National Senior Fraud Awareness Day: Common Scams to Watch

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day is observed on May 15 each year as a reminder to stay vigilant against scams targeting older adults. If you have elderly loved ones or are concerned about fraud impacting this vulnerable group, understanding common scams is crucial. While scams constantly evolve, being informed is one of the best defenses.

Tech Support Scams

In tech support scams, fraudsters often impersonate reputable tech companies. They may claim there’s a problem with your device and request remote access to fix it. Once granted access, they can steal sensitive information or install malicious software.

Government Impersonation Scams

Scammers posing as government officials can be particularly convincing. They often use threats of legal action to obtain personal information. Remember, official agencies will never demand sensitive information or payment over the phone.

Grandparent Scams

These scams exploit the love and concern grandparents have for their grandchildren. Scammers pretend to be a grandchild in distress, creating a false sense of urgency to trick victims into sending money immediately.

Romance Scams

In romance scams, criminals build trusted online relationships over time, only to later request money. They prey on loneliness and create convincing stories, making it emotionally challenging for victims to refuse their requests.

Medicare Scams

Fraudsters pretending to be Medicare representatives might offer bogus services to collect sensitive information. It's important to remember that Medicare will never ask for personal information over the phone unless you’ve initiated the call.

Sweepstakes Scams

In sweepstakes scams, victims are falsely told they’ve won a prize but must pay fees upfront, a key red flag. Real sweepstakes won’t require payment to claim a prize.

Encourage your loved ones to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for personal information. Sharing this information empowers them to recognize and report fraud attempts. For more information or to report a scam, visit a government fraud reporting website or hotline. Awareness remains the most effective tool in preventing fraud.