You’re not imagining it. There are a lot more scams going around lately. And unfortunately, senior citizens are often seen as easy targets by fraudsters. According to the FBI’s 2025 IC3 Annual Report, 60+ year-old Americans lost around $7.7 billion, a towering number that’s a 60% increase from just the year prior!
Fraudsters are getting more sophisticated with the use of new technologies and platforms. According to Sarah Darr, Senior Vice President and Head of Financial Planning at US Bank Wealth Management, “The increasing reliance on technology among those who are elderly and vulnerable introduces even more avenues to be targeted.”
While the rise in scams is scary, don’t panic. Instead, learn these habits to avoid scams and protect yourself!
Learn and Recognize Common Scams
According to the National Council on Aging, these are some of the most common types of fraud targeting the elderly:
- Imposter Scams – Scammers impersonate the IRS, Medicare, Social Security Administration, a lawyer’s office, or another official entity, claiming money is owed, threatening legal action, or some other frightening and urgent circumstance.
- Fake Prizes, Lottery, and Sweepstakes – Victims of these scams may receive some notice that they won a contest of some sort, but are then asked to pay money to collect that prize.
- Robocall Scams – Robocalls use automated technology to call large batches of numbers, and try to record their victim’s answering “yes” to a question before they hang up, and can use the recording to authorize unwanted charges. If a caller asks questions like, “Can you hear me?” avoid saying yes, and instead respond with something along the lines of, “I can hear you.”
- Tech Support Scams – If a victim’s phone or computer is infected with malware and freezes or goes blank, a pop-up appears with a number to dial for help. When they call, the scammer on the other end asks for permission to log on to the device remotely. They can then install spyware on their computer to steal information, or they may demand a “fee” to repair the “issue.”
- Romance Scams – A romance scammer creates fake social media profiles and uses them to gain trust and steal money. They often ask victims to pay for various expenses.
- Grandparent Scam – The caller gains their target’s trust by tricking them into volunteering info, like a grandchild’s name. They may say something like, “Hi Gram, do you know who this is?” and impersonate that person and demand help with money. They may also claim to be a police officer, doctor, or lawyer trying to help their grandchild.
Don’t Rush
Scammers like to create a false sense of urgency. If you feel rushed, you tend to make mistakes or overlook red flags you’d normally be suspicious of. Be cautious of urgent requests for money, gift cards, or quick wire transfers. If something feels off, trust your gut, pause, think, and verify the authenticity of the person you’re communicating with before you do anything.
If you feel like you may have come across an Imposter Scam or Grandparent Scam, hang up. Look up the actual number for said person or agency and verify whether the call was legitimate.
Ask for Help
Not only do scammers try to pressure you to act quickly, but they also want to isolate you. They often use lines like, “Do not talk to anyone else about this,” or “only say what I tell you to say.” Always discuss sudden financial requests or high-pressure situations with people you trust first.
Protect Your Data
Sharing personal, financial, or otherwise identifying information with others you don’t personally know is one of the biggest risks online. One of the biggest tactics used across the board for fraud is using information that you share online.
Protecting your data also extends to what you post online. What you share on your social media is not as private as you may think.
Don’t Click Suspicious Links
Beware when opening emails or texts from unknown or unsolicited people or sources. Clicking on links or downloading attachments can infect your computer and subject you to malware, scams, or identity theft. Be particularly skeptical if they appear to come from a financial institution, shipping company, government agency, etc. Always check the sender’s actual email address for unusual spelling or combinations of letters or numbers.
Remember, government agencies usually contact people by mail first, and will never contact you spontaneously. If the sender is legitimate, they will likely follow up with more context or reach out to you through other methods.
Report Scams
Block and report any scam activity you see within the product or site you encounter it. If you have been the victim of a scam, find out where to report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
The society we live in is so fast-paced, and scammers take advantage of that. Many scams can be avoided if you stay calm and think things through. Consider creating a code word with family and friends to confirm their identity in case someone tries to impersonate them. When an organization contacts you unexpectedly, verify their authenticity through official channels. Keep an eye out for strange payment requests. Scammers often ask for payment through unconventional methods like gift cards, wire transfers, money transfer apps, or cryptocurrency. It may feel like you have to keep your head on a swivel in order to avoid scams, but staying alert and aware of common scam activity, and being careful with your own activity online, must become second nature in order to protect yourself.
At Northeast Nebraska Insurance, we are committed to providing resources and support to help our members. If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact us for help to stay safe and secure.