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Scam & Safety Awareness

Scammers target older adults on purpose — not because you're careless, but because they assume you might be polite to a stranger on the phone, or trusting of an official-looking email. Knowing the patterns below is the best protection there is.

Almost every scam uses one of three tricks

  • Fear: "Your account will be suspended," "You owe back taxes," "A warrant is out for your arrest" — all designed to make you act before you can think it through.
  • Hope: "You've won a prize," "This investment doubles your money" — offering something great in exchange for a fee or your bank details.
  • Love or family loyalty: A romance that's moved fast and suddenly needs money, or a call claiming to be a grandchild in trouble who needs cash right away.

  1. The Tech Support Scam

    A pop-up warning, or a call, claims your computer has a virus and gives you a phone number to call. A real tech company will never contact you first about a problem with your device — close the window or hang up.

  2. The Government Impersonation Scam

    Someone claims to be from the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare and says you owe money or your benefits are at risk. Real government agencies contact you by mail first, and never demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.

  3. The Grandparent Emergency Scam

    A caller pretends to be a grandchild in trouble — needing bail money, medical bills, or help after an accident — and asks you to keep it secret. Hang up and call that family member directly using a number you already have, not one the caller gives you.

  4. The Romance Scam

    A new online friend or romantic interest, often on a dating site or social media, builds trust over weeks or months and then asks for money for a crisis, travel, or an "investment." If you've never met them in person and they need money, that's the warning sign.

  5. The Prize or Lottery Scam

    You're told you've won a sweepstakes, lottery, or prize — but need to pay a "fee" or "taxes" first to receive it. Real prizes are never claimed by paying money upfront.

Warning signs, no matter what the story is

  • You're told to act immediately, or something bad will happen.
  • You're asked to pay with a gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash sent by courier — real businesses and agencies never require these.
  • You're asked to keep the conversation secret from family or your bank.
  • Someone you've never met in person is asking you for money.
  • You're asked for your password, PIN, Social Security number, or a one-time verification code over the phone or by text.

If You Think You've Been Targeted

  1. Stop contact right away. Hang up the phone, close the browser window, or stop replying to the message. You don't owe anyone an explanation.
  2. Don't send any more money. If you already sent money, contact your bank or card company immediately — the sooner you call, the better the chance of stopping or reversing it.
  3. Tell someone you trust. A family member, friend, or your bank. There is no shame in this — scammers are professionals, and this happens to smart, careful people every day.
  4. Report it. Reporting helps investigators track patterns and protect others, even if you don't get your money back. See the contacts below.

Who to Contact