Cybercriminals are targeting older adults more than ever — here’s how to stay safe

Beware of these scams

As we come to the end of October, we also close out cybersecurity awareness month. While the internet can be a wonderful tool for seniors to stay connected with family and friends, it is also where older adults are targeted by financial scams and other online threats.

According to the FBI’s Crime Complaint Center, 147,127 people age 60 and over filed complaints in 2024, a 46% increase from 2023. These complaints resulted in losses of over $4.8 billion, 43% more than the year prior and over $2 billion higher than any other age group lost. These numbers show that criminals are increasingly targeting older adults online.

Many of these crimes go unreported because of fear or embarrassment. Scammers use many different methods, including phone calls, texts, emails and pop-up messages to deceive and defraud senior citizens. Below are some of the most common online scams that target older adults:

Personal and emotional scams

• Grandparent scams: Seniors receive calls from someone pretending to be a child or grandchild in trouble and in need of immediate financial assistance. Recordings or artificial intelligence may be used to mimic a loved one’s voice, making it sound as if they are truly speaking to a family member.

• Romance scams: Fake profiles on dating sites and social media are used to build trust over time. Once a relationship is established, the criminal asks for money and/or personal information.

Impersonation Scams

• Law enforcement scams: Callers present themselves as officers from the police, sheriff’s department, or a federal agency and threaten arrest or legal action unless payment is made immediately.

• IRS impostor scams: Criminals impersonate IRS employees through phone calls or text messages, stating their victims owes money to the IRS that must be paid promptly to avoid arrest or other serious penalties.

• Social Security scams: Imposters claiming to be from the Social Security Administration contact their victims via phone call, text and email. They may report that a Social Security number has been suspended, involved in suspicious activity, or linked to a crime, and request confirmation of the number. In other cases, they warn that benefits will stop or the number will be deactivated unless they are paid immediately.

Financial and prize scams

• Investment scams: Offers for “can’t-miss” investment opportunities are presented as limited or time-sensitive, pressuring people to act quickly before the offer expires.

• Sweepstakes, charity, relief funds and lottery scams: You are notified that you’ve won a prize, but are required to pay the taxes, fees and/or shipping cost before you can collect it.

Technology scams

• Tech support scams: Pop-up alerts, emails, or phone calls may warn you of a problem with your computer or phone. These messages often appear to come from well-known companies and may request remote access to your device or pay for unnecessary repairs.

• Toll scams: Texts or calls state you owe unpaid tolls and instruct you to click on a link or call a phone number to resolve the issue.

Home and service scams

• Home repair scams: Scammers go door-to-door, typically after storms, warning that your home needs urgent repairs. They often offer a discount if you pay cash immediately, then take the money and never return or do poor-quality work.

No matter the scam, these common red flags can help you identify fraud:

• Any sense of urgency to act immediately.

• Calls or messages from unknown numbers or people warning that a loved one is in trouble.

• People who say they want to know you better but won’t meet in person or only contact you on their terms.

• Winning a contest or lottery you never entered.

• Pop-up alerts claiming to be from “Tech Support.”

• Unsolicited people showing up at your door.

Tips to protect yourself from scams:

1. Pause before acting. Scams rely on fear and urgency, so take a moment to think about the legitimacy of the request before responding.

2. Confirm identities. If someone claims to be a loved one or an official, hang up and call them back using a verified number.

3. Be cautious about payment methods. Legitimate companies rarely ask for wire transfers, money orders, or gift cards.

4. Never share personal information, like Social Security numbers, passwords, or account numbers with unknown callers or email addresses.

5. Don’t click on links or download attachments in unsolicited emails or texts.

6. Keep your devices updated with the latest antivirus software and malware protection.

Older adults can protect themselves from online scams by staying alert and recognizing the warning signs of fraud. If you or someone you know is scammed, contact your bank to secure your accounts, notify the three major credit bureaus, report the incident to local authorities, and file a complaint with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. PJC

Rick Franks, CPP, FLO, is the security manager and emergency management coordinator at the Jewish Association on Aging.