According to the FBI, older Americans lost over $7.7 billion to scams in 2025. This is a 59% increase from 2024, and this number has been climbing.
If you're an older adult or have aging parents, grandparents or loved ones, it's important to stay vigilant against scams designed to target this group.
Unfortunately, fraudsters often view seniors as attractive targets because they may have a larger savings, established credit and a trusting nature. At the same time, today's digital world has created new opportunities for criminals to deceive people through phone calls, text messages and emails.
The good news is that awareness is one of the most effective defenses against fraud. Understanding how scams work and knowing the warning signs can help seniors and their families stay one step ahead of criminals.
Why Do So Many Scammers Target Seniors?
Older adults were raised in a much different time than we know today. In their youth, trust and politeness to strangers were more common. Cybercriminals exploit these positive traits by posing as loved ones needing help, fake charitable requests and even romance scams.
Another major difference is technology. Young people today grew up with the Internet and smartphones, while many older adults spent most of their lives without them. Since they aren’t as familiar with these dark sides of technology, this leaves them more vulnerable to scams and other threats as they navigate the digital world.
Scams are becoming more advanced by the day with the help of AI. Deepfake audio can be used for vishing scams that can perfectly mimic anyone’s voice—such as a grandchild calling for help. These scams are so convincing that anyone, of any age, may fall for it.
How Can Seniors Stay Safe Against Scams?
Know the Current Scams
In order to stay safe against fraud, it’s important to be aware of current and common threats. The National Council on Aging has a comprehensive list of the top scams that target older adults:
1. The Grandparent Scam: A fraudster poses as the target’s grandchild asking for money to help with rent, an emergency or even to post bond. They’ll beg the grandparent to not tell anyone.
2. The Financial Services Scam: The target receives a legitimate-looking message from their bank or credit union, or another financial organization, claiming their account has been compromised. They’ll ask for the target’s password or Social Security number in order to resolve the issue.
Apple FCU will never ask you for your password or other personal information over phone, text or email.
3. The Tech Support Scam: A scammer gets access to the target’s computer or phone and creates a pop-up message with a number to call for “help”.
4. The Government Impersonation Scam: The scammer calls the target and pretends to be a federal agency, such as the Social Security Administration or Medicare. They claim the target needs to pay late taxes or else lose their benefits.
5. The Romance Scam: These scammers target people who are looking for companionship online. They’ll claim they live in another state or overseas, and need financial help to come visit them or for emergencies. Since the target thinks they’re talking to a true friend or partner, these scams can go on for a long time.
Tips for Elders to Safe Against Fraud
1. Don’t Respond
Don’t answer calls, texts or emails from numbers or addresses you don’t recognize.
2. Keep Your Information Private
Never share personal or banking information, like passwords, with people you don’t know or can’t verify.
3. Stay Calm Under Pressure
Scams often feel urgent—like a grandchild needing money immediately or a government agency threatening to take away benefits. Resist the urge to act quickly, and instead take the time to validate the call through a trusted source.
4. Be Cautious About Sending Money
Whether it’s a new online “friend” requesting money to come visit or an organization requesting a wire transfer, don’t send money to anyone you can’t verify.
Stay Informed, Stay Protected
Scammers are constantly adapting their tactics, but staying informed can help you recognize warning signs before fraud occurs. By taking a cautious approach, protecting personal information and verifying unexpected requests, senior citizens can reduce their risk and protect their finances.
For more resources, check out our Fraud Prevention page for senior citizens. We share more tips for identifying scams, how to report fraud, how to get help after a scam and more.
