20 Scams Currently Targeting Senior Citizens

Written by Darrell Griffin, president of PureAudacity.com

Below is a comprehensive list of 20 common scams that disproportionately target older adults, based on reports from government agencies, consumer protection organizations, and recent studies. Each entry includes a complete description, an actual example drawn from real cases or reports, and practical solutions to avoid falling victim. These scams often exploit trust, isolation, or unfamiliarity with technology, leading to significant financial losses—estimated at over $27 billion annually for seniors in the U.S.

Medicare/Health Insurance Fraud
Description: Scammers pose as Medicare representatives or health insurance providers, claiming to need personal information to "update" records, issue new cards, or provide free services. They may bill for unprovided services or sell unnecessary equipment.
Actual Example: In 2023, a Florida ring billed Medicare $2.1 billion for fake genetic tests targeting seniors at health fairs, resulting in arrests by the FBI.
Solutions: Never share Medicare numbers over unsolicited calls; verify claims directly via the official Medicare website (medicare.gov) or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE; enroll in account monitoring for unusual billing; report suspicions to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program.

Counterfeit Prescription Drugs
Description: Fraudsters sell fake or expired medications online or via phone, promising discounts on essential drugs, often leading to health risks or financial loss.
Actual Example: A 78-year-old woman in Georgia purchased "discounted" blood pressure medication online, receiving counterfeit pills that caused severe side effects; the scam was linked to overseas operations shut down by the FDA in 2024.
Solutions: Only buy from licensed pharmacies verified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (nabp.pharmacy); use tools like the FDA's BeSafeRx program; consult a doctor before purchasing; avoid unsolicited email offers.

Funeral & Cemetery Scams
Description: Scammers exploit grief by overcharging for services, selling unnecessary add-ons, or posing as cemetery officials demanding "maintenance fees."
Actual Example: After a family member's death, a senior in Texas was charged $5,000 for bogus "perpetual care" fees by a fake cemetery representative; the case was resolved through the FTC's funeral rule enforcement in 2024.
Solutions: Pre-plan funerals with reputable providers and review contracts with family; use the FTC's Funeral Rule for price transparency; verify claims with the cemetery directly; report to the state attorney general.

Fraudulent Anti-Aging Products
Description: Bogus creams, supplements, or treatments promise to reverse aging but deliver ineffective or harmful products, often via auto-ship scams.
Actual Example: A 72-year-old man in California lost $1,200 on "miracle" wrinkle creams advertised on social media, which were placebos; the company was fined by the FTC in 2023 for false claims.
Solutions: Research products on FDA or FTC websites; avoid "free trial" offers that require credit cards; consult healthcare providers; block recurring charges through your bank.

Telemarketing/Phone Scams
Description: Callers pressure seniors into buying worthless products, donating to fake charities, or providing payment info under urgency.
Actual Example: A senior in Ohio was tricked into buying $3,000 in "investment-grade" coins via phone, which were worthless; the scammer was prosecuted under the Telemarketing Sales Rule in 2024.
Solutions: Register on the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov); use call-blocking apps like Nomorobo; never give info to unsolicited callers; hang up and verify independently.

Internet Phishing/Email Scams
Description: Emails mimic banks or services, tricking users into clicking links that steal data or install malware.
Actual Example: A 65-year-old woman in New York clicked a fake bank email link, losing $10,000 to account takeover; reported in FTC data for 2024.
Solutions: Use email filters and antivirus software; hover over links to check URLs; enable two-factor authentication; report to phishing@antiphishing.org.

Investment Schemes
Description: Fraudsters promise high returns on fake investments like stocks or crypto, often as Ponzi schemes.
Actual Example: Seniors lost $745 million in the first three months of 2025 to crypto scams promising "guaranteed" returns, per Newsweek reports.
Solutions: Verify investments via the SEC's EDGAR database; consult licensed advisors; avoid unsolicited opportunities; use FINRA's BrokerCheck.

Reverse Mortgage Scams
Description: Scammers pose as lenders offering home equity loans but charge hidden fees or steal home titles.
Actual Example: A 70-year-old in Florida lost her home to a fake reverse mortgage broker who forged documents; she recovered via HUD intervention in 2024.
Solutions: Use HUD-approved counselors; review terms with family or attorneys; check lenders on the CFPB website; avoid high-pressure sales.

Sweepstakes and Lottery Scams
Description: Victims are told they've won but must pay "fees" or taxes upfront.
Actual Example: A senior in Michigan sent $15,000 in gift cards for a fake Publishers Clearing House win, highlighted in AARP reports.
Solutions: Remember legitimate wins don't require payment; verify with official sources; discard unsolicited notifications; report to the FTC.

Grandparent Scams
Description: Callers impersonate grandchildren in emergencies, requesting urgent money.
Actual Example: An 82-year-old in Illinois wired $8,000 to a "grandson" in "jail"; the scam used AI voice cloning, per FBI 2024 alerts.
Solutions: Use family code words for verification; call the real relative directly; don't wire money; report to local police.

Romance/Sweetheart Scams
Description: Online suitors build relationships, then request money for "emergencies."
Actual Example: A widow in Arizona lost $300,000 to a fake online boyfriend claiming medical needs; FTC recovered partial funds in 2023.
Solutions: Avoid sending money to online contacts; use reverse image search on photos; discuss with family; block suspicious profiles.

Tech Support Scams
Description: Pop-ups or calls claim computer issues, leading to remote access and theft.
Actual Example: San Diego seniors lost nearly $70 million in the first half of 2025, with tech support being the most common fraud type, per local reports.
Solutions: Ignore pop-ups; contact official support numbers; use a reputable antivirus; educate via AARP's fraud watch.

