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Scams that target seniors, and how to stop them
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Scammers go after older adults on purpose, and the calls and messages are slicker than ever. The good news: a few simple rules stop almost all of them, and reporting is quick. Here are the scams to know, the red flags, and exactly who to call.
Last reviewed: August 10, 2026
The short version:
- The losses are real and rising. Adults 60 and older reported losing $2.4 billion to fraud in 2024, and the FTC says the true total may be as high as $82 billion.
- The one rule that stops most scams: slow down. Real agencies don't rush you. Hang up, then call the company or agency back using a number you look up yourself.
- Gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, and payment apps are the tell. Anyone who demands payment that way, or threatens arrest, is a scammer -- every time.
- Report it fast. File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and call the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
- It's not your fault, and it's never too late to report. Reporting helps investigators and sometimes helps you recover money.
Common questions
- How do I report a scam against a senior?
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and call the U.S. Department of Justice's National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 (6 a.m.–11 p.m. Eastern, 7 days; a case manager helps you). For a local crime or an in-person threat, call your county Sheriff's non-emergency line. In danger right now, call 911.
- Does the IRS, Medicare, or Social Security call and threaten arrest?
- No. Those agencies don't call out of the blue demanding immediate payment, and they never threaten to arrest you or ask for gift cards, crypto, or a wire transfer. A call like that is a scam -- hang up.
- My parent was scammed -- what do I do first?
- Don't shame them; act fast. Call their bank or card company to stop or reverse payments, change passwords and PINs, report to the FTC and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311), and call the Sheriff's non-emergency line. If a gift card was used, contact the card company right away.
- Can you get money back after gift-card fraud?
- Sometimes, if you act quickly. Call the gift-card company (the number on the back) immediately, tell them it was a scam, and ask them to freeze the funds. Then report to the FTC. There's no guarantee, but fast action gives you the strongest chance.
- What is the grandparent scam?
- Someone calls pretending to be a grandchild (or a lawyer for one) in trouble -- an accident, jail, an emergency -- and begs for money kept secret from the family, usually by gift card or wire. Hang up and call your grandchild or another relative directly to check. It's almost always fake.
- How do I stop scam calls?
- Let unknown numbers go to voicemail, register at DoNotCall.gov, and turn on your phone's spam-call filter. Never press a button to "opt out" of a robocall -- that confirms a live line. When in doubt, hang up and call the real number yourself.
Red flags -- if you see any of these, it's a scam:
- Pressure to act right now, or to keep it secret from family
- Payment demanded by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or a payment app like Zelle or Venmo
- A threat -- arrest, a cut-off benefit, a lawsuit, a computer "virus"
- A caller who already "knows" your name or a partial account number (they buy that data)
- Winning a prize you never entered, or being asked to pay a fee to collect winnings
The scams that hit seniors hardest
| Scam | How it works | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Government imposter | "IRS," "Medicare," or "Social Security" calls about a problem with your account or benefits | Threats and demands for gift cards or a wire; real agencies write first and never threaten arrest |
| Grandparent / family emergency | A "grandchild" or their "lawyer" needs money fast for an accident or jail, kept secret | Secrecy and urgency; hang up and call the relative directly |
| Tech support | A pop-up or call warns your computer is infected and asks for remote access or payment | Real companies don't cold-call about your computer; never give remote access |
| Romance | A new online sweetheart you've never met in person starts asking for money | They always have a reason not to meet, and always need money |
| Prize / sweepstakes / lottery | You "won," but must pay a fee or taxes up front to collect | You can't win a contest you didn't enter, and real prizes never charge a fee |
| Medicare / health fraud | Callers offer "free" braces, tests, or equipment in exchange for your Medicare number | Guard your Medicare number like a credit card; report suspected fraud |
Investment scams cost older adults the most money of all, and more of these scams now start on social media than anywhere else. When money and urgency show up together, stop and check.
If it already happened
Move fast, and don't waste energy on blame -- these crews fool sharp people every day.
- Call the bank or card company to stop, freeze, or reverse the payment; for a gift card, call the card company on the back of the card
- Change passwords and PINs, and watch accounts for more charges
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and the National Elder Fraud Hotline, 833-372-8311
- Call your Sheriff's non-emergency line to file a local report (numbers below)
- For Medicare fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or your local SHINE counselor
Who to call in Citrus, Hernando & Pasco
| Where | Contact |
|---|---|
| Report any scam (national) | FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov · National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-372-8311 |
| Citrus County Sheriff (non-emergency) | 352-726-1121 |
| Hernando County Sheriff (non-emergency) | 352-754-6830 |
| Pasco County Sheriff (non-emergency) | 727-847-8102 (option 7) |
| Medicare fraud | 1-800-MEDICARE · local SHINE counseling |
In a life-threatening emergency, or if someone is at your door, call 911.
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission -- Protecting Older Consumers report to Congress (2024 data: $2.4B reported, up to ~$82B estimated). https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/12/ftc-issues-annual-report-congress-agencys-actions-protect-older-adults
- Federal Trade Commission -- Report fraud. https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
- U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime -- National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311). https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope
- Medicare -- reporting fraud (1-800-MEDICARE). https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse
- Citrus County Sheriff's Office. https://www.sheriffcitrus.org/ · Hernando County Sheriff's Office. https://www.hernandosheriff.org/ · Pasco Sheriff's Office. https://pascosheriff.com/contact/
Please read: Nature Coast Senior Home is an independent guide. This is general information to help you spot and report fraud, not legal or financial advice, and reporting doesn't guarantee recovery of lost money. Phone numbers and programs change -- confirm with the FTC, the Department of Justice, Medicare, and your county Sheriff. In an emergency, call 911. We don't collect or sell your information.