SCAMS TARGETING SENIORS ON THE RISE

Scams targeting older adults are not new, but they are becoming more sophisticated, more aggressive, and far more expensive.

According to information shared by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, older adults reported losing more than $2.4 billion to scams in 2024 alone. That number was approximately $600 million in 2020. That is not a small increase. It is a warning sign.

And here is something I want families to understand clearly: being scammed is not a sign that someone is unintelligent, careless, or incapable. Many of these scams are designed by people who know exactly how to create fear, urgency, confusion, and emotional pressure. They are manipulative by design.

That is why awareness matters.

Common Scams Affecting Older Adults

Government Impersonation Scams

One of the most common scams involves someone pretending to be from a government agency, such as the Social Security Administration, Medicare, Medicaid, or the IRS.

The scammer may say that benefits are about to be cut off, that a Social Security number has been used in a crime, or that personal information must be “verified” immediately.

A real government agency will not call, text, or email demanding personal information it already has. It will not demand payment by gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.

When in doubt, hang up and contact the agency directly using its official phone number.

Impostor Scams

Scammers may pretend to be from Amazon, Netflix, FedEx, a bank, a credit card company, or even a family member in trouble.

These scams often rely on urgency. The caller may say there has been suspicious activity on an account, a package problem, or a grandchild in danger. Some scammers may even use artificial intelligence to imitate a loved one’s voice.

The goal is to get the person to act quickly before they have time to think, verify, or call someone they trust.

A good rule of thumb is this: slow the situation down. Hang up. Call the company or family member directly. Do not use the phone number or link provided by the person who contacted you.

Investment Scams

Investment scams can be especially devastating because many older adults have spent a lifetime building savings, retirement accounts, and home equity.

These scams may start through social media, text messages, online groups, or friendly conversations. The scammer may claim to have a “guaranteed” investment, a special opportunity, or a trading platform that shows impressive profits.

Often, the investment involves something confusing or difficult to verify, such as cryptocurrency or a complicated real estate opportunity.

Before making a major investment, especially one that came from an unsolicited contact, speak with a trusted financial advisor, attorney, or family member. No legitimate investment should require immediate action before you have time to ask questions.

Romance Scams

Romance scams are heartbreaking because they exploit loneliness, grief, trust, and the human desire for connection.

The scammer may build a relationship slowly through social media, a dating app, or messaging. They may say they live far away, work overseas, or cannot meet in person. Eventually, there is an emergency: surgery, travel expenses, legal trouble, or some other urgent financial need.

No matter how real the relationship feels, never send money to someone you have only met online or by phone.

Families should approach this topic gently. Shame and embarrassment can keep victims silent, and silence only helps the scammer.

Tech Support Scams

A common tech support scam begins with a pop-up on the computer claiming there is a virus, security breach, or expired software. The message may include a phone number to call.

Once on the phone, the scammer may ask for remote access to the computer, credit card information, passwords, or bank account access.

Legitimate tech companies do not send random pop-ups demanding immediate payment or remote access. If this happens, shut down the computer and contact a trusted family member, advisor, or known technology professional.

What Families Can Do Now

The best protection is not fear. It is preparation.

Families should talk openly about scams before there is a crisis. This does not need to be a lecture. It can be as simple as saying:

“Scams are getting harder to spot. If anyone ever calls you and pressures you for money, personal information, or quick action, call me first. You will never be in trouble for asking.”

Older adults should have a trusted person they can call before making large transfers, changing financial accounts, sending gift cards, or sharing personal information.

Estate planning can also play an important role. A well-drafted power of attorney, trusted fiduciary structure, and clear plan for incapacity can help protect someone if they become more vulnerable to financial exploitation.

You Are Not Alone

If you or someone you love has been targeted by a scam, please know this: you are not alone, and you are not at fault.

Scammers are professionals at manipulation. They know how to create fear. They know how to isolate people. They know how to make their requests sound official, urgent, or emotionally compelling.

The most important thing is to speak up quickly. Contact trusted family, financial institutions, law enforcement, or an elder law attorney. The sooner the scam is addressed, the better the chance of limiting the damage.

At Willett Legal, we help families plan for incapacity, protect assets, and put trusted decision-makers in place. These conversations are not always easy, but they are an important part of protecting the people we love.

Awareness is protection. Conversation is protection. Planning ahead is protection.

And no one should have to navigate this alone.