Government Impersonation Scams
Description: Callers pose as SSA or IRS agents, threatening arrests unless payment is made.
Actual Example: A 75-year-old in Nevada lost $20,000 to a fake SSA call demanding Bitcoin; flagged in IRS 2024 warnings.
Solutions: Government agencies don't threaten via phone; verify via official websites; hang up and report to oig.ssa.gov.

IRS Impersonation Scams
Description: Fraudsters demand immediate tax payments via gift cards or wire.
Actual Example: Seniors reported $1.5 million losses in 2023 to fake IRS calls, per Treasury Inspector General reports.
Solutions: IRS contacts via mail first; use irs.gov to check status; report to TIGTA; avoid prepaid cards for payments.

Employment and Money Mule Scams
Description: Fake job offers involve processing payments, turning victims into unwitting launderers.
Actual Example: A retired teacher in Ohio deposited fake checks and forwarded funds, losing $5,000; FBI arrested the ring in 2024.
Solutions: Verify jobs on LinkedIn or BBB; never forward money; consult family; report to IC3.gov.

Online Shopping Scams
Description: Fake websites sell non-existent goods or steal card info.
Actual Example: A senior bought "discounted" hearing aids online, receiving nothing and facing $1,000 in fraud, per FTC 2024 data.
Solutions: Shop on trusted sites; use credit cards for protection; check reviews on BBB; enable transaction alerts.

Charity Scams
Description: Fake charities solicit donations post-disasters, pocketing funds.
Actual Example: After hurricanes, scammers collected $500,000 from seniors for bogus relief; prosecuted by state AGs in 2023.
Solutions: Verify on charitynavigator.org; donate directly; avoid pressure tactics; request written info.

Home Repair Scams
Description: Door-to-door contractors demand upfront payment for shoddy or unfinished work.
Actual Example: A senior in Michigan paid $4,000 for roof repairs that were never done; local news exposed the scam in 2024.
Solutions: Get multiple bids; check licenses on state sites; pay in stages; use contracts.

Elder Financial Abuse by Caregivers
Description: Trusted individuals misuse access to steal funds or coerce changes to wills.
Actual Example: A caregiver in California stole $100,000 from a senior's accounts; convicted via Adult Protective Services investigation in 2023.
Solutions: Monitor accounts jointly; use power of attorney wisely; report to APS; conduct background checks.

AI Voice Cloning Scams
Description: Scammers use AI to mimic family voices in emergency calls, requesting money.
Actual Example: A New York senior sent $10,000 after an AI-cloned "granddaughter" claimed kidnapping; reported in FBI 2024 alerts.
Solutions: Establish family verification phrases; pause and call back on known numbers; use AI detection apps; educate via NCOA resources.

New Scams on the Horizon

As technology advances, emerging scams are evolving rapidly in 2025. Key trends include:

• AI-Enhanced Impersonation Scams: Beyond voice cloning, deepfake videos mimic family or officials in video calls, tricking seniors into transferring funds. Expected to rise with accessible AI tools.
• Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud: Fake apps or advisors promise crypto riches, targeting seniors' savings; losses already hit $745 million in early 2025.
• Employment Scams: Phony job postings on sites like LinkedIn recruit seniors as "financial assistants," leading to money laundering involvement.

• Deepfake Celebrity Endorsements: AI-generated videos of celebrities promoting scams like fake giveaways or investments, exploiting trust in public figures.
• Virtual Reality/AR Scams: Emerging in senior-focused VR health apps, where fraudsters embed phishing or steal data during "immersive" experiences.

These build on existing vulnerabilities, with projections of a 20-30% increase in tech-driven fraud by 2026, per FTC forecasts. Prevention involves staying informed through programs like FDIC's Money Smart for Older Adults and community workshops.

How A.I. is Influencing the Scammer World

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized scams, making them more personalized, convincing, and scalable, particularly against seniors who may be less tech-savvy. AI tools enable:

• Voice Cloning and Deepfakes: Scammers clone voices from short audio clips (e.g., social media) to impersonate loved ones in distress calls, increasing success rates by 25-40% in studies. This has amplified grandparent scams, with losses doubling in recent years.
• Personalized Phishing: AI analyzes public data to craft tailored emails or texts, mimicking real communications and boosting click-through rates.
• Automated Bots and Chat Scams: AI chatbots facilitate long-term romance scams by building rapport without human effort, thereby increasing emotional manipulation.
• Fraud Detection Evasion: Scammers use AI to generate realistic documents or videos, bypassing bank verifications and targeting isolated seniors.

Overall, AI has contributed to a surge in elder fraud sophistication, with seniors losing $745 million in the first quarter of 2025 alone. While AI aids detection (e.g., voice analysis tools), it disproportionately empowers scammers in regions with low regulatory oversight. Countermeasures include AI literacy education, like that in Baltimore County senior programs, and legislative efforts such as the Preventing Deepfake Scams Act.

Conclusion: Empowering Seniors to Fight Back Against Fraud

In an era where scams are becoming more insidious, fueled by AI and targeting the vulnerabilities of older adults, knowledge truly is power. The staggering $745 million lost by seniors in just the first three months of 2025 underscores the urgency of vigilance, but it also highlights a path forward: through education, community support, and proactive measures, we can turn the tide. Seniors, families, and policymakers must unite—report every suspicious incident to authorities like the FTC or FBI, participate in fraud prevention workshops, and advocate for stronger regulations on AI misuse. By staying informed and connected, we not only protect our hard-earned savings but also reclaim our security and dignity. Remember, you're not alone in this fight; together, we can outsmart the scammers and build a safer future for all generations.