@” symbol). If there is a link in the email, hover over—but do not click—the link to see the URL and ensure it leads to a trusted site.  
  
  
• Websites: Double-check the URL. Look for small errors in spelling, and check that it begins with “https”, which means it’s a secure connection. If you’re thinking about making a purchase from a new company, research them first. Search for their name plus the word “scam” or “fraud” to see if others have had problems. Also, check the website for contact information, privacy policies, and trust seals. If these are missing, that’s a sign the site may not be trustworthy. Be cautious about getting to websites via ads. Instead, type the web address into the browser yourself, but make sure you type it correctly.
  
  
• In-person: Scams can happen right at your front door. If someone arrives selling products or asking for charity donations, always ask for identification. Request a photo ID along with any proof that they are who they say they are. Take a moment to check their information and ask questions. If they say they are from a charity, verify it online or through official sources. And trust your instincts—if something feels off, just say no and close the door.

It's also important to protect your information with these safeguards:

• Be sure your computer and phone are locked and password-protected whenever you’re not using them.
  
  
• Keep antivirus software on your computer and phone. This can help block scam websites and prevent viruses and malware from getting on your devices.
  
  
• Update your computer software regularly. These updates include security measures to help protect your information.
  
  
• Don’t share personal information on social media. Avoid posting your home address, phone number, and other sensitive information.
  
  
• Make your social media profiles private. This helps keep unknown people from contacting you and possibly scamming you.
  
  
• Ask for multifactor authentication (MFA) whenever available. This helps protect your accounts from getting hacked. MFA means you will have to confirm your identity in more than one way. Instead of just logging in with a username and password, you’ll add a second step. This might include entering a one-time code sent to your phone or answering a security question. Your password is one authentication factor, and the second adds a layer of security. So even if someone gets your password, they will have a hard time logging in to your account.
  
  
• If you accidentally answer a spam call, hang up. Don't say anything. In one common scam, the caller asks, “Can you hear me?” When you say “yes”, they record that and use it to claim you authorized a sale. 
  

What to do if you’ve been scammed 

If you think you've been scammed, don't feel ashamed. Scammers are savvy. And falling for a scam can—and does—happen to anyone. Take these steps:

1. Inform your bank or credit card company if financial information was shared.
2. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov . For an online scam, you can also report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center . 
3. Share your experience with friends and family to raise awareness.

Staying aware is key to protecting yourself from scams. Scammers are always trying new tactics to get your money. But by knowing common scams and warning signs, you can stay one step ahead. Remember to pause and think before engaging—especially if you feel pressured. Stay alert and stay secure! 

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This information is not intended to take the place of regular medical care or advice. Please check with your doctor before using this information or beginning any self-care program. Images used for this article do not depict any members of the Silver&Fit Program.

References

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (n.d.). Elder fraud. https://www.fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/elder-fraud  

Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2024, April 30). Elder fraud, in focus. https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/elder-fraud-in-focus  

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (2021, October). Avoiding scams and scammers. https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/2021-10/avoiding-scams-and-scammers   

Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Report to help fight fraud! https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/  

Federal Trade Commission. (2022, September). How to recognize and avoid phishing scams. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams  

Federal Trade Commission. (2022, September). Use two-factor authentication to protect your accounts. https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/use-two-factor-authentication-protect-your-accounts

Internet Crime Complaint Center. (n.d.). Elder fraud. U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.ic3.gov/Outreach/Brochures/elder_fraud_tri-fold.pdf  

Internet Crime Complaint Center. (n.d.). Welcome to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.ic3.gov/  

Internet Crime Complaint Center. (2023). 2023 Elder Fraud Report. U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation. https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2023_IC3ElderFraudReport.pdf 

Johnston, J. (2025, February 20). The top 5 financial scams targeting older adults. National Council on Aging. https://www.ncoa.org/article/top-5-financial-scams-targeting-older-adults/ 

Krown, K. (2023, November 30). So an online scam is not what you ordered? Federal Trade Commission Consumer Advice. https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/11/so-online-scam-not-what-you-ordered 

National Council on Aging. (2025, February 24). Protecting yourself against tech support scams. https://www.ncoa.org/article/protecting-yourself-against-tech-support-scams/  

National Institute on Aging. (2023, October 12). Beware of scams targeting older adults. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/safety/beware-scams-targeting-older-adults  

This article was written by Keleigh Somes, edited by Stephanie Ruiz, and clinically reviewed by Elizabeth Thompson, MPH, RDN, on August 5, 2025. 

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